"Oh." Young lord Caelrion suddenly looks at me.
'Crap... We should go right?' I tug Rey's vest.
"Greetings, Young Lord Caelrion." Rey bows as Lady Elie follows.
'Ack— I forgot I'm supposed to bow too.' I followed afterwards.
"You must be Lord Reynard and Lady Velora." Young Lord Caelrion places a hand on his chest and bows.
'I guess he's called Young Lord Caelrion... I'm not used to these forms of address since I'm used to him being the Duke already.'
"What are you guys doing here?" Lucien asks while handing Young Lord Caelrion some papers.
'Oh so it's true, he's here for some business.'
"We're going to the city." Rey gets close to Lu.
"I see, since there's many of you. Why not bring Velora's personal guard."
"Tsk!"
'Huh tsk? Did Rey just tsk?' I look at Rey in disbelief.
"Rey." Lucien looks at Rey Ice cold.
"Fine, I'll ask him."
Lucien shifts his gaze to Lady Elie.
"Lady Elie, I heard from your father that you are to be engaged. Congratulations."
Lady Elie wears a dejected expression and bends her head down, gripping her clothes quietly while biting her lip.
Lady Elie looks up and smiles
"I thank you, Duke Lu."
I wear a pitiful expression.
'Don't worry Lady Elie. Once I learn about the world, I'll definitely help you get out of that marriage!'
"Then I congratulate you too Lady Elie."
"Thank you, Young Lord Caelrion."
"We'll get going now."
As we're about to leave after we bow.
"Wait." Young Lord Caelrion walks towards me.
"It's been a while, Lady Velora."
'What the—... Why's the ML talking to me?'
"Yes..." I only take a glance and avert my gaze.
"Hmm. That's a weird reaction." Young Lord Caelrion muffled.
Suddenly he reaches out for my hand for a kiss.
'Hold on you prick!'
'Kissing a lady's hand without asking'
'This son of —'
"HE—" as I'm about to scream and punch Young Lord Caelrion, Rey suddenly grabs my hand and my waist.
"HEY!"
"If you don't mind Young Lord Caelrion, we're leaving." Rey stares at Young Lord Caelrion irritatedly.
"Ah, Reynard before that—..." Duke Lucien interrupts.
—Few minutes later, carriage—
'Why has it come to this...'
'Duke Lucien suddenly wants to join us then Young Lord Caelrion got curious and followed along, saying he'll join too since he has business there.'
'So...'
Lady Velora is seated beside Lady Elie while on the other side
Young Lord Reynard and Lord Caelrion sit together.
On the other hand, Duke Lucien has his own carriage and Ethan is in front beside the coachman and Joe.
'Why did ML just use his own carriage.' I stare at him.
"Lord Caelrion, wouldn't it be better if you used your own carriage?" Rey crosses his arms.
"Oh my, don't be like that, didn't Lady Elie also come to your household in her carriage?"
'What kind of answer is that!? Excuse me, you're the non-family here! Do you here me? Non-family!!' I glare at him deathly.
"Pfft. Lady Velora, if you keep pushing your eyebrows together, you might create waves on your forehead."
Reynard suddenly stares at Lord Caelrion like he's asking for death.
"If you're here about the promise, Velly wouldn't agree nor would I." Rey says firmly.
'Huh what?'
"Oh don't you worry, I don't like to force marriage, if Lady Velora declines."
'What in the world are they talking about!?!'
'I don't even know any promises, let alone I'm not interested.'
'Also, since I know what will happen I prefer to avoid death, thank you very much.'
"It's fine, Young Lord Caelrion, I'm not interested." I bluntly interefere and raise my right hand signaling stop.
"Well, That concludes it." Young Lord Caelrion smiles politely.
'Huh just like that?'
'That's easy then. I thought he'll be doing something like those in the book where he tries to control the villainess love to get what he want.'
"Eh!?!" Elie looks at me in shock and hesitates.
'Huh, why's Elie shock?'
"Ah—... I mean we're here..."
'She wears a dejected face once again...?' I tilt my head in confusion.
—Few minutes later—
"Well, I'll be going, hope we all meet again soon." Young Lord Caelrion smiles and stares at me with a gentle smile.
"Duke Lucien, take your time and think about it."
Both the Duke Lucien and Young Lord Caelrion bow to each other.
Young Lord Caelrion left with 2 of his personal guards.
'He finally left.'
Ethan, my personal guard suddenly reaches out his hand to me.
Confused, Rey suddenly puts himself between us.
Elie suddenly grabs me on my arm while she stutters which left me confused.
"Let's go Vel!"
