Bab 20: He is too fast
FINDARA EMPIRE
Iris was currently in her chamber reading the royal invitation sent by the only Princess of the Findara empire, Vanessa Bradford.
Clara glanced at the invitation in her young miss's hand and frowned, "You can deny going if you want to my lady. I assure you that his grace will take care of it"
Iris closed the invitation and put it inside the luxurious envelope befitting the royal family, "It is a royal invitation sent by the princess herself, how can I reject it? Moreover, I want to attend that tea party"
"Are you sure my lady?" Clara was worried. Iris had never gone out to attend any social events due to her poor constitution in the past. High society was not so easy, noble ladies there were like Jackals waiting for the perfect prey. They gossiped about everything that could hurt others. And like a cherry on top, the leading figure of high society was someone who even princess Vanessa was wary of.
Iris smiled and got up, "I'll be alright Lady Clarence"
Clara pursed her lips and didn't speak any further. She wanted to trust her young miss in this matter. The new Iris was different, she was bold, confident, and kind at appropriate times, so she hoped that Iris would make some new friends at the tea party.
As they were conversing, Olvia, the Head maid of Kenworthy duchy knocked on the door.
Clara walked up to the door and opened it revealing an old woman with a stern look on her face, "Lady Clarence, the maid selected for young miss has entered the duchy"
"Bring her in," Clara said and the head maid soon returned followed by a young girl in her late teens.
The girl had chestnut brown hair with big black pupils. She darted her eyes at the villa and bent her head when she felt Clara's gaze on her.
Clara observed the young girl and said, "What is your name?"
"Lucy, my lady" the young maid replied politely.
"Hmm" Clara replied and gestured for her to get inside.
Lucy followed her inside the chamber and caught sight of an angel having a cup of tea. A beautiful girl with shiny silver hair and emerald green eyes holding an expensive teacup was a sight to behold. Lucy instantly liked the lady that she was going to serve from now on.
"She will be your maid in service from now on young miss" Clara said gaining Iris' attention.
Iris turned to her and smiled gently, "I'll be in your care from now on"
"I'll do my best to attend to you my lady"
"Then I'll take my leave now young miss," Clara said and Iris nodded. As Duchess' lady in waiting, it was her duty to assist her master from today as the young miss got a new maid.
Iris glanced at Lucy, "Do you know how to read and write?"
Lucy nodded, "I was trained by butler Peterson to be both your personal aide and maid in service my lady"
"That's good" chimed Iris, "Then choose some helpers to attend to me. I will need your help with other things"
"I'll do you say, my lady"
"You can leave now, this is your first day after all," said Iris
But Lucy lifted her head, "I'm ready to start working from today my lady"
Iris chuckled, "Alright, then help me sort out the important invites from this pack" Her father was such a talkative person. After her recovery, he went around announcing how healthy, and beautiful his daughter was. Due to that, she received many invites to tea parties and social gatherings. As she was yet to have her coming of age ceremony, Iris decided to get familiar with high society by attending some of these.
Lucy smiled and started sorting out the invites. She furthermore wrote a denial letter to other invites on the day of Princess' tea party.
After sorting out everything, Iris decided to go to a boutique to purchase some dresses for the upcoming events. She asked Clara about her old dresses but the latter just said that she didn't have much to wear. Iris was confused by this in the beginning but then realized that she had a poor constitution and was always staying indoors for her to get fancy dresses.
Both Iris and Lucy left the Kenworthy duchy and headed toward the capital in the duchy's wagon. Following the duke's order, Four guards escorted her by riding their steeds beside the carriage.
As soon as the wagon exited the duchy, a shadow hiding behind the tree on the outside of the duchy sprinted out of that place and headed in a certain direction. After some time, the shadow finally reached Wulfgur's grand duchy's entrance.
"The lady has left the duchy and is currently heading towards the capital" the spy politely informed one of the guards in front of the entrance gate and left that place.
The guard nodded and entered the villa and reached Beta James' study and said, "Our spy from Kenworthy duchy just informed about Luna's outing in the capital, Beta"
James got up from his place and headed to his Alpha's study, "Can I come in Alpha?"
"Come in" came an authoritative voice from inside and James entered, "Luna is headed towards the capital, Alpha"
Cassian looked up to him and pushed his paperwork aside, "We are going to the capital"
James chuckled and went out to arrange the carriage. While Cassian was grinning like a fool inside his study, "You look like a creep" his wolf interrupted him.
"Shut up," Cassian scolded his annoying wolf and got up from his seat but the smile never left his face. He was going to meet his mate after all, "Will she recognize me?" he muttered to himself but then shook his head out of his absurd thoughts. How could she recognize him when she saw him in his wolf form?
Thinking that he reached his wagon and departed to see his mate.
Meanwhile, Iris arrived at the most famous aristocratic boutique in the Findara empire. The building was four-storied with Pink and white walls. 'Madam Delaney' was written elegantly in the opening.
Iris glanced at Lucy, "Is Madam Delaney the owner's name?"
