“Ahh!” I blocked the knight's attack and I step backwards.
“Finish it already!”
“Yes Sir!” I run and attack in front he was ready to block it but I stop and swing my sword into his lower body, he blocks it immediately.
“You two can stop now.” we bowed to each other and I faced Sir William.
“Your attacks are improving.”
“Thank you, Sir!”
“Don't hesitate to attack. Drive towards your opponent’s chest.” and I clap my hands after I saw Sir William's moves.
“You’re really amazing.” he pats my head and started walking.
“Continue practicing.” I nod even he doesn’t see it. Every time he pats my heads there ls one word that always pop on my head.
Father.
“Let’s ready now we need to depart early.”
+++
“Your Excellency.”
“Oh Duke Hart, why are here? Tomorrow is your wedding day, you should stay and rest.”
“Why not? this day is especial because it the lady's birthday.”
“Thank you, everyone is already in the garden.”
“Yes.” the two of them go straight to the garden, where they held a small party to celebrate Alesana Rosent's 22nd birthday.
There they saw everyone Duke Falco, Calixto together with his wife Lady Ellaine, and Duchess Briele holding his baby. While the sorcerer of the Oreal tower Sir Leix suddenly vanished even Garnet and Sullivan don’t know where did the sorcerer go.
“It's been years but we still can't find Alesana, Me and my wife we talked last night and... Maybe it's already time to let go Alesana? It still hurts let's accept it that Alesana we will never be able to see her again.”
“Your Excellency?” Sir Calixto stand up and shake his head. “Why?”
“Calixto, please calm down.”
“Ellaine I can't.”
“Hush.” Calixto's wife, Ellaine Falco hug his husband. “Maybe the Duke is right.”
“No.” he shakes his head and firmly said “I refuse.”
“Sir Calixto is right, I still can't accept it.” Duke Clover said and after that no one dared to break the silence. They are all in a deep thought when the maid of Lady Alesana speaks.
“Duke Briele, Duchess Briele. The Lady gave me this box and she said that I should open it whenever I feel that I wanted to open it. I think it's the right time to open it.”
“Alesana really gave it?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Give it to me.” everyone gathered, excited on what's inside the box. It's big and when the duke opened its another box.
“Honey.” and when he opened the box it revealed another box and on top of every box has a name on it.
“What is this?” the duke called everyone and gave the boxes. “To my papa.” the duke cried and gently rub the box.
Everyone was surprised and carefully opened the box. It revealed their gifts that the Lady personally choose.
Calixto opened the box and it revealed a matching brooch that have a stone of sapphire. One for Sir Calixto and the other one is for her wife. While Alesana’s gift for Duke Falco was a gold Falcon brooch, perfumed oils to Lara and Melissa, A cravat tie to his father and a teardrop pearl necklace to the duchess. There are also small winter gloves and a red scarf.
“Al your sister has a gift for you.”
“There is also a small box for the Crown Prince.” Clover held the small box and shake it.
“Stop that!”
“Why? I just want to know.”
“Alesana, My daughter.” The duke hugs his wife who was in the verge of crying.
“We can't be sad on this day, it's her birthday.” Clover said and everyone nod. They silently eat and pray together. Still hoping that Alesana is Alive.
“After what we did to the Lady, we are wrong but...”
“That's why I will never accept that the Lady is dead. Never.”
“Duke you should go now. Tomorrow is your wedding day so it's better if you rest early.” Duke Briele said and Clover nod.
“There will be esteemed people from other country tomorrow so I'm kinda nervous.” Duke Briele taps his shoulders.
“It’s normal but it will be worth it. We are all going to meet at your wedding it’s a shame that you will not make it to the Hunting competition.” Said Duke Falco, the hunting Competition that held every year is already approaching so everyone is excited.
“We won the competition last year, and I say that we’ll win again.” Clover said with full confidence.
“But now the Orion Empire will join, remember he won the war against the Stean that is why they're scared of him. And he was the same age as you.”
“I still haven't seen the emperor of Orion.” Clover said.
