From Afar

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"I've seen you stealing some glances over her," Sarah said.

It took a few seconds before Grey talked back. "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes, there is. Are you still suspicious of her? She's not that kind of girl."

"I know," Grey said. He looked at Sarah with unwavering eyes. "Is it wrong to look at the person I like?"

-----

Grey took out a handkerchief from his pockets and unfolded it. A beautiful white necklace engraved with red rubies was slowly revealed. Grey reminiscence about the past. How he had met Ivory from a young age.

Grey gripped his hand that was holding the pendant and moved it closer to his mouth. He gently kissed his hand. After a second he put it back to the handkerchief and to his pocket. He faced Carmen who just stared at him.

"It doesn't matter how long, she will be married soon."

"Too Big brother Drake? He doesn't deserve her! He's such as bachelor, he'll only break her highness's heart." Lady Carmen gripped her hand and glared at a distance.

"He already did, but Ivory still loved him." Grey smiled. He knew he had no choice but to give up on his obsession with Ivory. However, he pledged his loyalty and lover over the princess, even if Ivory no longer remember, he was determined to keep the promise. A knight's pledge is unbreakable unless he or the person they pledged it dies.

"Brother, don't give up. You still have a chance because Drake is a bad boy!" Carmen patted hardly on Grey's back.

Grey emotionless at Carmen while soothing his hurting back.

"I'm a what?"

The two Mcberg looked at the man who spoke. Drake slowly approached the two.

"Big Brother Drake." Carmen suddenly got scared and moved behind her big brother's back to hide. Although there have been countless of rumors having Carmen and Drake as possible partners in life due to their family connection, the two only formed a sibling-like relationship. Carmen grew that way so she had never thought of Drake as a possible husband candidate.

"Grey." The two boys shake hands.

Drake and Grey grew up together. Just like Carmen, the two men were the best of friends. It is also the reason why Grey would give Ivory up. As long as the woman he loves is happy, he will rest in peace within the darkness of his friend's shadow.

"What are you doing at the palace?" Grey said as he moved sideways to block Carmen who was gripping tightly at his shirt. This indicates that she was afraid of Drake, having heard her said mean things about him. Obviously, Drake heard it with his inhuman hearing abilities but he chooses to tease Carmen.

"I should ask you the same thing," Drake said. He tilted his ways sideways to look at Carmen who tried hiding.

"I'm here to bring back my little sister," Grey said.

Carmen gripped Grey's jacket more but she knew she had to face him eventually for it is rude to ignore a high noble. Carmen gathered her courage and stand properly.

"Greetings to the Duke of Lennox." Carmen did a curtsy to Drake who tried containing his laugh. When they were little, Drake has always teased Carmen even if it's the tiniest detail. However, Carmen have learned to do proper greetings so Drake laughed at the girl's effort. She was determined to beat him.

"Aswell as to you, Lady Carmen." Drake bowed down.

"I just had tea with the 6th Princess." Carmen said, teasing Drake whom she knew that the Princess had ignored since the ball.

"You had tea with Estelle?"

"Whose Estelle?" The two sibling asked.

Drake flinched at his words. He remembered that it was a secret between him and Estelle. The pain of being ignored by her quickly fade as he thinks about their memorable times together.

"Ah, I meant her royal highness, princess Ivory." Drake coughed, correcting his words and hiding his smile. "Is her highness inside?"

Drake looked at the library. Grey gripped his hands. He thought he was prepared for it but his heart was hurting as hell. He wanted to say no and that Drake shouldn't bother Ivory who doesn't want to see him. But he can't. He was just a nobody to Ivory now. She does not remember me.

"Yes." Grey said. His voice was slowly cracking but Drake didn't mind it.

"Then please excuse me." Drake bowed down and left the two.

"Brother." Carmen hold Grey's hand. She was trying to sooth him. "I'm cheering for you."

Grey looked at his feeble sister. He quickly regained conscious and relaxed his hand. He raised his hand to pat Carmen's head.

"Let's go home."

Carmen did not let go of her brother's hand as she knew best, that Grey loved Ivory so much for the longest. His heart was breaking over the fact he was not chosen nor even known to her highness Ivory. Although Ivory was the cause, she did not blame her. After meeting her for the first time, she was so unlike the rumors. Carmen knew more why her brother loved her. She was far from ordinary. Definitely worthy to be her muse and to be her sister-in-law.

__________

"Estelle."

Estelle looked up at the man who spoke. There stood Drake in front of her. So close that Estelle knew she could not run away. Her powers are not working anyways when he's around, better stay calm that try to avoid problems. Estelle was ready to face this problem.

Estelle stood and curtsy. "Greetings to the Duke."

"I would be meeting with the Emperor soon," Drake said.

Estelle did not yet raise her head. Her eyes grew sharper. She looked up and stared at the man.

"And the need for you to tell me this is because?"

"I would meet him to ask for your hand in marriage." Drake quickly answered.

"Don't be rude, Duke." Estelle's sanity snapped. "I respect your power over the Empire, however, making decisions over my life without my permission is unacceptable."

Being taken as tools and toys was hated by Estelle. It was how her first life as the God of Death worked out. All she wanted was to be free but now a mortal is consistently pestering her. It was utterly annoying.

"You knew from the start that this was my intention from purposely moving closer to you." Drake tried to hold onto Estelle but she was quicker to avoid his hands.

"The intention was not acknowledged. I have no reason to be married to you." Estelle coldly said.

"I have."

"I have no time for this." Estelle tried to walk away calmly but Drake got hold of her hand. She glared at the man.

"Please let go."

"I won't, Estelle."

Estelle gripped her hand. Hearing him call his name was making her heart weak. She does not wish to listen but she had no choice. Although there were no more than 10 people in the library, rumors still spread like wildfire. She cannot fight back with violence in a place like this. She had to contain her bloodthirst.

"Your actions are disturbing. Please refrain from calling me in my real name." Estelle slapped her hand of Drakes gripped but that only made him more persistent. He used his other hand to capture her other hand.

"Don't you want to fulfill Ivory's wishes?!" This time Drake had raised his voice which caught the attention of the people in the library.

"I do but I don't need your help." Estelle tried, but she could not gather enough power to take back her hand from Drake's.

"I love you." Drake calmly said.

Estelle stopped struggling over the effort of getting away from him. His words were like swords piercing through Estelle's heart.

Drake bend down on one knee and placed a kiss on Estelle's hand.

"I, Drake Edmund Lennox, solemnly swear that I shall give my power, body, heart and soul to Estelle 'till the day I die."

Estelle was yet again speechless. She knew she had to quickly take back her hand, but deep down she didn't want to. She never learned how to love, but she wanted to learn. Why does her heartthrob as Drake says her name? Just why?!

"Why are you doing this?" Estelle's voice faint. It was the one sentence she could come up with.

Drake ignored her words and slowly placed a white diamond accessorized ring at Estelle's left hand's ring finger.

"Think it through Estelle." Drake stood up and let go of Estelle's hand. "I'll be heading to the King's office."

Once again, Estelle was left alone dumbfounded. So many questions yet no answer. She slowly raised her right hand and place it at her beating heart. While looking at her left hand.