Lucy was well informed about Iris' memory loss from the butler so she started explaining, "Yes my lady, Madam Delaney is the countess of Woods county and also the owner of this shop. Her son, Lord Markus woods is currently acting as the Crown prince's personal assistant and their family holds considerable power in the high society"
Iris nodded, "What is lady Delaney's personality like?" She wanted to understand this before entering the boutique.
Lucy hesitated a bit but still replied, "Madam Delaney's shop is the most famous in the empire, and many noble ladies wait for a long time to get a single dress from her. She is a bit haughty and arrogant but still knows about her social standing and would not dare go against you. Many are scared of offending your father my lady"
"Then I have no worries," said Iris as she entered the boutique.
Many workers inside the shop looked at the entrance and widened their eyes seeing the Kenworthy duchy's crest on the wagon and guards outside. One of them went inside and informed Lady Delaney about this and she came out to greet Iris.
An elegant woman in her late forties stepped toward Iris and bowed, "Welcome to my humble shop, my lady"
Iris smiled, "I have heard many great things about your boutique lady Delaney. I'm invited to Princess Vanessa's tea party this weekend, so I would like to get some dresses from your shop"
"It is my pleasure to design a dress for you, my lady" then she gestured towards the seat, "This way...."
Iris walked toward the sofa and sat on it while Lucy stood behind her. Lady Delaney too took a seat and handed a booklet with designs, "You can inform me if anything catches your attention"
"I'll do so" Iris replied and took the leaflet.
As Iris was going through the leaflet, Delaney started to observe the girl in front of her with hawk-like eyes. She realized the lady's identity as soon as she saw her because Iris looked just like Duchess Amalthea from her younger days. And the shiny silver hair like Duke Augustus was a giveaway. But the thing that confused her was the supposed rumors about this lady. It was well-known knowledge in high society that the daughter of Kenworthy was sickly and that made her unable to attend social events.
Delaney furrowed her brows, the lady in front of her looked anything but sick. She even had to admit that the young girl here is the most beautiful lady she had ever seen in the Findara empire. 'Did the ducal couple purposely hide their beautiful daughter from high society?' She was not able to stop but think like this, 'But why?' another question came right after that leaving her even more confused.
As she was lost in her thoughts, one of her staff came and whispered, "Grand duke Wulfgur's wagon is in front of our shop Madam"
"Grand duke?" Delaney widened her eyes and got up from her seat.
Iris looked at her and the latter just smiled, "Pardon me, my lady, there is an important guest I have to attend to right now. My assistant here will help you out if needed"
"That's alright" Iris replied and continued looking at the booklet.
Delaney left that place and sauntered towards the entrance and caught sight of a young man with ebony black hair entering, "I greet his grace the Grand Duke"
"You may raise," said Cassian in his baritone voice. His eyes darted inside the shop trying to find his mate and they sparkled when he saw her sitting on the couch not far away from him.
Delaney raised her head and looked at Cassian's line of sight directed toward Iris. Then she recalled that they were engaged to be married. She was surprised as Cassian walked toward Iris and sat beside her, "How have you been?"
Iris turned to her side and frowned, "Are you talking to me?"
He nodded and she glanced at Lucy but Cassian said something that made everyone inside the boutique baffled, "What's wrong honey?"
Iris's eyes widened, "Ho-honey?" she asked not able to believe his words. He just beamed and Iris once again looked at Lucy with a desperate face. 'Did I have a lover before I lost my memories?' her face screamed this question and Lucy finally answered, "You are engaged to his grace Grand duke Wulfgur" then she frowned, "But I didn't know that you two were this close....?" she muttered still in disbelief.
Cassian chuckled inwardly seeing his mate's adorable face filled with confusion. He was normally not this straightforward, but it felt easy for him to utter such words in front of his mate. She was his after all.
He continued to observe her as she turned to him and said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, but I don't remember my former memories because of my injury, So I don't know my relationship with your grace....."
"Then let us make a new one," he said making her surprised, "We were not that close in the past, moreover this is your first time meeting me"
"Oh" she nodded and he continued, "So let us start over and make new memories, You and me"
Iris didn't know whether to cry or laugh. He was too fierce and she was trying her best to comprehend his pace. Whereas for Cassian, staying away from her felt excruciating, as an Alpha, the mate bond he was having with Iris was too strong for him to control his urges. She was not affected by it because she was human but that was not the case for him. He wanted to hug her small waist, kiss her rosy lips and inhale her sweet scent but held back to not scare her.
"I'll be taking my leave now your grace," Iris said as she got up from her seat. She had to escape now to think properly. Iris also made a note to ask her parents about her engagement.
Cassian narrowed his eyes and got up, "I will escort you back to the duchy"
Iris raised her brows, "It's quite alright your grace. You don't have to trouble yourself about these trivial matters"
"I insist," he said with a handsome smile and stretched his hand out for her.
She awkwardly gave her hand and he immediately clasped it with his and grinned, "Let's go...."
Madam Delaney observed all of this on the sidelines and called one of the servants, "Inform everything that transpired here to my son" Her son was working for the crown prince and she knew about the prince's wariness towards the grand duke.
Hadiah
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