Chapter 5—"Those eyes..."

LARISSA AURÉLIE FARSULEIA

I shivered as a chill ran through my body, caused by the cold wind fluttering in through the carriage window. I took a peek from outside and my gaze was drawn to the trees that lined our route to the venue. The lights of the Aurum Palace were visible, casting a warm and inviting glow against the dark night skyline. 

“Look, Aurélie, we’re here.” My father, sitting opposite me in the carriage, raised his hand and pointed outside, gesturing for me to lean forward and take a closer look at the scene.

I followed my father's prompt and leaned further forward. My heart raced with anticipation as the carriage rolled forward, the last trees giving way to reveal the imposing portcullis that marked the entrance to the palace. As soon as the carriage crossed through the gate, the sounds of classical music became clearer. I peered out of the window, watching intently as guests streamed towards inside, I can even sense their confident auras all the way from the carriage.

The horses took the last hooves, stopping the carriage from moving any further. The palace footman opened the carriage door, assisting my father in exiting. Once my father had gotten out, I picked up the hem of my gown, ready to step out. I stopped in my tracks when my father lent out his hand, gesturing me to hold onto his as an assist.

The carriage came to a halt, the horses' hooves stomping to a standstill. The palace footman, who had waited patiently for us, proceeded to open the carriage door, helping my father down with ease. In anticipation, I gathered my gown, preparing to step out myself. I stopped in my tracks when my father lent out his hand to me, signalling me to take hold of it.

“Thank you, father.” I expressed my gratitude as I held onto his hand, feeling the weight of my gown being lifted as I stepped out of the carriage. Thankfully, it wasn’t a hassle for me to get out; it wouldn't have been too complicated if I had worn a larger ball gown, but my current gown was light enough to make it fairly easy.

As our steps brought us closer to the ballroom, the sounds of chatter and music grew louder and more intense. When we reached the threshold and stepped onto the marble floor, the light of the grand chandelier cast a brilliant glow upon us. My gaze swept across the room from above, taking in the unfamiliar faces and their curious stares. Beside us, the herald, who had been focused on his scroll, lifted his gaze to the crowd and exclaimed with enthusiasm, “Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, the Marquess and Lady Aurélie Farsuleia!” The entire empire turned their attention to us.

It seemed like the moment they looked at me, their smiles faded. Their faces became distorted in my vision, similar to how a kid would scramble upon the paper. I felt the atmosphere getting tighter, almost suffocating me. Amidst the voices in my head, I felt a warm voice echoed in my ear, is someone calling me?

“Aurélie.” I heard my father speak my name, and I looked over to see him reaching his hand to me. The gesture eased my nerves somewhat, and I took his hand, forcing a small smile onto my face to hide my nervousness as we took slow steps down the grand stairs. Once we had made our way onto the ballroom floor, we walked towards a nearby table where my father's friends and acquaintances were gathered.

“May I interest you in a refreshing glass of champagne, my lords and ladies?” The sommelier asked as he approached us, a silver tray of golden-stemmed champagne glasses on his one hand. 

The nobles gladly agreed to the sommelier's offer, thanking him as they each took a glass of bubbling champagne from the tray. My father had taken two glasses and handed one to me. I lowered my head as a form of gratitude as I took the glass from his hand and raised the flute to my lips, taking a small, dainty sip.

Amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces in the crowd, I caught sight of Augusta while I took another sip. She was wearing a stunning red gown that highlighted her beautiful honey blonde hair, styled in a neat bun. The moment our eyes met, her eyes lit up, and a wide smile spread across her face, her hand lifting to wave at me.

After returning Augusta’s cheerful wave, I turned my attention back to my father, who was in conversation with a fellow noble. Feeling slightly hesitant, I tapped his shoulder once “Father,” I said, my thumb pointing towards Augusta, “May I go over to Augusta?”

My father looked at the direction where I was gesturing and gave me a nod, “You may go.” He replied, his focus returning to the conversation with his noble companion. I thanked him with a smile before turning away and making my way towards Augusta.

