The party went on gaily and like any other gathering, men from every table were beginning to feel the kick of the wine, while the women were forming sociable groups of their own according to age.
The dance floor was filled as the musicians played their harmonious tune of various kinds of music, be it a tender waltz or a quick foxtrot. It seemed as though the highlight of the party’s royal presence wore down as time progressed, but even so, a number of reputable bachelors of the kingdom asked the princess for a dance one after another to which she dutifully accepted for one sole reason only, and it was to be away from the prince who was sitting beside her in the royal table reserved by Duke Perdunn with the other royal councilors.
The prince did however had a share of his own admirers. Although these pureblood maidens giggled and flirted on his sight, the prince only proved to them that the rumors of his insensitive nature were true. Either way, there was only one woman that his attention was directed at and it was the princess who was currently dancing with another partner on the dance floor to his apparent irritation.
He gulped a good amount of sparkling sherry as he eyed the movements of the man with her. He hated the fact that with so many gentlemen asking for a dance with her, he was the only one that she turned down.
Even those meddling old fools and even the eager members of the royal council, she had willfully bestowed a chance. Does she despise his company that much that she had to desperately throw herself to the wolves? He couldn’t fathom the thought, but it thoroughly fascinated him how much she hid her vexation of the men that waited for their possible turn to dance.
He knew her full well. She wouldn’t let herself be pawned on by any man. If there was a prize for the most struggling maiden in the ball, it would definitely be given to her.
He continued to settle in his own seat, enjoying himself with the privacy he made. It had definitely been years since he had last attended a party like this and the last one was as much the same, with power-hungry subjects of Garlow fawning all over the hall.
His wanderings were cut off when an old woman of sixty years of age wearing a heavily-sequined peach gown approached him silently.
To his great surprise, he quickly stood up and bowed his head low in greetings with the one in his front.
The old woman smiled warmly and batted her eyelids furthermore. Both of them stared at each other like a mother to her child and a son to her mother, and after a minute of silent greetings, the old woman routed her eyes to a nearby balcony to which the prince instantly understood her meaning. She gently placed her arm to his readied elbow and escorted her to the balcony where they talked and he only went back to the royal table after half an hour passed.
Princess Lianne did as much as she could to smile and show to the guests that she was enjoying every single dance she had with her partners. There were a couple of familiar faces she was able to distinguish on the gathering to which she had first met in the Soulisse Ball.
The Duchess of Equinnoel was present also in the party and it was only because of her help that Lianne was able to free herself from the attention of the bachelors.
“Thank you so much, my Lady. I feel as if I am walking on thorns with the never-ending offers of dance. If it weren’t for you, I would surely be like a wilted flower after this party would end,” Lianne gasped in relief, able to breathe at last from her dilemma.
The Duchess laughed as she heard Lianne’s complaint.
“I expected that is so. Though it is a shame the prince wasn’t able to relieve you of your troubles considering the fact that most of the gentleman here are cautious of him. These men wouldn’t even have so much as an idea to offer you a dance if you were with the prince at the table,” the old woman said.
Lianne turned her head to look at the Duchess with an uneasy expression. If there was someone who could understand her predicament other than Lady Faye, it was definitely this woman. But the princess could not share such a trivial problem with her, especially considering the fact that the man concerned was the prince of Regaleria.
She didn’t respond to the statement; instead, she only gave a long silent sigh.
They were passing into what looked like a family gallery of the House of Astoria when the Duchess dismissed herself from the princess’ company. The old woman knew that of all the rooms of the mansion, this particular area would be the best place for the princess to rest her weary feet.
There was no one in sight, much to Lianne’s relief and the paintings were also a great way to buy her some time from boredom.
“Don’t stay here too long, Princess Lianne, or else His Highness would come looking for you,” the Duchess declared with ease, then walked away towards the exit.
