JOONWOO
Holy shit! What the hell happened? Thanks to that perfume my new mother sprayed before my nose, I feel comfortable.
I did not expect it but my scary brother moved in front of me when I felt that throbbing pain in my chest.
He passed on his napkin and asked me to keep it. I smelled the napkin and it had a calming scent just like that perfume.
Maybe he is not that bad.
NARRATOR
"So, it wasn't you, my lord."
"Well, definitely not."
Duke Delacroix wiped his forehead with his gloved hand and looked thoroughly disturbed, while the other duke just playfully smirked.
"Hurt? Is she?"
"No"
"Her fragile flesh might not have been tattered by so shallow an act. But about the stir in her heart. I, being a man of great virtue, shall not let her unseen grief boil. Tell me, lord, can't you see her once gleaming eyes now bear a tasteless hue."
ISEUL
After saying something, the noble pointed towards me. When we locked eyes, he smiled. Now he started walking… Walking towards me!
NARRATOR
He casually took up a drink from the waiter passing by. Anyone might have thought it was a simple gesture, unless they noticed how the drink matched the palette of his attire. The light creamish drink in his hand, topped with a reddish layer, perfectly matched his dusty rose vest coat and pale cream overcoat. Gold detailing shimmered subtly across the fabric, while a sage green ruffled tie added a contrast.
Now, Duke Hastings stood right in front of Iseul. Putting the hand that held the goblet behind, he took up Iseul's hand and gently kissed.
All the eyes present in the gathering turned to them.
"Duke Hastings, Lady Ruelle Delacroix," he said, his smile playful but his eyes sharp.
Iseul's face turned bright red when his lips touched her hand. Instinctively, she turned away.
"Will Lady Ruelle not spare a glance at this humble servant?"
She turned back instantly, smiled and answered, "Greetings!"
…
They paused like that for a few seconds before the other guests broke the ice and started greeting her, too. When Duke Hastings felt his purpose was over, he left silently, sipping on his drink.
Duke Delacroix, from afar, looked better, much pleased.
Thereafter, the banquet continued in peace and low chatterings.
Governess Winter toured Iseul around the banquet to greet the guests. Candlelight shimmered off crystal and silk. Isuel moved along with her, wide-eyed.
"This is Lord Halverin of the Western Reach," Governess Winter said, pausing before a tall man with silver-streaked hair and a hawk's gaze. "He commands the sea fleets."
"Pleeeased to meeet youuu.(Pleased to meet you)", said Iseul and bowed like she had practised.
He returned the greeting with a smile as he bowed down.
Turning around, Governess Winter said, "And this is Count Ferdinand. Lord Ferdinand is here too.". Count Ferdinand was a blonde, middle-aged man with a moustache. Beside him, his son, a year or two older than Ruelle, looked the same, just without the moustache and the adult carvings.
Before Count Ferdinand could greet Iseul, his son, Cabel said, "I heard you are a chatterbox. Oh! Pardon. Greetings!"
"I like engaging in pleasant conversations", said Iseul without thinking that now she was Ruelle, a four-year-old, not Iseul, who dislikes saucy little boys.
Count Ferdinand looked a bit ashamed of his son's behaviour and was about to apologise with his embarrassed expression, but when he heard Iseul say 'that', his expression changed to disbelief and slight shock.
Lord Halverin, who was taking a step to leave, turned around at her words.
Governess winter too moved a step backward.
"You tied rachbery tats? They'r my fuvoret. (Have you tried the raspberry tarts? They're my favorite.)", Isuel said hurriedly, clasping Cabel's hands to ease the situation.
Lord Halverin snickered and continued where he was going.
Count Ferdinand too smiled but his son, Cabel, started seeing stars. His face and ears turned red. He jolted away his hands and ran away. Governess Winter picked her up and Count Ferdinand apologised for the displeasure.
Ruelle continued to interact with the other noble children, engaging in more conversations and participating in some of the activities that were set up for the younger attendees.
"Phew!" Ruelle blew hard. She cut the birthday cake and fed it to her brother. It is a tradition in this world that cakes, on any occasion, should be served at the end of the banquet with the other desserts. And the first piece should be given to the person you love the most.
The guest had their share of cake and soon one by one, they left.
Governess Winter took Iseul to her room and handed her over to her nannies. They quickly gave her a bath and put her on the bed to sleep. The nannies left and Iseul could hear the two guards behind the door, whispering. She opened her eyes and turned to face the ceiling.
In the affairs of the banquet, Isuel had forgotten what she had seen. Magic!
Holy! Fuckin'! Airballlllll!