—Few hours later, clothes shop—
'I joined because they said we'll eventually eat later but—'
'WHY IS IT TAKING HOURS!?
"Vel this might suit you!"
"No Velly, Elie's taste sucks, this is better!"
—Few minutes later—
"Nice!"
"Velly suits anywhere!!!"
While everyone is having fun with dressing me up with random clothes.
"Wait here Velly and try this, we'll look for more!"
"O-okay..."
I look at myself in front of the mirror, flipping my dress and observing myself top to bottom.
I let out a sigh of relief.
'It's been a couple of weeks huh.' While looking at my self I see Duke Lu in the reflection.
Duke Lu sits in a corner, ruffling through papers.
'He's working here? I guess being the duke is hard.'
I just realize I'm alone with the duke... We're at our own changing room and everyone else is outside.
Duke Lucien suddenly looks at me.
'Ah our eyes met.'
Duke Lucien smiles.
"Don't worry Velora anything you wear suits you."
"ahahaha." I let out an awkward laugh.
His face suddenly beams with light.
Awkward silence fills the room.
'When are they coming back...' I sulk and bow.
"You've changed."
'Eh? I know you're suspicious of me but don't kill me without a witness.' as I start to sweat continuosly.
"But, It's better, cause mom wouldn't like that." Lucien gently smiles but the difference this time it's very soft.
I'm left speechless, I let out a scoff and smile instead.
Duke Lucien's eyes widen.
'He must've felt a heavy burden around his shoulders.'
'Dont worry older bro I'll do my best to be the happiest lady!' I clench my hand in confidence.
—bam—
Lady Elie and Rey suddenly burst in the room, shouting at the same time.
"Velly." "Vel!!"
"Vel you should wear this, red and gold is better for you!!"
"Heck nah!, Velly I'm your older brother I must tell you that pink white suits you better."
'ARGGHHH!! I want to go home!!!'
—Cafe—
'finally we can relax.'
'After they toss me a couple of times in that clothing store like a doll...'
'They ended up just buying everything when my tummy rumbled...'
—few minutes ago—
'i don't want this anymore....'
My tummy starts to rumble.
"A."
Everyone suddenly stops.
—Cafe—
The moment we take a seat inside the café, the atmosphere shifts.
Quiet. Refined. Almost suffocating.
Soft light spills from crystal chandeliers above, reflecting against polished silverware and pristine porcelain. Nobles sit with straight posture, their voices low, their movements precise as if even the air demands elegance.
Delicate pastries arranged neatly on each level. Mini fruit tarts glisten under the light, macarons in soft pastel colors sit untouched, and neatly cut finger sandwiches rest like they were never meant to be eaten.
Across from us, Duke Lucien sits composed, his posture straight, movements effortless as he lifts his teacup.
I stare at the pastries on the table.
'…Why is everything so small?'
'Do nobles eat this small, that's why they gain any weight?'
"Vel!" Lady Elie beams, already reaching for a strawberry tart.
"Try this one, it's really good!"
I take a bite of a tart.
It's sweet. Light. Perfect.
"It is delicious." My eyes beam but reality sinks in.
'I'm not into sweets, I'm hungry this isn't even real food.' as my mood withers.
—Outside, Market—
I've been craving for the food I have back home that I forgot we're in the Market, there's so much food stall beside it.
Duke Lucien doesn't like it so he just follows behind.
I take a bite.
'It's delicious! this is definitely barbeque.'
I start to give them one by one.
Rey suddenly gives his hand to me waiting for his.
'Woah talk about who doesn't like street food.'
'Did I just train him to eat?'
I reach out my hand.
"Rey, paw"
Rey puts his hand onto my hand.
'Yep, this siscon is now disciplined.'
I hand out the barbeque to Rey.
I then give Joe and the others a piece and Duke Lucien declines.
'This family— dares to deny good food.'
And finally I hand out some to Ethan.
As I'm about to hand him one his eyes sparkles.
'His expression brightens up.'
I slowly avert.
'now he's sad.'
I start to give it again.
'sparkles.'
Avert.
'sad puppy.'
I did it multiple times as a tease but eventually gave it to him.
'I feel bad for acting like a kid.'
While everyone is having fun eating and talking to each other.
I was able to realize the line that draws commoners and being a noble.
Nobles wears fancy clothes while the commoners wears... Almost identical to one another.
I suddenly see kids on the side begging for a change, wearing tattered clothes and looking thin.
'The difference is just too much.'
I step forward to give them the barbeque.
'I bought too much so it's fine if I give the rest to them.'
"Here." I let out a smile.
Suddenly a man appears from a narrow alleyway.
He grabs me by my arm and mouth, my eyes widen in shock.