3.4

The young and beautiful woman came out of the dressing room in a beautiful floor-length white dress. With silver details and figures scattered throughout the outfit, she looked like an angel or a saint of a god. No one could deny that she looked beautiful in that dress. She was perfect. Her face wasn't too dull and her eyes matched some of the accessories that were on.

Her steps were taken and she was facing the three people in front of her. The man was watching with indifferent eyes and the Countess was smiling as she saw his splendid image, glad to find exactly what she wanted. The attendant was taken aback by the beauty that appeared in front of her, feeling her heart skip a beat.

Claps were heard and everyone stared at the excited countess. "I think we found the outfit for the celebration." she announced.

Johannes sighs with relief. Only she knew the suffering it was to change more than twenty dresses to only choose one at the end, which is not as easy to put on as someone thinks. Besides, there was always one more in the pile to prove the countess found it. It took a long time.

"Madison, we're going to take that one."

"Fine. Miss Johannes, please follow me to remove the dress." Madison says, heading towards the dressing room.

"Who knew she would look so beautiful in that dress." Claire considered, watching them walk away. Turning to Brandon. "You really are very good. I have to take you more often when I buy mine."

"But don't you already, ma'am?" Brandon asked smiling.

"And let him choose."

"Again, don't I already?" She snaps again, earning a look from the Countess.

"You don't normally talk back to me, but now you're snapping at me." She narrowed her eyes, giving him a wicked smile. "That's good. It means you're a little better and you've let go of the discomfort you felt earlier, doesn't it?"

He stopped for a second before straightening up. Playing with the Countess meant being teased right back. He knew, he just didn't expect her to go straight to that subject.

"I'm fine ma'am." He replied in a polite tone.

"Don't pretend, Brandon. It's impossible to hide from me. And I remember telling you to talk to me when something was getting you down that I would listen and talk to you." She paused. "And if my guess is correct, it's something to do with Johannes, isn't it? She also seems a little at ease when she's around you."

He said nothing, remaining silent, his green eyes staring into her brown ones. Brandon wouldn't say, although he wanted to vent someone a little, he couldn't. Especially with the woman who was the mother of his main problem. At the moment, he just wanted to live his life normally and forget about it in his memories, as if it never existed.

She sighed. "I won't force you into anything. Just remember to come to me when you need to. And… Johannes seems like a good girl. Try to get along."

"I know." He just answered that.

Johannes, in his view, was not to blame for this. She seemed like a good person. And even though she is aware that Phillip and he had a relationship, it was three years ago. They'd been apart for so long and they had a promise, but she wasn't the one who broke it, it was Phillip, so there's no reason not to like her. He just couldn't get close to the one Phillip has in his heart right now.

He was awkward and a little hurt, seeing them as a happy couple when he was heartbroken.

Then Johannes and Madison. The countess worked herself and followed Madison to pay for her dress. Johannes was taken care of and stayed with Brandon, sitting next to her and watching discreetly from the corner of his eye, similar to what he had done earlier. Brandon, seeing this, could only sigh, but he didn't do anything, just kept waiting.

It was Johannes who first broke the silence between them.

"Thanks for helping me pick out the dress for me. You were a big help."

"You don't have to thank me. That's my job, Miss Johannes." Brandon answered. The tone of voice is neutral and without emotion.

She smiled awkwardly at him, a little forced. It's really not comfortable being in a situation like that, with your fiancé's ex-boyfriend, being one of the two people who knows there's no love between her and him, but the rest think there is. In a way, she finds him pitiful, but also strong, for behaving in such a careful manner, even if he is cold and indifferent, because of work.

Being honest with herself, she thought that she might form a friendship with him, but of course that was just optimism too. Brandon was aloof and businesslike, with no reason for them to meet, it was clear that there would be no way to cultivate a friendly relationship with him, adding her relationship with Phillip and his, it wouldn't be surprising that he had hostility, but that wasn't the case.

The man in front of her seemed unshakable, tough and unaffected by her existence. She doesn't know if that was just a facade or if it's really the state of mind afterwards. But, on her own assumption, she thought he still loved Phillip and was very sad to hear of the engagement, because of the stories she had heard from her fiancé. Maybe that made her sympathize with him after watching so many failed relationships in her career.

There was no further interaction between the two until the countess arrived and the trio departed towards the Miller estate.

