Summer Party

As Marine said, Clare was invited to a place that was none other than a fashion shop. For the first time Clare came to Marine's regular fashion store and it made her feel like an idiot. Pays attention to some fabrics and clothes and doesn't know what materials and styles are appropriate for them. She just silently watched the rolled and folded cloth without knowing the type of cloth or the price or use.

Marine asks the shopkeeper to recommend a summer ball gown for Clare. Had surprised Clare, but she didn't dare to protest or anything like that. She just didn't want to argue in someone else's place.

The shopkeeper, named Marry, had wavy dark brown hair and dim brown eyes. Her face has fine wrinkles on her cheeks that love to smile. It can be seen, his age is not much different from mom who is 44 years old. Mary is back with some beautiful dresses in assorted bright colors like red, yellow, pink, and light blue. It just didn't catch the eye of the overly picky Clare.

Clare repeatedly changed clothes made her tired in and out of the dressing room. She was too lazy to do this trivial thing. She seemed to be choosing a dress for her fiancé or wedding, really making her feel like she was running out of time. Even though she only needed to choose a dress from the closet, she remembered that there were still dresses that had not been worn.

For the last time Clare came out in a dress that was again less than satisfactory. Clare was tired and decided not to try on dresses again and sat next to Marine with a tired face.

"How many times do I have to do this?" Clare covered her face with both hands feeling ashamed of herself.

"Clare, there's no need to panic. This is common. I never took you to a fashion store, I felt like I had to fix it." Marine still felt completely innocent. Clare grimaced in annoyance. She didn't speak anymore and sat there waiting for Mary to come in in her newest and best dress, she said.

Mary returned with a white dress that she said was the newest and best for Clare. Clare who was tired decided to just buy that one without trying it again. She just wanted to get out of here after making Marry go back and forth. The most important thing is that the size of the dress fits, that's all she hoped for.

Tonight is the day the party is held. Right on the beautiful full moon, several black cars stopped in front of a mansion in a majestic classic style. Several bodyguards in black suits lined up waiting in front of the mansion's door, welcoming the host's arrival.

The car door was opened by guards from various sides. Several humans came out from each door with a distinctive noble aura. An aristocratic family that is highly regarded, more respected than others and has high authority.

Yup, who else if not the Orlane family who are the number one family in Aternum and dominate famous companies. 5 men with peerless looks with a sturdy and tall body. One of them is a small child about 5 years old walking led by a man who is about 30 years old. Two of them were popular guys at Neuvrost Academy, Luke and Gavin. The rest is the Head of their family who is their Daddy.

There are 3 women in black clothes dominate. One of them can definitely easily guess that he is the oldest member of the family who is already 70 years old. Even so, he still looks 50 years old. The remaining two women are the son and daughter-in-law of the no less famous Orlane family.

They gathered and walked towards the mansion accompanied by several bodyguards. Several guests had arrived and greeted them all in a friendly manner. Some were friends of theirs and started to disperse after a brief greeting by some of the other nobles.

Luke and Gavin both went to a less crowded area. They both don't really like crowds too much, different from their aunts or uncles who prefer to join business friends. They also let the grandmother with her favorite child and daughter-in-law talk to each other in the corner of the room, quite not as busy as the central area. Wonder what they are talking about.

For Luke, the party today is the same as last year. Nothing special or different. Actually he was tired of continuing to visit this event, but everyone forced him especially Gavin.

"I heard Clare and her friends are coming. But I didn't see the four of them." Gavin had been looking for the whereabouts of the four girls who had yet to come.

"Why did you invite them?"

"Think of it as your team reunion. That's the excuse I gave Dad."

"You sure they're coming?" Luke looked at him doubtfully.

"Want to bet?" Gavin challenged.

"You're getting my name into trouble." Luke muttered then decided to leave.

Gavin responded with an innocent expression. Of course Luke should be the one talking to his Dad because it was his team. But Luke didn't want to use that excuse to lie and chose silence. But instead, it was Gavin who carelessly said it to Mr. orlane.

Luke went to get a cocktail at the table and watched the party atmosphere not change. Even the taste of the cocktail he drank was exactly the same as last year, he was tired of this.

"Luke!"

Called a girl in a sleeveless navy dress waving her hand and walking over to her. Luke didn't respond, he ignored the girl as if she was the one being avoided.

"Long time no see. How are you?" She said with a sweet smile.

Luke once again ignored her and was about to leave. Immediately the girl tugged on his coat slightly irritated by Luke's attitude.

"You keep avoiding me." She pouts.

"I want to be alone." Luke said coldly without looking at her.

"It's been so long, you still always want to be alone. You're not afraid Mrs. Orlane pressed me again? I meant to help you." She coaxed, making Luke even angrier.

Luke hissed in annoyance then released his grip. "No need to carry them." Luke confirmed then just walked away.

Her name is Ainsley Melorra. The daughter of the Orlane family comrades for many years who is the highest noble after Orlane. They had one daughter and one son and one of them was Ainsley the youngest.

Since childhood, Luke and Ainsley have been betrothed by their grandmother without Luke's knowledge. Luke knew it since he was about to enter Neuvrost Academy, of course he didn't agree and was angry, but his anger couldn't just be vented. After all he had to obey the eldest person in the family whose words were like the rules.

No wonder the Melorra family had been visiting often, whether for dinner or something else and Ainsley always annoyed Luke. Luckily he had Gavin who could always help him get away from Ainsley. No one brought this up in front of Luke because it would make Luke angry and leave, so it's never talked about again and even Gavin himself doesn't want to talk about it or be made fun of by Luke.

Ainsley watched Luke leave, an annoyed expression on her face. She had been trying to chase after her for a long time but there was no response at all. Luke's demeanor was always cold and indifferent.

Applause rang out from behind Ainsley. She already guessed who the owner of the applause was and turned back with a darkened face. Guessed right, Gavin.

"Your offer is good, keep trying. Cheers." Gavin's words sounded like a mockery, making her even more annoyed.

"If only I could silence you." Ainsley muttered then turned to leave.

"Hey, next time study with me." Gavin said provoking Ainsley. "I'm the only one who understands here."

With emotions building up, Ainsley turned around and showed his pale hands and long purple fingernails meant to scare Gavin.

Gavin put on a scared face and his fists showed that he was ready to punch. Of course he was only pretending to be afraid, he knew that Ainsley couldn't hurt him or there would be trouble. So Gavin smirked after mounting the horses to Ainsley's disgust. Ainsley had once accepted Gavin's offer, but the advice given was nothing but giving up because Luke didn't like women like her. Of course that made Ainsley very angry.

After avoiding the fox that was always stalking him, Luke intended to get out of the mansion to get some fresh air. His steps stopped when he saw several girls enter the mansion and he recognized them especially the girl in the white dress.