“Larissa!” Augusta greeted me warmly, enveloping me in a heartfelt hug as soon as I was close enough. I melted in her embrace before pulling away.

“You look stunning today, August.” I praised her.

She huffed out a chuckle, “Thank you.” She took a step back, drawing my attention to a group of ladies standing nearby. “Meet my friends!” she said enthusiastically, gesturing towards them.

“Everyone, this is Larissa Aurélie. You probably haven’t met her but she’s the daughter of Marquess Farsuleia.” Augusta introduced me, her hands all over the place. 

“I never knew the Marquess had a daughter.” One of the ladies promptly said.

“She’s probably an illegitimate child of his” whispered one of the women, hiding behind her fan as she leaned closer to the others. “That's why she's been kept away, to avoid any scandals that can ruin their reputation.”

“Really? Poor her.” The lady earned a laugh from her. 

I blinked and my eyes fell down on the ground. My vision became hazy as the voices around me blurred together. The marble floor seemed to spin, and I felt as if the ground was shifting beneath me. I’ve never felt so humiliated in my whole life, let alone being the only one that has their blessings sealed. I looked at Augusta, meeting her face full of concern. “I’ll leave you with them for now,” I told her, “I just need some fresh air from outside.”

I hurried away before Augusta could respond. I heard her calling after me, but that made me quicken my pace even more. I had no specific destination in mind, merely making my way towards the closest room I could find. Upon reaching the room, I carefully open the heavy wooden door, finding it completely silent inside. I took a peek and it was a hallway, and to my luck, there was indeed a balcony accompanied with arched windows. 

I stepped cautiously inside, the creaking sound of the door breaking the calm silence in the room. Softly, I closed the door behind me and took small steps, admiring the paintings that are put up on the wall. It was mesmerising how the colours glistened upon the moonlight. With my hands clasped behind my back, I continued to walk forward, coming across another work of art. It was a family portrait of the royal family, the Naevia. They all appeared similar, with their snow-white hair and pale lilac eyes, their dark crimson lips adding to their imperious appearance.

As I was too occupied in my thoughts, I failed to notice the individual standing on the balcony, only becoming cognizant of their presence when a deep, husky voice rang through the hallway.

“Is this how you spend your time at parties?”

I snapped my head upon hearing the voice and swallowed thickly as I felt my heart raced from the sudden voice. I found myself at a loss for words, torn between the options of quickly leaving the room and staying to speak with this unknown stranger leaning against the railing.

Acting without hesitation, I picked the option of choosing to turn a blind-eye on him. I quickly held the hem of my gown and quietly stepped back, hoping he wouldn’t notice that I’m gone.

“Don’t go. Keep me company, I don’t bite.” The stranger quickly added. 

I stopped on my tracks just before I made my way back to the hall. Somehow, his words were enough for my feet to drag me towards him. I took small, quiet steps towards the balcony. The cold breeze welcomed me as I made my way beside him, making me shiver. I took a glance at the noble and noticed he was smoking a cigarette. ‘Oh, dear’  I thought to myself. 

Aside from the cigarette, his appearance took my attention. He had black hair that had grown quite longer on his back, and his hair appeared wavy in front with a few strands resting on his brows. The stranger had a prominent nose, a chiselled jawline, his lips were plump and luscious, and his eyes resembled that of a fox. 

It seems like I've been standing here for a minute, looking everywhere except in his direction. It was so quiet, all I could hear was the leaves rustling against each other, the wind whispering, and the cigarette burning. I pressed my lips against each other as I held tighter onto my champagne.

“You didn’t answer my question earlier.” He started. 

“Pardon?” I snapped my head upon hearing the question.

“I asked if this is how you spend your time at parties.” The noble repeated as he inhaled through the cigarette in between his fingers.

I cleared out my throat and looked the other way, “Not really, I just…had to get something off my head.”

He rested his elbow onto the railings, trying to get my gaze but that made me turn away even more from him. I hesitantly opened my mouth, “Could you please not look at me like that?” I murmured, enough for him to hear.

