Libratum Vitae: Balanced Life

Chapter 4: Let's Play this Marriage Game!

~Inside the bathroom~

I was getting changed when suddenly Ami spoke.

"They really are good friends, aren't they?" she stated.

"They are. That's why I love them. Even though they can be bit crazy sometimes" I said while giggling.

We started talking in my head when I suddenly remembered that Marmog is also watching me change clothes. Although I know they are genderless, I can still see them as someone with a gender because of their appearances.

"I can change into a girl if ya want too" Marmog suddenly spoke. Knowing full well what I had thought.

"No it's fine. You guys have been with me since birth. So there's no use being all embarrassed now" I explained while grinning.

"Oh yeah I have a question. Since you are genderless, what should I call you? There are some people I know who are sensitive to what their pronouns are" I asked and explained.

"You can call us whatever you may please. Even though we are just your guardians, thank you for being considerate" Ami and Marmog was pleased on what I had said to them.

After a few while, I was done putting on my dress and accessories. I came out looking all ready and all prettied up. Once I went out, my 2 friends were ready to take my pictures.

"Whoo whoo~~ It's the royal highness!" Hannah proclaimed.

"You look like you belong in the royal court. A royalty or princess!" Eric exclaimed.

They were hyping me up and teasing me and that got me all embarrassed since I am not used to wear pretty clothes.

"Ok enough teasing her. Come sit here dear. Let's fix your hair and put on a little make-up" my mother stated.

Then I sat at the chair in front of this huge vanity mirror. She then started combing my hair and styled it in an "Undone Braided Updo". It was the kind of hairstyle that was elegant and can be done in any occasions. She then put on a simple make-up to me since she wanted me to look natural. And then finally, she put on my diamond earrings for the final touch.

I looked myself in the mirror and for the first time I actually felt pretty.

Me and my 2 friends took a picture with each other and they once again posted it in social media and was bragging how they get to spend in a high rated hotel. And while we were just talking with one another, mother pulled out something from her purse.

"Clara come here. I have to give you something first" she called out to me.

I then came to her and we both seated at the couch. As we sat down, she showed me a little red velvet box that would seem like a ring box. She then gave it to me and ask me to open it. As I open it, I was astonished how gorgeous and shiny the ring is. The design of the ring was simple but there was something about it that captivated my eyes.

"This is for you. It is classified as a Red Beryl gemstone. Since you are now 18 and heading on to adulthood. I want you to have this" my mother said with such compassion and warmth.

"A Red Beryl!? Are you sure I can have this? This cost a fortune! Alexandrite card users can only access this kind of gem" I stated.

In this world, there are 3 kind of cards used by each citizens with rankings. The White card are used by middle classes, Black card are used by high classes and finally Alexandrite card are used by elite classes. These cards are still different from ID's. The ID's are your identification. It holds your basic information. It is used to enter premises. It can also be used for borrowing books from libraries. While the cards are for financial use, in short, it's used for spending.

"That ring is called 'Domino's Heart'. Take care of it" my mother said while giving me a smile.

"How did you get a hold of this? Though it is possible for us to buy this with the help of the nobles. This could serve as the family's emergency use" I proclaimed.

"Well, to tell you the truth. I did not buy it. It was given to me to give it to you. So in short, it is for you. All they asked was for you to take care" she explained.

"Huh? Who?" I asked all confused and interested.

"That's for me to know and you to find out. You'll soon find out about it" she said while smiling warmly.

I was thinking quite hard on who would give me such expensive gift. I am neither close to nobles nor especially royalties.

While I was thinking, my 2 friends came unto me and stared at the ring I have on my hand. They obviously would like to have a closer look.

"Want to take a look?" I sighed and giggled as I gave it to them. They were carefully holding the ring box and slowly examining it like they were professional gemologist. Their eyes sparkled bright like the shine of the stone.

"Ok it's time to go now Clara" my mother stated.

As it was already time, I got up from my seat and proceeded going to the door and put on my heels. I was holding the ring box and decided to put on the ring. As I putted on my ring, I felt something warm but at the same time cold chill that rushed through my back. I turned my back facing my mother and my friends smiling at me.

"Good luck Clara! Have a great time!" Hannah proclaimed.

"If they ever do something to you, don't hesitate to call us! I'll give them a good beating!" Eric exclaimed all jokingly.

I smiled back and proceeded going outside.

"Ok who wants to enjoy this hotel to the fullest while Clara is having her dates?" my mother said loudly as I can hear her outside.

"Me me! Yayyy!" Both Hannah and Eric exclaimed.

A few moments later I was already at the hotel's restaurant. It was breathtaking and extravagant. It has a high ceiling and has the view of the city buildings outside. If it was night time, it would even be more spectacular.

"Ms. Clara Frossard?" a young male staff came unto me and called my name.

"Yes? That is me" I replied.

"We are expecting you. If you would follow me. I will take you to the restaurants' private room" he said.

I then followed him to the so-called private room. As we arrived at the room, Mr. Mark Hernandez were already waiting inside. When he saw me, he stood up and greeted me.

"It's good to finally meet you, Ms. Clara" he said while reaching out his hand. I reached out my right hand as a respond. As he grabbed my hand, he slightly bowed as he was greeting a royalty. I was quite shocked at what he did because regarding our status, he is much more higher than me.

He then guided me to my seat and pulled out the chair for me to seat. He was quite the gentleman.

