Chapter 3: A POSSIBLE INTENDED
The Duke's son had been treated respectfully in Elbert's residence. His need and comfort were put as priority by the Lady of Elbert herself. Nothing hideous and inappropriate came to Cyrus under Matilda's supervision.
The first day of his stay at Elbert's residence was wonderful. He was nothing but polite and appreciative towards the owner of the house. His best companion, though, was the young lady of Elbert, whose beauty had him captured. It was not until the second day of his stay at Sir Philip's that he started to feel suffocated from having no space to even breath at his own. He would be either accompanied by Genevieve or Matilda herself, who was more eager than her daughter to be his companion at anytime, asking him lot of questions, that often irritated him.
He could not excuse himself regardless. He was bound by his pleasant and polite demeanour that he had forced to bring out on himself.
"So, tell me Sir Cyrus." Spoke Matilda as she put down her tea cup on the table. They were enjoying tea at the balcony of her house. She straightened her back and held her head high, eyes looking straight at the young man before her — her possible future in law, she had thought. "Would you stay another night for a ball here?"
"A ball?" Cyrus furrowed his dark brows together, seemingly confused at the lady's questions. A ball? Who would have a ball in a mansion that was as small as Elbert's? He gave her a long look which was quickly deciphered by Matilda as an underestimation.
Or an insult, precisely.
Matilda laughed softly over it, despite her raging mind. "We, Elberts, always have a ball at the town hall. It will accommodate the party better than our house."
"I am so sorry, Lady Matilda. It was not my intention to belittle your beautiful mansion." Cyrus said politely. His voice was soft and full of remorse. "I would be honour to attend the ball you host. I'm sure it would be very pleasant. However, Lady Matilda, I'm afraid that I would have to leave according to the plan. My work… cannot be denied."
"Oh." Matilda sighed. Disappointment was clear in her tone and her expression. "I should have understood that you are very busy with your duties. I do apologies Sir Cyrus."
Cyrus shook his head. "No, Lady Matilda. It is I who's sorry for not being able to fulfil your wish. For that reason, I was wondering, if you and your family would like to attend Spring Celebration that my family will host in few weeks?"
Both of Matilda's eyes suddenly lit up with excitement. She was satisfied with the outcome of her conversation with the son of a well-known Duke. Something that she had been waiting for — had been dreaming for — finally came to her doorstep. It was now on her grasp and she had no intention to let go. In fact, she had been holding it tight. The duke's son had just invited to visit another land.
"Absolutely, Sir Cyrus!" She replied, a little too excited that she intended to show. It took her a few seconds to take control of her happiness that was nearly leapt out of her heart. "It is such an honour to be attending your ball."
Cyrus gave her a pleasant smile. "I am delighted. I will be arranging a carriage that will come to pick you up from here."
"Oh, Sir Cyrus. You are not only a good looking young man but also very considerate." She complimented him from her heart. Her eyes shone with great expectations. "You will be making a great Duke and… a husband."
"Thank you, Lady Matilda." Cyrus gave her another smile. His eyes then shifted to the view in front of him. As if wanting to change the subject and possibly get out of the conversation with the lady, he casually spoke, "You know, Lady Matilda, I heard that Wealdhill has a lot of beautiful sacred places that visitors like to see. I was wondering if I could get a chance to see those places before I leave tomorrow."
If he was not the Duke's son, Matilda would have rolled her eyes at his request. She would have come up with an unfriendly remark to his way in describing the sacred places beautiful. To Matilda, Wealdhill held no beauty but a tomb. Nevertheless she agreed with him and suggested him a brilliant idea to visit those places.
"My son, Felix, is very well-known here amongst the villagers. He will be able to show you around. However, he is usually busy at this time. So maybe Genevieve is going to go for a walk with you to see places." She said enthusiastically, leaving the balcony as soon as she could to get her precious daughter ready to go.
Genevieve, on the other hand, was busy helping her father with a few documents that would need to be sorted out. She had been her father personal assistance since she came to age. Working in the office was secretly her favourite thing to do after reading.
The young lady had learned from her father to manage a town. As the Mayor of a town in Wealdhill, her father had been able to teach and show his daughter his works. Genevieve, who was always so curious of his works, became more and more interested in the work her father was doing. In fact, she had become an expert in politic's field.
