Augustus Ross

Two days before the banquet, I asked an audience with Marquess Ross to tell him about it. And maybe, to ask him for some money to so I could buy some food… I mean, a dress. But as usual, he was keeping me standing in front of his desk while he busied himself with his work.

'Please, father, just give me my allowance.' A shallow breath escaped my mouth as I stared at the pile of papers on his desk. 'Does he enjoy being watched while working? I could watch him from that divan if that's what he wants, but he had to pay me and let me sit, though.'

I really wanted to voice out my thoughts so badly, but I was not ready to bid my farewell to my peaceful life. After all, they hadn't crossed me yet, so I had no reason to retaliate. I'm sorry, Marsella. I just needed to take care of your body first. I would bring them to their knees once this body can lift a sword.

"Why do you keep standing there?" I jumped slightly when Marquess Ross suddenly spoke.

What? I could sit down all this time? I was a bit baffled, blinking as I watched him raised his head. 

"I heard what you said. You don't have to stand there all the time," He said in his ever indifferent tone. "Remember, you will become the Grand Duchess of the cold north in a couple of months. I will give you a ring with our family crest on it, so tell the shops to send the tab in our estate."

"Oh. Good." I nodded and turned around, forgetting my manners as I waved him goodbye. I only realized what I did once I was out of the door, making me freeze.

Oh, God! Somebody tell me I didn't just wave at him. My eyes dilated for a moment, thinking I still do my habits as Vera sometimes. A heavy sigh slipped past my lips as I massaged my temple.

Whatever. As he said, I will marry my fiance in a couple of months! That alone could uplift my mood, as marrying the grand duke was also my escape from this dull, suffocating mansion. 

With a good mood, I hummed my way back to my quarters. However, on the way, I bumped into the person I liked to avoid at all costs. Augustus.

'I always get this strange feeling from this guy, but I can't pinpoint what exactly.' I pretended not to see him and continued in my stride. I just had to pretend I didn't see him. I mean, that he didn't exist in the first place. He had been doing that for years, so there was no need to seek his attention.

Just as I passed by him, I halted with a furrowed brow upon hearing him speak. I turned my head back, baffled. "Huh?" 

"I said, I heard the Grand Duke had invited you into the banquet he is hosting," Augustus repeated the words I heard the first time. That wasn't what puzzled me, though. It was the fact that he started a conversation first! Was the world ending?

"Ah, yes," I replied, staring at him in aghast.

Augustus stared back at me with a dull expression and nodded. "I see."

"If that's all, then…" I tilted my head down before I turned around to walk away. Augustus never once spoke with Marsella, so why would I waste my energy with him? Marquess Ross had wasted a lot of my time, so his carbon copy couldn't bother me.

As I walked away, I felt Augustus's gaze on my back. Instinctively, I gaze back, but he already turned around and walked in the opposite direction.

'Really… what is up with that guy?' I wondered as I arched my brow. 'Whatever. I don't have to concern myself with him.' 

I shrugged all lingering thoughts I had about Augustus and walked away, stretching my arms up. Tomorrow would be a good day. I had planned my itinerary. Aside from procuring a dress, I would visit the temple to see if I could get some answers to the phenomena that happened to me.

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On my way to my room, I heard a hysterical shouting from one of the rooms. There were several maids flocking in front of the door. They looked anxious.

'Was the Marchioness having another crazy episode? I'd rather pretend I heard nothing.' I pivoted on my heel as I planned to take the long route. I didn't mind strolling the mansion a little, since this body had been recovering well; I felt lighter.

"There you are!" 

I jolted in surprise, placing my palm across my chest as Yves suddenly came up to my side. My head turned in his direction, sporting a poker face.

"I was looking for you. Where did you go?" he asked, clueless that I nearly got a heart attack.

A faint exhale slipped past my lips as I forced a smile. "I had an audience with Marquess, I mean, Father."

The two of us started walking while Yves accompanied me, telling me things I didn't care about, so I didn't listen. Since we would pass by the library, I told him I wanted to go in there, and he agreed. Surely, Yves was someone I could tolerate.

______

The day passed by with Yves practically following me like a tail. I spent most of my time in the library, reading stuffs here and there, garnering more information about the history of the Ross Family and the like. We even shared dinner together. Thanks to him, I could eat at my heart's content.

"I'm so full, but I can't sleep," I murmured as I stared in the dark while I lay flat on my bed. "I should've agreed in Yves' suggestion to take a walk after dinner."

My face distorted as I reflected on my life decisions. Well, it was late now, so maybe if I walked in the garden, no one would see. I gravitated to whether I should take a late-night walk in the garden or if I had the energy to even get up.

In the end, I still dragged myself out of the bed and picked up my shawl. I didn't drape it around my shoulder immediately as I walked towards the door. 

"Next time, I will surely…" I trailed off and froze the second I opened the door. My eyes slowly raised at the person standing in front of the door. 

Augustus?