29 Chapter 29

Edward returned a smile and gazed at his attendant, with hopeful eyes, "I brought my gift to you, my Lady… " Edward waved at his attendant, " I hope my present can interest you."

The attendant handed a box to his master. A simple pink box was in Edward's arms, a sight to warm a few nobles around. He grinned, "Happy birthday, Lady Cailina."

"What is it" Odessa perked her head closer to the gift, "Lady Cailina, will you open it now?"

The younger twin earned another pinch on the cheek from Ouida, "Stop being rude."

She puffed her cheeks and ignored her sister. Everyone can see that Ouida was much more interested than her, such a hypocrite.

Cailina nodded and opened the box. A porcelain doll laid peacefully on the fabrics of the box, her black hair flowed elegantly as her eyes were shut, as if sleeping. She took the doll out of the box and it opened its eyes.

Odessa gasped and retreated, "Why... How did it open its eyes!"

The doll stared at Cailina with an expressionless face, the burning amber eyes of the doll matched the little lady. She smiled and turned to Edward, "It's pretty. Thank you, Lord Edward."

She combed the silky hair of her gift, " You must have endured quite the trouble."

Edward's smile grew wider, his chest puffed up. He looked proud that the little lady accepted his gift. The amount of allowance he saved up for this occasion was worth it, "Not at all!"

The doll rested on Cailina's lap, it looked like she was holding a replica of herself; only the other was lifeless and lacking emotions. Caleb was baffled with how the porcelain looked, it was nearing lifelike.

"Who was the maker behind this amazing work, Lord Edward?" He asked, maybe he could get one for his mother.

"My father was the one who knew the maker. I told him my idea of gifts and he found the perfect maker," Edward boasted, his father was right, everyone was in awe with his choice of gift.

Maybe the favored one would favor him...

"I'm sure I can't match with my younger brother's gift," he directed the attention to his brother.

All eyes landed on the timid Maximus, he frantically searched for his attendant and saw that the latter was enjoying the party's delicacies. He bit his lips and looked down, "I'm sorry for the delay, but if my Lady can wait."

Cailina nodded and gave a sharp look at Fione, "I don't mind."

She played with the doll's hair as she waited for his attendant. This simple act of defiance disrespected her too. A servant having his own will without the consent of his master, he dared to show his obnoxiousness at her party.

The trembling attendant was accompanied by Fione, she bowed and returned to Cailina's side. His neck could bend to the ground with how he avoided the nobles' look. He regretted leaving Maximus' side if he never did, he would've been saved from the wrath of the favored one.

Regrets were for fools who didn't know what was best for them. Maximus cleared his throat, "Did… Where is my gift?"

He looked up and met his master's eyes. Ouida frowned, "How dare you? You're nothing but a servant and you dare look at your master's eyes?"

"I-" The attendant stuttered, "My apologies my Lord, I forgot to fetch it."

Maximus' face sank, he glanced at Cailina. If the ground could open up and gobbled him out of this embarrassment. Cold sweat trickled on his back and his throat dried up.

Cailina's voice stabbed the servant's heart, "Go fetch it then."

The attendant widened his eyes, "Ye-yes."

She laughed in her heart, her father would be pleased once he learned of this. A son of the Imperial Duke Clerham failed to teach a mere attendant. She couldn't care less of what intrigue happens within their family; as result, they would become a joke.

Duke Grandis listened as the person in front of him bragged about his sons' recent achievements. He endured Duke Clerham's boasting of having perfect son's, he took a sip from his glass to hide the smirk forming on his lips.

After talking with his now drunken wife, he received the news that a precious guest arrived, he even brought his 'perfect' sons with him.

"Edward perfected his horseback riding a few months ago, and I say Yaegar, I'm blessed by the Divine."

Duke Grandis held back the urge to scoff, "Congratulations, Duke Clerham."

