"You were so noisy, Marquis. I intended to let the event pass by idly, but you just had to put attention on my baby," Flavio sighed problematically.
Marquis Lochlainn laughed lightly. "Sorry, sorry. But even if I didn't do anything, young Lady CK would still catch attention. It's natural to be curious about someone who has not been seen for a long time," he said.
After the formal ceremonies, the guests were left to enjoy the rest of the event with chatter, food, and other luxuries. Some were interested in tours of the exotic plants in the Duchess' territory, while some thought it was time to form more connections with one another.
House Vincenzo took the time to speak with their family friends at House Lochlainn. Isabella spoke with Marquess Lochlainn, while the patriarchs bantered over light chatter.
"I hate how you're right. Tsk, just look at those rascals sneaking glances... Stay close to me, my sweet baby," Flavio clutched CK protectively while staring sternly at a few men in the distance.
"Oh, papa," CK shook her head. "Be sure to clutch unto the Countess, too, my lord," Marquis Lochlainn teased, "Must be difficult to have a charming wife and daughter."
"Hmph! You may be laughing at me now, but you'll know how it feels very soon once your daughter starts attracting suitors," Flavio raised his chin. The Marquis' eyes widened.
"Come now, my lord. Must you really do that to me?" he sighed, "Although I'm sure Sasha will be focused on her classes, I'm starting to think about the people who might ask her hand in marriage so prematurely."
"Speaking of Sasha, I've heard she has entered a prestigious school. Congratulations," Isabella smiled at the other couple. Flavio and CK subconsciously exchanged looks.
"Thank you, Countess. We were surprised at how things turned out, too. Sasha was unable to inherit our abilities, so we thought she couldn't access magic. But a year ago, Sasha manifested a grimoire and could perform spells outside the influence of dream magic," Marquis Lochlainn stated, "It was a rare occasion. Some say it was as rare as Count Flavio's abilities manifesting."
"It was Monsieur Lumiere who came to our place and said the Marchen would like to sponsor Sasha so she could enter some school. Erm...what was the name again, love?" Marquess Lochlainn turned to her husband confusingly.
"Nana... Nana frosty something. The name's pretty long and complex," the Marquis tilted his head as he tried to remember. "The Nonaphrontistery," CK muttered subconsciously, causing the others to turn to her.
"Yes, that's the one! How did you know, my young lady?" The Marquess asked. CK blinked in shock as her parents glanced at her. Oh, crap.
"Ahaha, well... Sasha has written me a letter some time ago saying she entered a school with that name. It sounds very... prestigious," CK answered carefully.
"I'm glad you're still in touch despite the years you've last seen one another. Looks like our families are bound to be tight together, my lord," Marquess Lochlainn grinned at Flavio.
"Naturally, my lady," Flavio said. Glancing at Isabella, they both shared a wry smile, and CK was nervously glancing away.
"So Sasha knew where Lady CK has been all this time. She couldn't have been able to contact her otherwise," Marquis said thoughtfully.
"Yes... My lord could say that," CK smiled. "I don't see Melbourne anywhere," Flavio said quickly and looked around, "Where has your firstborn run off to, Marquis?"
"Ahh, Mel? There's no use looking for him in these kinds of events. The punk prefers the busy buzzes at the adventurer's guilds rather than helping his old man at the estate—Pardon my language," Marquis Lochlainn smiled apologetically, "The boy drives me mad sometimes."
"Haha! He's quite the charismatic diplomat, though. He's good at forming connections with adventurers and merchants but can't seem to stand the other noblemen," Flavio chuckled, "I heard he has plans to join an association. He won't have trouble with how he is doing nowadays."
'They're talking about Mel,' CK blinked as she quietly listened to the two patriarchs speak. She crossed her arms and smiled. It does sound like Mel to run away from his duties.
"Yes, yes, all that sounds good. I'd appreciate it more if he could take his duties as a noble more seriously," Marquis Lochlainn gulped his glass down with a sour look, "He has the makings of a good businessman, I admire that. But he has to stop behaving like a juvenile. He'll be Marquis in some years. I'll die of a heart attack if he runs the household with his current attitude!"
'So Mel's got connections with the merchants,' CK thought, her eyes glimmering thoughtfully. That's exactly what she needs.
"…but it's difficult to keep the liquidation reports and investments secure without us having to double-check everything. I was hoping to hire a finance agent to watch over the House's treasury, but finding a trustworthy one is another problem," the Marquess spoke to Isabella.
