That evening after Rhea got free from her shift, she glanced outside the window to see a lavish carriage waiting for her with the Duchy of Dallarosa emblem embedded with silver and intricate details and designing.
"Argus is here?"
She murmured to herself. However, there were two others who despite it being a few hours, did not leave the cafeteria after hearing about what Argus asked of Rhea.
"He is punctual."
"That gives him 8 points."
"Is it out of 10? Come on, look at that gorgeous carriage. You have to give him points for that as well."
"I did. He gets 8 out of 8."
Two people on either side of Rhea whispered to each other, making her uncomfortable.
"Uhmm...what are you both still doing here?"
"Timepass."
"I'm the owner of this place in case you forgot."
"Then carry out your job as an owner. And Lydia, you should go back home and try to do something productive."
"I am doing something worthwhile! Setting up my friends is the biggest deed ever."
"Who is setting up with whom?"
"Oh don't be shy. It's your date. I'm guessing it's most likely your first one, therefore enjoy."
"... I know but look at me. He didn't give me any time to dress up or prepare..."
She whispered to herself.
"That's what we are here for!"
"I've got a few dresses up in my office for when I have to attend a meeting. You can borrow mine."
"Giselle, you have some makeup in your pouch as well?"
"Yes. And Lydia you have got hairstyling supplies, is that right?"
"Needless to say, they're my life. A hairstyle determines what type of personality you have."
"Err...I don't think that's true."
"Yeah well, hairstyles matter."
"So what do you say, Rhea?"
"Won't it take too much time? Argus is outside waiting."
"Oh, he can wait a few more minutes. Think of it as a test. If he wants to go on a date with you then he should have no problem waiting a few hours. Now come on, let's go!"
Giselle places her arm across Rhea's arm and drags her upstairs after instructing the rest of the staff to take care of the cafe.
Lydia follows behind them muttering,
"I pity the guys that went out with you..."
After half an hour of waiting, Argus started to think that maybe Rhea had gone home. However, she was not the type to do such a thing. No matter how much she hated something or doesn't want to do it, she at least faces it head-on.
Argus had bought her favorite flowers that he had seen her grow in her house. He once asked her why she only gets the same type of flower and she replied they are her favorite.
However, he was too embarrassed to hold the bouquet in his hand. Therefore he had placed them inside the carriage.
Asking her on a date was completely on impulse. He does not have a plan in mind. Even the bouquet he bought was because of Lydia's urge. For now, all he planned was to take her out someplace nice for dinner. After that....he didn't anticipated that far ahead. For now, he only hoped she would come.
After waiting inside the cafe for quite a while, he heard some noises from the upper floor.
"Hey wait a minute!"
"At least let me do a full curl! Your hair only has half curls!"
"It's taking extremely long...I don't want to keep him...waiting..."
The last word came out as a murmur as she stood on the top stair, looking directly at Argus, who stood surprised to see Rhea.
Rhea wore a white draped, with fall dress till her knees with a square neck and slim sleeves that were long and reached her wrists. The dress was tighter than usual but not too tight. She wore long knee-length boots with them and a white cardigan on top, in case she felt cold. Giselle wanted her not to wear this so that Argus could give her his coat. But Rhea protested that she doesn't want to freeze in the hopes that he will give her his coat.
The bare face Rhea now had makeup on with blush mascara eyeliner and eyeshadow and pink lipstick with a reddish tone. Her hair which was normal in a ponytail aside from the very first day where they were open, was again open with loose voluminous curls. Her overall aura was of a lovely attractive doll.
She took a deep breathe when she saw Argus, worried that he must be waiting for so long and nervous about her appearance. She rushed down the stairs, straight up to a statued Argus,
"I am so sorry for being late! Lydia and Giselle just wouldn't let me go...hope it wasn't too much of a bother.."
"....ah no. It's totally fine."
After blinking, regaining his composure, Argus smiled brightly and replied in a courteous tone.
"That's a relief. Then shall we get going?"
Argus knew Rhea was beautiful, but what he hadn't thought of was how stunning Rhea will look after she dressed up a bit.
"Argus?"
"Oh yes..."
