Canillia smiled as she was glad to see Ian.
As if he didn’t like the way she called him, Ian scoffed and stood in front of her. He was two steps lower, but their eyes were leveled.
“Isn’t there too many people in the way?” he asked coyly.
Lia bit her lips slightly and then smiled brightly.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Lia said.
“Has it been 3 years?”
“Yes, it has.”
“You’ve… changed a lot.” His odd ash coloured eyes examined her. “You’ve become a lady, Canillia.”
Ian looked down at her closely. Lia was about to take a step back while looking away instinctively, but a large arm wrapped around her waist. The eyes that looked like dawn’s fog drew closer and the impulse that came fast kissed her lips.
She didn’t even have a chance to think.
She pushed Ian’s chest hard in surprise. Then turned her head to separate her lips. The place where his lips touched was hot. It was hot and it hurt.
She stared at the left side of the handrail and shook her head profusely.
“Don’t do it. I don’t like it.”
“Me? Or the kiss?”
Ian’s voice moved from her cheek to her temple then her ears.
“The kiss. I don’t like this kind of relationship!”
Her face must have been so red that it looks like it’ll explode. Ian’s hand around her waist froze at her fierce rejection. He looked at her trembling hands and took a step back.
Canillia wanted to believe that his impulse was a mistake. She felt like crying as she glared at Ian. But he was also staring at her with the same expression.
Ian Sergio slowly kneeled on one knee in front of her. Then he took her hand, kissed it.
“Forgive me, Canillia.”
Lia quickly took her hand away and then ran down the stairs. She hopped into her car and then rubbed her lips with her hand. She rubbed it until it became red while tears brimmed in her eyes. She felt scared.
She opened the window and calmed her face. If Claude saw this, he would definitely ask. She wasn’t sure she could deceive him.
It was the first time she felt scared of Ian.
No, she wasn’t scared of Ian. It was the pain and futility she felt that she lost a precious friend.
“Let’s go.”
Claude ordered the car to go the moment he got on. Lia looked out the window trying to look casual. She tried her best to look like she was in deep thought, and thankfully it seemed like he didn’t know what just happened.
“I sent people to move your stuff from your place. Your maids as well,” Claude said.
“Thank you for taking care of my people as well,” Lia replied weakly, trying so hard for her voice not to break.
“Your life depends on it. Honestly I just want to take you to Del Casa right now.”
Her heart started to melt as his soft words. As she quietly laughed, his large hand grabbed her small chin. Then he made her look at him. Claude brushed the tears off her eyes.
“Grand Duke Sergio was up there.”
“Ah, yes. I met him.”
“Is that it?”
“Yes, just greetings…”
He nodded and then caressed her face. Then kissed her. Her heart started to calm down.
Lia grabbed his sleeves.
***
The banquet that was being held in Marquis Gliad’s townhouse was basically its first. The high nobles like the Marquis didn’t need to host a banquet for social purposes.
The mansion opened its door for the first time since Kieran was admitted into the Academy with distinction.
Anastasia stood in the middle of the hall and looked around anxiously at the fancily decorated tapestry, table and the musicians that were hired.
“Is this really necessary?” Gliad asked as he stepped out of his study.
Anastasia looked at him as he was still in his indoor clothing and responded angrily, “I can’t let us be humiliated like that.”
“Why didn’t you listen when I said Canillian isn’t the culprit?”
“He is! What do you mean he isn’t. No way. Ha… He has to be the culprit. He’s from Louvre.”
“Anastasia…”
Gliad turned around looking tired. Anastasia glared at Marquis as he headed upstairs.
The Marquis became easily fatigued since the end of the war and he was usually stuck in his study. It seemed like his time as a prisoner was hard on him, but Anastasia no longer had the patience to understand his pain.
Today.
That child will attend bracing.
She knew that child was smart. And that she now has immense power. She couldn’t deal with someone like that personally.
Anastasia called a servant that was setting the table.
“Two grand dukes will be sitting there so be mindful.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Make sure to mark it properly too,” she added.
“Yes.”
Anastasia brushed the back of the chair with Canillian Vale’s name card on it.
Canillian Vale will become sick and disappear. He has to.
Anastasia went into the kitchen after. There was a red haired lady who was washing the potatoes. Beads of sweat trickled from her temples to her chin, but still was emitting a quite elegance atmosphere.
Anastasia approached the lady and gently put her hands on her shoulders.
“Marilyn, I have a favor to ask.”