03
1116 Words
The wind blew softly among the grass' blades and the flower's petals. The atmosphere within us contrasted the warmth of our surroundings.
I gritted my teeth as I watched these people fiercely. Did they think that this is some kind of a joke?
"What do you mean?" I asked.
Lady Hunle's eyes shone bright when she saw how I reacted. She feigned a cough and then worriedly held the lady on her left.
"What are you saying? That's a false accusation! He's not a traitor… at the least, it's not yet proven," she exaggeratedly said with the final words spoken in a whisper but we can still hear it. It seemed like she was scolding the lady but the underlying meaning with those words, not one of us here doesn't know.
When I heard those words, my heart jolted once. Like what she said, a traitor and a rebel, even without pieces of evidence, these title alone can arouse suspicions. Now, these suspects are being bound by marriage. Isn't this rising the suspicious some more?!
What was the crown thinking!
"Maybe you're right, I guess that makes us a perfect match," I flashed her a smile which made her face broke out from her superfluous smile.
I was not raised to become a piece of dirt that anybody can just step on.
My gaze ran back to that sunset-eyed boy only to find him staring back at me. These group of people did not come here to welcome me and that was pretty obvious. But why is this lad hanging out with this group when clearly they don't have kind intentions.
Lady Hunle who noticed that my eyes were locked on the boy she called Aqwin immediately seized this as a chance to set the fire that I just burned out.
"Did Aqwin catch your attention? Too bad he's not going to be free for too long," she spoke softly.
"You see," she said as she walked towards me. "People like you…" she leaned and whispered on my ear, "do you know where they end up?" her voice carried hints of a smile.
She backed off and gave me a mocking gaze. She was about to speak again when I stepped forward.
"I do missy, I just don't know where the likes of you go," and before she can even retaliate I stepped back and called Milin.
"Is this how noble's act in this place? Even dogs from my island has better etiquette than them," I raised my brows as I watched two of the ladies turn red.
"How dare you!"
"I already did."
Lady Hunle's face blanked when she heard my response. I smiled more.
"I guess the rumor of unparalleled intelligence amongst the capital's nobles is all but a rumor after all."
I turned to Milin to ask him to bring me to the break room. Speaking with these types of people would only waste my saliva. But before I could even speak, I heard low footsteps behind me.
This man, he deliberately made a sound for me to know he's coming.
"Grandpa!" I turned to call him.
The group also noticed him coming. They bowed elegantly to show their respect towards the elderly.
I wonder what kind of storm their mind was brewing when they have to bow down towards someone they look down to.
Without even knowing it, the corners of my lips raised as I watch them struggle as they force themselves to bow.
"Grand!" I frowned when he flicked my forehead.
"I told you to behave. What are you doing?" My grandpa said in a whisper.
I just turned my head away and kept silent. Arguing with him in front of these people would only worsen my face and besides, we have plenty of time to talk.
Grandpa faced the respectful youngsters. I stood at his back and waited for whatever action he would be doing.
To my surprise, he only nodded at the bowed youngsters and asked Milin to fetch us a carriage.
He did not even bother to let the children stand up!
My mouth almost went agape when grandpa turned to me and winked. It almost took me my entire strength to stop the corners of my mouth from lifting.
I can see the ladies hands trembling. From the pain of keeping the posture or from the pent up anger of humiliation. Either way, this simple thing paid the price of mocking me.
"Child of Aqwin?" My happy thoughts were kicked away when grandpa suddenly mentioned a certain surname.
I looked at the position where he was formerly only to find him standing and staring right through grandfather.
Grandpa locked eyes with him for a few seconds then he suddenly gave a satisfied nod.
"Grand?" I can't help but call him out. The gazes the two of them exchanged is something I can't just overlook.
"Let's go, Rin," he answered instead.
"My apologies young ones, this noble one would be leaving first," I curtsied after him and followed him to leave.
My heart was filled with questions, especially when he gave a final glance towards that fiance before we left.
When we were properly seated at the carriage, my itching tongue can no longer be stopped.
"What was that grand?"
"Do you know who that Aqwin was?"
"Do you know that he's my fiance?"
"What was with those gazes?"
"Is it true that he's a tr–," the endless questioning was suddenly cut off.
"These things are better spoken in private," grandpa spoke all of a sudden.
"How about a cup of tea, my darling Nesrin," he proposed.
I exhaled deeply and despite of my inner turmoils of doubting wether the tea might contain poison or not, I received the presented cup.
The words grandpa said and the cup of tea he offered was meant to calm me down. Or more like a warning.
In this new world, emotions should be kept.
"... it's for your survival."
So they say. From birth, I was trained to control it but I just can't help but to let it slip from time to time. Especially, at that situation. Secrets. I really hate being kept in the dark.
"I'll tell once we arrive at the residence," grandpa spoke after he noticed that I've calm down.
All I could do was to nod lightly. My eyes focused on the scenery by the window that would reveal itself everytime the curtain would move from the bumps of the stoned path the carriage was driving on.
We've just arrived and I'm already this annoyed.
This unveiled place is getting too mysterious. And I'm not liking it. Not one bit.
- Writer
