49 Admiration?

"I'm finally here," Laura said.

Right now, Laura has just arrived in the Smyth estate. At first, Erwin insisted on asking Scott to go to their estate. But Laura had also planned to visit Serena as they were not in touch recently, and decided to go to theirs instead.

"Miss Laura, please follow me," The maid said, and Laura followed.

It was her first time to be in the Smyth estate, and the aesthetics pleased her eyes. As expected of a family specialized in tailoring. Each corner was decorated neatly, and the color palette of the decorations complimented the colors of the inside walls.

"Please wait here. Miss Serena is coming to meet you," The maid said before excusing herself, closing the door after.

It was Laura's first time to be in the Smyth estate, and she felt nervous. She stood up and walked around the room to ease her nervousness. It wasn't like her at all. But maybe it's because she knew that Serena would flood millions of questions to her.

The door suddenly opened, startling Laura. She placed a hand on her chest out of fright and sighed. Where was the cool and quiet lady she had met before? It was nothing like Serena, but it wasn't a bad thing at all.

"You're finally here and so spill the tea," Serena panted.

"Uhm, what about you catching your breath first and taking a seat?" Laura suggested.

"Don't make any disturbances, you need to tell me. So? I heard from my brother that the mysterious duke asked him to take your measurements?" Serena asked frantically. As her head leaned towards Laura.

"Yes…"

"Why? Do you know what he looks like? Is he handsome? Silver hair? Broad shoulders? Tall? Beautiful eyes?" Serena asked. Her eyes had sparkled as Laura pushed laughed and gently Serena's face away from hers.

"I guess he's handsome? Silver hair yes, broad shoulders yes, but not as broad as His Highness Winston. But he's tall and has lovely eyes," Laura blushed.

Remembering the light blue eyes, she had seen made her heart flutter. It was as beautiful as the sky and gentle as it could be. But personality-wise it didn't match him at all.

'There is no such thing as a prince charming riding a white horse.' Is what Laura had thought.

Serena smirked upon seeing the face Laura had made. She nodded her head, confusing Laura, and laughed weirdly. It was like she had started to support them even though they didn't have any relationship.

But knowing the stubborn personality of Laura, there was no way she would ask that. Still, Serena was determined to get them together. It is, after all a once in a lifetime chance.

Especially since she knew that Laura knew the mysterious duke's appearance and not only that, she also knew him personally.

Sometimes Laura would think that Serena isn't smart. But it was a good thing she had not recognized the guy who went to her small birthday party. Let's just say that Serena can be forgetful at times.

"I see," Serena smirked. "Right, then that means you're going to Prince Elijah's party?"

"Prince Elijah?" Laura questioned. She had never heard someone named Elijah, but because Serena called him a prince then that means he's the--

"Crowned Prince Elijah. One of my childhood friends," Serena smiled, kicking her feet on the air.

"I've never heard of him," Laura muttered.

"Well, he's as secretive as the duke," Serena laughed and added, "But he's going to reveal himself in the party."

"Do you think the duke will reveal himself?" Laura pondered. She crossed her arms together.

"Eventually, he will… maybe." Serena sighed dreamily.

"We will never know what the future might bring," Laura laughed.

"True," Serena agreed.

After a few minutes, Scott arrived back at their estate and immediately went to take Laura's measurements. At first, he was quite shocked when the duke asked him to take Laura's measures.

At first, he wasn't entirely convinced and refused to believe that there was something between them, but thinking about it, the duke personally asked for him. And with that thought, he felt more sure that there was something more to it. 

"I'm sorry for being late," Scott apologized, as he proceeded with measuring the waist of Laura.

"No, it's alright. Jade Tailor must have so many customers, and it's expected that you'll be busy."

"Still, the duke asked me to do so. I can't let his precious guest wait, am I wrong?" Scott smiled, asking Laura to lift her arms.

Laura laughed softly and shook her head. Scott is a gentleman that for sure, and any woman would want to marry him. But sadly, he's got a fiancee, and no other women can go after him.

But still, who was this special lady who able to capture this gentleman's heart?

"Brother, Eliza is here to see you," Serena teased as she walked towards him.

"Why is she here?" Scott asked. He looked confused and dropped the measuring tape onto the floor, passing his job to Serena. "Sorry, I think you'll need to take over."

Serena sighed, shaking her head. The lucky woman who captured his heart was none other Eliza Dante. Many at first opposed their engagement, but the two were indeed in love with each other.

Just seeing how Scott reacted when his lover came to his estate made him abandon his job was obvious to the audience that the two were mad about each other. Well, this is the power of love, I guess.

"Geez, then he's passing his job onto me," Serena pouted. Continuing to measure Laura.

"I guess both are really in love with each other," Laura envied. She blinked twice and continued, "So what about you, Serena?"

Serena stopped moving her hands, and blankly stared at Laura. At that moment, no one came into her mind, and never once did she have any thoughts about it. She didn't really care if she got married or not.

But eventually, she will need to.

"I think, for now, I want to focus on becoming a tailor," Serena refuted.

"There are no problems with that. You can do it," Laura smiled.

"I don't know. There was a point I wanted to, but I can't just abandon it, can I? It's my dream, after all," Serena frowned.

"Whatever your decision will be, I'll be there to support your dream," Laura reassured and held Serena's hand.

In fact, Serena lied. She indeed wanted to become a tailor, but she had set her eyes on someone already. And it was none other than her childhood friend. But she didn't have confidence in herself.

She often had thoughts like she's not pretty enough or graceful enough to become a princess. It was conflicting for her, and not only that, her so-called friend had long before declared that he's hers.

 The thought of having the person she loves being taken away by one of her friends brought an uneasy feeling in her chest.

Serena's face turned pale, making Laura worried. She recalled seeing Serena this way many times, but she the reason behind that remained a mystery to her. Just what is making Serena look that way?

"Serena?" Laura called out once more and which finally brought Serena back to reality.

"Huh? Sorry...I," Serena paused.

"What's wrong?" Laura asked. Still holding Serena's hand.

"I just remembered something about my childhood," Serena said, and she wasn't entirely lying. And she was relieved when Laura didn't ask more about it.

"I think you should take a rest. We can finish this when Scott comes back," Laura said. Getting off the platform.

"No, I'll finish it. Brother entrusted this task to me," Serena insisted, pushing Laura back onto the platform.

"If you insist…"

Laura felt she had asked the wrong question. But why is it bothering her so much? Could it be that guy she likes was someone who she can't marry? Or could it be because he's already engaged with someone?

Really Serena deserves so much more.

Scott was in the hallway, walking hand in hand with his fiance, Eliza. Eliza Dante comes from a baron family. With her wavy brown hair and gentle features, she was able to catch Scott's attention at first sight.

A gentle couple is what they were called. Despite the status difference, Eliza didn't become engaged with Scott just for the money but out of love. Kind of like a fairy tale story that eventually will have a happy ending.

As for Laura, it was merely admiration. Erwin has everything, the looks, the brains, and the status. What else can he not have?

But thinking deeply, maybe it was more than admiration.