Chapter 20: Prelude to the evening dance II
It was 7 in the evening and the servants in Duke Ligeti's mansion were scrambling for finishing touches for the Evening dance party that would he held in 3 hours. Meanwhile, the members of the ducal family had just had their dinner.
"Larissa, will you not come join us in the drawing room?" one of Duke Ligeti's daughters, Countess Seria, asked when she noticed her niece not moving from the dining room just yet.
Lawrence Ligeti, Larissa's twin brother, laughed, "Go on, Larissa, it's not like we're going to eat his grace here." he joked.
Larissa blushed and everyone laughed. Well, it was not the first time Charlton visited her home nor met her family, but it was the first time that he was there as her lover.
She and Charlton have become lovers about 3 months ago but much of their interactions have been through letters. That was until he came back to the capital when the meeting of house of lords reconvened on the 15th of June. Since then, they have gone out for meals, shopping, picnics, and when the Social Season began, he escorted her to all the events she deigned to attend. Wasn't she the luckiest lady in the planet?
Charlton smiled seeing Larissa's reaction. Taking pity for his lover, he rose from his seat. "Excuse me, gentlemen, I believe that I need to take a walk outside to help digest my dinner. Lady Larissa, would it be alright for you to escort me? I am still unfamiliar with your home."
Charlton's request would have been improper if it were just the two of them, but there were servants in the garden and since it was summer, it was still bright outside.
Anyhow, Larissa shyly nodded her head while everyone in the room started teasing her.
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"T-thank you for joining our family dinner, your grace. It was… it was v-very… nice of you." Larissa said with a stutter as she shut her eyes tight. In fact, she wanted to say that he was sweet, but she was so nervous and was still second guessing.
Who wouldn't be? Sometimes, she wakes up in the morning and still feel like everything's a dream. Grand duke Charlton Daniel, the most sought-after gentleman in their whole kingdom, once her idol who she shipped with the previous crown princess, was now, her lover. She didn't know what he saw in her as she was just, well, her. So, whenever they were together, though how happy, and proud she was, she couldn't help but feel insecure.
Charlton chuckled finding her cute. Larissa was different from all the women he used to have as company. When others were usually pretending, she was genuinely innocent and naïve. The first time he met her was 2 years ago in this very mansion. At that time, he just thought that she has exceptional vocals and made the impression that she was a good person.
After the war, Charlton, despite coming out as triumphant, felt empty. He joined the war not because he believed in the radical faction's ideals, but rather for his revenge.
He knew that the royal family, his blood related kins, were involved in his father's death. So, he has always believed that his revenge was just. In the process, he hurt people who he held dear, and though he does not regret the outcome, it did not mean that the process did not make him remorseful.
First, he betrayed his ailing mother's trust.
Although she was sad and almost went half insane because of her husband's death, she still insisted that her brother, the king, could not have been involved in it. He did not believe her and thought her wails were only out of denial. Thus, he still went on his way, lying to her that he would not involve himself with the radical faction.
He thought she would never find out, but when he returned after the war, what welcomed him was a slap to the face and then her silence. Until now, she wouldn't talk to him, and it seems that his relationship with her has become irreparable.
Second, he took advantage of his friendship with Hugo Cobalt. He used his trust to siphon information on the monarchist's faction movements. It was one of the reasons why the radical faction had more advantage regarding when and where to invade. The most crucial being that of the capital. When Hugo was sent to Torton, the radical faction, knowing that half of the capital's armed forces were gone, took the chance to pillage the capital. When Hugo got wind of the news, he rushed back. However, it was already too late.
Yes, it was war, and he's not expecting nor asking for any forgiveness. However, there's still a feeling of loss.
Third, was for his lost love. Although he hated Serena, he also loved her. Yes, she hurt him. She abandoned him and chose his cousin over him when he was at his lowest, but looking back, what he did to her have been truly too cruel. He deceived her, took advantage of her vulnerability, used her, betrayed her, shamed her, and ultimately abandoned her. He took his revenge on her, but it did not make him any happier.
When the war was over and the new regime has taken reign, it was expected that he would take part in ruling the new society. He was offered to be the Deputy Prime Minister. However, he turned the position down.
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TBC