THE RETURN

"I see... So both of you are friends. That's actually a good thing because I was just about to introduce my fiancee to you, Princess." With enthusiasm, Cordelia announced happily while looking at Liam who still smiled at her, yet coldly that is. 

"We know each other, I'm also glad that both of you are close." Liam answered, letting out another chuckle as he entangled his hand with Cordelia, making her blush and looked away. 

Howrver, it wasn't the expression that Liam was looking for. It was the emotion of Felicia, what she feels about the truth and if she'll get hurt with it. He wanted to know if this will make her jealous, just a harmless experiment he conducted. 

Yet the spark in his eyes lost when Felicia just continued smiling at them, wasn't affected by anything that made him bit his tongue, not letting out a curse word while trying to keep it natural. 

Why is she not acting the way she's supposed to act? Why is she not being jealous with this? Can't she see that he's together with Cordelia now? Is she really not affected by it?

"Ah... Yes..." Felicia responded, still keeping her smile. "Well then, I hope that I am not making anything weird after scaring your knights like that, it seems that they need to be more professional than they are right now." Felicia added, changing the subject in which Cordelia apologized with their knights lacking. 

She didn't think about how intense was Liam staring at her. She didn't think of anything and just thought that he was just spacing out and so she kept her distance, quite wary with Liam.

It's becoming awkward after all.

"But you really got us there, Princess! You made us experienced how scary it was! Plus you're wearing a skirt! It's hard to fight with such big skirt attached to your body. You're an extraordinary woman, Princess." Evonne answered, praising as they all went close to her, pushing back Liam. 

They began to tell how amazing it was for Felicia to defeat a man. Much less a damn knight associated with Count Leopold. She was the bad dream, the nightmare of that night who didn't expected the reverse of their situation. 

"You kicked his butt well! It was so refreshing!" Some even let out words that are inappropriate in which Felicia let out a laugh, together with the girls as they also pushed through, making Liam taken a back as she stared with Felicia being in the center of the attraction. 

His eyes... Grew emotions that hinted possession and obsession, yet it was wash away with coldness upon looking at Cordelia who saw him looking at her, yet she smiled at him before turning her head towards Felicia. 

Yet Liam, didn't even felt like something was wrong with how he was staring at the woman whom he truly loves, the woman who will stay with him forever. The woman who kept on appearing in his dreams.

Until everything is done, she will be his. Either through force or not, Felicia is certainly his and no one can change that fate forever. 

—

"I apologize but I have to go. I love to stay but I am becoming quite uncomfortable with the dress. Especially since I was under the scorching heat and was sweating bullets. I apologize, lady Cordelia." Felicia sighed, apologetically looking at Cordelia who just smiled, reassuring her that everything is fine. 

"I understand, Princess. You don't need to be sorry about it. Plus, I should be the one apologizing with the lack of respect our knights had given to you. It was surely offensive." Cordelia retorted, shaking her head in disagreement with what the actions her knights had taken.

Especially Rolando who created those troublesome actions.

"Please, if anything or anyone should apologize, it'll be that knight. But no worries, all things are in the past now. I'm very grateful that you invited me to your tea party, I really enjoyed the day." Felicia replied, chuckling as Cordelia took her back to the carriage in which she had rode earlier. 

"I am also thankful that you accepted on such short notice. My girls and I had an enjoyable time with you, Princess. We would love to do this together again with you, if it's possible?" Cordelia asked, sweetly that Felicia nodded her head immediately, agreeing to what she hoped for. 

There would be nothing wrong if this happens once again. Less the fact that she has to fight another bastard once again because she'll really beat the shit out of it. "I will have my own tea party soon, I'll invite everyone, especially you." She replied, winking at Cordelia who giggled with such advances of her. 

"Well then, lady Cordelia. I have to go, thank you so much." She thanked as she entered the carriage, waving her hands on Cordelia who waved back as the carriage started to move, leaving the estate where the fun ends.

It was one of the best days of her life, to associate herself with women who are beyond what she had expected. She thought that ladies in this society prefer to stick with what the traditional party is. 

But they discussed a lot, even politics, sometimes gossip around the circle, dresses, swords, and a lot of topics were explored thanks to everyone's curiosity. She even let out a chuckle when everyone started speaking informally, talking to each other as if they were not noble people. 

It was what she called friendship, becoming comfortable with one another that she can laugh freely, react, and say something that would not offend everyone. She was happy that she had found her people, which made her think that she should plan a tea party sooner than later. 

It was so sad parting ways together with those girls. She didn't want the day to end yet, but because of how she looks like she had escaped prison just because of how wrinkly and dusty she looks right now, she couldn't stay for more. 

It would be too much to ask Cordelia for an outfit to change anyway. She still have some shame hidden behind her heart. 

As the carriage took out a long ride, it took a lot of time for Felicia to think about random things while leaning on the window, staring at what's in front of her as if she was oozing out of her conscience. 

What bothered here is the fact that maybe Liam backed out so suddenly in their friendship because he's already in a love relationship with Cordelia, in which she didn't know that he's already to be wed with a woman who's wonderful and pure bliss. 

But then again, she's not someone important for Liam to just casually tell her that he's getting married. Maybe because he doesn't want everyone to know that he's to be wed already. 

Maybe it's an arranged marriage given the fact that he was smiling a lot, where she could distinguish how fake his smiles were instead of his always genuine smile whenever he's with her. 

Today, he looks and sounds like he deeply cares but those are empty words and it doesn't mean for him. After all, she knew how much of a cunning and smart man he is, it was all a play he orchestrated.

But such woman shouldn't be played. Especially that Cordelia is genuine and true to herself, unlike those selfish noblewomen who only cares about flaunting their wealth and fame through a war of words. 

She was an interesting person to begin with. 

She sighed, well it's not her life to decide since it's his fate to play with. Whether they end up well or not, she'll remain as both their friends and be neutral with everything. 

Seems that her thoughts had helped her pass the time when she realises that the carriage is heading through the big doors of the estate. It was so fast that she didn't realised they had already slipped in with the gates. 

As the carriage stopped in front of the open doors of her mansion, she was escorted with the footman, making her grab her hand as she took the stair, climbing out completely fine. 

"Thank you so much for escorting me way back home. I appreciate it." With a respectful curtsy, she smiled at the servant's generosity and turned around, began to walk inside the massive estate. 

Yet as she entered inside, the atmosphere of the mansion was very lively and filled with enthusiasm. She could hear loud noises, followed with what it seems to be a confetti which made her frown. 

It's not someone's birthday so what is happening right now? There are also no worth of celebrating for since the holidays are still far ahead. There were also no orders for confettis and such so why is the whole manor very active and filled with laughter?

Yet what surprised her as she went back to the estates was Helena's presence, where everyone was rejoicing with her finally back after such a week of disappearance because of her request. 

What shocked her even more is that the Duke was smiling, twirling Helena around the air while joyfully mentioning her name repeatedly, as if the Duke had come back from his behavior years ago. 

The confusion was visible in her face yet a pang on her heart was evident that she didn't like what was in front of her eyes. It felt like once more, Helena had won upon seeing that the Duke she stole started to throw his favor on her. 

"Oh... Felicia." The Duke seems to have noticed her presence, standing outside the living room, together with everyone who prepared a cake with Helena who was observing her while still remaining on the Duke's hand. 

What in the hell?