30 Chapter 30

A crunch of snow being stepped on made Aris' ears perked up. He hid behind a bush and waited for the intruder to make itself known. He saw a girl as small as his Lady alone in the garden. It was near impossible for him to hold himself back, but his Lady's reputation was all he could think of.

He realized that Lai may have a hand in this, the newcomer planned to let him be exposed! The wolf growled, loud enough for Odessa to hear. She glanced in the direction of Aris; her eyes glowed as she sensed danger seeping out of the bush.

It was impossible for any beast to be here; this was the Grandis' residence. Let alone a dog. She sniffled as the cold wind blew on her face, she was always the sickly one.

Lai widened his eyes, the place where his Lady's pet hid was approached by one of Cailina's friends. He failed to notice her presence, for once he cursed his blood. This entire thing wouldn't have happened if he has keen senses, he only wanted to test how long can the dog wander without his master knowing.

The little lady from the Imperial Marquess Thyne. He bit his lips and let out a breath, "My Lady, are you lost?"

The voice frightened her. She looked at the smiling servant, a young man with handsome features. Her heart quickened as she stood still. He was familiar… One of Lady Cailina's attendants.

"Oh no, I just want to enjoy the moon," She looked up, and the lonesome celestial surrounded with stars, like the favored one.

She somewhat felt grateful not to be born under such blessed fortune. Her mother often warned her about wishing for an impossible dream

"I apologize for overstepping my boundaries, but you're missing out the night my Lady," Lai bowed.

His message was clear as day. Odessa lowered her gaze, he was right. What was she doing here? She left the party because her sister dominates every conversation, she was in. The attendant in front of her was weaker by bounds, she could snap his neck as her sister does.

She doesn't need a reason for doing so. It was only a lowly being, perhaps the favored one would forgive her act…

Lai counted as he waited for a response. He looked forward to something interesting from the neglected twin. Perhaps a story of how tragic her life compared to her sister.

"I can kill you right now," Odessa stared at his eyes without emotion.

"My Lady isn't that unreasonable," He smiled, "Then, I offer my company."

She squinted her eyes and nodded. It wouldn't hurt to have someone to order around. Lai followed behind her, sometimes he would divert Odessa's attention away from the hiding Aris. He hoped that the dog would take his leave.

Aris observed from afar, instead of returning to his room he chose to look at the golden-haired little lady. His curiosity for Odessa was like a kid staring at a wrapped gift. The puppy hid behind snow-covered bushes, it was a marvel to see one of his Lady's friend. The same kind at that��

Odessa felt someone was watching her, it was near, and yet she can't seem to find where it was. She strolled in silence, waiting for a chance to capture the pesky creature. The soft howling of the wind made her confirm her suspicion. Sher turned to her left where Aris' gaze was. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile as she walked towards the wolf.

She knew it was a wolf, just a whiff of its scent drove the murderous instincts her mother instilled in her heart. This was her first hunt in winter, how proud would her mother be, and envious her sister's face. She strode through the knee-deep snow with Lai in tow. The servant frantically talked sense to the little lady.

His words flew away into the still night. Lai sorted to the last attempt to stop her, he grabbed Odessa's hand, "Lady, I apologize for the improper conduct. I beseech you to return to the party."

"Why?" she asked, her eyes glared into his heart.

"My Lady surely would want for you to enjoy her day," his lips pressed into a thin smile. He calmed his racing heart for it would be noticed by Odessa and another problem would arise

Lai breathed out the nervousness he had for a moment. This was far stressing compared to a losing card because it was his life that would be lost. He shuddered at the thought of his Lady's ways to silence a servant like him.

He looked in the way Odessa disappeared and smiled sheepishly when Aris flashed in front of him, "I did not think of the sudden incident. I ask for leniency."

The puppy scoffed and walked away. Lai didn't know if following the young Lord would be the best choice or returning to Cailina's side pretending none of this happened. He chose the latter, at least he could defend himself if his Lady's friend would report her.

He entered the hall and was met by the piercing glare of Cailina. Her eyes dimly shone under the chandeliers that accentuated her expression. Odessa sat beside her with a smirk painted on her small face. It was too late for defending himself.

Cailina tapped her fingers on her lap. The rest were unaware of the subtle exchange between the servant and master. She swallowed the anger attempting to burst out, and continued entertaining her guests. Appearances matter most in this kind of gathering; she would deal with Lai in a proper time.

The night ended as Cailina reasoned that she no longer feels well. She excused herself from the formalities of sending out the guests, her father would do a great job with it. Finally, alone in her room, she closed her eyes and breathe in the still air.

No one mentioned the gruesome event that happened two months ago, her guests knew what words that shouldn't be discussed. Whoever dared to utter a few words that relate the Grandis? None, they wouldn't risk making an enemy out of the monarch's serpent.

She was spared from the endless explanation and possibility of alerting the mastermind before getting caught. She wished that her father would deal with it sooner.

She cleared her mind and went over the gifts she received. Most of it was the expensive things that the empire could offer, but these things mattered not to her. With a snap of her fingers, things she wanted would appear in front of her. She opened the box Maximus gave her with nervousness plastered on his face.

The brothers differed from each other greatly. One was the sweet angel of the family and the latter was the ghost.

Cailina spun the pen the Imperial Duke's unwanted second son. She raised her brow in remembrance of Edward's expression not matching his cheerful tone. Was having a sibling would only result to nonsense comparison and fighting?

Her nightdress swayed as she walked around her room, her hand place on her chin. She learned a few expressions from the adults conversing together. All have one thing in common; none showed the real emotion they had at that moment.

She agreed with herself that she wasn't ready for the noble circle yet. It would take years of practice to reach her father's level. The smile and all…

Her contemplation was interrupted as she heard a knock on her door, it was her puppy. Maybe to apologize of what he did, but she was exhausted beyond her usual capacity.

She declined to see anyone tonight, be it her father or another person, and she refused to see Aris in a drained state. Tomorrow would be the best time to tell him about

the party. The puppy wouldn't be going anywhere any time soon.

The soft bed supported her weakened body. One thought came to mind; she really doesn't enjoy socializing, but her father insisted her to perform tiring acts. She almost lost her composure as she heard Odessa's story, she almost dropped her cup. Lai overstepped his line this time, he placed Aris in danger!

Stirred by the stupidity of her attendant, she sat up and grabbed the book on her bedside. Her raging emotions awoke her somnolent eyes. She tried to drift away from the extreme annoyance she felt for Lai.

This was the first mark on his forehead. She would no longer tolerate such insolent behavior. Lai's reason for suggesting for Aris to go out of his room was to enjoy the night in his own way. It was a sorry excuse of a reason, and before she could snap Lai's neck, her puppy spoke in his defense.

She felt helpless as she looked into Aris' pitiful eyes. She stormed out to no longer see the disobedient servant. Whatever happened in the garden completely changed her puppy's wariness to familiarity with Lai.

A series of audible exhales followed by flips of pages filled the silent room. Cailina couldn't focus on her night reading, her thoughts lingered towards her puppy and the consequences of having a dog found in their residence. He was almost taken away, or worst killed.

Duke Grandis would not let this matter end without punishing Lai, or worst, her puppy. She puffed her cheeks and thought of excuses to save Aris from the impending doom. It was a good thing that Odessa wasn't completely certain of the creature she encountered in the garden.

Cailina looked outside the window, and the stars decorated the night the way they ought to do. She closed the book and blew the candle. If she couldn't have a peaceful mind, it was better to get some sleep.

Change was the thing that surprises a being's heart…