A picnic!

Inside the carriage, Radna was sitting next to Mia.

“It’s to balance better!” Lily had said, after all, her dress was much more voluminous and that would make up for Radna's size.

Mia said nothing, she wasn't in the mood. Radna took what Lily said in an attempt to please her. And when he saw how she smiled, he thought he was succeeding.

Mia's leg brushed against his every now and then, and as the carriage gave a slight jolt, her hand, seeking support, settled right on Radna's thigh, and Radna swallowed hard.

In that human body, with human desires and sensations, he had no way of controlling his reactions. Mia's touch was like she was on fire and he wanted nothing more than to get burned.

'I must be losing my mind!' he thought, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Mia, who was staring at her hands in her lap. She was clearly nervous.

“Sister, the day seems to be excellent for a picnic. Too bad we didn't bring anything to eat…” Lily commented and Mia gave her a sideways look. Lily wasn't one to make comments without having something on her mind.

“Yes, a pity. But if you're really hungry, we can go back, Lily.”

"No!" Lily said and waved her hand dismissively. “What I mean is… Maybe you and the Grand Duke could handle this. I'll stay in the park with Edwina and… the Marquis wouldn't mind, I believe.”

In fact, Lily was quite unhappy with the Marquis' presence, after all, she wanted Mia and Radna to be alone, but she couldn't just send the other noble away.

"Oh, I can accompany Miss Mia Chapman." The Marquis said, smiling, excited at the idea of ​​going alone in the carriage with Mia. Radna noticed it and glared at him.

"I can go with Miss Mia, no problem." The Grand Duke said and took Mia's hand, kissing it. "It would be an honor."

She immediately blushed.

"Ah… well…" She stuttered and looked at Lily. “Are you sure you want a picnic? Can't we leave that for another day?"

“Oh, Mia!” Lily complained. “We are in a season of few days of clear skies like today, and without being absurdly hot. It would be terrible to miss that opportunity.”

"Miss Lily, I am willing to comply with your wishes." Radna smiled and Lily understood that he wanted to serve her so he accepted the suggestion. But the Marquis, no.

"But I came especially to visit Miss Mia Chapman... I'm the one who should accompany her!" He complained, not taking the affront anymore.

“Is the Marquis implying that I am being inconvenient?” Radna asked, looking deeply at Ewald. The Grand Duke's different eyes made the Marquis very uncomfortable.

“No, by all means, of course not, Your Grace!” Ewald answered nervously. "I just... I wish I could spend more time in Miss Chapman's presence." He was looking at Mia, his eyes gleaming.

She swallowed hard. She hated being used by men to try to buy Lily's affections. And there she was, in the middle of the fight between Radna and Ewald for that very purpose.

“If you prefer, I can go alone. Edwina will keep Lily company. And we can also see another group of people. That way there won't be any problems.”

"I said I'll go with you, Miss Chapman." Radna said and his gaze was too deep. Mia felt slightly dizzy with such intensity.

"Then it's settled!" Lily said, smiling. She turned to the Marquis. "I'm sure the Marquis will take good care of Edwina and me until you two get back."

"Yes, sure. It will be an honor." Ewald said and then, he puffed out his chest. "I promise, Miss Chapman, your sister will be safe and sound by my side." He was looking at Mia.

"Oh, thank you, My Lord."

As soon as Lily, Edwina - who was beside the coachman - and the Marquis were outside the carriage, it turned around to return to the Chapman residence.

The uncomfortable silence within that tiny space made Mia very uneasy.

“If you prefer, my dear, we can stop by my Palace. I'm sure we have a variety of refreshments. And I can also ask the cook to prepare whatever Miss Lily likes best.”

Mia looked at him and Radna had to hold his breath. They turned into a street, and at that turn, the sunlight bouncing off Mia's back gave her an angelic aura.

It is said that a demon, if he interacts too much with an angel, will end up falling in love with them. Radna clenched his hand.

“Oh… I'm sure we have what Lily likes in our abode, Your Grace. There is no need for us to take too long. I don't want to leave Lily alone with the Marquis for too long, even though Edwina is close by.”

"The Marquis is inconvenient, but he won't cause your sister any trouble." He said.

“And how can you be so sure? Just like you, Your Grace, he was trying to please Lily. But while you are trying to do her bidding, he is trying to get close to me.”

Radna frowned.

“Do you think the Marquis of Graiko is seeking to ingratiate himself with Lily through you? And that's why he wants to be around you so badly?”

Mia looked at him as if that was the most logical and plausible assumption.

"But of course! Men hardly talk to me just for the sake of talking. They don't visit me. Unless they want to use me as a ladder to get to Lily.”

She looked out of the carriage and Radna watched her. She really thought that. Mia Chapman had no idea how beautiful and desirable she was.

"And why do you think they're after her and not you?"

She turned to him frowning and chuckled.

“Why, please, Grand Duke! I'm already twenty-five! I'm no longer a candidate to be courted. And when I was young, I was too busy working on my causes and I didn't have enough money to be seen as a proper wife. I was never an option.”

He approached Mia and cupped her chin. She looked at him, startled.

“What…what are you doing?”

“I'm looking for faults in you to make you feel so unattractive and undesirable as a wife to other men. But I can't see anything wrong. Not with you.” He released her slowly and leaned back on the seat upholstery. “The problem, therefore, can only be with others.”

Mia felt the air catch in her throat and her heart pounded.

Badum-Badum.

Before she could say anything, the carriage lurched and Mia was thrown forward. She closed her eyes, hoping to hurt herself, but no impact other than something holding her around the waist happened.