The Marchioness walks towards the Duchess who was gazing at the gardenscapes with Lady Eli. They were cheerfully talking about their daughters which made the Marchioness annoyed.
'How could she laugh like that? It is so carefree that I want to rip that mouth.'
She composed herself before turning her heels. What happened earlier will surely circulate at the High Society by tomorrow. How humiliating. She will lay low for a while. It makes her blood boil in anger to be absent for the future social gatherings.
The mother and daughter duo did humiliate her in front of every noblewoman present and there's no way it wouldn't spread.
Furthermore, there were already bad rumors going around about her regarding about her son.
"If only that stupid son of mine did not have a bruise on his face there will be no rumors. Tsk, why does he have to show up when the Viscountess visited?"
No remorse or guilt in her eyes as she stared at the Duchess from far away—full of anger. The Duchess glanced over her shoulders and saw the Marchioness' expression, her lips curved into a smile. Like a mask she always puts on whenever she associates with people she doesn't like.
"The flowers you have are very beautiful."
Her lips twitch upon hearing the Duchess' words she hadn't even noticed her coming close. She faced her with a smile because if another word comes out; surely she couldn't avoid his wrath. It is widely spread that the Duke loves her wife and one insult towards her will surely have punishment.
"Thank you for the compliment, Your Grace. I bought it in a neighbouring kingdom immediately as soon as I laid my eyes on it." She smiled while letting out information easily. Carina's eyes squinted so lightly as she listened to the Marchioness' bragging about the flowers.
"... Jade Roses." she whispered. Those flowers are hard to obtain since they can only be found in the neighbouring kingdom.
The nobles of the empire would pay any price to have this; not only is it beautiful, its petals can be turned into a gemstone and the leaves are herbal that some of the nobles drink it for luxury.
"which merchant did you bought it from? I want to buy those flowers, but sadly, I always miss it," this made the Marchioness undeniably happy as her lips stretched into a grin. Finally she can beat her at something.
"I have bought it In Aluntino Kingdom, Your Grace. My husband brought me over there to accompany him to his business last week."
Aluntino... Duchess Carina's smile widened— hiding it behind her fan. "I am not aware that your husband has business in that kingdom."
"What business does the Marquis have?" they did not realize that they were surrounded by the other woman so suddenly under the striking sun.
No wonder since it relates to the infamous new Marquis Farlon. He, too, became a hot topic because of his background.
"Well, I remembered him saying that it is a mining business..."
the Duchess stares at the marchioness and when she turns around she catches a glimpse of a maid returning inside the mansion with swollen eyes. Carina looked back at the marchioness. She folded her fan loudly and had the look of someone with deep regret.
"I suddenly feel under the weather. I have to excuse myself."
Lady Eli looked worried and tried to assist Carina, "Can I help you, Your grace?"
Carina shakes her head then looks at the knights behind her. Sir Antonio and the others immediately came behind her, waiting for orders.
"Your gesture is deeply appreciated, however, I have my knights with me. I have enjoyed the tea party, Lady Farlon. I will take my leave. Please enjoy the rest of the day."
"Take care of yourself, Duchess."
Everyone bids the duchess a farewell and yet the Marchioness is silent as she watches the Duchess disappear in her sight. A bad feeling rising deep in her heart—different from earlier. Like something coiled in her body, slowly and steady as if she was being held down. She turned around, leaving the bad feeling behind and boasted her garden to the noblewomen.
Meanwhile, a carriage with no emblem arrived first at the Vacarella estate. Noland appeared first with some knights to greet the person inside the carriage. It opened as Wren being escorted out by a knight. He heaved a relieved sigh then lowered his head.
"Welcome home, my lady..." he suddenly stops upon seeing Wren with a kid as he raised his head. He's still wearing the old, dirty and ragged clothes. Apart from that his eyes are puffy and swollen.
Understandable since he cried for the entire time inside the carriage—reluctant to leave Lia. It made Wren's head ache as she eventually managed to force him to get inside the carriage. With Lia's help of course and she also managed to have Lane's things.
"Young Miss... may I ask who is this boy?" Noland fixed his glasses as he examined the boy. Worried that she might brought him over from some shady place. Like the twins before and Yessenia picking up someone.
Wren sighed and before she could answer, a voice so deep and cold spoke behind him, "You brought over another spirit of yours."
Her brows twitch at her father's remark. His eyes were sharp and looking down at the two of them. "Father he is not—"
"Why does it seem like you just fished him out of the dump?" She feels that she is losing her temper since he has been interrupted two times already.
'is there a spirit who looks like this though?'
she sighs then answers in a calm voice, "This isn't a spirit, father and he wasn't from the dump. This is Lane Farlon. I picked him up from their estate."
The Duke's brows raised as he looked at the boy. He remembered that he was in the report his wife had a few days ago and he looked like nothing to his mother.
"How did you end up with him?" Wren subtly rolled her eyes and said, "can we please get inside and wash him first?"
they are still outside of the door. "This happens all the time..." she mumbled and the duke entered, then he tasked the butler to help Lane bathe himself and prepare clothes.
"Use the boys old clothes for him. He might fit in it."
It did not escape in his eyes the small wounds on the arms of the kid as he massaged his nape with his finger. Noland led the way for Lane leaving the Wren and the Duke in the drawing room.
"Now then speak, kid." she sat down on the single couch and sighed, "well, I saw him when I was walking in their garden."
