Chapter 3 - The Lady (2)

"What are you waiting for? Dad's waiting!"

Vincent then shuffles her hair, making it unkempt and improper for a lady. She slightly smiled before slapping his hand.

"Stop, I'm not a kid! Huhh, my hair's a mess."

Smiling after getting his fill, Vincent walks in front of Claire to the Duke's office. It's their father's favorite place as he never leaves that room except to relax a bit or sleep at night.

Tired after that cat and mouse game with her brother, Claire checked her palm, other than some red dots from the thorns, there was no injury, she breathed a sigh of relief. She then gave the rose back to her brother.

"There you go. It's for 'that' woman, right?" Smirking at him mischievously.

"Eh?"

Nervously taking the rose from Claire, a blush crept up from his cheeks.

"Ekhm… Yes, you might say that."

"Lady Luna's debut is also tomorrow, that means she is the same age as me."

Avoiding her annoying smile, he nodded and walked even faster than her, Claire could only giggle looking at his back. She's happy that her brother is secretly in love with such a graceful lady.

They walk through the empty corridor, only accompanied by sunlight which lit the grand corridor with its warm afternoon light. This is the best time to meet that busy father of theirs.

As they arrive, the door to the Duke's office seems even bigger than ever. Claire somehow suddenly feels uneasy from the aura behind the door.

"Father…" Claire quietly shouted as she knocked on the door, yet, there was no response from the office.

They knock the door again, silence is all they get. The lack of response makes them look at each other, confused.

"Maybe father isn't feeling well," Vincent murmured.

Raising her shoulder, Claire looks at her brother whose hand is on the handle, opening the door. 

As the door opens, the Duke can be seen seated on the chair, right by its desk with a pile of documents on top of it. The Duke's eyes longing to the window, deep in thought. Showing no care nor regard to the intruder, he grunted, as if contemplating something.

"It will be Claire's debut tomorrow, Father."

As the older of the two, Vincent tries to break the ice. The older brother cast a worried gaze towards his lovely younger sister, hoping that their father would at least reply.

"Yes."

The Duke's cold response is not what they were expecting.

"How's your school, Vincent?"

His gaze fell to the young man who stood beside Claire. The Duke's gaze is empty, his mind wanders somewhere else far away. Claire, who is also in the room was completely ignored as if she was air.

"I heard from the crown prince that you will be sent to Leah II tomorrow, prepare everything you need today so you can depart at dawn tomorrow."

Shock crept up to Vincent's face, he didn't expect such news when they walked to the office today!

"Father, I'm here to remind you of Claire's debut tomorrow, if there are any tasks assigned to me, we can discuss the details later!"

"What's more important to the Duchy's future for you, Vincent!?"

Vincent fell silent as he heard the duke's stern voice. Lowering her gaze, Claire's heart slowly filled with disappointment. She thought she is used to be given cold shoulder, even by her father, yet, there is a part of her that wanted to be acknowledge, at least on an important day for her.

Even if he is angry at his father, he couldn't do much. His face is ashen with anger as he puts his hand on Claire's shoulder, trying to reassure her that at least he is on her side.

"I will meet you again after this," he declared to the duke whose gaze is calm and cold, without any hint of emotion behind it. Turning his head towards Claire. "Let's go, Father must be tired." Without waiting for the duke to answer, he pulled Claire's hand out of the room.

Claire glanced towards the duke to catch a little bit of his emotion, yet, she couldn't understand her father, it seems the duke really doesn't care about her.

Even though Claire never left the palace and never attended any tea party held by other nobles, she knows from the servants that the debut is one of the most important moments for a noble lady, that is the time when the lady is introduced to the public. However, without her father's support, everything felt meaningless.

As they arrived in front of Claire's room, Vincent puth both his hands on his little sister's shoulder and looked at her eyes.

"You know, Claire. Debut is the start of your future. Don't let anyone trample on your special day, including that duke."

Forcing a smile, Claire's shoulder trembled a bit before replying. 

"I will try, Vincent."

Again, Vincent patted his sister's hair.

"Good. Now, rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Tomorrow will be a long day for Claire, especially without her dear brother attending her debut. She already realizes that her father won't be coming to that special day.

Watching Vincent walking away, Claire entered her room. She can slightly feel her palm hurting from the thorns on the roses before. Yet, it is not as painful as knowing that her father will not acknowledge her.