บท 54: WINTER IS HERE

ARGENT noticed that not only did the maid's face paled, her whole body also trembled. Interesting. There's already a conjecture inside her head but Argent hated jumping into conclusion without enough evidence. So she temporarily let go of the idea running through her head.

Argent turned to Gregory. "Tell Brightmore and his royal highness that we'll meet them shortly."

"Yes, Your Grace," Gregory bowed and went out the study once again.

[Why the heck did Mishla bring that prince with him?] Aurum thought, she was already getting annoyed because of all the visitors she had been entertaining. Now, her irritation just reached its peak because of the arrival of that prince.

Even now Aurum could still remember the talk she had with the King seven years ago before they left Albion. She was just a young kid then, but she still understood what the King wanted. For her to be a fiancee candidate to that second prince. And now that she could somehow control her Gift, add that to the fact that her brother now owned one of the wealthiest company in the world, she has no doubt that she was now at the top of that fiancee candidate ladder.

That's why Aurum didn't want any member of the royal family to get close to their family. Because she just couldn't help but think that they have some ulterior motives.

Argent glanced at the maid, who was still as white as a sheet of paper. "Bring that trolley to the drawing room."

She didn't think it was possible but the maid's face paled even more because of what she said. Argent just ignored that and left the study together with Aurum. They walked towards the drawing room. Once they entered the room, the two men sitting inside immediately stood up. Both were tall, lean, and equally handsome.

One has red hair and a pair of russet colored eyes. He has this kind of innate energy in him, as if he couldn't sit still in one place. The other has an ice blue hair and pale blue eyes. There was no apparent expression on his face. As if his face was forever frozen in that cold expression.

Mishla's eyes brightened when he saw Aurum. They often talk using video calls but seeing the real thing was still different. His goddess grew up so beautifully. Just seeing her standing there could already bring his heartbeat into overhaul. "Aurum!"

"Lord Brightmore," Aurum greeted Mishla with her fake smile and then turned to the second prince and cutsied. "Your Highness."

Mishla was confused for a bit and then she realized that Aurum was probably pissed at him. But why? He hasn't done anything that could possibly annoy her.

"Brightmore, Your Highness, please do sit down," Argent said gesturing for them to sit.

The two sat back down and the twins sat on the opposite couch.

Winter couldn't help but stare at Argent. He wanted to say that seeing him right now was no different than seeing him on that interview. But he would be lying if he did. His silver hair appeared much softer, his purple eyes were like expensive amethyst, his white skin seemed to be more delicate. Winter couldn't believe that a man could be so beautiful. Even though the duke's sister, the one known as the most beautiful girl in the world, couldn't take his attention away from Argent Blackbourne.

Winter was glad that he has an inherent poker face. Or else, all the things he was thinking would probably show on his face. And what a great embarrassment that would be.

A while later, a maid came in pushing a trolley of teas and snacks. Argent raised her brow when she saw that it was not Merissa but a completely different maid. She already expected that. But it only intensified the suspicion she already had.

The maid started serving them with teas and scones. After that, she quietly left.

"So, what brings Lord Brightmore and Your Highness here?" Argent started.

"I'm just here to see Lady Aurum, actually," Mishla honestly anwered.

"The King sent me to extend an invitation to you, Hanover. He's expecting to see you tomorrow at the palace. The Queen as well extends an invitation to Lady Aurum for an afternoon tea party at the palace garden," Winter said, in his usual cold voice.

"How generous of the King and Queen, letting Your Highness act like a personal messenger just to give us an invitation," Aurum commented. There was a smile on her face but anyone with good observation could hear the sarcasm in her voice.

Winter ignored her and just continued to look at Argent. "Your answer?"

"We'll be there," Argent answered, drinking tea. She knew they had to meet with the King sooner or later. They might as well get it over it.

"Could I talk to you alone? I have something to discuss with you," Winter said, suddenly changing the subject.

Argent raised one of her brows, a little bit curious about what the prince had to discuss with her. She stood up. "Then let's take a walk in the garden, shall we, Your Highness?"

Winter stood as well.

"Brother, you can't leave me here alone with Lord Brightmore. It would be inappropriate," Aurum interjected. She didn't really mind talking alone with Mishla, but she couldn't just let her brother be alone with that popsicle prince. What if he has some kind of bad ulterior motive?

Argent almost smiled because of the silly reason her sister gave. "Don't worry, I'll ask Gregory to chaperone the both of you so you needn't be alone with Brightmore."

Argent led the second prince out of the drawing room. A few seconds later, Gregory entered the room and stood near the door.