That skill, however, could not guarantee her freedom to be away from Wealdhill. The only thing that could guarantee it was her mother's advice, who just came to his father office unannounced.
"Oh, Genevieve, stop sticking your nose on those papers." Scolded her mother, earning a long sigh from both Genevieve and Philip. "You have more important things to do than staying here."
Reluctantly, Genevieve lifted her head from the paper. "What is it, Mother?"
Matilda walked towards her daughter. She leaned closer to Genevieve's ear as she said, "Your possible future husband wants to have a look around the town. You're going with him." in a low voice.
Genevieve rolled her eyes. It was not that she did not want to spend time with Cyrus but the idea of walking around the town was not pleasant at all. Just like her mother, she also despised Wealdhill.
"Can't Felix go with him?" Genevieve grunted irritably.
"Is Felix gonna be the one who marries Cyrus Roberts?" Her mother retorted, earning a chuckle from her father who had been listening to the exchange between his wife and his daughter. "Stop whining and get ready."
Genevieve casted a look towards her father, who gave her a nod to go. She heaved a sigh and walked to her father to give him a kiss before she left.
"Don't forget to take him to our beautiful church." Said her father, amused.
Genevieve only groaned as a response and left the room, closing the door behind her gently. She went to her bedroom first to grab a coat and fix her hair. After she was satisfied with her look, she came down the stairs to the look for Cyrus.
Surprisingly, Cyrus was already waiting for her at the entrance, flashing her a bright smile which she returned genuinely to him. Who would not smile to the handsome man like Cyrus? Any woman would want his attention and company. Genevieve was lucky to have that for the past few days.
"Good afternoon, Sir Cyrus." She bowed at him.
Taking one of her hand, Cyrus kissed the back of Genevieve's hand gently. "Good afternoon, Lady Genevieve."
"My mother has informed me that you'd like to take a walk around the town. I'd be more than happy to assist you with it." Said Genevieve.
"My pleasure to have such a beautiful lady accompany me." Replied Cyrus. His eyes concealed nothing but happiness in having Genevieve by his side. The both left Elbert's mansion with joy.
Genevieve showed him the church first, as it was the closest one and the most important part in Wealdhill. They did not go inside, however. Cyrus did not want to go in, claiming that he was content to admire it from outside. He then asked Genevieve to continue to take him to the next place.
"We will have to go through the market to get to the temple. There was no other way." Informed Genevieve, hoping that Cyrus would change his mind and ask her to return to the mansion.
But Cyrus did not mind about the market. He did not mind about the crowd like she did. In fact, he seemed so eager to go.
Having no choices, Genevieve continued to walk with him, getting closer to the busy market in town.
"So, what do you do in your spare time, Lady Genevieve?" Asked Cyrus.
"I read, Sir Cyrus." She answered shortly.
"If you don't mind, Lady Genevieve, please call me Cyrus."
She blushed. Her red cheeks were obvious on her pale complexion. "Only if you're willing to call me Genevieve."
"Then it is settled, Genevieve." He said softly as she smiled at him. "I wish to know more about you, Genevieve. I have extended an invitation to your parents, to attend the Spring celebration in few weeks."
Genevieve could not contain her surprise at his invitation. She had never been to any season celebration that other lands celebrate. Now that she was invited, she was unsure whether she should be excited or not.
"Please tell me you will come." Asked Cyrus. His tone was full of hope. "I wish nothing but to celebrate the season with you."
Recovered from her surprised, Genevieve looked up at the man next to her. Her hazel eyes found his blue eyes. "I will be delighted to come." She said in a low voice.
Cyrus beamed with happiness hearing her response. He grinned at her as his hand caught a strand of her hair that escaped her braid and tucked it behind her ear. She blushed from the action and looked away from him.
The couple was too busy with their own world that they did not pay attention of a person coming towards them from the opposite direction, causing them to collide.
Genevieve was going to fall backward but a strong arm of the stranger caught her in time, putting her in balance.
"Are you okay, Genevieve?" Asked Cyrus, concerned.
"I'm sorry." Said the stranger whose heavy voice belong to a man.
Genevieve casted a glance to the stranger that disrupt them. Her eyes narrowed down at the person who wore a dark robe. His face was covered by the cloak he was putting on his head, causing her unable to see his face. She looked at him up and down, studying his figure that seemed familiar to her.
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