*

A sigh escaped her reddened lips when she reached the bedroom. Gods, Johannes was tired and it felt like he was arriving in heaven walking into the room and not having to put up with any more discomfort Brandon was giving him. The countess was also a little too enthusiastic, talking about how the dress was ideal and that she would be the most beautiful girl at the celebration. Also, her back is sore from having to change her clothes so much.

However, that was momentarily forgotten by the figure she found in the room. Phillip was sitting on the bed, reading some papers he had brought and focused his attention on her. He didn't show anything, just the neutrality she always had since the first time she saw him, with rare exceptions. He watched some more, before turning his attention back to the papers.

"Why are you here?" she asks. He only appeared at night to continue the charade of their relationship. "Waiting for me? I thought you'd be training with the other knights at that time."

"No. I finished early and my dad handed me these documents for me to look over since Brandon left with you guys." This time, his attention strayed to her. "How it was?"

The woman's lips twisted a little. She knew what he was asking and felt a little complicated after what she had to go through on the way there and back as well. She thought the fact that she and Brandon were in a small, enclosed space in the carriage was even worse than when they were next to the shop.

In the end, there was nothing to be done.

"We found a dress that Brandon chose and his mother approved of. It was torture." She complained. "I had to try on an endless sea of dresses. I don't even want to think about having to do that again."

"I see. My mom can get really excited when she does something she likes." There was a pause. "It's him?"

"He was fine. He was polite and helped me without even having to ask." She stared at him directly. "Every time I see him, I feel like he's a good person. He didn't have a look of annoyance or irritation in my direction during the hours we were together. It was like he really saw it as just a job. It's amazing."

"Hmm." A sound was made and he shifted his attention again.

She did for a few seconds before changing clothes in the bathroom. She didn't understand what was going through Phillip's mind to give up on Brandon when it was obvious that he loved him. Although she has ideas and theories as to why, and he himself has given a reason, she thought it was shallow and not enough for that.

However, even if she has such doubts and does not agree with her point of view, she is not the one who has to change her mind, much less will she suggest it. She has a good impression of Brandon, but that's not enough to change her plans. She agreed to this and will follow the arrangement. At least, as long as Phillip keeps this piece.

Phillip was staring at the paper in her hand, but her thoughts were elsewhere. Specifically, another man with red hair, green eyes and a beautiful smile that made his heart flutter rapidly every time he saw or looked at him. And such an image overlapped the one he saw in the hall of the mansion, while he behaved like a worried groom in front of the one he really liked, with a cold and indifferent face.

He wondered, how was it so different? How was he able to change so much in just a few years? Was that possible? It looked like another person, but it was the same.

He still remembers how Brandon was able to express himself vividly, where everything was laid bare in his face. Your joy, your sadness, even your anger and calm. It was all demonstrated in that face that seemed to glow when she was with him. A young man who was quite expressive that showed how much he loved him whenever he saw him. However, now, he was almost expressionless.

His expression was cold and indifferent at work, just smiling at James and his mother, but that was to be expected. However, he also saw when the other talked to Ferion, it was softer than before and friendlier too, looking like old friends. Phillip knew they were working together, but he didn't think they would get along so well. He also knew that nothing would happen, but he became a little jealous and envious of his brother.

A sigh escaped her lips. Three years passed and everything changed. He was engaged, and his beloved seemed indifferent to him. Though he was the one who sought the former, she didn't want the latter to happen. He felt like scum, but, well, that was the way it was. He could only accept it, as he was a coward.

*

The day of departure for the capital arrived.

It was early morning, but there were already people walking around the property. Carriages were drawn up in front of the entrance, some to carry the Miller family, while others were filled with luggage and destined for the use of servants and guards. The servants kept their masters' bags and prepared everything that was needed on the road, so that there was no nuisance and, if there was any incident, it could be resolved quickly.

Brandon carried his suitcase. Clothes were what filled her the most along with two books she had taken to pass her time. He was thinking about what the place must be like, since he had never been there. He could barely sleep properly as he thought of all the possibilities that could happen and in anticipation. He was confused if it was because of anxiety or his excitement, which had been infected by James, who was all excited to go.

As soon as he walked out the front door, the cold early morning air hit his face and made him blush slightly, while giving a touch of refreshment to the feeling of summer heat. He was in good spirits and walked over to the vehicles ahead of him.