Mave scoffed. Knowing his daughter she let her curiousity get ahead of her and explored the area like his eldest kid does before.
"then, he was beautiful you know dad, especially his hair is vibrant under the sun..." Mave did not understand his daughter and told him this unnecessary information since all he asked is how she is with him. Besides, he doesn't want to hear her like this.
It feels like whenever she saw someone beautiful it's either she will get them or have her in her social circle. Especially when there are men to speak of. He already had a headache with Zairon and Cervi already and she's adding this one to the list.
"When I saw him sleeping peacefully under that tree is enough to take my breath away. He could use a little more weight though, surely he will be more pretty than the others and I just knew he was pretty even..."
"wait, stop child..."
The Duke is looking paler with how her daughter is acting. The words she keeps spouting is enough to make him tremble. It is worse than the time she asked for Zairon. Wren on the other hand continued her ramblings about Lane. Even boldly spilling her good-looking person by rank.
"There was a maid and she was instructed by mother to escort me on the carriage to return home earlier, with Lane of course."
He rubbed his temples and didn't bother to listen anymore, "He doesn't even want to leave! I mean living like that with your mother will surely make you want to leave the home you are in."
Her brows then furrowed and looks at his father, "No, I wouldn't call it a home after all he stays at an abandoned building with no guardian or maid at all—"
"Stop with your nonsense," however, even with his stern voice did not stop her from adding more comments, "That's when it hit me that the maid we were with is someone she thinks of as his mother. No wonder he thought she would come along— father, are you alright?"
Mave removed the hands on his face as he looked at his daughter who indeed knows nothing.
"So, where is your mother?"
"... I think she will be back shortly." shortly after there's the sound of shoes clacking on the marbled floor.
"Your grace..."
Carina shakes her hand as she climbs upstairs, judging by the way she is going to the Duke's office which was empty.
"The duke is currently with Young Miss Wren in the drawing room."
"I see. Call him immediately." she shortly said as she entered the quiet office. Neatly stacked papers on his desk and several unfinished documents when she saw something on it that made her eyes turn cold.
---------------------------------------------------
Phew, I feel so tired that it is nice to have Adara washing my hair. It is soothing that I can fall asleep here in the rub...
"Master, the kid you adopted is crying. Again." Cervi whom I tasked to guard Lane sounds distress with his situation through telepathy. Well, among the three spirits he is the only one who listens to me without fail. So normally I assigned him to watch Lane for the time being.
I do feel sorry for him especially with their situation right now, but I couldn't let Boaife nor Adara to watch over him. Then, the knights were terribly busy lately. I couldn't even see Milla and the others.
"Just try and play with him."
I doubt that dumb advice I gave will work... but... I do not hear Cervi's voice nor Lane's sobs anymore.
"did he kill Lane?" I jest and Adara chuckled. After moments of bathing I found Lane and Cervi on the floor in the guest room. Well, technically Cervi is the one who was on the floor. Meanwhile Lane is on top of him and tries to bend Cervi's legs.
"What is going on?" I asked in disbelief as Cervi pointed out Lane, "He wants to try if he can break my bones, master."
Hah? Just what is this? I thought he was on the verge of tears which is why I hastened my bath and they do get along just fine.
Lane looked up at me, his fingers raised and pointing at me. He looks angry somehow.
"Hey, Why did you not tell me you are a Vacarella?!"
...
Did he just imply that he forgot who I am? I recalled that I introduced myself under the tree!
"I told you since the first time we met!"
and right now he is looking at me like I did a very wrong thing. I did introduce myself to him. Or does he hate the Vacarella?
"You did not let me bring Lia." oh, so that is the reason then.
"It is her decision. Besides, mother says you will reunite with her someday." the door opened and Boaife entered while pushing a cart inside.
It must be his first food to eat today since he spilled the food Lia brought over earlier. Besides he spent his time crying at the carriage.
"Eat first. You might faint if you starved." I said and without any complaints he ate everything on the table. Even my portion. Just how long did they starve this kid to be this hungry?
"ahm... about Lia," not this again, "mom will bring Lia."
mom hasn't broken any promises she gave and... besides I think there is something more than this kid being neglected.
"Wren I heard you're here and there's some ridiculous stories I want to tell you... Oh my."
I silently laugh as I watch how Yessenia and Lane will hit off. In the novel Lane adores Yessenia very much so even though he will kill me; and now they met I wonder what kind of interaction I will see here.
"Who is this brat? She did not even knock." Lane asked which made Yessenia glared at him, unfortunately, I will support Lane here since he is correct. But this is not what I have in mind for their first meeting. Perhaps because they are still kids that this is the outcome.
"He called me a brat when he was younger than me!" Yessenia shouted which made Lane raise a brow and said another surprising fact.
"What?? I am already 9 years old."
"You're nine?" Yessenia and I asked in unison and looked at him.
"yes."
"really?" Yessenia skeptically asked once again.
Damn it, here I thought I got my first pe—young friend. Now that I think about it, it feels like this also happened to me in the past.
"Don't lie! You look like my younger brother Azi!" Yessenia exclaimed and I patted Yessenia before dragging her away from Lane.
"Yessenia..."
"What?"
I sighed and patted her once more, "Lane is malnourished. He was starved at his home and abused." I said in low whisper and her eyes grew big before glancing at Lane with pity.
"... I'm sorry. Let's give him lots of food then." I nod in agreement.
I should fatten him up before he leaves this mansion. He will have lots of gratitude to me in the future that he won't think of killing me.