Chapter 28

"Everything's been well with you, Lord Caleb?" Cailina asked, displaying her lovely grin.

Connections were vital to have a successful life. Caleb widened his eyes, shocked that the little lady knew him. He bowed and returned a smile, "I've been well. Congratulations for umm."

The twins giggled causing the young Lord to blush. Odessa pursed her lips to hold back another giggle. She looked at the boy with questioning eyes and glanced at her sister. Ouida gave her a look, but the latter continued her teasing.

"I heard that Lord Caleb got a new pony?" Odessa broke Caleb's fluster, "My Lady, do you enjoy horseback riding?"

Cailina nodded and sipped her tea, "Please sit my Lord."

Caleb sat across the little ladies and smiled, "I did, and I would like to…"

"Of course we would love to!" Odessa replied.

Ouida nudged her jolly sister. Her energy that none could match, the poor Caleb was having a hard time keeping a straight face. She yawed her sight at Cailina and Caleb, the former was a master of expression. She sighed, the young Lord could not match up with the celebrant for now.

Odessa giggled once again, "Where is your cousin, Lord Caleb?"

At the mention of his adopted brother, his face sank. He bit his lip and forced out a smile, "He was feeling under the weather, grandfather let him stay at home."

"I apologize on behalf of my brother, Lady Cailina."

He gripped his thumb as he lowered his gaze. Cailina nodded and assured the anxious young Lord. Ouida pinched her sister's hand in which the younger yelled in pain.

"Why did you pinch me?" The younger twin rubbed her aching hand with her cheeks puffed up. Her teary eyes made Caleb panic.

"Watch your words," Ouida rolled her eyes," I'll tell mother you're acting up again."

Cailina watched on the sidelines, she found the twins adorable. Caleb, on the other hand, frantically reached out his hand. "It's alright, really. "

Ouida crossed her arms, "It's not just this my Lord."

"What do you mean it's not just this?" Odessa's eyes widened in disbelief. She was about to return her sister's action when Lai interrupted them.

He smiled at Cailina, looking as innocent as ever. His Lady gave him a look of disapproval, "I hope my Lord and my Ladies enjoy the best cake of the Grandis."

He retreated, losing the piercing gaze of Cailina. She turned her attention to the three children, "Please…"

Odessa sniffed and ate a slice of the strawberry cake, as soon as the soft cake met her tongue, her worries flew away. She completely forgot her sister's obnoxiousness.

A slice of cake was handed to Caleb, he shyly accepted Cailina's offer. His pale cheeks reddened as he took a bite. It was the sweetest cake he ever had. His grandfather forbade him to eat sweets as it was unhealthy for the mind. The adopted brother of his has everything handed to him while Caleb would be comforted by, "it's because you're the heir."

Duke Grandis glanced at his daughter and her companies. He smirked and turned towards the old man who's been with him for years, "Your grandson seems capable."

The old man took a glimpse of his grandson, "He is, but not enough…"

He sighed, "The other one has shown much potential than my own blood. If only…"

"Don't be the man who concludes everything before something started, Lord Icarus," Duke Grandis interjected, "The young Lord has yet to shine."

He nodded, he could only agree with the man in front of him. After all, if one got the acknowledgment of the Grandis, he would surely prosper in life especially if the recognition came from the favored one,

"How was the Crown these days, Your Grace?"

"The Emperor has indeed sent his heir to another sovereign. Although the details of the Crown Prince's whereabouts are confidential, His Majesty deliberately sent out the news that the heir was out of the throne. Temporarily."

Lord Icarus laughed, "None will truly understand how a dragon thinks."

Duke Grandis' lips tugged upwards; if everyone could think like a monarch then this land needed no king. He drank from his glass and excused himself.

He made his way to his wife. Seeing that his beloved woman has dropped all formalities of a noble, it's time to save her from the embarrassment in the morning.

A hand grabbed Duchess Grandis, her eyes returned their usual amber. She looked at her husband, his signature smile was painted on his lips.