“Like what?” He asked, his voice carried a hint of intrigue.  

I faced him, “You know what I mean—” I stopped promptly when I sensed something from the bushes. The sudden aggressive rustling of the leaves caught my attention. And there I knew, an arrow came flying towards his direction. In an instant, I pulled the noble towards me, my champagne spilling from the sudden force. Our gazes locked onto the arrow embedded into the wall, my focus fixed on the spot it had struck.

I quickly turned to my side, and looked intently at the direction from which the shot must have come, feeling a distinct presence nearby. I was ready to confront the shooter, but then the person cried out, “Let me go!” In an instance, a wave of surprise washed over me as I witnessed the guards haul him away.

I sighed as I closed my mouth. I turned to the noble, who probably might’ve just got a trauma from the sudden occurrence, I asked with genuine concern, “Are you alright?”

Instead of receiving an answer, I was met with words of praise. “You’re an interesting one, aren’t you?” 

I was taken aback when he suddenly leaned towards me. He was so close to me that I could clearly see his golden eyes—I think I’ve seen those eyes before, but I can’t pinpoint when. I stared in awe, a few seconds passed before reality hit me and avoided his intense gaze. I tried to compose myself and continued taking small sips from my flute glass.

He leaned in and whispered, “Do you want to marry me?” 

I choked at the champagne I just drank from the sudden question and immediately turned my head away from him. I wiped my mouth with my hand and shook away the droplets that hang on my skin.

“What kind of question is that?! No!” I furrowed my brows.

He looked at me amusedly as he leaned away from me, seeming to enjoy my reaction. “I’m not joking, my lady.”

“Neither am I! Why would I marry a stranger?!” I exclaimed.

He raised an eyebrow at me, still not removing the smile from his face. “I’m guessing your father is a sucker for surprises.”

He fished out something from his blazer. I narrowed my eyes when he revealed an envelope sealed with our family crest. I turned my focus to him, awaiting for him to clarify what was written in the letter. He then handed out the envelope to me, gesturing to me to read it for myself. I placed my glass on the railings and only then did I take the letter and unfolded it carefully. 

My Lord Duke Novellia, written on the letter. My eyes darted across the page, spotting my own name alongside the words "wedding" and "union." It did not take long before it dawned on me that this was a marriage proposal written by my father. I furrowed my brows as I took in the realisation that I was getting married, possibly, if he had agreed to. I tried to find comfort in the thought of marrying a duke, convincing myself that it would bring union and prestige to our family. Hold on, if this letter was sent to him, then the person that I was talking to right now is a…DUKE?!  

I kept exchanging gaze with the noble and the letter. I was so shocked, I squeaked and lost my grip on my father's letter. I covered my mouth and took a step back, my eyes widening because I just now realised that I was talking to no ordinary royal, it was a Duke!

“You look more surprised after knowing what title your future husband holds.” I heard him chuckle as he bent down to pick up the letter I dropped out of shock. 

Seeming as it was the right thing to do, I bowed down. “I’m deeply sorry for the way I acted toward you earlier. I-I didn’t know!—”

“So, is it a yes?”

I raised my head upon the sudden question, “...yes?”  

I cleared out my throat and stiffened my back. “I mean I’d be honoured to!” 

He let out a light chuckle. “You shouldn’t make a hasty decision.”

From his remark, my eyes fell to the ground. What are you doing, Aurélie?! I shut my eyes as I felt the late embarrassment get the best of me. 

I heard him unfastened the ornaments that were on his shoulders, took off his cloak then placed it over my shoulders. I lifted up my gaze from the sudden gesture. Once again, I was captivated by his golden eyes.

He took a step back from me, then his lips formed a soft smile. “I’m willing to wait for your answer, Lady Aurélie.”

The duke walked away from my sight, leaving me alone on the balcony. I looked back at him as I grasped the cloak he had given me. 

‘I didn’t get the chance to get his name…’ I pondered.