Creak!
Arthur's head turned sharply toward the door. A figure stumbled in, Oberon, his hair disheveled and shirt half-buttoned, reeking faintly of wine. His steps were unsteady, but his voice carried arrogance enough to fill the room.
"Are you the employer of my dear sister?!"
Arthur blinked once, studying him with quiet amusement. You'd expect a proper noble to greet before speaking, or at least arrive in decent attire. Yet the man before him seemed to possess neither grace nor sobriety, despite the noble blood he so proudly carried.
'Did this fool have to come back now, of all times?'
"Greetings, my lord. You appear to be the second son of the Baron Whitmore, am I right?"
"Yes, it appears so."
"However, as long as I'm aware, I heard you were traveling around the country. Thus, it certainly brings me to wonder, when did you arrive?"
Oberon's tone almost slurred as he replied with curt.
"Not long ago. Now will you answer my question?"
Arthur let out a slow sigh.
"If you're talking about Lady Eloise, then yes, it's me. Though since she has quit, I'm no longer her employer but merely someone who's known her for a short while."
"Hm… well, not that I expected much. Anyway, unfortunately for you, my father is not at home at the moment, as the guards have probably already informed you. And despite that, you insisted on visiting. I'm quite baffled by your audacity."
Arthur tilted his head slightly.
"Yes, they did inform me. However, since I had already come all this way, I thought I would meet Lady Eloise and check on her. She left rather abruptly, you see. Surely, you wouldn't want me to appear only at your beck and call, would you?"
Oberon's lips twisted.
"That is most certainly true. But I'm afraid you won't be able to meet her as she's a little sick and is resting in her chamber."
Arthur feigned surprise, his tone softening with polite regret.
"Oh, that certainly seems to be a bad time to visit. I'm quite saddened that I won't be able to meet her again. Still, I'm glad she has such an affectionate brother, one who's always providing for her and taking care of her."
"You're quite a smooth talker, aren't you? Is that how you seduced my sister?"
Arthur's smile thinned.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Did she claim that I showed such indecency? No, she must not have. We never had such a relationship, nor did I ever wish for one."
Oberon leaned forward slightly, his tone sharp.
"Oh, really? Then it only makes me suspicious as to what she saw in your manor that made her go against her family's wishes and continue to work without permission."
Arthur's eyes darkened.
"I would suggest you keep your words in check or I can simply challenge you to a duel of honor having insulted me right in front of my own servant."
He paused, then let out a slow breath, softening his tone deliberately.
"But keeping Lady Eloise in mind, I shall be patient. As much as you appear to be an affectionate brother, it seems you don't care much for your sister's reputation. You do know, don't you, that scandal and gossip can be quite severe for a young lady who hasn't yet made her debut in high society?"
Oberon's fists clenched.
"And it seems it was nothing but an assumption on your part, Lord Oberon. I would suggest you stop assuming such… weird things."
Arthur chuckled under his breath, his tone edged with irony.
"Those words don't sound noble at all, not from a nobleman's tongue, especially not from the son of the Whitmore family. They sound rather like the kind of filth spoken in the slums, by vulgar men who neither care for appearances nor for the decency of their words."
"What?!"
Arthur turned slightly, glancing at his servant, Ralph, with mock confusion.
"Did I say something wrong by any chance? Did I, Ralph?"
Ralph shrugged calmly.
"It doesn't seem so, young master. I don't know why it angers Lord Oberon. You merely said that only someone vulgar would harbor such indecent thoughts and speech."
"Right?"
Arthur replied lightly, eyes glinting with amusement. Then he gestured toward the table where a small pot rested and continued.
"Anyway, would you please be kind enough to give this pot to Lady Eloise and wish her a speedy recovery? I visited a flower shop earlier and thought to buy her one for her new start."
Oberon's gaze flicked to the flowerpot. His eyes narrowed when he noticed the small card tied to it.
[I hope to meet you soon.]
"What is that?"
"Ah, I didn't write it, nor is it from me. The shopkeeper must've added it herself, assuming it was a gift for my lover, or someone sick, perhaps a family member."