“I already met him once, anyways you will meet him tomorrow.” said Duke Falco and everyone nod. This is the Second time that the Emperor of Orion will visit the Erden, the most powerful Empire.
“Everyone should rest now; let's all see each other tomorrow.”
“Goodbye Duke Briele, Duchess Briele.”
“Thank you for having us.”
“Good night, everyone. Have a safe trip.”
Meanwhile In the Palace…
“What the hell?” Celestine glared at the man who suddenly entered her room.
“Long time no see; did you miss me?”
“Why did you come here? What if someone saw you?” Celestine grabbed him and look outside the window, she was relieved no one was there.
“But no one.” He creepily laughed and Celestine got goosebumps. She throws the pillow in his face and then he stops laughing. "Bitch."
“I’m asking you why are you here? Please make it faster the Crown Prince will be here any moment.” Celestine watch him as he sat comfortably on the couch.
“Izora was wondering why you haven’t visited her.”
“Do you think I can easily get out of here? And I’m planning to seek out soon. If I know that he won’t let me easily get out I won’t agree to stay here.”
“Are you dumb? Haa of course he will keep an eye on you, your plan getting rid of Alesana failed remember?” he smiled and that made her irritated.
“I just can’t accept it, the Crown Prince looking affectionately on that bitch. That scene should never happen I know it because I read it!” she then angrily throws the box in her table.
“Here we go again.”
“We are destined to be together and she was destined to die, but how come she had those man wrap around her fingers, even the Crown Prince! Argh!” the man slaps his forehead and just watch Celestine vent her anger.
“Just admit your jealous of her that’s why you asked Izora’s help brainwashed all of them.”
“Why? You also like that back then, so you can have your Alesana.”
“If you haven’t interfered, by now she was already mine.” he angrily said and Celestine laughed.
“Ha. Now I know why you suddenly came here not because Izora ordered you but because you’re having a hard time seeing her with another man.”
“I do want to kill you, right now.”
“Same here. But I will kill that bitch first.”
“Don’t you dare touch her again.”
“Get lost.” She rolled her eyes and opened the window.
“Bye, let me borrow this book for a moment.” Celestine eyes widened and tried to grab him but he already jumps out of the window. “You can have this back if you go to the Ivory tower, see you there.”
“Raven!” he flashed a grin, mocking Celestine. She was fuming mad as he watches Raven vanished. “How come he get the book? No that is my only copy, he was in front of me so how fid he get the book?” biting her lips she throws anything she holds.
“Princess is everything alright?”
“Leave me alone!”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“This is Alesana’s fault she ruined everything. My perfect life, she even dared to stole what is mine? Haha.” Celestine lay down on his messy bed while she keeps on murmuring her plan killing Alesana.
“Just why the hell she’s still alive after that?” not knowing someone heard what she said and few minutes passed someone knocked.
“Celestine it’s me, Ares.”
“Crown Prince?” she immediately gets up and look at her messy room. There is shattered glass on the floor, broken things even her mirror was broken. “Ahh, shit what to do?”
“It’s fine if you don’t want to opened the door, I will wait for you in the dining hall.”
“Yes, I will follow you there.”
“See you later.”
“Yes, Crown Prince.” She sighed and called a servant that will clean her mess and immediately go to the dining room and there she saw Duke Clover and the princess.
“Pardon me for my tardiness, I hope everyone is fine.”
“Celestine it’s good to see you again.”
“Princess, I’m also glad to see you again.”
“Celestine come and sit beside me so we can now eat. We have many things to talk about.”
“Brother is right.” Then Clover handed the box to the Crown Prince.
“What is this?”
“It is a gift from Alesana.” Their eyes filled with confusion and Celestine look at the box with angry eyes. When he finally saw what’s inside the box the Crown Prince mouth dropped.
“That was not a good timing.” Celestine mumbled and Clover look coldly at her.
“What, I just deliver the gift. There is nothing wrong with that.” After that a satisfied smile plastered on Clover’s face and that night, they all awkwardly ate dinner. It was truly a wonderful night.
＜（－︿－）＞
—IAmRoseee