Seducing the Conqueror

017: What is He Doing Here

“MISSUS CALLISTA from the House of Agir!”

Everyone’s eyes fell on the black haired lady entering the party. Her demeanor is overpowering that no one can take their eyes off of her. Her beauty is not at the top of the chart but her seductive aura has caught everyone’s attention. Envious eyes shoot like arrows in all directions from all the ladies invited in the party, but the backs of their handsome dates blocked their death stares as these gentlemen race to have the first conversation with this alluring maiden.

In just a few moments, Candice was surrounded by nobles and generals --- with their dates standing stupidly behind their backs. Candice looked around to see the whereabouts of her target. But every young man in the party has already been in front of her --- except for the lone wolf at the corner of the chocolate stand, Hugo Aubert.

“Apologies, my lady. I didn’t know the House of Agir has a beautiful maiden. If I have known, I would’ve sent you an invitation to all of my parties. The head of your family must be a very secretive man.”

Candice recognized the young man in front of her. With his curly dark brown hair, chiseled jawline and forest eyes, he is undoubtedly the only son of the House of Freese. His father is one of the strongest general of the Black Conqueror.

“Forgive my father’s negligence, my lord. He is just too busy with his silk business that he seldom forgets his daughter still exists,” Candice said in jest.

“Nonsense! What man can ever forget such beauty? He might just doesn’t want you to be shared by the world. You are just too precious to him,” another young man said. He has several medals hanging on his chest, indicating how many awards have been bestown to him by the royal family.

The remaining gentlemen debated with each other while trying to flatter and earn her affection.

Amidst the chaos, some noble ladies spoke quite loudly to seek everyone’s attention.

“I haven’t heard the name of Agir. Is her house really got invited to this prestigious party?” A woman in a floral dress discussed with her circle of friends as they sip into their glasses of champagne.

“I also have my doubts. She may be a beauty but who knows, she might be just a fille de joie [1] who sneaked into this party.”

“Celeste!”

The girl named Celeste just rolled her eyes at the guy who scolded her.

“Forgive my sister’s impertinence, my lady. She’s young and easily gets jealous. Please do not be offended by what she said,” the young gentleman said as he bowed and apologize to Candice.

Candice smiled, “Do not fret, my lord.None was taken and I must thank your sister for considering me a beauty.”

Celeste’s face turned red, fuming with anger and irritation to this lady who captured her brother’s affection in just a few seconds.

Candice turned to the group of girls. “I cannot blame these beautiful ladies for trying to keep this party safe from intruders. I am a new face afterall.”

The ladies exchanged gazes with each other. They were puzzled by Candice’s action and were wary to what she will say next.

“This party serves as our entrance to high society. Because of the good grace of the Queen, I represent the whole House of Agir for today’s tea party.”

At the mention of the queen, the faces of the blabbering ladies turned pale. Earning the queen’s favor is something most of them could just ever dream of. She was known to be graceful yet with a steel heart.

The heir of the House of Freese once again tried to converse with Candice.

“Lady Callista, since you’ve mentioned you represent your house, may I presume you came alone?”

“Unfortunately, that is true, my lord. My father was honored to stay at work to finish the Queen’s orders of silk,” Candice replied.

“If that is so, may I have the honor to be your date in this party?”

Candice’s gaze turned to the open-mouthed girl behind the gentleman. She presumes that this lady was Lord Freese’s date for today but he openly declares his intention to Callista.

The young lord of the Freese family followed Candice’s gaze and chuckled.

“My childhood friend won’t mind it. I was not his main target afterall.”

Candice knew that this young lord is just oblivious to his friend’s feelings but she doesn’t care about it. This young lord seems to be a blabbermouth. He will be useful for the operation.

“It was an honor to be your date. However, my father asked me to say my gratitude to the host and accompany him as much as possible,” Candice said in a hushed voice.

The young lord chuckled as he understood her circumstances. The House of Freese is nothing in comparison to the might of the kingdom’s conqueror.

“Well, until the Conqueror arrives, may I have the honor to be accompanied by this young businesslady?”

