Chapter 17: Looking forward to this marriage
"Luis."
A shallow breath slipped past my lips, as my guess was correct. Was this fate? Meeting him in here for the first time in the same place for two lifetimes?
"Marsella." I offered my hand happily, forgetting what just happened to me by this sudden appearance of a beauty.
He glanced down at my hand and then gazed back up, tilting his head to the side. "Marsella…?"
"Just Marsella. You didn't tell me your full name — I don't even know if that is your real name," I humored, feigning ignorant that I knew who he was the second I looked at his tantalizing eyes. "My hand is waiting, My Lord."
I pointed at my wiggling fingers but then noticed the bloodstain on my palm. "Oh, wait!" I retrieved my hand and wiped it on my skirt to remove the bloodstain, making him furrow his brows.
"It's clean now!" the corner of my lips stretched wider as I once again offered my hand. I've been looking forward to meeting him. My ticket to escape hell was finally in front of me.
His pupils dilated slightly at my action. It made me wonder if it was because of my bad manners or he simply found my action rude.
'Oh no. A poor impression is not my goal!'
"Oh… sorry. Did that surprise you?" An awkward laugh escaped my mouth as I retrieved my hand away.
They said, opposite attracts. So, I guessed he preferred the prim and proper type of lady. I was too hasty with my actions.
"I'm just very excited about meeting people and making friends," I explained, but that wasn't all completely a lie. I was genuinely excited about meeting him and maybe curry favor to be in his good graces before our wedding.
"It's fine," he said, peeling his eyes away from my hand. "I was just surprised. Why did you wipe your hand?"
"It's because it is dirty? It's not very polite to shake hands if my hands are dirty."
"Hah…" For reasons unknown, a ridiculing chuckle slipped past his lips. "You are quite ignorant."
Those words… oh boy, calm down, me. His last remarks were the last thing I wanted to hear from anyone. Did he have a death wish? Shall I plot his death once again and see who was ignorant between us?
"Between us, my hands are more soiled than yours, my lady. Thus, I don't want to be rude."
This prick… how did I forget about this annoying habit of twisting other people's words to gain an advantage? My fiance was truly a piece of work, but oh well, I could forgive him.
"But I can offer my arm to help you up." He offered his arm with his deep and dark eyes on me. What a breathtaking beauty that even the scar on his face was simply an added allure. This world was truly unfair.
"Don't think I won't you up on that offer." I clasped his arm tightly as I stood on my feet. Due to this sudden movement, I swung sideways, making me hold on to both his arms with my head hung low.
"Ah, fucking…" I immediately bit my tongue as I froze. Did he hear that? I raised my head ever so slowly, only to see the mischievous smirk on his face.
"It is quite refreshing to hear a young noble lady cursing," he mused, not bothered by the slip of the tongue. "Your complexion is not good. Shall we assist you in the infirmary?"
I pursed my lips into a thin line upon his offer. Part of me wanted to agree, but the dominant part of me told me I should refuse him this time.
"It's alright. It's just I have a feeble body, so I get tired easily." I smiled and let him go, standing upright while keeping my eye contact. "But thank you for the offer, Sir Knight."
"Sir Knight?" he arched a brow while I nodded.
"You, sirs, had that insignia of the Grand Duke's knight brigade." I pointed at the young knight's shoulder. "The priest told me that the knight needs to recuperate after the long war. Of course, you are our heroes, so I got really excited to be friends with one."
If keeping my ignorance would save this abrupt first impression, I would do it perfectly! Both of them looked at each other, making me sigh in relief as it seemed Marsella's face could fool anyone.
"Also, I am waiting for my brother," I continued, keeping a positive attitude. "He said he will come and find me, so he'll probably be here in a minute."
"How long have you been waiting here?" his eyes darkened, rendering me speechless as I gazed up. It didn't seem it had been that long since I passed out, but I was certain it had been around one or two hours.
"We will assist you out of this garden," my fiance proposed, but it sounded more like a command. Well, having some company was better than having none. Who knew if Yves would find me?
"Alright." There wasn't anything wrong if I spent more time with him. More time with my fiance also meant more chances of winning him over.
*****
As we walked back, I noticed these two walked faster than any other human. I tried to catch up but soon felt dizzy, so I slowed down.
"Wait," I voiced out as I was lagging behind. My fiance glanced back at me and paused in his stride. He only continued and trod carefully when I reached him.
His minor gestures made me smile. My fiance seemed intimidating, but he actually had this gentle side of him.
"Do you need a hand?" he asked, making me raise my gaze at him. "It seems to me you will fall any second."
Oh, that was what he meant. I thought he was flirting with me.
I offered him a smile. "I appreciate it, but I'm alright. It will be bad if someone else sees me holding onto another man when I have a fiance."
"A fiance?" He raised a brow, a little interested. "Is that so?" and yet, he didn't pry.
I studied his nonchalant demeanor and sighed secretly. Should I use this opportunity to let him know his fiance bore no malice?
"Yes, I'm engaged and will get to meet him tomorrow." I smiled, treading carefully as I tucked my hair behind my ear.
"You seem happy about it."
"Of course, I am." My smile remained as I cast him a brief look. "Others don't get a chance to see their fiance until the wedding day. But my fiance exerted effort so we can meet beforehand, so that makes me happy."
I felt his gaze remained on me for a very long time, but I ignored it. Although there's always hidden motives in my actions and words, I appreciated his gesture.
Soon, we reached the end of the maze garden and finally, in the outside world. I didn't realize how far I went. No wonder I passed out.
"Thank you for your help." I faced him, smiling brightly. "I will surely repay your kindness someday."
He stared at me for a long time, saying nothing. His sudden silence made me feel a little awkward, making me hop to many conclusions that he wouldn't accept my appreciation to a 'stranger'.
"Marsella!" Suddenly, I heard Yves' voice from behind, making me turn my head back to see him stomping his way towards me.
"Oh, that's my brother. I shall head back now." I performed a curtsy and smiled at him once again, before turning my back against him and met Yves halfway.
*****
"My liege, isn't she your fiance? Marsella Ross from the Ross Family?" asked the knight as the two of them watched Marsella walk towards Yves. "I heard many rumors about her, but it seems rumors are mere rumors."
"But she is an interesting one, don't you think?" Luis smirked as he met Yves' gaze, but paid no attention to him as he focused on Marsella's back. "Whether the rumors are mere rumors or have some truth in it, one thing is for sure."
Luis deliberately paused as he turned and started walking away. An amused smirk resurfaced on his lips as a glint flickered across his eyes.
"I'm looking forward to this marriage."
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone