บท 11: Childhood Sweethearts
"Apologies, miss." A towering man with black hair and blue eyes turned to face Liandra.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Liandra hurriedly apologised without making eye contact.
"Perhaps you should try making eye contact when you're speaking to someone." The man suggested, holding no malicious undertones.
"I suppose that is a good idea..." Liandra looked up to face the man, nearly gasping in horror as she finally realised who she was speaking with.
"Julian Evengrad?!" Liandra was not prepared for such a good encounter. She did not know what to say and how to act in front of her crush.
"I've never seen someone being so horrified of me like that. Did i do something wrong, lady Vermillion?" Julian's speech was charming and eloquent. His facial expression beared no hostilities, only showing genuine concern and warmth. It was no wonder that Liandra was so infatuated with him.
"Oh- I was just nervous... It is not everyday I get to meet a man of your calibre." Liandra regained most of her composure, making a nervous grin. This was her chance, it had finally come.
"That makes more sense then. But please feel more comfortable around me, I am not as unapproachable as many people believe." Julian lightly chuckled.
'He said to be more comfortable around him! Is this a sign?!' Liandra's mind was in turmoil. She couldn't believe her own fantastic luck. She want to believe this wasn't a dream. She was actually talking to the man she wanted the most.
"So-so I can call you Julian, right?" Liandra asked, letting out a brief stutter as she collected herself.
"Of course, only if I can call you Liandra." Julian responded.
"Gladly." Liandra made the most beautiful smile she could, hoping that Julian would be enamoured.
Beyond the crowd were a set of deathly golden eyes. They saw a development that could not lead to anything fruitful. If this sham were to progress any further, all efforts would be for naught.
However, something would happen that would solve Estelle's worries. It came just at the right time…
"Oh, Liandra, I think I just saw my friend waving at me. Would you like to change locations? They won't bite." Julian looked over the crowd, waving back to an unknown person.
"Any friend of Julian is a friend of mine." Liandra quickly accepted. Despite no knowing about the other party, she was willing to step out of her comfort zone if it meant getting closer to Julian.
The two went deeper into the crowd, Julian leading the way. His robust figure was enough to clear a small path for Liandra to follow closely from behind without being trampled upon by the surrounding nobles. Liandra's cheeks were flushed as she imagined how romantic this might seem. In her mind, she saw herself as a princess being guided by her knight. Yet the reality was much different.
"Clara! It has been a long time, how've you been?!" Julian walked faster until he finally stood before a blonde haired woman. His smile was genuine and full of warmth for the person in front of him, as if meeting a long lost friend.
Clara flashed her shining ocean blue eyes and dived into Julian, embracing him with a warm hug. "It's been 10 years Julian! I didn't expect to see you again…"
Liandra was caught up in this show of affection, at a complete loss for words. Julian had a woman as a childhood friend? She did not want to believe what she saw in front of her for she could see that despite how innocent both of them may look, Julian and Clara were too affectionate. Liandra thought back again to Estelle's orders and let out a deep breath. 'It was too good to be true.'
She finally realised she wasn't the main character of this fairytale. She had no real friends and her family seemed so distant at times. Worst of all, the one thing she wanted could not be hers.
"Oh, Liandra- I forgot to introduce her. This is Clara Bellum, a friend I made during my childhood. I thought I would never see her again." Julian politely introduce Liandra to Clara, making sure not to alienate either of them.
"It is nice to meet you, a friend of Julian is a friend of mine." Liandra extended a hand out, offering a polite handshake.
Clara did not immediately respond. Instead, she looked Liandra up and down before exhibiting a brief look of concern. Clara paused before finally accepting the handshake. She seemed genuine but there was no trust in her eyes, she was constantly on guard.
"It is nice to meet you too." Clara did not hold the handshake too long, retreating closer to Julian immediately after. From Liandra's point of view, Clara seemed protective. There was a constant barrier between Liandra and Julian now. No one could see it except for Liandra and Clara.
Liandra smiled shallowing in response, unable to to anything more. Her head was spinning, everything was an absolute mess. All of her hopes were dashed by the appearance of one lady. She wanted Clara gone. Despite this, she knew she could only blame herself. If she had just listened to Estelle's orders, none of this heartbreak would happen.
"Julian, I a little uncomfortable right now. Could we move elsewhere, to the balcony perhaps?" Clara turned to Julian and asked. She avoided eye contact with Liandra, hoping that she could take Julian away and reacquaint themselves.
"Of course." Julian replied. He quickly turned to Liandra after, ready to ask her if she wanted to follow them. "Liandra, would you like to follow?"
Liandra made eye contact with Clara instead, seeing a defensive gaze coming from her. "I will take my leave here. It was nice meeting the both of you." With that, Liandra walked in the other direction, specifically, back to the entrance she had come in from. She was alone again, with no one to call a friend.
As she quietly left the banquet hall and entered the hallways, Liandra's eyes slowly moistened. With time, cold tears dripped down from her eyes towards her chin. Her eyes went red after she rubbed them with the back of her hands. It was her birthday yet nothing went well.
She was alone with her thoughts until a set of footsteps began approaching her from the direction she was walking to.
"Our poor little Liandra, all alone with no big sister to back you up this time?"
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