He opens the door for her to let her go first before he follows after her. When he was about to leave, he turns upon the giggles of Lydia and Giselle who mouthed him,
"I know you love it! Don't be scared!"
"Tell her how she looks! Be a man!"
He rolls his eyes and escorts Rhea into the carriage.
She finds a bouquet inside filled with her favorite flowers of the color white.
"Oh...these..."
She picks them up to hand them back to Argus but he sways his head,
"They're for you."
"Oh...thank you...."
She clutches the flowers a little close to her, taking in the scent.
"So...where are we going?"
"...Sorry, I haven't arranged anything. I was overly focused on asking you out rather than thinking about where we would go. However, I was thinking how about going to someplace nice for dinner?"
"I'm good with that. Although if you haven't decided then...can I suggest a place?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Then let's go to Sagra Street."
"Sagra street?"
"Yes, I've heard frequently about it from the customers. It's a street where nobles and commoners, everyone goes. There are food stalls, games, theatrical plays, opera and I heard that every night at nine o clock, there may be fireworks. Oh, and there is boating too!"
"That sounds fun."
Argus then informs the driver of the location.
"Have you been here in the past, Duke?"
"Duke?"
"Oops, I mean Argus. Sorry I get confused. I barely managed to get myself out of the habit of calling you Argus in the public, but now I can't call you by your name even when it's just us."
"Then I wish that you keep calling me by my name. No need for formalities."
"But in public, I can't call you that."
"I am allowing you so who cares about them."
"But still they might misunderstand..."
Rhea stopped mid-sentence. It suddenly hit her that what is her current relationship with Argus. Are they friends? If so she can't call him Argus. But he also asked her out on a date, therefore....her head became giddy and her face was reddened.
Argus chuckled inwardly at her response. He smirked,
"What do you believe they might have a misunderstanding about?"
"That...only those that are close can call each other that..."
"Then are we not close with each other?"
"We are but that's a different kind of close..."
"Oh please do tell. What different kind of close are you referring to?"
"That...immediate family members or....lovers....."
"What do you suppose we are then?"
"I don't know....what are we?"
Rhea was red as a tomato. Her whole body felt hot like a fever in this tight-spaced carriage where their knees were merely inches apart from touching. Why was Argus smirking and asking her such questions? What answer does he expect to hear? And more importantly, why does she think he looks so hot right now? Is it because of his black shirt, blazer, and pants? Or was it because of his slick back auburn hair with a lot of loose strands that looked darker in the moonlight?
"You tell me. What do you want us to be?"
"That..."
Rhea was tongue-tied. She didn't know how to respond to his question that had a blatantly apparent answer considering they both without saying so themselves, were aware of each other's feelings. Although she considered herself to be relatively straightforward, right at this moment, she couldn't find the words nor the courage to answer. Fortunately for her, they had reached the said place, and she grasped this as a chance to instantly change the topic.
"Oh look! We are here!"
"Yes. Shall we go?"
The carriage stopped outside as it was not allowed to ride a carriage in this specific portion of the street.
The street was jammed with lights, firecrackers, lanterns, food, gaming stalls, and merchants selling their merchandise from clothes to woodworks to jewelry to anything you could imagine.
"Wow...."
Argus and Rhea both were astonished to see such a stunning sight. All types of people regardless of status were moving around, having fun. Various sorts of music we're playing in the background. There was even a circle in front of the fountain where a group of people was dancing. On the opposite side, was a stage where various performances were taking place from musicians to theatrical plays.
"Why have we never come here before?"
"I know right! Everyone always talked about this place, but I was so busy working that I couldn't find time to come here."
"Same. Glad I came here."
"Then let's go. Come on!"
Rhea reflexively places her hand out for Argus to hold. It was a force of habit. Habitually when she walked with her siblings, they held hands. Not long ago with Giselle and Lydia, she walked together holding hands. Noticing Argus's startled face, she realizes her actions and tries to trail her hand back. However, Argus clutches it before she could do so. Smiling he adds,
"Let's go."
However, Rhea doesn't advance a step. She observes how everyone around them, whether they were standing or just passing by, were identifying Argus as the Duke and Commander of the Royal Knights.
"Rhea?"