He smiled faintly, then asked.
"Anyway, I would like to know when the Baron will be returning?"
"He might come too late today. So I suggest you tell me whatever matter you've come for. I'll relay it to him. And please, take your leave at once."
Arthur raised a brow but smiled politely.
"Hm. I don't think I can trust you to do that, but very well. Do tell the Baron to visit me when he has the time. Alright then, we'll get going."
Oberon stood abruptly, his chair scraping the floor. He snatched the pot in anger and stormed out of the room.
Arthur watched him leave, an amused glint in his eyes.
"He seems to be in quite a hurry, doesn't he? Well, not that I don't understand him. After all, he's hiding someone precious and fears she might be stolen in his absence."
Ralph's gaze lingered on the door as he asked.
"And who might that be?"
"You don't need to know."
Ralph bowed as he replied.
"I understand."
***
As Arthur was about to step out of the manor, the rhythmic clip of hooves drew his attention toward the gates. A carriage had just arrived, its wheels hissing against the gravel as it came to a stop. From it descended a man draped in a dark overcoat, Baron Whitmore.
Arthur's eyes narrowed slightly. He recognized him at once.
The Baron's lips curved into a faint, practiced smile as he removed his hat.
"What brings you to my manor, Lord Ashbourne?"
"Ah, I came to make a deal with you, but was told you'd be arriving late and that I should take my leave."
The Baron tilted his head, his expression unreadable.
"Who told you so?"
"Of course, your second son, Lord Oberon."
"I see… He must've been mistaken. Why don't we talk it over some tea?"
Arthur offered a courteous smile.
"No, that won't be necessary. I have another appointment, so I'll take my leave."
Arthur's gaze sharpened, his tone turning deceptively casual.
"Ah, just to let you know, I can ask my fiancée to request the officers to release your eldest son from custody. As you might already know, it was she who suffered the most trauma from that incident."
The Baron froze, his composure faltering for the first time as he spoke, his voice taut with disbelief.
"Will you really?"
"Mm-hmm. But in return, I want you to remove Lady Eloise from your family registry."
The Baron's eyes widened.
"What?"
Arthur arched a brow, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Why are you so shocked? It's not like she's your own blood, is she? Anyway, think about it a little more, and then come meet me at my manor."
He stepping past the Baron toward his carriage when a sharp sound reached his ears.
Shatter!
The sharp sound of breaking some object pierced the air. Arthur turned his head toward the manor, his eyes settling on a window on the second floor, the source of the noise.
'It seems he did just the right thing I was expecting him to do.'
He gave a quiet, knowing chuckle before glancing back at the Baron.
"It seems you have some family matters to take care of right now. I would appreciate it if you could give me your answer tomorrow. Oh, and do keep an eye on your children, My Lord."
Arthur's gaze lingered for a heartbeat, his words cutting like a blade sheathed in velvet.
"Because it doesn't take much time for children to do something… sinister, if not watched carefully."
With that, he turned and climbed into his carriage. The door closed behind him, and as the horses began to pull away, the Baron stood frozen in the courtyard.
***
"Eloise, look what I brought you."
Eloise lay on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. The last thing she wanted was to meet the eyes of the man she loathed most, her brother. He stood by the door, a faint smile curling his lips, his shadow stretching across the carpet like a taint upon the room.
"Now you're even ignoring me, sweetheart."
His voice dripped with mock affection.
"Shut your mouth and get out."
He chuckled softly, strolling closer as if her words meant nothing.
"Aren't you being too harsh?"
Eloise sat up abruptly, her eyes cold and sharp.
"Harsh? Says the one who kept me hungry for an entire day and keeps barging into my room without permission."
"Oh, come on. It's not like I've never done that before. Why make such a big deal out of it now, of all times?"
"Hah. No wonder people call you delusional. You don't listen to anyone and only seem to see and hear the things you want to. Anyway, why did you come this time? Say your piece and get out."
He grinned, pleased by her reaction.
"Ah, right. I came to give you the last farewell gift that your lover left you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
"What?"