Countess Miller was there to coordinate, alongside Kevin, the servants and how such arrangements should be made. It had been a long time since Claire had made a trip to the imperial capital. Only Ivan was the one who went, during wartime. She was glad that her kind face looked radiant this early in the morning. Kevin was also following orders from her, acting as a refined and polite butler.

"Good morning, Brandon." She said, smiling at him as soon as she saw him approach.

"Good morning ma'am. Good morning mister Kevin." He greeted, and was returned by a nod from the butler.

"Brandon, take the suitcase to that carriage over there." She pointed to a specific one. "And get ready to go with James. You'll be in charge of him during the journey in the capital, but that's something you should already know. Is there a problem?"

"None." He smiled.

The carriage intended for use by James, him, and Ferion was the second largest, behind the one for the earl and countess. And, behind them, would go the bridal couple. Brandon participated in organizing the trip as the earl's assistant and had interactions with Kevin, so he made sure he and the couple stayed in the same location. Though he didn't think that would happen as he would be responsible for James before they even reached the capital.

Anyway, he was happy. He was finally going to the imperial capital and he was excited about it. The fact that he didn't have to go on an uncomfortable trip with those two was a bonus.

Brandon stowed the luggage and arms went around him as he approached the countess. Light purple hair was seen as he turned around to see who it was. The boy hugging him was wearing a dark colored coat and a comfortable summer outfit that was light in the heat. He couldn't help the smile that grew on his face when he saw him.

"Brother! Good morning." Says the excited voice. "We go together, you know?''

"Good morning. I know, the countess told me." Brandon stroked the hair, pushing the boy away from him reluctantly. "Ferion is going with us too."

"Okay. How do you think the capital will be? Which place are we going to visit first? How about going to the wizards' tower?"

"I think by the time we get there we'll be too tired to decide that first. But we'll see. Don't forget we also have the festival. And we can check out the gym."

"Academy?" James asks, as if he's never heard of it.

It's not surprising that James didn't hear or remember, if he did. The Imperial Academy of Yulard was a newly established educational institution a few years ago, with little influence among the aristocratic classes, being more used by the lower nobility, semi-nobles and children of wealthy merchants and some commoners. Many renowned families do not trust the education given externally and prefer to educate their successor and their children themselves. And, because of the war, many were afraid to place their children in a place that could be targeted by the enemy kingdom.

Brandon only learned that there was an academy in the capital when he researched spots that might be good to visit with James when they were there. The wizards' tower, which James is very excited about, was a site with a stone tower over a hundred meters high and occupies a large area, being one of the main tourist attractions for those visiting the capital for the first time. And, because of its height, it can be seen from afar.

"It's a place where lots of kids come together to learn."

"Oh." He let out an exclamation, shaking his head. "I'll want to see that too."

"Yes." The redhead agreed.

The two continued talking as they headed straight into the vehicle, looking at Countess Miller who was coordinating with the help of the butler and it looked like there wasn't much left to finish. Ivan the count had already come down and was beside his wife, with one of his hands intertwined with hers. They looked like an adorable middle-aged couple, for every time he looked at her there was tenderness in her gaze.

For passers-by who saw such a scene and had seen him before in another place or even in his office, they would be surprised, but they were all used to it. The earl was professional with other people, and his serious expression, which was similar to Ferion's by seven points out of ten, melted into a gentle one whenever he saw his beloved wife. This had happened since they were young and Claire couldn't help but be proud of choosing such a man to be her husband.

Finally, all the preparations were ready. Members of the earl's cavalry were ready and so were the servants. Brandon was looking for Nott among them, but he couldn't see, but he knew he was among them. He had gone to talk to him days before and knew he was going with them. They also went to the orphanage to see the children, the two went a few times during the three weeks that passed, out of concern and because they liked the children who each time greeted them with joy.

However, while looking for Nott, the redhead saw the engaged couple leaving the mansion. Phillip held Johannes's hand and guided her, following noble behavior in helping her into the carriage. Some employees even stopped working to enjoy the sight of the beautiful couple passing between them. Few saw it, but many heard about the two, so it was natural to be curious.

Brandon watched the scene and then closed the window, distracted by the air, before taking a breath and pretending he didn't see anything. The journey would be long, but good.