An old man? Seriously?

Our conversation was interrupted when the Marquess arrived, but Harriet and the Marchioness weren't with him. That youngest son too wasn't here. I wouldn't care before, but now I'm intrigued. How annoying that I couldn't straight up ask him.

As usual, Marquess Ross was a man of few words as we were already halfway through our breakfast and he barely spoke five or six sentences. Not that I care. I honestly thought the silence in this estate was just what I needed.

While I cut through my pancake, my brow arched as I gazed at Yves. What did he say?

"Jealous?" Augustus snickered, pausing in his meal as he glanced at Yves. "Marsella isn't just your sister, Yves. Obviously, since I am the eldest son, I care about you all."

"But you don't visit Harriet in the middle of the night."

Oh, my... good thing I wasn't swallowing something, or else I would've choked on my food. Was Yves seriously picking a fight with Augustus? In front of Marquess Ross? Because of me? Interesting, good job, brother. 

My eyes discreetly shifted to Marquess Ross. To my disappointment, he seemed he was ignoring the two. Wasn't he worried about this pretty daughter of his? Her eldest brother was standing in front of her room in the middle of the night and yet, it didn't alarm him?

'Poor, me. It seemed Marquess Ross has truly abandoned this little angel.' A shallow sigh slipped past my lips, pressing my lips together as I shifted my focus to those two.

"You seem very fond of Marsella, Yves. This makes me wonder if your overprotectiveness comes from genuine concerns or... guilt." My brow raised at Augustus's remarks.

Guilt? From bullying Marsella in the past? Although they were merely harmless pranks, Marsella's brain couldn't handle them.

"Either way, let's stop here."

Augustus glanced at Marquess Ross, who finally set his eyes on his son. Even without words uttered, it was obvious Marquess Ross wanted Augustus to stop. Meanwhile, Yves ground his feet before slamming his palms against the table and stood up.

"I've finished." He announced, setting his eyes on me for the last time before he left.

"He should retake his etiquette class." Marquess Ross commented, making me glance at him. "Such a silly child."

"He had been the emotional child, Father."

"Even caning him doesn't work anymore." Marquess Ross shook his head, wiping the corner of his lips with a cloth. He was talking more... I didn't know Augustus could make his father rap. 

"Although, Augustus," He paused, facing his son squarely. "Marsella is getting married to the Grand Duke of Esmond. Do not forget that."

My brows raised, close-lipped. Was that a warning? I studied how Augustus's expression grew colder. It must be a warning. Thanks, father.

Marquess Ross excused himself and left. Now, it was Augustus and me alone in here again. 

Ughh... I had a tiny throat and I couldn't shove everything in one go. 

"You will attend the banquet the Grand Duke is hosting?" he inquired, although it barely sounded like a question. It sounded more like a confirmation.

A sigh slipped past my lips, along with a reluctant hum. "Why?"

"Curious."

"About?"

"How you accepted this engagement so easily. I mean, it's not like you have a choice." He reached for the glass of water, eyes on me. "But, you seem you were looking forward to it since day one."

"Because I was looking forward to it." I shrugged, raising my brows nonchalantly.

"And why were you looking forward to it?"

Was he dumb? I gazed at him, sporting an expression as if I stepped on manure. Funny though, he found it hilarious as he laughed while looking at me.

"A woman's every dream is to marry, young master." I bit my tongue. Of course, that was a lie, and he knew that. But I still continued. "Who wouldn't look forward to a marriage with a Grand Duke?"

"He is, after all, a strong and a capable man who defended the border of the empire from falling," I added in a matter-of-fact tone.

That was true, though. Above all, the grand consolation this marriage could offer me was I would marry a handsome man. I would surely flip if they matched me with an old one who smelled like a rotting corpse every passing day.

'Oh... now that I think about it, it's better to marry an old man. In that case, even if he passed because of a natural cause, it would shock no one! Goodness. Why didn't I think of this before?'

I snapped out of my ridiculous thoughts when Augustus chuckle. Alright, I must admit he was quite charming laughing. Too bad his personality was worse than mine.

"Your thoughts are ridiculous. An old man? Seriously?" my eyes dilated with his remarks. He smirked at me as he stood from his seat. "I didn't mean to read your thoughts. I was simply curious why were you spacing out all of a sudden."

"!!!" My mouth fell open as I watched him march away from the dining hall. He could read minds? Had he been reading my thoughts? No fucking way...!

"No, no, me. Calm down," came out a murmur, breathing in and out as I closed my eyes. Once I snapped my eyes open, I gasped once again.

That bastard... I ground my teeth, glaring daggers at where he left. I shouldn't hop to the conclusion that he could freely read my mind. There must be some certain rule... right, rules.

'For now, behave, my brain.' I told myself, shaking my head to clear up unnecessary thoughts that were hovering over my head. 

  "Damn it... why would that fiance of mine hold a banquet at night? I need to see his beautiful face so I can think." I grumbled, stabbing the piece of chicken on the plate and shove it in my mouth. "I'm going crazy in this place."