Lucian's plan was to get lost and wander around until he stumbled onto Celine, but the Rocheforts had people for everything. You couldn't go anywhere without someone watching over you like a hawk.
It was impossible to get lost here, and even more impossible to get in contact with Celine without being noticed.
He placed the chest down where the man told him to and walked outside to wait for the merchant to finish his business.
Celine continued to swing back and forth, not hiding the fact that she was watching him.
He decided to walk over to her brother.
"Long time no see, Young Master," Lucian said, bowing slightly. It was their first meeting in person, but he acted as if they had met before (in the borders).
The Young Master was like a spitting image of his sister, yet so different at the same time. The same eyes, the same hair color, the same sharp features. The only difference was in their expression and demeanor.
Edmund was more reserved, more careful with his words and actions. Celine, on the other hand, didn't give a damn.
How did he find out so soon?
"Sir Arclight," Edmund nodded in greeting, his gaze drifting from Lucian to his sister, who kicked mud in his direction as she swung higher.
The little mud pellets landed at Lucian's pants, "..."
'So, you bothered to come,' her actions seemed to say.
Lucian wanted to scoop up the mud and throw it back at her, but he resisted the urge. 'I missed you too, you little snot.'
"Ah, my bad," she said, not looking sorry at all.
Edmund coughed, looking at his sister with a deadpan expression, "Apologies for my sister's behavior. She seems to have forgotten her manners in her grief."
"That is quite alright, young master," Lucian said, bowing his head again, "Grief affects us all in different ways."
Edmund agreed, inviting Lucian for a cup of tea, an invitation that Lucian couldn't refuse.
"I'll order the staff to give you a change of clothes," Edmund said while offering his elbow to Celine, who gave him and odd stare.
She switched her gaze to Lucian as if asking if he was okay with it.
"..."
"..."
The awkard silence was broken by Edmund, who decided to speak for both of them, "Come on, Celine. We can't have our guest go back looking like this, can we? Where is your hospitality?"
Celine got off the swing and stomped forward, her anger visible to the naked eye, "Ours? He seem to be your guest, not mine. You can entertain him yourself."
She took the lead while Edmund and Lucian followed her, whispering to him, "Don't take it personally, Sir Arclight. She treats all strangers this way."
"I have developed thick skin from my travels, Young Master," Lucian whispered back, "It is not a problem."
Edmund slowed down his pace as they neared the main building, "She is only sweet when she wants something, or when the person is useful to her. I am her brother, so I know her best. Just a friendly warning."
Lucian forced a smile on his face, "I will be careful."
Edmund didn't seem to like the answer because he continued, "When we were kids, she would do anything to get what she wanted. Especially the hard to reach things."
'Like me?' Lucian thought, trying to understand Edmund's intentions. It was obvious to him that the young master was trying to create a rift between him and Celine.
Edmund noticed that his words were having no effect on Lucian and dropped the subject with a friendly chuckle, "Haha, listen to me. I sound like an overprotective father. I don't mean to scare you away, Sir Arclight. I was just testing your resolve. She is my beloved sister after all."
Celine's head turned around with a silent request to include her in the conversation, but the two slowed down their pace, not letting her listen in on their conversation.
"I can't help but be curious, Sir Arclight. How did a young merchant like you manage to capture my sister's interest?"
Lucian remained calm, "I'm not sure what you mean, young master. My business is plants, not people."
They both stopped talking when Celine came up to her brother and dragged him away from Lucian. "Stop gossiping like a maiden, Edmund. It's unbecoming of a Rochefort."
"I am just getting to know our guest, Celine," Edmund said, allowing her to drag him away by his arm.
Lucian followed them inside, trying to take in as much as he could while he was here.
The interior was as grand as the exterior, with marble floors, high ceilings, and expensive paintings on the walls.
The Rochefort family was as old as the kingdom itself, and they had accumulated a lot of wealth and power over the centuries.
A butler approached them as they entered the grand foyer. "Your clothes, Sir Arclight," he said, holding out a set of fresh clothes for Lucian to change into.
"Thank you," Lucian said, taking the clothes from him. "Where can I change?"
The butler led him to a nearby room and waited outside for him to change.
Lucian quickly changed into the fresh clothes, which were a bit too fancy for his taste but were of high quality.
He folded his own clothes and placed them in a neat pile on a nearby chair. He would have to remember to take them with him when he left.
When he emerged from the room, Edmund and Celine were waiting for him in the hallway.
"This way, Sir Arclight," Edmund said, gesturing for him to follow him. "We will have tea in the solarium."
The solarium was a bright and airy room with large windows that overlooked their land. It was furnished with comfortable sofas and armchairs, and a table was already set for tea.
A maid immediately poured them cups of tea as soon as they sat down.
Lucian's manners were lackluster, but he wasn't afraid to ask how to hold a cup and saucer correctly, "I'm not used to such finery," he said, smiling apologetically.
╔═══ Author's note ════╗
Motivate me to write more with gifts, or comments, just anything, really! (๑•̀ㅁ•́๑)✧
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