Crowns and a Rose 2: The Howling Wind

"Are you saying that you saw someone?" I ask Primrose while we eat our breakfast one Saturday.

She nods.

"She took a photo of the person. The photo taken was blurry, so we enhanced it," Leo says.

"What do you mean? This mansion has the most advanced CCTV cameras," Ben says.

Primrose looks at him with a mischievous look.

"I saw you as well," she says.

"Are we talking about the time when you nearly fell?" Letizia utters nervously.

"Seems like someone is keeping a secret~," Jay says while looking at Ben, who looks tense.

"Show us what you saw," I command.

Primrose shows us the photo and I nearly break the glass I am holding tight. Sophia and I exchange a look. She is as flustered as I am.

"Who is that?" Mon asks while looking at the photo.

"We are not sure for now, but I have already sent it to dad's agency for tracing," Jay replies.

"You did what?" I ask in disbelief.

"Don't worry, mom~ Uncle Robert's agency is world-class. We will be able to know the identity of this man sooner than expected," Leo says.

I smile and nod.

"Of course! If you'll excuse me, I have to take a rest," I tell them before I leave for my room.

They nod while Sophia follows me with a worried gaze.

After eating, they go to the veranda to busk under the sun. Camille hesitates to follow them, so Sophia taps her shoulder.

"You can' t live like this here," Sophia tells her when everyone goes out.

"But~"

"You can't ignore them~ him forever! It will be difficult, especially for you~"

"I don't have a face to show anymore. I am sure they are laughing at me~"

"Have you heard them or seen them laugh at you?"

Camille slowly shakes her head.

"Because they're not~"

She remains quiet, pondering.

"Camille~ I admire your kindness. However, if you wanna survive in this fraudulent world, you must learn how to fight your fears!"

"How?"

"Do you think, you were randomly chosen? Haven't you questioned why you are suddenly here when you didn't join the competition? I wanna help you~"

Camille blinks, trying to grasp what Sophia tells her.

"Now, let's go. I am sure he's waiting for you," Sophia says while pulling her hand.

"It's Saturday! Do you have any plans in mind?" Mon asks everyone.

"Can we go camping?" Stephanie suggests.

"Ei! You? You wanna go camping? You're not serious~" Leo says skeptic of her words.

"I am! Aunt Khaeli mentioned that you have a cabin within your property and it's near a lake," Stephanie answers with her hands on her waist.

"Yep! I saw some photos on Mon's IG," Primrose adds.

"What do you think?" Ben asks.

"I'm in!" Letizia exclaims, raising her hands. Then, Ben looks adorably at Letizia while pulling her close to him.

"Letizia--- don't believe everything this great Casanova says!" Ron exclaims, punching Ben's arm.

"You are the 99th woman this month," Leo adds.

"Don't mind them, honey! They're just jealous!" Ben tells Letizia before kissing her lips.

"Don't worry, honey. I believe you," she says.

The lords look at them in disgust while gesturing to throw up.

"Oooooooh my my my! Letizia… you are one naughty girl," Chealsy says while pointing at her.

Letizia smiles sweetly, teasing Chealsy.

Jay and Leo pinch their noses and mimick Chealsy, "Ooooooooh my my my--- Letizia, you are one naughty girl!"

Chealsy glares at them while Stephanie and Primrose laugh at their silliness.

"Are you coming or what?" Ben asks.

"If Prim joins, I will," Mon says while looking at Primrose, who smiles at him.

"To be fair, all of us should go!" Sophia states as she holds Camille's arm. Then, she winks at Ron. He presses his lips not to smile.

The ladies cheer in excitement.

"Okay! See you all after an hour," Mon tells everyone.

Everyone looks happy and excited as they ascend a bumpy serpentine road. The ladies bring out their phones to take photos of the mossy towering trees proudly standing on the jagged terrains at the foot of a snow-capped mountain.

"Jay, can you please slow down a bit? They wanna take photos," Sophia shouts as she is sitting at the back of the car watching the other ladies struggling to take photos.

"Yes, Don Mari!" he says sardonically as he slows down. She ignores him.

"Sit here so you can have a better view. I will hold you to keep you steady," Ben tells Letizia while tapping his lap.

She smiles playfully as she sits down. Ben wraps his arms around her waist while she comfortably takes photos.

"Huh! This does work~" Letizia says.

Rons shakes his head when he sees what Ben just did.

Then, everyone shouts when the van suddenly drives onto a hump.

"Sorry!" Jay exclaims.

Ron impulsively pulls Camille and protects her head from slamming against the windowpane.

"I am okay now~," she says while removing Ron's arms around her. But, he ignores her instead, he pulls her closer and places his arm around her neck.

"Now, I don't have to worry about you hitting your head," he says. Camille can't do anything but to sit still.

Then, the bluish-green lake surrounded by lush vegetation becomes apparent when they start to descend. Jay stops in front of a cabin.

"Wow!" the ladies exclaim as they get out of the van.

The cabin looks like a giant mushroom on the elevated part of the lakeshore.

It looks impressive on the outside, but from the small arched windows to the red brick walls, the redwood floors to the domed ceiling where a sprawling chandelier is suspended, the interior is even more fascinating.

It is also complete with modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV, a hot shower and so on.

"This cabin is amazing!" Primrose cries.

"Do you like it?" Leo asks while helping her with her bag.

"Like it? I love it!"

"Mom had this built for Mon and me when mom and dad divorced," Leo says while looking at the lake.

"Oh my gosh! I am sorry~"

"Don't be! This place helped us get through the pain."

He looks at Primrose. Then, he smiles.

"Hep! I will take this and I will bring her to their room~" Mon says as he takes the bag from his brother's hands.

"My lady~" Mon bows as he offers his arm to her. She giggles at his craziness then clings to his arms.

Leo holds his breath while looking at how Mon and Primrose share a hearty laugh.

"Let's go!" Jay says as he pushes Leo inside.