"Thank you" I said softly.

There was quite a few silence before we started talking.

"You don't have to be so nervous, dear. Just be yourself." he stated.

Then the staff knocked and came in with a tray of snacks. It has a 3 layered tray of biscuits, short cakes, and sandwiches. In a separate layered tray, there were various fruits to eat like strawberries, melons, blue and black berries. We were also made to choose what tea we would like to drink. There were black tea, oolong tea, and chamomile tea. I choose chamomile tea with honey. Mr. Hernandez chose oolong tea.

We started to eat our snacks while having a conversation. We had just talked about random topics such as academics, hobbies, interest and future plan.

"So Clara. You might not remember me but, we have actually met in this Spring Ball held at the castle last 10 years ago" he stated.

I was trying to recall where I saw him at the Spring Ball.

"My mother remarried 5 years ago. She married a famous artist that owns his own company to preserve and pursue other arts. So my last name is now different. I was once called Mark Domino" he explained.

I was having flashbacks when he mentioned his last name 'Domino'. Then it struck me. Realizing who he was.

"Big brother Mark? Mark Domino!" I shouted. He responded with a laugh.

"Now you remember. You're all grown up now Clara" he stated.

"I remember now. Back at the Spring Ball I tripped over my clothes and I spilled the duke's wine all over his clothes. Though the duke was not mad and was really kind to me asking if I was alright. I cried and run away because I was scared. And that's where you saw me. At the castle garden" I said while giggling a little.

"Yeah. I went to the garden to escape the adults. All of them just talking about the future and job opportunities. So much pressure for a 14 year old kid" he said while also giggling a little.

"I also remember you were all flustered to see a crying child. Not knowing what to do to cheer me up. It was quite an amusing sight. And because of you being flustered, it actually calmed me down" I said teasingly.

"Yes, I remember. You were also very small back then. It's good to see you all grown up into a fine lady. It's like seeing my little sister grow up" he said all lovingly.

"May I ask a question? What was the reason on why you had decided to be one of my suitors?" I asked.

"My mother had been asking me about marriage and continuing the family bloodline. I am already at the age of finding a family. My mother had been stressing and questioning herself what she did wrong in raising me. She is quite an emotional person. But still I love my mother and don't want her to worry. So when I saw that your family is finding you suitors, I thought I might as well try. Although that was just an excuse so that my mother won't worry for the mean time. I'm not interested in romantic relationships. What I want is for my business to flourish more." He explained calmly while sipping his oolong tea.

"That means you are just using me to escape." I said all dejected. Though I was only teasing.

"Now now that's not what I meant." He said while being flustered.

"I'm just teasing." I said while giggling at his blushing face. We both laughed it off like good memories like in the past.

"And another reason is because I want to see how my cute little sister-like is doing." He stated with a smile.

"You would sneak out of your house whenever you have the chance so that you could come and play with me. That's why your mother does not know me. She only met me one time when we returned inside the castle." He added.

"That's true. Although I have a feeling she already knew that. She just did not say anything. I think she knows who you are and she just let kept quite because she knew you were a good person." I stated.

"You are her only daughter of course she have her ways in knowing what you do without crossing the boundary. I would always feel the stares of your bodyguards you know. They always give me the death glare." He said while being bothered by what he said because he remembered those times and giving him the chills.

"Well after 4 months you had to go another town for your studies. But after that we haven't had contact until now. Well you did say that we might not see each other again in a long time." I said while slightly smiling.

"That's right. It's quite sad that you had forgotten me though." He said in a sad voice teasingly.

"You were a skinny little 14 year old back then with a different last name. Who would had thought you would look like a refined handsome man." I explained.

"Well then, cheers to our reunion." He stated.

We let out slight laugh and continued our conversation with random topics.

The remaining time, we went out in the restaurants balcony to have some fresh air. I then sated at the swing chair located at the balcony. As I sated down, Mark suddenly pushed it a little hard. He continued pushing it while both of us laughing because it reminded us to our childhood were we used to play at the swings at our neighborhood. Though it might look inappropriate because the design of the swing was not build for that purpose and we were wearing our formal attire. It did not bother us because we were having fun.

A few minutes later, our time was up.

"Well, the time was short but I had a lot of fun. Thank you for understanding my situation and for not getting mad." He said nervously.

"No problem big brother Mark. It is ok to call you big brother, right?" I asked.

"No problem at all." He replied while patting my head like he used to.

He escorted me to the next location for my meet up of another suitor. While walking, I talked to Ami in head.

"Ami. Marmog. You there?" I asked.

"Yes. We are here." They replied.

"Was he telling the truth about the whole conversation for not wanting to get married and just wanting his mother to stop worrying? And that he just wanted to check up on me? I believe him but we can never be too sure" I asked.

"Your whole conversation earlier is nothing but the truth and honesty. Though his inner conscience was really annoying~ like super!" Marmog stated.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"He was really doting on you. He kept on repeatedly saying how cute you are. Or how you have grown into a fine lady. And how he wished you to be happy. The most intense part is how he would beat up any guy that would harm you. It was quite annoying, but at the same time quite cute and satisfying." Ami explained while giving a big sigh.

"It was super annoying how he repeatedly said those. Even his guardians was quite annoyed by it! HAHAHA. Well at least you have another person who you could rely on." Marmog said while laughing.

"Thank you for being straight forward." I said while giving off a slight smile.

"1 down 4 to go." I thought to myself.