Candice smiled and took the lord’s arm. “With pleasure.”

Lord Freese was kind enough to introduce Callista to everyone in the party. He was well-acquainted with them since his father served as a general for a few good years now and these families were having private parties together --- even though the Conqueror never attends any of them.

“Will the Black Conqueror really attend today’s party?” one lady asked.

Candice and a couple of nobles were drinking their champagne near the chocolate stand. Candice was on the lookout for about two hours now but the Conqueror has not been sighted yet.

“He will come. The king ordered him to,” one of the generals affirmed.

“Haha, he might just be having some difficulty in finding a date,” Lord Freese jest but no one dared laugh at his joke. Everyone knows well not to mess with the rudest conqueror in the history of Belmoure. Only this shameless young lord dared mock him in his absence.

“If he ever did find a girl who would go with him, she might be as barbaric as him. If not, who would dare walk side by side with him?-…”

“I do,” Candice said, interrupting the young lord. “I believe the Black Conqueror is a great man, don’t you think?”

Everyone cleared their thoat and avoided her gaze.

“O-of course you are right, Lady Callista. I-I was just kidding. No need to be all serious about what I said.” Lord Freese’s hands gone cold. Because of the long hours of waiting, he has forgotten his companion’s true date and may have offended the lady.

Candice smiled. “I think I might have drunk too much champagne. I’ll just get some air, if you’ll excuse me.”

Lord Freese immediately followed her but Candice stopped on her tracks.

“I am sorry my lady if I have offended you.”

Candice looked at this man. She wonders if she misjudged the lord. She thought he was a wise man because he is good with his words, but maybe he was just a tactless guy who doesn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.

Candice sighed and smiled. “I am not offended, my lord. I really just need some air. I’ll be back soon.”

“Let me escort you then,” Lord Freese offered.

“No need. I will return in a minute. For the meantime, can you do me a favor?” Candice leaned closer and whispered to his ears. “Please be on lookout if ever the Black Conqueror arrives. I wanted to be the first to approach him. Can you help me?”

Lord Freese laughed. He brushed his hair and looked at her. “You are cruel, Lady Callista. But I understand. I will call out your name if ever I saw him.”

Candice smiled and started to walk away.

Candice stood silently beside a hedge which indicates the boundaries of the party. A maid found her way to offer her more drinks.

“Lady Callista, do you want another glass of champagne?”

Candice sighed as she took the glass from her comrade, Delicias. She is playing the role of a maid serving drinks for the guests.

“Will the Conqueror show up?” Delicias asked as she took Candice’s empty glass.

 “The generals affirmed that he will. He was given a royal order to come to this party. He won’t dare disobey the king.” Candice took a sip from her glass while Delicias stood beside her.

“How are things on the other side?” Candice asked.

“There has been no movement for the past two hours. Everyone is still waiting for the commander’s signal.”

Candice looked at the forest where her soldiers are waiting to attack.

“I’m worried about Nina. This long wait might make her go ballistic!”

Candice chuckled. It might be possible knowing how impatient her young rebel is.

“She will be a good training for her,” Candice said and took another glimpse at the direction of her hidden comrades.

But then, she frowned as she noticed someone crouching under a tree, near where Nina was supposed to be hiding.

“Delicias, take this. I need to check on something.”

Not waiting for Delicias to answer, Candice frantically marched towards the tree.

Whoever you are, don’t you dare ruin our plans!

Candice’s footsteps became softer yet faster as she gets near the tree. The man is now trying to climb it. If he ever get high enough, he might get a sight of the rebels hiding behind the tall grasses and trees in the forest.

“What are you doing up there?” Candice said loudly but no trace of agitation.

The man climbing the tree halted and reached for the nest next to him. Candice saw him put a baby robin back to its nest. After that, he hurriedly climbed down.

“Sorry, my lady. I was just returning the fallen chick.”

Candice’s eyes widen as she saw the man in front of him.

Wasn’t he one of the new recruits? What is he doing here?

[1] Fille de joie is used euphemistically to refer to a prostitute (source: Google dictionary)

>>to be continued