12 Ch 11: Invitation (III)

Both Lucius and Helena had returned back to the palace. It was high noon and both of them had bought and explored a section of the capital. Unlike Helena who lives in the royal capital, Lucius was basically an outsider. She gave Lucius a tour around the capital, or at least a part of it. The city was large, no one could explore it all under 5 hours.

Lucius actually had a glorious time. She was very informative and entertaining throughout the morning. She really does live up to the rumours of being a ball of energy

'I've got several potions, a five star meal, an enchanted relic, new clothes, and a whole lot of books about magic and historical religions. What did i miss... no, that's about everything i needed.' Lucius crossed out his mental shopping list. 'Wait... Is this considered a date? I haven't gone on a date during my first life and i already got two here, let's frickin gooo! Granted the first one was with Connor but gender equality so i can count that one as well.'.

Lucius had tasked a servant to deliver his items to his room. Now that his chores were done, he planned to do research inside the royal palace's library if possible. Searching for his sister was impossible because he gave little to no care on exerting energy regarding his sister's schemes. It was better not to be in a wild goose chase.

He was passing by the garden when he felt his intuition scream. From behind him was Helena who caught up to him.

"Lucius, would you care for a stroll around the garden?" She gave a joyous invitation to Lucius.

Lucius would've answered no if not for the fact that she could very well follow him instead. When turned around, his eyes widen surprised. She wore a yellow dress with multiple amber jewels embedded onto it. A necklace with an orange gem, and white gloves that mostly covered her arms. 'How the hell did she wore that! If my knowledge of women are right then, it should've taken more than an hour for them to change!'. From somewhere, Lucia nearly rubbed her eyes after seeing Lucius' reaction.

"Gladly." Lucius recovered from the shock and answered.

She slightly blushed. Multiple people and noble children had told her she was beautiful, which they weren't wrong, but it was a different story when they gave a shocked expression. However, she got the reason why Lucius was shocked wrong.

They walked around the garden with her taking the lead. "You are quite different than your sister. I expected a bit more dubious and deceptive personality." It was always been a question of hers to know the Devinsworth family.

"Simply put, we took different traits of our parents. She inherited more from our father's manipulative side." Lucius blankly replied.

"Ohhh." She was slightly intrigued. If they all took different traits, then what trait did Lucius get? "What trait-".

"None." Lucius interrupted her. The answer was something he couldn't find himself. His personality was just his old self experiencing his new life. It was always a question to himself, was this a second life? Did he transmigrate into this body? Did he take over the fetus' soul? It was all question from his mind whenever he felt an existential crises or post nut clarity.

"I see." She was surprised with Lucius sudden answer. A question popped inside her head. "I must ask, what brought you here? For someone like you, celebrations isn't an ideal place to be." She turned around to stare at Lucius and cocked her head.

Lucius stopped. His head turned to the right to stare at the distant sky. He couldn't just say 'Mama told me, go get yourself some friend or you'll be lonely.'. The wind blew by and made Lucius' hair softly dance with the wind. "I wanted to meet other people and befriend them. Isolation becomes rather lonely at times." Their eyes met and the end of Lucius lip's were slightly curled up.

'Nailed it!' Lucius inwardly rejoiced.

Helena was in slight awe. Her face had a small tint in red and her heart was beating faster. She quickly faced the other way and started walking again. "Then i'm g-glad i could be o-one of your friends!" Her voice started to stutter.

'Hahahaha!' Lucius was laughing inside. With porcelain skin tone, it was easy to see someone's face turn red. It was his first time playing with another person's heart. It was wrong but Lucius found it way more fun than playing 'i spy'.

"Then may i ask you a question?" It was a mystery if Lucius really inherited a trait from his current biological parents. However, he regained his knowledge from being a memer.

"Please, ask any question you like." She answered while hiding her expression.

"Have you ever heard of the mind goblin or suckon which was better known as Joe who died of ligma?" Lucius asked while putting his hands behind his back.

"Mind goblin? Suckon? Joe? Ligma?" She had a face of genuine confusion. It was her first time hearing such names.

'Oh such sweet and vulnerable little child. To me, you are nothing more than a lamb about to be butchered.' Lucius had a sense of superiority as he strode pass Helena. "Hehe." He let out a soft giggle before passing her by.

Helena's was confused and slightly irritated from Lucius. She had no idea what he was talking about, however, she felt that a trap was laid and she fell right in. Helena puffed her cheeks while narrowing her eyes. "Was that a joke i have never heard about?" She said.

Lucius turned over and gave her a smug face. "Heh, you wouldn't get it." And simply walked towards her with a face full of satisfaction.

"It seems i was wrong about you. You are dubious and manipulative!" She snobbed at him. Lucius found it rather cute and funny how she acted.

"A friend of mine wouldn't say such horrid words about me, right?" Lucius had a smile while facing Helena.

She did say that she was his friend. And it was technically right that a friend shouldn't spread negative comments about them.

"Hehehehe." Lucius was chuckling to himself from seeing Helena's face. He tried covering his face but she had heard him.

They had a splendid afternoon. Those sitting and observing the two of them was mostly shocked. Their expectation was that both would have a more awkward and embarrassing atmosphere. All the events that happened were not to their expectation, especially what they thought Lucius would act.

Lucia was im awe that Lucius was more sociable than she thought. Her predictions were that Lucius would get annoyed of her yet he actually enjoyed his time with her. 'This is... a sudden development. I wonder how far thus will go?' It was her first time seeing Lucius behave in such a way. Was this love? Interest? Or enjoyment? He would tease her and confused her with his 'unique' sense of humour, however, he ever only shows a smile.

She may never know the real truth. They turned off their surveillance on both Lucius and Helena. It was time for them to prepare for the party.

****

Lucius was wearing his regular outfit. White long sleeved polo shirt, black trousers, a black tunic vest, but with black hard leather shoes. He also tied his slightly long hair, it had often annoyed and poked his eyes at times.

'I need more colours other than black and white. But might i say, it seems a spy is in our base cuz im looking extra sharp.' Lucius admired his reflection. He quickly took his black gloves and wore them before leaving his room.

Most guest were already at the ballroom. It would have been stupid for an introvert to just waltz in, so, he was going to sneakily find the right time to enter without no one witnessing his entrance.

And by the goddess of luck and fortune, a small window appeared in front of Lucius. It was more of a door than a window actually. He spotted a girl with black hair heading towards the ballroom. It was time for his plan to be executed.

Silently walking six feet behind her, they both went inside. The room had a long table filled with multiple dishes, drinks, and desserts. Musicians were playing different types of instruments. Lucius planned to head to the balcony where it was less crowded. There were only a few dozen people but to Lucius it was too much.

From across the room, Lucius cold see his sister along with multiple women and a few men chatting and talking. From one of the corners of the room stood Helena, she had a crowd of boys around her which seemed to made her uncomfortable.

'Aight, Im gonna need something liquid. If only they had coke... *sigh* if only..' After being handed with a wine glass filled with an unknown fruits juice by a servant, he continued his path to the balcony. 'See, this is why coke and plastic cups are better. They're not only affordably but also easily disposable. Or perhaps pepsi man would get angry at me if i drink coke-' Before Lucius could finish his thought, Helena had approached him.

"Lucius, are you enjoying the party?" She had an uncomfortable smile etched onto her face.

Lucius took a glance behind her and saw the gazes of the boys that were around Helena. 'So it's like that huh.' Lucius completely understood her intentions. "As a matter of fact I am. Would you like to join me in a small chat?" He pointed towards the balcony.

"Gladly!" Her expression brightened and she followed him till they were away from the line of sight of most guest on the room.