Argus calls out to her. He tries to detect the source of her distraction only to hear whispers of the people around them,
"Look it's the Grand Duke Argus..."
"I didn't know he was the type to enjoy such festivals..."
"He's here with a lady."
"Must be on a date."
"But who is that lady?"
Argus was already used to this. Ever since he had become the Duke and the Commander of the Royal Knights and won the wars, wherever he went, the public's curious eyes would follow him around. He had learned to ignore all of this. However, Rhea was not used to this. He could sense her discomfort.
"Don't pay attention to them. We are here to enjoy therefore pretend like they don't exist."
"That's true but....come here for a moment."
She hauls him into a tranquil dark empty alley, away from the crowd.
"I'll be right back!"
And then heads off to a nearby stall.
A few moments later, she comes by holding two black eye masks.
"Tadah!"
She flings them in the air to reveal him what she purchased.
"Masks? If you wanted to wear one, you could've asked me."
"Just bent down a bit.."
Seeing their height difference, Rhea knew she won't be able to reach Argus's head so she motioned him to bend down. Argus without asking why stretches his legs apart so that he could become of the same length as hers.
Rhea then puts the mask on his face, after which she continues to wear her own.
"Now come on, let's go!"
She again grabs his hand and they go out into the public. This time no one could recognize Argus.
"It worked."
She smiled, proud at herself for her idea to work.
"Do you detest them staring and whispering?"
"Huh? No. I don't mind. But I didn't want you to be uncomfortable that's why I got you this mask. I'm wearing one as a sign of support."
Argus starts chuckling at her reply. Cute with a charming smile. That was all in his head.
Rhea then again urges him to hurry up because they have so many stalls to go to.
They go to various food stalls, trying out different kinds of food street food. They also played a bunch of games, however, they failed to succeed even a single one. Even when they played the game right and had won, but something would turn out that caused them to be eliminated. They then move away from all the game stalls, deciding that all the games are rigged and it's a waste of money.
They notice that there are a lot of people more than usual. It was then they recalled upon recognising portraits of the Prince and Princess that it was due to the upcoming engagement ceremony of Rastos and Calista.
"For someone who is doing this for a show, they both are surely too into it."
"They are putting way too much effort into the ceremony. I can't differentiate whether it's all an act or a reality."
"I know right. It'll be absurd if they end up liking each other and end up getting married for real."
"Although I doubt that would happen seeing how much they are at each other's throat whenever they meet."
"That's true."
"Well then, where do you want to go next?"
"I don't know..."
Rhea looked around to find someplace to go to. She was having so much fun that she didn't want this date to end so soon.
"Would you care to dance?"
Argus asked politely reaching out his hand. Rhea looked near the three-tiered fountain where people were dancing to some folklore song. She recalled the first and last time she danced, which happened to be with Argus. She clasps his hand and retorts,
"No."
"Huh?"
Argus who thought Rhea agreed to dance when she held his hand was startled by her response.
"Although this body may remember how to dance, I don't and I don't want to. If you want to dance, let's just dance when it's just us....I mean....when there's not a lot of people but just us close people...you get what I'm saying, right?"
Argus chuckles softly and smiling he nods his head. His gaze goes upon his hand which she was holding. Rhea notices this and with a flushed face adds,
"...I just wanted to hold it....your hand.."
Seeing her embarrassed, Argus smiled and blurted out,
"Cute."
"Huh what is?"
Argus smiles and replies,
"You. You are lovely and so attractive and tempting and stunning and..."
Before he could continue with his words loaded with praises, Rhea intervenes, half mumbling due to embarrassment and reddened cheeks,
"...what's with you all of a sudden? Why are you saying such embarrassing things?"
"You're the one being embarrassed even though I'm just stating the facts."
Seeing him smile, Rhea felt the heat get to her face. Argus intertwines his fingers with her hand that he was holding, to even more firmly hold. Rhea blushing mumbled,
"....says the one with ears red like a reindeer."
Argus lets out a laugh upon her remakes. He was aware of the fact that his ears were the ones that turned red quite quickly.
"Reindeers don't have red ears."
"Oh right. Reindeers are brown. Wait...then is it Santa who has red ears?"
"I don't think I've ever seen his ears."