"Oh don't be so formal, we have the same rank. Excluding the fact that your family… We're friends, aren't we?" Duke Clerham patted his shoulder, "Tonight is such a special night. Your daughter's old enough for her marriage to be decided."

He paused, "How about one of my sons?"

"You jest, Duke. His Majesty has plans for my dear daughter," Duke Grandis said, a simple remark caused Duke Clerham's smile wavered.

He retreated his hand and coughed, "That's good news, I suppose."

After all, having the monarch interfere with a noble's marriage was either a curse or a blessing for a lifetime. Duke Clerham could only hope that it was the latter. He gulped his wine and returned to his original jolliness, "A toast for a prosperous life of the Grandis."

The rest followed with the praises and good wishes. The night was filled with laughter and cheer. As the nobles enjoyed their time, Lai was ordered to accompany Aris for the rest of the evening.

Lai walked through the silent hallways of the residence. The moonlight spilled as it illuminated his every step. He knocked at Aris' door, "My Lord."

The reply he received was the deafening silence, "Are you inside, my Lord?"

The knob rattled and a pair of crimson eyes stared at Lai, "What is it?"

He smiled and handed a tray of sweets and tea, "My Lady wanted me to check up on you."

Aris frowned and slammed the door shut. He returned to his seat and continued to read a book, his Lady wouldn't send the one who annoyed him the most. The night played as slow as it can be, he looked at the scene outside the window.

The pale blanket that shone under the light of the night. The past year, he was caged up in a place he called home. He was glad that the nightmare no longer haunted him, but every time he looked at his fellow kind…

The peace ended with another knock on his door. Aris ignored the continuous pecking of Lai's fist. He thought that the latter would give up after a few rounds of knocking, but it only grew louder and unbearable.

He grudgingly opened the door and a fist knocked on his forehead, "You!"

Lai swallowed his laughter, "Do you wish to take a walk, my Lord?"

Aris closed his book and tossed it on the ground, "Why would I do that?"

The servant's lips curved into crescent moons as his eyes carried a hint of daring, "Of course, our kind needs to run once in a while."

Although he has no ability to turn into a dog, Lai has enough knowledge of what dogs do in their lives. His smile stayed hidden under the mask.

Aris rolled his eyes, "My Lady told me not to go outside."

"The garden is spacious enough not to let my Lord be spotted," Lai said.

It wouldn't hurt if he went outside this time of night. After all, the nobles were busy merrymaking in his Lady's party. He took a look at Lai and nodded.

The soft snow was printed with a trail of pawprints. A wolf as large as a child ran as fast as he could in the lonely garden. Lai waited for him to return, his smile grew wider as he watched the wolf's evident happiness.

He glanced at his pocket watch, it was almost midnight. The party might be coming to an end. The last thing he wanted was to be held accountable if a wolf was spotted running around an Imperial Noble's garden.

Aris dove his muzzle into the snow, he sneezed as a few made into his nose. He felt the chains that bind him unlocked. He rolled over and jumped, enjoying the moment of freedom.

A squirrel landed on his line of sight, the pair of wide eyes stared curiously at him. He held back a howl attempting to escape, he wouldn't let his Lady see him being disobedient. The little prey stayed at the same spot as if waiting to be chased.

He lunged as he waited for the right moment to pounce on the squirrel. He was late by a second and the squirrel ran away and stopped to look back at the wolf that tried to harm him.

Aris gave a low growl, a small thing escaped from his grasp. He wouldn't let that thing live. Lai smirked as he saw Aris followed the squirrel, like a dog. He looked at his watch, a few more minutes.

The wolf was unaware of what Lai was planning for him, he lost himself playing around the snow and the squirrel. The freedom he longed for years was finally here.

Odessa huffed out a breath, she dismissed herself from the table as her sister acted as if she was the star of the night. She walked towards the garden, running away from her attendant was challenging. Her short legs could only put a few distances between them, but at least she could enjoy a moment of silence.