Lianne was left on her own to wander inside the long stretch of gallery. It was brightly lit by gilded iron chandeliers lined up one by one in the ceiling and each of the huge paintings was provided a spotlight. Most of the paintings were from the members of the family, but what caught the princess’ attention was a painting hung on the edge of the gallery, of Duke Perdunn accompanied by a young boy of thirteen years of age sitting beside a glass table inside a study room.
She immediately recognized the boy as the prince himself in his younger years. She couldn’t help but stare at him and the intensity of his brown-green eyes that were captured by the painter.
Somehow, that look of him made her feel mystified but poignantly her heart ached for no apparent reason.
“Lianne.”
Her name suddenly resounded in the walls of the gallery.
She whirled around to see who owned the male voice and to her astonishment, Lord Cain was already standing a couple of feet away from her.
“My apologies for frightening you, Princess. You seemed too engrossed on that painting that you didn’t notice me come inside the gallery,” Cain spoke as he approached her closer.
He took a brief glance at the painting and instantly a gloomy expression passed his face.
“My Lord,” Lianne said catching his attention. Although her anxiety due to his presence was beginning to fill her, she collected herself and blocked her thoughts of what happened between them. “I didn’t know you are also invited to this ball. I didn’t see you earlier at dinner.”
Cain gave her a brief smile, shook his head, and said, “I came here late. I just arrived from Olga.” He perused the length of the one in his front and regarded her beauty with delight.
“Ah, yes of course. Lady Faye did mention that to me,” Lianne exclaimed.
Cain consciously adjusted his tie to loosen it from his shirt and then returned to her attention. “I knew that you were invited here too, that’s why I tried my best to attend even though I was busy there.” He stared at her with solemn eyes that were similar to when they were in the study room, and Lianne instantly felt the chills.
“Lianne, I need to talk to you,” Cain requested softly.
It was understandable to Lianne that this was the very perfect place for the general to ask for her time, as opposed to being in the ballroom hall.
Although she didn’t say any words nor nodded in agreement, Cain continued to explain, wanting to redeem himself. “I… I’m sorry for what happened that night. I know it was a mistake to do that to you.”
Staring at the floor, she felt a sudden relief from her anxiety. The Cain she once knew had now surfaced at last.
“You were drunk at that time My Lord. It is in my understanding that you were not in your sane mind to do so.”
Carefully, so as not to alarm her, Cain lifted her chin to face him and when their eyes met, Lianne could see clearly the guilt in his eyes, but there was something unusual by the way he behaved.
He slowly traced her cheek and proceeded into the curve of her pink shimmering lips to her shock. He truly had become so bold since the last time they met and his gradual change was overwhelming her.
“But what I said to you was all true, Lianne,” he added, “I am truly in love with you.”
Her mouth fell upon hearing his confession.
All her life, this was ever the first time she had been in such a situation, and to make it worse, the Master of the Soulisse House and the Major General of the Regaleria Kingdom was the first one who had declared his affections for her.
Never had she expected a time like these would come. She had always thought of Lord Cain as an older brother to her being five years age gap of him. What could she have done to make him fall for her?
“Lord Cain, I…” she spoke in a barely audible voice, wanting to answer him as cautiously as possible and hope, the words that she had chosen would not offend him. But before she could continue, another male voice joined them in the gallery.
“I hardly recognized you, General Cain,” Prince Ruen crisply said.
Both of them simultaneously turned their heads as the prince continued to approach them in a wary manner.
Cain’s disappointment could not be seen as he covered it skillfully with a partial smile, but Lianne’s surprised reaction was all too noticeable.
“Prince Ruen,” Cain spoke as he slightly bowed his head low acknowledging the royal presence. “I’m surprised. I didn’t know that you have returned from Veirsalles, and to be in a gathering like this. This is a new change.”
“Hmmm, you seem to deprive me of my duty tonight, General,” Ruen countered as he lengthened his stare at the princess who was still speechless.
A feeling of coldness spread within her; from her limbs to her face, feeling as if she was just caught in a promiscuous arrangement with Cain.
“I beg your pardon?” Cain’s eyebrow raised in confusion.
By the time Prince Ruen neared them, he instantly grabbed the princess’ arm without hesitation and pulled her closer to his side and away from the touch of the general.