"What kind of a horrid Santa did you grow up seeing in your life?"
"Never saw one because they don't exist."
"Were there Santas in our past life? I don't remember. But what about the ones here?"
"That's why I said that I've never seen their ears because of that hat they are wearing."
"Oh, that's right."
"Yes."
"Then who has red ears?"
Upon Rhea's question, both burst out laughing at the direction their conversation was going.
"Talking with you is fun. Our conversations are either serious or random."
Rhea commented
"That's true."
"But I quite enjoy it."
"Same here."
They had walked to a nearby bench to sit at. However, they still hadn't let go of their hand. Neither of them even wanted to.
They overlooked the people enjoying, feeling joyous about the upcoming occasion.
"Don't you think we are scammers now? Look at all these people being happy over something temporary and fake."
Rhea remarked
"I wouldn't dub it scamming. Engagements do end up getting broken off. It's not that much of a taboo in this world."
"But dating still isn't common?"
"Rather than dating, everyone prefers to be engaged instead. And engagements can last a long time as well. The longest are the ones that are held at birth or a young age. In that case, the two either get married after their coming of age ceremony or they can terminate the engagement. Did you know that..."
Argus stops speaking when he recognises what he was about to state. He starts contemplating over whether he should say this or not.
"Do I know what? What is it?"
"Never mind. It's not that significant."
Rhea softly whines and pouts,
"Tell me."
How can he say no to her when she is being so cute? Thought Argus and stated,
"..I was also engaged to someone when I was born. But I broke it off when I came off age."
"...this wasn't mentioned in the book, right?"
"No, it wasn't. That's why I was surprised as well."
"...who was she? No wait, I don't care about that. Just tell me why did you break it off?"
"She likes some other guy so..."
"Then what about you?"
"Huh?"
Argus was puzzled at Rhea's question. But when he saw her face full of saying 'then does that mean you admired her and she didn't like you back?'
He shakes his head and adds,
"And at that time I was still trying to go along with the original story. Therefore I figured that it must not be mentioned in the book since Argus could have broken off the engagement. Also because I didn't like or know her. We barely even..."
"Oh, Duke Argus! Is that you?"
Suddenly a familiar yet unfamiliar female voice interrupts them both. Argus's eyes were wide upon recognising the very person that they were talking about.
"Lady Madeline?"
"It is you! Long time no see, my Duke."
She gives a familiar courtesy. Rhea also shocked and puzzled looks at Argus, who was equally confused.
"I have not seen you since your coming of age ceremony, your grace. You look good."
Rhea clutched Argus's hand tightly.
"Ah yes...."
"Are you here to enjoy the festival?"
Madeline for a fleeting second glanced at Rhea but continued to disregard her.
"Yes, I am here with her. If you will please excuse us, I was in the middle of talking to her."
"Oh sorry, I didn't see you there! Good evening! Nice to meet you."
Rhea just smiled back at the overly formal greeting.
"I came here alone since I had no one else to come with..."
Why isn't she leaving? This is what both Argus and Rhea thought to themselves.
"Where is Bard?"
"Who? Oh, Bard! I don't know."
"Isn't he your fiancé?"
"He is but who cares about him now."
She shrugged and continue to look at Argus.
"Is that so? Well, hope you enjoy your time here. We have to go. Come on."
Argus gets up, pulling Rhea with him who nods a goodbye at Madeline.
They swiftly walk quite a lot of distance from her before they could no longer sight her.
"Is that her? Your ex fiancé?"
"Don't call her that. I hate that. And yes it is her."
"How did she come here?"
"I have no idea. I haven't seen her for two or more years, and here she is out of nowhere, recognizing us in this mask."
"How is this possible?"
"Do you think it's the book that's doing this?"
"Yes. You guessed it right."
Lydia who suddenly comes behind Rhea states, making her startled and scream.
Argus in contrast had a look that he perceived this coming.
"Lydia? What are you doing here?"
"I'm here too!"
Giselle added, running up to them
"Did you guys follow us here?"
"No."
"Yes."
Both replied, with opposite answers
"They had been following us in the start but disappeared for a while and just now came again."
Argus remarked
"How do you know that?"