Lady Iona pursed her lips and looked away. The sound of her heart pounding on her chest rang into her ears as her cheeks gradually turned cherry, like a blushing young woman.

Duchess Grandis grinned, she looked like a child who got a gift.

"Husband!" She happily latched on his arm, "How come you're here?"

He looked at his wife as if she became another person. This woman of his hasn't shown such a loving smile ever since their wedding. It must've been the wine, he assured himself. The look on her face made his heart flutter.

Duke Grandis patted her hand and turned towards her 'friends', "I hope you wouldn't mind if I have a talk with my wife?"

The ladies nodded and covered their faces, "Of course not, Your Grace."

While the women agreed without hesitation, Iona couldn't voice out her opposition. She wasn't done angering that vile woman, but when he arrived, her heart opened the emotions she kept hidden for decades.

The couple went to a balcony, Duke Grandis handed a glass of water to the woman who's thespian talents could put theatre performers to shame.

"What did she do again?" He asked.

Duchess Grandis' bell-like laughter echoed the cold night, "The usual, but I will not stay still as she ruins my daughter's party."

"Why do you always monopolize… nevermind. You could've ignored her."

"If I could, I would. Husband, you and I knew we shouldn't.'

There she goes again with the endearments. He calmed his heart and sighed, "I know."

The snow-covered scenery made the night breathtaking as the pair stared at each other. Lady Iona observed the man she dreamed of, with a woman she despised to her very core. She couldn't hear their words, maybe because of the music and chatters lingering in the air, or she refused to hear their exchange of sweetness.

Duchess Grandis scoffed, "Really?"

"There's no need to be stirred up by such small matters."

She bit her inner cheeks and turned away. The man in front of her was too much, he never really tried to understand her point. She was always the one who adjusted to his plans when in the first place, he was the one that needed help.

Duke Grandis massaged his temple, "Alright, I'll make sure she won't show up in your sight."

"Just, don't…"

"I know, Yaegar."

Cailina laughed at Caleb's attempt to lighten the mood. She has been laughing for a while that her stomach began to hurt. After the young Lord finished his fill of sweets, his newfound liveliness made the little ladies out of breath.

He recounted almost everything he could remember. The incident that made his adopted brother a joke in the family, and the expressions his grandfather would wear whenever he caught him not studying.

Odessa clutched her heart, "I can no longer breathe… Lord Caleb, is it true that your cousin flirted with a maid?"

"Yes, I tried to stop him. He only brushed off my warnings."

"That's hilarious, why would he…" Ouida covered her mouth with a fan, "I never thought that a shy-looking boy would do such things."

The children laughed their hearts away. Lai smiled under his mask, it was refreshing to see his Lady enjoying her day. She was capable of showing bubbly emotions. He looked at Fione, she stood silently, but Lai knew that this cold maid was happy for her Lady.

Maaike has been holding her laughter ever since the young Lord joked around. The atmosphere turned cold as another voice joined their conversation.

Cailina looked at the boy she was taught to be wary of. The eldest son of Imperial Duke Clerham, young Lord Edward behind him was his brother, young Lord Maximus.

The siblings frightened Caleb, he pursed his lips and covered his mouth. The twins returned to their usual composed selves, and Cailina greeted the young Lords.

"I assume I didn't interrupt an important topic?" Edward smiled, his angelic face appeared terrifying for Caleb.

"Not at all, I'm glad Lord Edward and Lord Maximus can join," Cailina looked at Lai, the latter bowed and left, "Please, make yourself comfortable."

Edward nodded and sat down, his brother timidly waited at his side. Cailina focused her gaze on the younger brother and smiled, "You can sit next to me Lord Maximus."

"He goes by Zazel, my Lady," Edward said, crossing his arms.

"I think Maximus fits him well," She smiled and patted the seat.

The younger brother received a look from his brother, he lowered his gaze and went over to the little lady. Her smile widened as the shy rabbit sat down. Cailina sipped her tea and gave Edward a glance.