Insignificant Rumor.

Seraphina walked back to the black door with mixed feelings. She didn't know what to make out of her newfound information of 'beware of the black-door guests.' that were none other than Lord William and his son.

What position did they hold in the law firm for a room to be specially kept for them? And it was nicknamed the black door room?

Perhaps she should drop the coffee and Mint tea on the table and run away?

No, that would certainly look absurd. Seraphina laughed at her thought.

She knocked on the door and pushed it open. She entered the room feeling the curious eyes of Lord William and the annoying gaze of his silver-haired son on her.

"Here is your coffee, Lord William, and here is your mint tea, Master William," Seraphina said and took a step back after dropping the tray on the small table between the two couches in the room.

"If there's nothing else, I'll go and call Mr. Hansbrouck,"

"You don't have to," Lord William stopped her with a wave of his hand after taking a sip of the warm coffee. "I'll go see him myself. You stay here,"

Stay here? With your annoying son?

"Yes, Lord William." Seraphina complied with a bow and watched Lord William stand with his coffee in his hand.

"I forgot to ask," Lord William suddenly stopped and turned to look at Seraphina. "I hope my son made your trip a safe one?"

"Y..."

"Yes, Father." The silver-haired man answered, interrupting Seraphina. "She got home safely and not only that, I also saved her ass from trouble."

What the!

Seraphina's eyes turned wide, her face flushed immediately as she stared at the silver-haired man with her mouth open.

Lord William's brows rose in surprise and as if understanding something, he smiled and walked out of the room leaving Seraphina and his son inside.

"What was that all about?" Seraphina questioned in fury.

"What?" The man questioned back in confusion.

"T...the saving..." Seraphina couldn't bring herself to complete her sentence. This man was shameless. Saying such words without filter.

The silver-haired man sipped his tea with his head tilted in question, "You mean saving your ass thing?"

"Could you stop using that word?" Seraphina almost screamed feeling her cheeks heat up once more.

"Are you flustered?" He asked and Seraphina could detect the smile in his words. "Don't be," He further spoke.

"By the time way, how is your bottom doing?"

"Pardon?" Seraphina said unsure of what she heard.

"Your bottom," He repeated more loudly, "How is it doing? I remember you fell that day, and the fall was quite bad. Hmm?"

Seraphina couldn't take it anymore. Forget the beware of the black door guests, she was certain this man was knowingly provoking her.

Since he was trying to see her flustered they should perhaps do it his way then.

"I'm doing okay. My bottom is fine. Thank you for asking." Seraphina replied with a straight face.

The silver-haired man's brows rose in surprise. He had not been expecting that answer from her. He was thinking of making her angrier than she was, but she seemed to have changed her strategy.

Playing with him. That would be fun. He would see how long she'll last without getting annoyed.

"Are you sure?" He asked and craned his neck to the side as if he was staring behind her.

Seraphina was mortified at the way he was looking at her, precisely behind her back, but she wouldn't let him win. She will show him she can play this game too.

"Yes, I am," Seraphina replied in the same business-like tone. "Do you need anything else, Master William?"

"Lancelot." The silver-haired man said and saw Seraphina give him a confused look. "Call me Lancelot and not Master William."

Lancelot.

Seraphina tested the name on her lips.

"Do you need anything else, Mr. Lancelot?" She repeated her question while maintaining the formality between them.

"No," He responded. "I just wanted to make sure that your bottom is okay after the fall."

"It is. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I'll leave you to enjoy your mint tea." Seraphina said and turned on her heels.

Now, the play ended too fast before he got to enjoy and have fun. But he had another strategy.

"I heard about your lover," Lancelot began and Seraphina abruptly stopped.

"What are you talking about?" Seraphina quizzed, her brows arching upwards.

"Erix. Dallan Erix is what I'm talking about." He stressed the name to annoy her which seemed to work when Seraphina's expression turned sour

Seraphina took a slow deep breath to cool her nerves. She smiled, showing her perfect white teeth, "I didn't know you knew about him. He must be popular to be known by the great son of the Lord." She sarcastically replied not denying that Dallan Erix was her lover as Lancelot had called it.

They were not really lovers but they were very close that they could be mistaken as lovers. They liked each other and that was it. Nothing more. She didn't know what this man was driving at by saying Erix was her lover.

"I guess he is. But it should have been the other way round, he should be fortunate to be known by me." Lancelot replied, his gaze unwavering.

"Why are we having this conversation?" Seraphina questioned with hands crossed across her chest.

If this man was trying to make her more annoyed, then it was working, because she will grant him his wish of having his eyes plucked out of their sockets.

"You agree he's your lover?" Lancelot asked amused, unfazed by the deadly stare of Seraphina.

"Wasn't that what you called it? Besides I don't see a reason why I should be having this conversation with you." Seraphina retorted sharply. Her brown eyes stared back at Lancelot, but no matter how hard she stared, she couldn't see his reaction that was always hidden behind his mask.

"There's a very good reason for it, Ms. Castiel," Lancelot said.

"And what could that be?"

Lancelot did not immediately reply. He took another sip of his tea and relaxed on the couch where he sat. One hand leisurely placed on the backrest of the couch. His leg crossed over the other. His posture exuded the picture of a refined noble man and Seraphina couldn't deny this.

When he finally spoke, he said, "I believe you know the situation of both our families and the marriage proposal?"

It was not a question and Seraphina did not answer. She stood there watching him in his relaxed position.

Lancelot continued, "What am I trying to say? You should keep your distance from another man who is rumored to be your lover."

"Rumored to be my lover," Seraphina let out a small chuckle. "As you called it, those are just rumors and they hold no significance."

"Why should I keep my distance from him? It's not as if I'm married into your family anyway."

Lancelot frowned. "Significance or not. I do not wish for my family's reputation to be tarnished and neither would you like the same with yours. Isn't that right, Ms. Castiel?"

He continued when she did not speak, "Not that I care about the rumors, but as a noble Lady, something as such shouldn't be associated with your name. I hope you understand what I mean."