18 THE VISITORS

There are two cars parked outside the courtyard.

We have visitors?

O How early are our visitors!

Is Uncle Charles inside the house?

I'm crossing my fingers.

I hope he is around.

The cars are all unfamiliar to me. It's not the car that was used by Mikael before.

It's like Audi 4000 and a yellow Chevrolet Camaro, very flashy!

Leonid brought a magazine one time, and the content shown me, different models of brand new car advertisements. And I remembered well that I asked Leonid "Which do you think are the best cars, Leonid?"

He replied "Well, I'm torn between Audi 4000 and Chevrolet Camaro..but quite expensive!" he cheerfully said.

Then, I smiled.

As we are getting closer, it is more vivid...

Olivia, the house keeper, Peter, the hostler, a gentlewoman and a girl younger than me is waiting for us, outside the house.

We halted our horses and descent from it.

Stefan unload our camping bag and give it to Olivia.

While the two girls approached him with full of admiration.

And Peter approached me and Winter, he then lead Stygian and Winter to the the stable for grooming and feeding.

As I walked down the courtyard, back to the house.

Stefan called out "Beatrix, My Lady! Please come and meet our visitors.." he cheerfully plead.

I approached them without hesitation.

He introduced me to Lilly Stein the Grand Duchess of Bayden, the gentlewoman, who looks older than me, maybe the same age of Stefan and the younger girl, Princess Sophie of Dothinghelm, Stefans younger sister.

" I am pleased to meet you..." I said and bow down.

I saw Lilly's distasteful reaction in her face, she doesn't even bother to shake my hands that I offered but instead put her arms around Stefan and flutter her lashes while looking at him. Princess Sophie is so sweet, reached out my hands and hugged me with fondness.

And then Princess Sophie looks at me sternly "I'm glad, I finally meet you! Mikael just mentioned about you... I wished that Uncle Charles will soon complete his investigation in Oblonsky. You are gorgeous and.. very elegant. I have a gut feeling, you are the Heiress of Oblonsky, indeed! She said in full of excitement.

While Lilly asked Stefan "What happened to you..Your Highness? We arrived very early today.. for the celebration of Christmas Eve dinner. " while pouting her lips.

"Your highness, Beatrix and I had camping in the Exit Glacier last night" he responded.

"For a long time that I asked you to tour me around, not even once you compel on my request!" she added in hissy fit.

"I apologize your highness, I have been busy on those days. I'm sorry but I need to freshen up with Princess Beatrix. See you later" Stefan annoyingly said.

He grabbed my arms and excuse us with Princess Sophie.

"See you later my little sister! " and kissed her on her forehead.

We quickly left them in the courtyard.

He slowly dragged me up to the stairs in a hurry.. When...

A big deep voice called Stefan from the dining area.

"Stefan! Prince of Dothinghelm! Please come.. meet your old man and your mother."

Stefan looks at me, feeling agitated.

I just nodded and let go of his hands.

And I run through the stairs up to my room.

Immediately, I freshen up and changed into a puff sleeved, button down, embroidered with gold roses, olive dress then I put on my gold necklace.

Oh How I feel awkward and fretful earlier, in meeting those girls in their prettiest Princess dresses.

But, the attention that Stefan had given me was priceless!

I cherished our memories together in the park and I lay down in bed to take a nap.

I'm just very tired from our hike and ride earlier.

And I doze off.

The fairy lights turned on in the darkness of the room.

Then, the moon greeted us, magically.

The scent of roses and lavenders.. welcomed us.

And the music filled the air of silence.

Then, I'm startled with a knock on the door.

" Yes? " I asked while feeling weary.

"Your highness! You are called to share the dinner table in fifteen minutes" Lilian relayed.

"Thank you, Lilian..I'll be ready then." I responded.

I washed off my face to awaken my senses, then put some coconut oil in my wavy hair, comb it carefully and let it down, then fix a gold floral feather corsage, in between my forehead and right ear.

Then, I put a dash of a cherry red lipstick, this is Nanas gift on my seventeenth birthday. This is my first ever lipstick.

I pouted my lips in front of the vanity mirror and giggled.

Then, I put on my pair of olive green and gold patchwork leather shoes in low heel pumps.

And a gold lacy sexy gloves to match everything.

That's just perfect for me!

Just simple and classy.

I slowly walked out from my room and going down the stairs.

And I'm feeling edgy.

Then, I saw Stefan... Standing below the stairs, wearing his grey tuxedo tailcoat with pants satin lapels.

He looks like one of the Olympian gods, standing on his throne.

His hair is brushed up and very slick.

His eyes are glowing of admiration and meet mine in a very thrilled way and full of ecstacy.

Then, he smiled from ear to ear.

I'm holding the handrail tightly since my knees are a bit weak and wobbly from weary.

I'm very afraid that I might fall.

I flashed my sweetest smile while feeling breathless...as reached him.

He reached out for my right hand and remove my lacy hand glove then, he kiss it as sign of courtesy and politeness.

I feel the warm of his lips touching my very cold hand.

I shivered.

Then, I took my gloves from him and carefully put it back on.

And while I do so..he whispered in my ears "My Lady! you look gorgeous... and dazzling tonight.." he said in a husky voice.

And I feel hot flashes all over my face.

I managed to be polite as I can by saying "And so are you, Your Highness!" I bow down.

And we heard Lilly called out Stefan.

"Stefan, we are all waiting!" she said in an outburst.