Chapter 5

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕸𝖊𝖘𝖘𝖆𝖌𝖊 𝖎𝖓 𝖆 𝕭𝖔𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

I grew closer to Henry after that night. The sun has set, and there is a clear shine for tomorrow.

I sighed, shaking my head. I should be prepared for my classes shortly, but I couldn't help but remember that night.

I moved my mouth, and the clear glass let me see that it felt like my mirror. With a shrug, I got up from my chair. Before I left, I looked at my tea.

My lips clicked once more.

I made it sound like a song and then laughed at my voice, saying, "Better to finish what Anna brewed." I needed five seconds to empty up my glass and an additional five seconds to shut the door. I check the clock, and there are still four minutes until Sir Feldin's class begins.

Sir Feldin said in a deep, low voice, "You look like someone has chased you, Lady Vestia," which made me straighten my stance.

Shaking my head, I went to where I always sit. I sighed, even though Sir Feldin's eyebrows furrowed and his gaze sharpened.

"Well, I took a turn because a certain cat needed some help earlier"

"What? A cat? I believed there were none in the Duchy."

"Sir Feldin, maybe it's a lost cat. It's okay; the cat is already home."

"If the lady says so," Sir Feldin remarked.

But then why do I sense a nagging doubt? My mouth dropped open as I peered towards the library entrance.

I tried to close my eyes and shook my head.

"Is there any problem, Lady Vestia?" When Sir Feldin asked, I gave the elderly man my whole attention.

"N-No, sir. I believe that dealing with the history of the empire now would be too much." I stumbled, "I-I guess, finding out more about my household would be fine."

When Sir Feldin turned to face the door, he saw that it was ajar. He approached it, pulled it slightly further to let in some light, and shut it. Did he catch on? I questioned.

Sir Feldin went on with his lesson while I took notes. "Okay, I guess learning more about the oath, from your family to the imperial household, would suffice for now," he said. At other times, I would sigh as I took a quick look at the door.

A deep, recognizable voice said, "So you're taking lessons now," coming from behind me. I took two steps back after turning around. I gave the young boy a scowl.

"You should have sent me a letter for your visit, Henry." I stared at him and slapped the book from my hands to his chest.

Even though the blow would injure him, he remained where he was. I didn't move from where I was standing. Still, this little child laughed.

"It would have been a formal friendship if I had done that, Vestia"

I questioned, "Formal friendship?"

"You don't have to know that since I don't like discussing things with ladies, especially you," he replied. I thought my query would frustrate him, but instead of moving away, he drew in closer.

"What are you---"

"Silly, I visited you without a letter because of my mother."

"..."

"She requested that I surprise you with this," he said, passing me a basket containing a lemon-flavored green tea.

He turned away and looked elsewhere. "My mother asked about your favorite tea from the Duchess, and she said about this," he remarked. He scratched the back of his neck with his hand. The more I studied him, the more his blue eyes gleamed and his raven hair glistened.

Grinning, I grasped his hand.

"I guess you've waited long enough for me to finish my lesson, so let me compensate you for that."

He laughed and said, "You sure are a hardworking young lady," and I laughed too.

My nose was assaulted by a blend of cold air and a rose scent. We had entered the garden when I turned to look around. The surroundings were bathed in sunlight, and when the leaves fluttered in the breeze, they formed silhouettes that let a few little rays of light through.

I gave him a few minutes so I could tell the maids to get ready for our tea in the garden. Upon my return, I was unable to locate him, so I strolled around the area.

I spotted him leaning with his arms crossed and staring at the small lake next to the enormous tree—the silver tree I had discussed with him earlier that evening.

I kept my eyes fixed on his and did not move. I noticed that he is a reserved individual. His eyes shimmered with reflection as he fixed them on the little lake. He bowed slightly and picked up a tiny flower that had appeared next to the tree.

When he opened his eyes, I was staring back at him from where he had placed the flower next to his nose. He then grinned. My heart started to beat more quickly as I felt heat seep into my cheeks. I shook my head, turning away from him.

"Do you plan to gaze at me the entire time?" I understand that he was being ridiculous, but he wouldn't stop making fun of me. His expression indicated that he wanted me to gaze at him more, so I could tell he enjoyed doing it.

"Well, you have strong guts there, Henry."

My eyes widened when he said, "It takes one to know one, Vestia."

I exhaled. I simply shake my head since there's no way I can win against this person.

When I turned to look, the maidservants had already completed their task. Henry is moving far too quickly for me to see, so I want to gaze back at him this time without observing him.

I didn't realize what he just did until he was right in front of me. He touched my ears with the flower he had earlier plucked. I gave him a look, and he moved away, seeming content.

"A young lady should fit a flower on your ears more often; it would look good on you."

I rolled my eyes and said, "You're such a tease, Henry," and he laughed once again.

I now regret my previous assumption that he was simply a quiet person. I took his hand and walked him away from the table, shaking my head.

When he laughed again, I took hold of his chair and let him handle the rest.

He held it for me as I moved to mine and prepared to sit.

"Vestia, you should be aware of certain manners that men observe," he leaned in and murmured in my ear. With his warm breath, my body froze in an instant, yet I still managed to glare at him.

Grinning, he held up both of his hands.

"Are you making fun of me, Henry?" I quipped

But he started to seem serious.

"Do I look like I want to tease you, Vestia?" He leaned in and placed both of his hands on the grips of my chair, but still, he was smiling.

"Don't you think you're being close, Henry?"

It should seem insulting for him to say, "I just like to see how you tease yourself, Vestia; plus, you are too cute not to notice," but why do I feel like I just received praise?

"Don't worry, you shouldn't hurt me because I'm your friend, right? However, it takes a lot of maturity for a six-year-old girl to catch up to a ten-year-old."

Then our unexpected argument started.

It only ended when I was able to collect myself, and Anna and the others served the tea. For some reason, he appeared even more happy when my narrowing gaze met his.

Yes, what exactly is the issue with this young boy? Although I may only appear to be six years old, my mind has already developed beyond his comprehension, and I have no intention of disclosing this to him.

He finally spoke after some time, and by then, he had already become serious. He ceased to smile.

Placing the tea he had been drinking on the table, he entwined his hands. I could even make out how he crossed his legs.

"Did the tea taste better?"

Is that it, I wonder? I exhaled. His words almost made me choke.

"Naturally, I would be happy if you informed the Duchess. Thank you for the tea; I really appreciate it. It tastes better than you could possibly describe as well."

With a nod, he turned to face the tree.

"You know, I used to detest this flavor," he blurted out of nowhere. My brows furrowed.

"Do you? Why not?"

"It's a long story but I guess it wasn't time for that now."

"Then, at the very least, you should tell me when you started liking it." Now that I have his attention, he is staring at me. I could see how some glistening jewels surrounded his eyes as the shadows of the leaves danced across them.

He looked back to the tree and added, "Until now, but don't ask any more questions; just finish up your tea," but I could still see the reddening of his cheeks.

I moved over to him and put both of my hands on his cheeks, making the identical gestures that he had made at me that evening. He had a normal body temperature, which I could see when I touched our foreheads. As I suspected, I suppose the only reason he feels warm is the sun.

But as soon as I released him, I noticed that his cheeks became redder and his eyes grew wider. His eyes showed signs of fear, and his eyebrows furrowed.

"What is happening to you, Henry?"

***

Author-nim: edited ^-^ Please forgive my grammar as English is not my first language. ^-^