"Have you tried consulting with finance agencies in Briar City? I heard plenty of positive things about their work," Isabella said, "It just so happens that Countess Tafani knows a few people there. Would you like me to host a tea party so you can meet?"
"I'd be delighted, Countess. It doesn't hurt to know a few people who can help with our situation," Marquess Lochlainn smiled gratefully, "Mel usually helps with these things, but he's off on another trip. He comes and goes, rarely ever home anymore…"
Seeing that everyone else was busy in conversation, CK decided to excuse herself while she had the chance. The buzzing chatter among the attendees flowed with the music, the recognition of the Talekeepers merely formalities as they all went about their own agenda.
'You know why. Everybody's dressed in jewelry, but I can still smell the metal rotting underneath…' CK replied disdainfully. She might fit into society, but is it really worth it when something greater waits for her?
'There's an exhibit of the Duchess' art on the manor's ground floor,' she thought.
'Better than being bombarded with questions by the nosy guests. I'll be back before my parents' chattering even ends,' CK replied, getting annoyed with the quick glances she is met with on her way into the Red Manor.
The distant chattering was drowned by the Manor's silence, but the music could still seep through the painted walls of maroon. Golden lights glowed by each corners in the room, the fairy lights hanging from the high ceilings emitting different shades of yellow.
CK's heels clicked loudly in the silence, a little more than the whispered musings of the guests admiring the rows of bonsai trees in display cases made of glass. Exotic plants grew out of pots carved in the shape of forest animals—a tree of glowing blue leaves inside a pot of a carved fox, pulsing orchids that hung out from the mouth of a goldfish statue, flower vines that snaked up the hinds of a deer made of fine oak wood.
It is said that the Duchess personally carves the pots and statues, delicately designing them to compliment the flora she wished to grow in them. It reminded CK of some students at the Nonaphrontistery who would practice the same thing as a hobby. They'd arrange strange flowers from different environments in a pot as a form of meditation.
CK didn't have to pretend to be an art enthusiast to enjoy the artworks. They were truly mesmerizing to look at.
Inside a display case was an arching tree with white smoke seeping from the cracks under its bark. The smoke fogged the case, but CK could still see the white berries hanging from the branches. A small statue of a dragon curled around the tree trunk, its wings curved open to catch the berries falling off the ominous, smoking tree.
'I've never seen that kind of tree before,' CK thought and approached the display case.
CK pressed a palm against the case, feeling the traces of energy faintly. She stared at the bonsai tree, almost hypnotized by the dancing smoke trapped in the case.
"Somnium Clervosa, a tree native to Grimms. Almost no creature would be seen approaching it in the wilds, else they be put to sleep by the smoke it releases."
CK turned around, brows raising as a man accompanied by clusters of light orbs approached. His gaze was fixed on the display case, his eyes glimmering with wonder and appreciation.
"I'm amazed that the Duchess could foster something so dangerous and otherworldly for so long," Lumiere said in awe, "How do you do it, Duchess?"
'The Duchess?' CK thought in alert. She turned at the distinct sound of hooves clicking against the marble floors. CK's eyes widened when Duchess dela Rouge came close.
"All florae are the same in essence, regardless of its constitution or appearance. Simply care for it, and it will bear strange and wonderful results," the Duchess replied. Her gaze fell on CK, who hesitated before curtsying low.
"Greetings, Duchess," CK said. The Duchess tilted her head very slightly, "Isabella's child. I remember you."
"It's been a while, Your Grace," CK curtsied again. The Duchess stared at her wordlessly, humming ever so slightly.
Lumiere turned to CK, eyes reflecting the luminosity of the orbs floating next to him.
"So this is the treasured child of Count Vincenzo. I've heard much about you," he smiled. "I am flattered, honored Lightmaster," CK curtsied.
'Son of a bitch. Of all the people to run into, it has to be the Duchess and the VIP,' CK thought sourly. She stood back up and smiled politely.
"There are many rumors about you, my lady. You hardly made any appearance in the past years and people began to speculate. They say you have suffered all kinds of fate," Lumiere's smile widened, "Which of these fates must be true?"
"I'm surprised at how simple it is to get your attention, Lightmaster. You must be fond of embellished stories," CK said. Lumiere laughed lightly.
"Oh, it is not easy for a busy man to spare his attention. But, well… People talk a lot, and it's impossible to close one's ears," Lumiere replied. The Duchess looked around.