Lianne’s eyelids fluttered at his sudden action. She wanted to protest. She wanted to fight him, but before she could say anything, Ruen’s attention was on the completely displeased general again.
“I do have an agreement with the princess that I’ll be escorting her the whole evening, and with you hiding her away from me, is something that I cannot just pass by,” he stated, the frigidness of his voice left the gallery a degree colder.
“I do believe the princess has her own right to do as she wishes, Your Highness,” Cain retorted. He raised his chin and stood his ground, ready to make another comeback if needed.
Although it was discreet, Lianne could see a few sparks of dislike in each gentleman’s eyes. The maidservants in the Regaleria mansion always compared the two together, setting each one apart according to looks and personality. Though Lord Cain was the obvious winner owing to his milder, more sociable personality, Lianne could not deny the inexplicable aura surrounding the prince that was slowly pulling her down.
“Indeed,” Ruen grinned, “but it amazes me how you seem to take advantage of the situation, Cain.” There was definitely mockery in the tone of his voice.
The general, unmoved by the callousness of the royal member, only turned his attention to the princess and offered his hand to her and said, “I still have a few things to discuss with the princess, Your Highness, so if you could-”
“I don’t think that is necessary now,” the prince quickly cut off, effectively denying Cain of his offer, “We were actually leaving.”
Lianne’s eyes widened, and she stared at him, unable to hide her amusement how much he can easily decide it without hesitation.
Cain straightened his stand, stared squarely at the prince, and voiced out as he turned his attention to the princess, “I have a carriage of my own waiting outside the courtyard, Princess Lianne. I can escort you back safely to the mansion without any delay.”
The prince grinned in sarcasm upon hearing it. Before Lianne could answer, he already made a quick remark. “I’m afraid I cannot let that happen, General. This party isn’t over yet and so is my responsibilities. It is my duty to escort her back just as I promised my father. Surely, you’re not inclined to disobeying the King’s wishes, right?”
Lianne draw out a deep breath and stepped in between the two men, fed up with their argument, “I believe the matter is up to me to decide, Your High-ness.”
Ruen turned to face her and gave her a steady “don’t-you-dare” look.
She stared back with equal intensity of anger and that immediately sent warning signals to the prince.
He paused, lightened his gaze at her, and accepted defeat. He knew her ire would burst if he were to intervene more for her, but still, they had an agreement and he was damned making it sure that the princess would not board another man’s carriage.
As if the general expected it, the princess stepped forward from the prince’s side and took Cain’s readied hand to lead them both out of the gallery.
Cain was thoroughly pleased and happy about what had taken place. He knew Lianne would choose him over the prince and he felt confident about that fact.
In the periphery of his vision, he saw Ruen entirely vexed, wearing the most notable insensitive expression on his face, following them both towards the main foyer and then outside the mansion where both of their carriages waited parallel to each other.
The three halted right at the edge of the stairs waiting for the carriages to load.
Prince Ruen was standing right beside the princess when she obviously gave him a look that meant ‘get out.’
Hissing with disappointment, the prince continued to the royal carriage but stopped just on the entrance of the door and looked at the couple for the last time. He was taking his time slowly, wanting to leave as soon as the Soulisse carriage will leave. But, a few minutes had passed, he then had an astonished look painted on his face seeing the princess approach the royal carriage and Cain wearing a dissatisfied smile.
“Let’s go,” was the only thing that the princess said upon boarding the carriage.
Ruen did not waste time and quickly followed her inside. He signaled the coachman to start with a knock on the roof, and immediately the carriage started to move.
A deafening silence surrounded the room as they rode back to the mansion.
Both of them faced their side of the window wearing a blank look on their faces, but Ruen didn’t miss stealing glances at her from time to time.
He, however, wasn’t able to subdue his curiosity, so he made an initial comment to her. “I thought you were accepting Cain’s offer. Why didn’t you? I’m sure riding with him on his carriage would have been a much more pleasant and easier time for you.”
