บท 120: Like a Dream
Unlike her appearance, Manila had a friendly side, she was warm, smart, fiesty, she wasn't unnecessarily chatty at the same time she wasn't too quiet either, the conversations with her were fun and interesting. She would always have a book in hand, a promising scholar keeping the family name of the Langdon. Above all she had the necessary skill to gain the trust of people and befriend them. She had a charm of her own and was easily approachable.
Initially Evelyn was taciturn about the idea of having someone from Lagdon family, "Won't it burden her to be my lady-in-waiting Granda?"
"Nobody had forced her Eve, she has come on her own" Irene tried to convince her.
"That's what beats me. Manila Langdon doing this? When have they ever been do proactive in high society, and that too getting involved with House of Faunoa! especially with a Betrice. This definitely looks suspicious. I am against this, and Eve you don't have to do anything you feel uncomfortable with." Anastasio spoke blatantly, he never cared for customs and felt that the pseudo nobility must cease to exist.
"Cut it Sio, isn't she already putting up with you, although she is uncomfortable with it. Don't think that I am not aware of your monopolizing tendencies.You are just a spitting image of Aiden, you want to keep your wife cooped up in the bedroom." Anastasio grinned shamelessly.
Evelyn blused at Irene's remark.
"And this is not something for you to talk about Sio. It's something for the lady of the house to decide." looking fondly at Eve she said, "just keep an open heart and mind dear. You are already doing great, nobody would dare to belittle you. Just be yourself." Irene kissed her on the forehead, Eve would never get used to such kindness, but she always felt grateful for the love and warmth she received.
Her meeting with Manila Langton went off smoother than she expected, it was after they had reached the breathtakingly beautiful old palace.
As per custom the Duke of Faunoa was the owner of the Sapphire Palace, while the Head of Magnolia, was the owner of the Diamond palace. But this time for convince only the doors of the Sapphire palace was opened which was large enough for hundreds of people.
Evelyn recalled how both Anastasio and Nathenel had shown their regret by clicking their tongues on the waste of space and resources just for a vacation palace.
For making things comfortable she had called Susan to stay with her during the meeting, Foea Clemen accompanied her, for the next few days she and Sebastian had switched places. The men weren't allowed inside ladies' circle. So, Foea who wasn't a noble was allowed for her exceptional qualities to assist Susan.
Before they knew Eve got close with Manila. The three women were drinking tea early in the morning at the resplendent garden of the palace. The ceremony of Day 1 would be held later the same day, so Evelyn had to get ready for her engagement.
However, the problem was with Susan, she found Manila's presence unnerving, Foea was aware of it, because she was aware of Nathenel had an interest in her. So, she always remained quiet and coiled up in her presence. Manila had noticed it, but she never revealed anything.
"Miss Langton, I am sure you already know, that, you just need to do things that the custom demands. I am too lacking for someone like you to be my lady-in-waiting."
Manila smiled, "First of all it's Manila and not Miss Langton, because in terms of hierarchy you are superior now Miss Betrice."
'So she was sensitive about such old systems.' Evelyn was surprised.
"Moreover I would fulfill all my duties as your lady-in-waiting, because this is my service to the House of Faunoa. This is an honour to me and House Langton, and I will surely return the honour and make my family proud."
Evelyn took a quick glance at the book she has been reading, that was a book on the Empire's language, something used as an official language of Magnolia, not in use anymore today. She was studying linguistics.
"Hey that seems to be an interesting book, is your work something on ancient languages?" Evelyn enquired out of curiosity, and immediately noticed the surprised gazes of the two women. It didn't take her another moment to realise why they were reacting like that. The title of the book was written in the ancient language itself, and it was almost impossible for someone like her to read it, even the top notch aristocrats didn't know the language.
Manila couldn't help but ask, "Pardon me, Miss Betrice, I don't wish to belittle My lady's House.But, it's just that I am a little curious, how..."
"I do understand the curiosity and I know how surprising it is. I just learnt it somehow."
Evelyn would have never revealed the truth about knowing the language, she already cursed herself by blurting out without thinking. The truth was her mother's belongings that were safe kept in a large iron trunk in the store room of their country house. In her childhood she would often look at her mother's belonging during her visits at the country house.There she had once come across a small notebook where her mother had prepared a manual of how to read the Empire's language. At that time Evelyn had found it fascinating and started learning it. Her mother was a commoner who was forbidden from learning the language. As a fallen household it would be taken as a blasphemy. Evelyn considered that perhaps she did it out of sheer curiosity. However it was for the best never to disclose it to anyone, as that would breed unnecessary rumours. She was already tired of the ones going around about her father. They were obnoxiously unnerving.
Manila was stunned, and her countenance changed momentarily, Evelyn was oblivious of it, but it didn't go unnoticed by Foea. Manila was about to ask something, but Susan understood Evelyn's discomfort.
"That's a great thing Eve, you wouldn't have any problem in taking the wedding oath, later when you marry the Duke, the oaths are in ancient language."
Eve wished she could tell Susan that she was already married, "That reminds me and I would like to take suggestion from both of you, it's Anastasio's birthday, what should I give him, he seems to have everything."
"How about a cake?I heard My lady is a baker." Manila suggested, her words were uttered simply, she was smiling, but somehow Susan sensed mockery or perhaps she was prejudiced because of her discomfort.
"Thank you for your suggestion, I would try to prepare the cake to the best of my abilities for him." Evelyn stated genuinely.
Susan held her suggestion for later, Evelyn had no idea her suggestion would blow away her mind like that.
"Miss Betrice" Sylvia ran panting, "You are here? It's time to get ready for the Duke's coronation."
Evelyn looked at the time, "Come on Sylvia we still have five hours."
She suggested it to calm her down but Sylvia panicked even more, "Five hours is not enough, it's your engagement you are the main character. Madam I beg you please."
Hearing the word 'main character' made her shiver, the journey of a girl from Mignos Market, to the Duchess of Faunoa, all this felt like a dream.
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