The three looked at Argus with awe
"I'm the commander of the Royal Knights. You think I can't sense two people following us?"
"That's true."
"It would be disappointing otherwise."
"So how did Madeline come here?"
"It's the book trying to divide you apart. It will stop at nothing to get the story back to the original."
"Which is not gonna happen."
"Oh, this is so thrilling! You both are like a pair of forbidden lovers!"
Giselle remarked with gleaming eyes making Argus and Rhea blush
"You know how come Madeline exist when it wasn't part of the real story in the book?"
"Same as how all these people exist even if they weren't mentioned in the book. Although I did mention Madeline. Not her name though."
"You did?"
"Yes. It's the whole reason why the Duke is so cold to Rhea after their contract marriage and only considers her as his spy. The Duke was madly in love with his childhood fiancé but she ends up falling in love with someone else and this is why the Duke decides not to fall in love ever again, hence making him cold."
"Oh yes! I think there was something briefly mentioned about this in the book!"
Giselle added
Rhea glared at Argus. She somehow felt unsettled by all of this. She didn't appreciate the idea of Argus being in love with someone else even if it was not the man standing in front of her and it only happened in the written story and not in reality.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I don't admire her at all. I avoided and didn't even pay attention to her. Don't look at me like that. She's the one who wrote this character, not me."
Argus shrugged pointing at Lydia who nervously chuckled and retorted,
"A character has got to have a backstory you know..."
Rhea sighed. Her emotions were helpless right now. But Argus holding her hand gives her comfort.
"Have you decided on the ending yet?"
"...."
Lydia doesn't reply.
"Lydia?"
"Do you think writing is easy? Ideas come to have to enter your mind from the above. You need to wait for them to come. It can be any moment, any time, anywhere."
"Is it a prophecy or an idea?"
"An idea. You wouldn't understand it since you're all not writers."
"You better end up finishing the book properly."
"I will, not to worry. Just enjoy the upcoming party."
"Oh, I'm not going."
Rhea answered casually
"Why?"
"I didn't receive an invite because I'm technically not a noble anymore."
"You..."
Before Argus could say something, Lydia interrupts,
"Why didn't you say so? You can go with me. I got an invite. And everyone has to bring a partner so..."
"But Lydia, you have your father. Won't he be your escort?"
Giselle added, trying to motion Lydia with her eyes to not ask Rhea to come with her since she noticed Argus, who had wanted to ask Rhea.
"Oh, I forgot about him. He's quite annoying. But Giselle you got an invite, right? And you have no partner, so..."
"Who says I don't?"
"What?"
"You have a date to the party?"
"Yes. Sorry. I already asked my partner to come with me."
"Thank you both of you but I'm fine with not going. Although I have to ask. Giselle, who is it?"
"Do we know him?"
"Maybe."
Giselle starts walking away.
"Hey wait. Notify us before you run away."
Lydia runs after her. Rhea tries to go to but gets stopped because of Argus who is holding her head and doesn't move an inch.
"Let's just go our own way. We don't need to follow them. It's our date, remember?"
"Oh sure. I'd like that."
"I had planned to ask you before those two, but would you like to attend the party with me as my partner?"
"Okay.."
"Then I'll pick you up in the morning."
"In the morning? But isn't it at night?"
"Yes, but we need to get ready or would you like to select your clothes before that?"
"Clothes? I can just wear the dress you gave me last time."
"I don't think so. They'll all be looking forward to seeing you."
"All? Why?"
"You don't follow the nobles' news, don't you?"
"No. I have no idea."
"It's a bit embarrassing to say so myself but after the last appearance of you with me at that party, you are famous as the future duchess. There are quite some rumors about you. You even appeared in the gossip magazine..."
"And you didn't tell me? Where is that magazine?"
"I didn't want to make you feel uncomfortable...I tried my best to calm down the rumors..."
"But why?"
"Because it would bother you?"
"But why would it bother me when it's true?"
"Then do you agree to become my duchess?"
"What do you think?"
"I think...."
Argus caresses her face, pushing back the hair from her face, as both slowly move closer. As their lips press together, Argus slides his hand across her body and rests one hand on her cheek. It was a gentle kiss that made Rhea feel butterflies.