Lianne didn’t answer, instead, she continued to watch the crescent moon outside.
“Ah, I see. The silent treatment, just like before. I wonder, what would Cain say if I were to ask him myself.”
She snapped upon hearing it, and quickly she moved her attention to the arrogantly seated prince across her seat. “I have my own reasons! Why can’t you just let it be!”
The prince smiled dryly. “I’m sure he is rather uneasy right now, considering the fact that you just turned him down. Cain might be even wondering why you did so… ah!” Ruen’s eyes beamed then. “Maybe I guess he is, that is why he is still following our carriage.”
“Hah!?” Lianne looked at him, bewildered at his statement, and after quickly looking at the back window of the carriage, she immediately realized that General Cain was truly tailing them.
She sat back on her seat with a hard thud and then went to glance at the prince who was smiling like the devil again.
“Why can’t you just stop laughing!” Lianne ordered, her brows knitted. “You seem amused by the misfortune of others!”
“Misfortune?” Ruen retorted. “Indeed, this is a misfortune for him,” he quickly added, amazingly feeling light inside.
Lianne frowned in disapproval. “Here.”
She unfastened the lock of the necklace she wore and held it out to him. “I am not obliged to wear this anymore.”
A grumble of disappointment in his throat was his only reply. He watched the precious stones sparkle against the light of the lamp. Comparing it with the twinkle on the princess’ eyes with that of the stones was the very reason why he bought the piece. If only she would keep it.
Instead of taking the necklace from her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her effortlessly to sit beside him. She gasped in surprise but wasn’t able to fight him off.
“Let me go!” she demanded quick, but Ruen pulled her closer to him, extending her neck making their faces only inches apart.
“Only if you’ll kiss me, I’ll accept that necklace back,” he said in a sultry voice.
“Yo- you’re joking,” Lianne stuttered and despite herself, she felt flushed seeing the proximity of their faces.
He smiled again and said, “No, Lianne. I am serious.”
“Oh no, don’t you dare!” she protested, alarmed by his threat. “Let me go!”
Just like a flash, his teasing behavior suddenly changed into a different mood. His eyes were aflame as if his anger was ignited by her words.
He pinned her down to the cushioned seat of the carriage, both her hands were tightly held against her belly.
He bellowed in rage as Lianne was helpless under him, “Why won’t you bestow on me the same warm reception you give to Cain?! You are so ready to let him kiss you inside the gallery, but here, with me, you act as if I am the most hateful man in this world! Why are you doing this?!”
Lianne hissed, her brows furrowed by the feeling of resentment bubbling inside her. “Isn’t it obvious or do I even have to enlighten it for you?” she replied through clenched teeth, “You are Garlow’s son!”
“Argh!” Ruen shouted in frustration. “For heaven’s sake, Lianne! How could you be so blind! You torment me with that irrational reason!”
“I may be a servant, but never have I been blind to your cruelty,” she stated, but her voice trembled. “I can see right through you. You pretend as if you are someone who has that kind heart, but deep inside you are just like Garlow. You share the same blood! You are a reflection of him! And I loathe you!” she added, throwing a sharp glare on the prince above her.
Obviously, he got the answers he needed, but those words cut right deep through his heart.
He was about to reply when a loud knock was heard from the roof of the carriage coming from the coachman.
Ruen knew then it was a sign that they were near the Regaleria estate. He positioned himself upright quickly and left her to help herself to a proper sitting position on the other side of the seat.
She did not cry nor gave any obvious reaction after their confrontation. She only stared blankly again at the scenery outside.
Ruen dragged a sigh, and before he could step down first out of the carriage when they parked in front of the portico, he said to her as a parting message, “You, woman, don’t even know what you are talking,” and he left without assisting her out of the carriage.
Lianne felt a quick chill from his words. She didn’t exactly understand what he said, but it left a feeling of guilt inside her heart.
She eyed him as he continued to enter the main door and no matter how much she disliked it, she found herself holding the necklace still.
Now, returning it would turn out to be a grave problem.