JOONWOO
One second, I'm dying, and the next, I'm suddenly fine because my new mom just sprayed perfume directly into my soul.
Real plot twist?
My scary, silent, emotionless brother literally stepped in front of me the moment my chest started to throb.
Then he passed on his napkin and asked me to keep it. I smelled the napkin, and it had a calming scent just like that perfume.
So now I'm confused because…
He may not be that bad.
NARRATOR
"So… it wasn't you after all, my lord."
"No, my lord. Most definitely not."
Duke Delacroix wiped his forehead with his gloved hand and looked thoroughly disturbed, while the other duke just playfully smirked.
"Hurt? Is she?"
"No"
"Her fragile flesh might have been not tattered by so shallow an act. But about the stir in her heart. I, being a man of great virtue, shall not allow her unseen grief to fester. Tell me, lord, can't you see her once-gleaming eyes now bear a tasteless hue."
ISEUL
After saying something, the noble pointed towards me. When we locked eyes, he smiled. Now he started walking… Walking towards me!
NARRATOR
He casually took up a drink from the waiter passing by. Anyone might have thought it was a simple gesture, unless they noticed how the drink matched the palette of his attire. The light creamish drink in his hand, topped with a reddish layer, perfectly matched his dusty rose vest coat and pale cream overcoat. Gold detailing shimmered subtly across the fabric, while a sage green ruffled tie added a contrast.
Now Duke Hastings stood right in front of Ruelle. Putting the hand that held the goblet behind, he took up Ruelle's hand and gently kissed it.
All the eyes present in the gathering turned to them.
"Duke Hastings, Lady Ruelle Delacroix," he said, his smile playful, but his eyes fixed at her.
Ruelle's face turned bright red when his lips touched her hand. Instinctively, she turned away.
"Will Lady Ruelle not spare a glance at this humble servant?"
She turned back instantly, smiled, and answered, "Greetings!"
…
They paused like that for a few seconds before the other guests broke the ice and started greeting her, too. When Duke Hastings felt his purpose was served, he left silently, sipping on his drink.
Duke Delacroix, from afar, looked better, much pleased.
Thereafter, the banquet continued in peace and chatterings.
Candlelight shimmered off crystal and silk. Governess Winter toured Ruelle around the banquet to greet the guests. Isuel moved along with her, wide-eyed.
"This is Lord Halverin of the Western Reach," Governess Winter said, pausing before a tall man with silver-streaked hair and a hawk's gaze. "He commands the sea fleets."
"Pleeeased to meeet youuu.(Pleased to meet you)", said Ruelle and bowed as she had practised.
He returned the greeting with a smile as he bowed down.
Turning around, Governess Winter said, "And this is Count Ferdinand. Lord Ferdinand is here too." Count Ferdinand was a blonde, middle-aged man with a moustache. Beside him, his son–a year or two older than Ruelle– looked the same, just without the moustache.
Before Count Ferdinand could greet Ruelle, his son, Cabel said, "I heard you are a chatterbox. Oh! Pardon. Greetings!"
"I like engaging in-", Ruelle was about to finish without thinking that now she was Ruelle, a four-year-old, not Iseul, who dislikes 'saucy' little boys.
Count Ferdinand looked a bit ashamed of his son's behaviour and was about to apologise with his embarrassed expression, but when he heard Ruelle say 'that', his expression changed to disbelief and slight shock.
Lord Halverin, who was taking a step to leave, turned around at her words.
Governess winter too moved a step backward.
"You tied Rachbery tats? They'r my fuvoret. (Have you tried the raspberry tarts? They're my favorite.)" Ruelle said hurriedly, clasping Cabel's hands to ease the situation!
Lord Halverin snickered and continued where he was going.
Lord Ferdinand too smiled, but his son, Cabel, started seeing stars. His face and ears turned red. He jolted away his hands and ran away. Governess Winter picked her up, and Count Ferdinand apologised for the displeasure.
Ruelle continued to interact with the other noble children, engaging in more conversations and participating in some of the activities that were set up for the younger attendees.
"Phew!" Ruelle blew hard. She cut the birthday cake and fed it to her brother. It is a tradition in this world that cakes, on any occasion, should be served at the end of the banquet with the other desserts. And the first piece should be given to the person you love the most.
The guest had their share of cake and soon one by one, they left.
Governess Winter took Ruelle to her room and handed her over to her nannies. They quickly gave her a bath and put her on the bed to sleep. The nannies left, and Ruelle could hear the two guards behind the door whispering. She opened her eyes and turned to face the ceiling.
In the affairs of the banquet, Isuel had forgotten what she had seen.
Magic!