Memories

flashback continues.....

Her words worked like magic on him. She was wearing a pink gown and her hair was tied in a tight bun over her head. She was looking like a little princess from a fairytale.

" *Aahhhmm!, Good afternoon Master Leoandro.."

The duo was busy peeking out of the window when someone cleared her throat beside them and even deliver a greeting. They both caught sight of a motherly figure standing in the room.

They were so engrossed in admiring nature that they didn't even notice Nanny Maria standing beside them holding a tray of milk and biscuits.

"Oh! My goodness!, I didn't expect a guest here, especially a beautiful one. May I request your introduction, young lady? ".

Maria demanded the girl cheerfully. She was extremely delighted because after a while, finally Master Leoandro converse with someone and even agreed to open the curtains.

"My name is Elizabeth Ackford, I'm arrived at Eithanburg with my parents to attend the Ball."

She answered softly while stretching out her gown with one hand and bending her keen or head appropriately. Maria was surprised but she still smile warmly, the girl's action perfectly defined her excellent upbringing.

"Ooo.., my dear lord!! Then you must be the child everyone looking for. Young lady, your parents searching for you in every nook and corner of the property. They turn the entire place upside down. Lord Hughes also send a bunch of his servants to look for you. Dear Young lady, you must acknowledge your parents before leaving the ballroom. It's so irresponsible."

Maria scolded her in a motherly manner while placing the tray in her hand on the center table. She was concerned for her life.

" Oh! It's my bad, I didn't mean for that. I sincerely apologize for troubling you all ."

Elizabeth replied weekly whilst guilt filled in her features as she lowers her head with shame.

"O! Sweetheart I didn't have any intention to scare you, I'm heading down to let your parents know about you. I will send someone to hand you a glass of milk till then you can enjoy Master Leoandro's company."

Maria tried to cheer her up and after that, she strode out of the room. She informed Mr. and Mrs. Ackford about their daughter. In an instant, as the couple received the news they scurried toward the second floor followed by Viscount Houges and his wife.

When both couples entered the room, they were welcomed by the beautiful sight of two little figures chatting and laughing merrily with each other.

They were pleased about the fact that their children mingled with each other. After a while, Lord Ackford called for Elizabeth because it was time to say farewell. When She stepped toward the door, a voice stopped her from behind.

"Elizabeth!, may I be allowed to call you"Beth", and when will you visit me again?"

Leoandro asked in hope. This was the first time in a while, he found some ease in someone's company such as he used to find in his brother's present. He wanted to seize this opportunity.

" Yes, please! but then I have a condition, I will call you "Leo" and we can see each other any time since we are neighbors."

She chirped in softly in a sweet tone and wave at him while hopping in her carriage. Leonardo waved back with a smile on his lips and a light of happiness in his eyes.

After that afternoon, they started looking for each other regularly. Days passed by and finally, one afternoon while playing in the garden Leoandero poured out his grief about his brother's death.

" It's my fault, Beth I... I shouldn't bring him out in the garden. He says he wants to see the sun for the last time I drive his cart to the backyard. I'm an awful person ...I should listen to the mother ..*sob

He is a little boy ..always quiet and filled with sadness ...I just want to cheer him up."

His eyes stung with tears while whining. It wasn't in his ability to save his brother but he constantly carried the weight of his death over his heart and that seemed to be taking a toll on his personality. Now he found someone, with her he could share himself without being judged.

His friendship with Beth grew deeper with time but this bliss was short-lived. After two years Beth's parents decided to return to the countryside when they received a letter about the dire health condition of her grandfather.

Leo felt as if a piece of him was left with Beth. His little heart was not able to bear the separation and he again sealed himself in his shell.

Years passed and Leo was at the age of tenth and nine, meanwhile, Leo lost a lot. Once, the happy family of four now decreased to only two. He lost his father at the age of twelve and the damage was quite in-depth that it left some ugly scars on his personality.

The responsibility of a Viscount and his mother's emotional fluctuation turned him into a cold person. Then, during a ball, they met again when Ackford returned to the state of Eithanburg, along with their only daughter Elizabeth in the hunt for a husband.

" Morning Leo! It's Beth."

She approached a man standing on the patio, he just climbed down from his carriage. It was not ladylike to loom toward a man but she cared less for now.

He grew up as a fine young man with a prestigious background, of course, there were a lot of mothers who would kiss the ground he walked merely to marry off their daughter with him and that was the purpose of these balls.

Wearing a black dress coat, tight trousers along with a hat and a cane, he looked fashionable and intimidated at the same time.

" Ah! Miss Ackford...right? Morning!...My apologies Miss if I'm wrong because it's been a long time. Excuse me, Miss Ackford may I enter the building please?"

He addressed her formally as he passed by her without sparing a single glance. Beth was just standing there baffled by his cold behavior. She didn't know what crawled up to his @ss to make him this way.

But this was not the only thing that made her infuriated, he was conversing with other maidens merrily. His loud laughter and their giggles annoyed her further. Her eyes moistened with unshed tears as a curse escaped from her lips unintentionally.

"BLOODY WANKER !!!"