Mishla stood up and sat beside the pouting Aurum. "Why are you pissed at me? We finally met again and you don't even want to give me a real smile," he said with a bit of grievance in his voice.

Aurum's heart softened a bit because of that. Mishla had been a very good friend to her. It was unfair to be annoyed with him just because he came with the second prince. She knew the two were close, so it was natural that they would go here together. She finally looked at Mishla. "I'm sorry."

Mishla smiled brightly. "It's okay, I'm not mad or anything," he said. "I brought you a welcoming gift, by the way." He took a rectangular velvet box from his space ring and handed it to Aurum. "Open it."

Aurum opened the box and what appeared before her eyes was a necklace with a very beautiful butterfly pendant with amber colored jewels embedded on it. "Mishla, it's beautiful," she said, amazed.

"When I saw the jewels on the butterfly, I immediately thought of your eyes and I just knew it would be perfect for you. I hope you'll like it."

"Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you, Mishla," Aurum said with a bright smile on her lips, completely forgetting that she was pissed just a few minutes ago.

Mishla stared at Aurum's angelic face. Just looking at that bright smile on her lips was enough to make him feel complete.

----------

On the other side, Argent and the second prince were walking steadily in the manor's garden.

"What is it you want to discuss, Your Highness?" Argent asked, starting the conversation.

"The King ordered me to court Lady Aurum. He wanted to join our families by having me marry your sister," Winter said with no preamble whatsoever.

Argent was slightly surprised. Not by what he said but by the way he said it. It's like he doesn't mind at all that he just told her of the King's plan. Not that it was shocking. Aurum belonged to one of the oldest noble family in Albion. She also has a very high level Gift. She has the bloodline and the Gift to be a perfect wife to a prince. Not to mention, she was also the sister of the one who founded one of the richest company in the world today.

"Why did you tell me that?" she asked, quite curious.

"Because I don't want you to think that I was scheming with the King just so the royal family could have their hands on your company."

"Oh trust me, even if the King wanted to have a piece of Silver Corporation, he couldn't. By the simple reason that I won't allow it."

Winter listened to the duke's confident tone and the tip of his lips tilted because of that. "I know you wouldn't."

"But it's surprising, for you to tell me that. Marrying my sister is also advatageous for you, you know. Because with this, it's clear that the King wanted you to be his heir. Wouldn't you want to be the next king?"

"If I'm going to be the king, I won't do it on someone else's expense. I will do it using my own ability. That way, I could honestly tell myself that I deserve the crown sitting atop my head."

Argent glanced at the second prince. She remembered when they met seven years ago. He still has that cold, expresionless face. But it seemed that he matured quite alright. A small smile crossed Argent's face. "That's a nice sentiment."

Winter stared at Argent's face. His already beautiful face bloomed like a flower because of that simple smile. Winter suddenly felt his heart skipping a beat. Just like how it did seven years ago. He immediately turned his face away. Because he could feel his whole face heating up. [What's wrong with me?]

Argent didn't notice what happened to Winter because her gaze was attracted by a shadow looking out the window from the manor's second floor. That shadow probably noticed her gaze because it immediately stepped back out of her sight. She could only think of one person that shadow could possibly belong to. [What are you up to, Merissa?]

"May I ask you one thing?" Winter suddenly asked.

Argent regained her gaze. "Sure."

"The defaro crystal I sent, why didn't you answer it, not even once?"

Argent wrinkled her brows. "Defaro crystal?"

Winter stared at Argent's totally confused look. And a sudden realization hit him. He didn't receive the defaro crystal. That's why he never answered his call. But Mishla said that he successfully sent the defaro crystal. Unless, the duke was not the one who received it. And whoever did, didn't bother to give it to the duke. Winter already has an idea who that might be.

He couldn't help but sigh, feeling foolish and pissed at the same time. "It's nothing. Nevermind."

"Well, if that's the case, then we should go back. Before Lord Brightmore proposes marriage to my sister," Argent said dryly, because it's quite evident that the Earl has a thing for Aurum.

Argent was about to walk back towards the manor but the prince stopped her.

"Hanover."

She looked back at him. "Yes?"

Winter took a deep breath and said the thing he has been wanting to say for the past seven years, "Could you and me be friends?"

Argent was a bit surprised. Because the way he said it, it was like a grade-schooler asking someone to be his friend. She couldn't believe that the expresionless prince would actually say that. "It's quite a hassle, being friends with a royal. But if you could give me a good reason why I should, then I could probably consider it."

After saying that, Argent turned around and continued walking.

"I will," Winter said softly, not caring if the duke heard him or not.