"Where are the Count and Countess Vincenzo?" she asked. "They're conversing with other guests outside, Your Grace," CK replied. "Hmm," the Duchess muttered.
CK avoided the Lightmaster's probing gaze. He held his chin and leaned close as if to inspect.
"Hm. You are the splitting image of the fair Countess. However, I am getting the impression that you are a lot more like your father," Lumiere mused.
"Perhaps I am," CK tactfully moved backwards, silently judging the Lightmaster's sense of personal space. Lumiere chuckled.
"Well, that would make things interesting. We are not formally introduced, are we, my lady?" Lumiere smiled and bowed, "I am Lumiere, servant of the esteemed member of the Marchen, the Beast Princess Belladonna. It is an honor to make your acquaintance."
He extended his palm towards CK, who took it and curtsied low to the bowing man.
"CK Vincenzo. The honor is mine, Lightmaster," she said. She stood back up and retracted her hand, only to feel the Lightmaster's grip on her hand tighten.
CK's brows furrowed as she tried to pull back with more force. Lumiere did not budge.
"What are you doing?" she said, growing uncomfortable as Lumiere smiled at her.
"Don't be tense, my lady. There's just a tiny something I need to see for myself," he said, eyes flickering maliciously. CK flinched to feel a foreign energy engulf her hand.
'What kind of trick is he pulling?!' CK was alert. She had no idea what his energy did to those Talekeepers, and she has no plans on figuring it out personally.
"Lightmaster, let go!" CK demanded, no longer feeling the need to keep up pretenses as she tried to yank her hand back. The orbs around Lumiere closed in on CK, trying to seep into her restrained palm.
"Oh?" Lumiere said, his smile disappearing. He watched as the orbs violently retract upon touching the girl's body, the tiny lights scampering as if to run away from the girl.
Ring!
Tinnitus rang in his ears when he stared at the hand he was holding, and it got louder the longer he held it. Soon, a warning wasn't enough—He could feel as if something was touching his soul. A pit of nothingness. The abyss.
Lumiere's brows furrowed, deliberately letting go of CK's hand. CK glared as she took a few steps back while clutching her hand. What the hell was he trying?
"Mi Esmeralda! There you are."
"Mama?" CK turned in confusion upon hearing Isabella's voice. However, they slowed in their steps upon seeing Lumiere and the Duchess dela Rouge, who had been silently watching as the events unfolded.
"I heard you yell and assumed the worst. Are you alright?" Isabella asked CK worryingly. "I am…fine, mama. Thank you," CK said and stared at Lumiere displeasingly.
Flavio stood in front of the ladies and looked at Lumiere emotionlessly. "I thought I saw the Lightmaster touch my daughter a little too long for formalities," he said emotionlessly.
"Haha! There's no need to look at me so coldly, Count Vincenzo. I was merely getting to know the young lady. She's been hidden from society for too long, after all. It's hard not to get curious," Lumiere smiled and looked back at CK.
"She lacks the blessings of magic. Admittedly, I was expecting her to be something more…special given her lineage," Lumiere said condescendingly, "Now, I'm more confused. What happened to her all these years then?"
"I believe intrusion into personal family business is no longer part of formalities, honorable Lightmaster," Flavio stated seriously. "Ah... It seems I'm overstepping," Lumiere smiled, "Forgive me."
"You've seen what you wished to see. Now, let us avoid causing any more of a scene. Lumiere, we have business to discuss. And Flavio," the Duchess glanced at the family of three, "Take the child home. She's exhausted."
'What do you mean? I'm bloody cheerful, can't you see?' CK wanted to snap, but Flavio bowed before anything else could be said or done.
"It's a shame you'll have to leave early. Oh, well. Safe trips, you three," Lumiere smiled before being the first to leave the scene. The Duchess silently followed.
"Hmph," Flavio stared coldly before turning to CK, gaze burdened with worry, "He didn't do anything to you, hopefully?"
"I think not," CK muttered a reply, twisting her wrist. "I doubt it is Lumiere's intention to hurt her. Still, I feel unsettled," Isabella shook her head, "Was he trying to see if CK has magic?"
"Tsk. They can never be too greedy," Flavio muttered angrily. CK groaned and held the side of her forehead.
'What was he trying to do, Malphas?' she asked. Malphas chuckled.
'Tsk. I'd better be careful, then," CK thought as she was escorted back by her parents. What if he sensed Malphas' presence? Passive possession is unheard of in Kelter, and CK did not like to think about the problems that could be caused if she was discovered.