Chapter 18.2

Tears fell from Lia’s eyes and she stood up, trying to wipe them away. Anastasia picked up her teacup and took a sip, oblivious to Lia’s suffering. The room suddenly felt very cold and suffocating, and Lia turned to the door to leave.

Kieran came up to her with a stiff face. Lia did not know if he had been standing there all this time, if he had ever left. “I am so sorry, Lia,” he said and held her.

“It’s Lian,” she said, sniffling and gently pushed his hand on her shoulder.

Kieran frowned. His eyes flashed with emotion as he looked at his sister crying. He looked sharply at Anastasia. “Mother, please stop this!” he said with emotion. The Marchioness glared at Kieran.

“You are ruining Vale’s honour!” said Kieran.

“Ruin?” asked Anastasia, “How dare you?!”

“A funeral for somebody alive?” said Kieran, “How can you even say such a thing?!”

“Kieran!” said the Marchioness severely. Lia didn’t hear anything beyond as she ran out of the reception room.

The Marchioness might shout now but she will redeem her composure soon enough, she was an aristocrat to the bone, and so was Kieran. He would hug his mother later and ask for her forgiveness. Lia knew as much. She was the only one who did not belong here.

Lia waved off Pepe as the maid tried to follow her outside. Lia walked to the riverside and sat on the chair set near it. She slumped into the chair and thought about the Marchioness’ plans about a funeral. Lia would be gone soon and would not ever be able to return to this place. She was wiping her tears away when she felt a presence nearby. She thought it might be one of the maids.

“Please go away,” she said, “I want to be alone.”

“You’re not a lady today, Canillia,” said a voice that she recognized very well.

***

“It’s fortunate that you’re well, Marilyn,” said Rosina with a soft smile.

“It’s all thanks to you, My Lady.”

“Please do not overexert yourself.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

Marilyn smiled at the people who filled the hall. The light shone upon the flowers, laughter followed, glasses clinked. Everyone had come to celebrate her recovery. Even Claude was present. Marilyn made her way with Rosina to where Claude stood. The presence of Wade and Claude meant that the party was a big success. All eyes were on them as they made their way to the gentlemen.

“I apologize for my late greetings, gentlemen,” said Marilyn. She placed a gentle hand on Claude’s forearm. “It did not seem right when you had come to visit me when I had been unwell.”

Claude dropped a kiss on the back of Rosina’s hand while he patted Marilyn’s hand on his arm. He took out a pocket watch from his jacket. “Since I have seen that you are recovering very well,” he said, “His Highness and I must take our leave now.”

Marilyn’s face became rigid at his words. “So soon?” she said, “The party hasn’t even begun.”

“Kieran is back,” said Claude, “And I promised I would meet him.” He smiled gently and extricated his forearm from her as politely as he could. Marilyn flushed as though she had been humiliated despite his outmost courtesy.

“Do you have to visit him today?” she asked.

“My Lady,” he began.

“It’s the day we celebrate my recovery.”

Claude looked at her with narrowed eyes. There was no warmth in them. His eyes were cold, and irritation flashed through them. His gaze seemed to be asking whether she thought that was reason enough to hold him back like this. Marilyn barely managed to set her face in a smile while she felt a palpable fear towards him.

“My apologies,” said Marilyn, “Of course it has been too long since you have met your friend. I understand it is urgent for you to go.”

“I am grateful for your understanding, My Lady,” said Claude, smiling. He placed a kiss on the back of Marilyn’s hand and looked at Wade. The crown prince saw Marilyn’s face flush as he lowered his champagne glass and spoke to Rosina.

“Time to meet your fiancé,” said Wade to Rosina.

“Please don’t tease him too much,” said Rosina, smiling at Wade and Claude.

“He’s not the boy he was four years ago,” said Wade, “I don’t think he can be teased by us anymore. Rest assured.”

They bid the ladies farewell. The sound of the party grew faint as they got into the waiting car. The driver bowed and started the engine.

“This damn metal lump. I will feel ill again,” grumbled Wade. The car was moving very smoothly despite his grumblings.

“I heard Kieran brought a guest,” said Wade.

“Yes, I heard the same,” said Claude.

“Ian Sergio, was he not?”

“The very same,” said Claude, “Third son of the Geore’s king. He protected Kieran while he was abroad.”

“Well, he has certainly become friendly with the enemy.”

Claude agreed with Wade. While he knew Ian was as good a man as any, from his letters with Kieran, he was still the prince of an enemy state. They could never be friends. Due to the dispute regarding the diamond mines in the neutral area, if something were to happen to Ian here, there would be war. Claude couldn’t begin to understand what Kieran was thinking bringing such a person here.

“While you and Kieran play with Prince Sergio, I will watch the stars with Canillian,” said Wade as he leaned back in his seat.

Clause looked at Wade sharply at the mention on Canillian’s name. “No,” said Claude, “You are the crown prince, I will be by your side at all times. We are going to meet a prince from the enemy state after all. Do you understand me?’