THE FOUR LADIES,arrived at Angurban royal palace .. soon they entered the banquet hall where all aristocrats of erendille’s high society were gathered in talking,laughing and drinking.
diana passed by a few nobles with a trail of her floral perfume leaving its heavenly scent behind and politely murmuring greetings . soon nobles gathered around her,ellen and Freya to greet and talk in different topics .
DIANA’S POV!
Despite how used I’m to this,I couldn’t help but feel nervous from everyone circulating around me .. mostly asking about iz or requesting a favor from my uncle..even more nuisance MARRIAGE PROPOSALS!
ruby stood back a little,she was familiar to this atmosphere..it wasn’t any different from romana .
RUBY’S POV!
for some reason,I’m reminded of the banquets in romana. at these events I along with my father’s mistress Julia were fawned over by opportunistic people who were eager to win the favor of my father and brothers,i was glorified as an object of envy to those ignorant of my plight.
her eyes gazed towards the trio,taking only a step closer but she couldn’t help but feel out of place.
RUBY’S POV!
anyway standing next to these willowy ladies makes me feel like a small child…at least Diana is near my height i don’t quite feel left out.
” Hello lady rudbeckia,is his holiness doing well?”the sound of a polite noble man spoke.
” Oh my is she … ” .
” Sir iske’s wife “.
” the Pope’s daughter “.
” Is there anything I could assist his holiness with? “the same nobleman asked.
” When did cardinal Valentino say he would be visiting erendille? “a noble lady asked with an eager smile.
” these people.. “Diana mumbled softly as she stood next to ruby and held her shoulder.
DIANA’S POV!
they’re overwhelming her,only seeking any kind of favors from his holiness..annoying .
” Why that son of a .. “Ellen grumbled with a cold glare as her expression dropped to an annoyed one .
” E-ellen!? “Diana mumbled as her eyes widened in disbelief .
RUBY’S POV!
D-did Ellen just say that!? .. even Diana is shocked from her elder cousin.
” Oh iz! “Freya said with a cheerful smile and voice while waving,imaginary flowers floating around her .
” Oh .. that’s iz over there “diana said softly as iske glanced towards them .
already turning around when ruby waved towards him,diana blinked before rubbing her forehead gently..this behavior!?
” Honestly men!lady rudbeckia,why don’t you go over there and give him an earful? “Freya suggested with a playful annoyed expression .
” Why bother,when it’ll go in one ear and straight out the other “Ellen said softly as she looked at Freya .
” Maybe if it’s hi- ruby? “Diana was about to say something but stopped midway when she saw ruby making her way towards iske.
DIANA’S POV!
EH!?! is she really going over there!?
Freya and Ellen were silent as they were fixating their eyes on the current situation,even Ivan was silent .
” I’m so happy to see you again!how do you manage to take my breath away?you’re so mesmerizing ! “ruby said with a shining smile,holding her hands together as if she was praying. she was like a beautiful angel talking to a devil.
” You certainly seem tactless and undignified “iske said calmly as he turned his head away once more after giving ruby a glare.
DIANA’S POV!
if I were you..i would melt on the spot,should i step in?i will step in.
” Is that a way to respond to your wife complimenting you?iz you need romance lessons “Diana said softly as her stiletto clicked gently while walking towards them.
No reply from iske as he just stared down at his younger cousin,diana blinked softly as she folded her arms with a soft pout.
” I’m talking to you!? “she said softly.
” Hm,I heard nothing “he said calmly before looking ahead of him.
” WHY YOU – “Diana was about to shout before getting elegantly pulled away by Ellen who grabbed her arm .
RUBY’S POV!
Look at these three cousins,it seems that diana is used to this behavior from iske.
” Oh .. I apologize for interrupting your conversation,when I saw you I couldn’t myself – “ruby was cut off by iske’s calm yet cold voice cutting through her words like a sword .
” Need I remind you that you vowed not be a nuisance “he said calmly.
” Y-you remembered!so you were listening to me after all! “Ruby said with a cheerful voice, imaginary hearts floating around her .
” Ha? “Iske,who was confused of her behavior only looked at her .
” Thank you i will keep your reminder close to my heart!from now on i will simply watch you from afar “she said softly,turning around to walk away still with a smile on her beautiful angel-like face.
But suddenly isle’s gloved hand reached out and grasped ruby’s shoulder causing her to stop in her tracks when he yanked her closer to him.
” What did you say?you’ll simply do what? “he asked coldly,his expression cold almost seemingly angry . But he wasn’t angry .
” Th-that I’ll watch you from afar I’ll be careful not to disturb you!you won’t even know I’m there “ruby replied,her smile dropping to a startled and confused expression.
” Do you have a death wish? “he asked.
” N-no i don’t – “ruby replied quickly while shaking her head,her face got pale and her blue eyes widened at this skin crawling question.
DIANA’S POV!
couldn’t he simply word it better?..my favorite cousin I cannot keep correcting you.
” Iz,word your statements a little..nicer “Diana said with an awkward smile,trying not to press his nerves . he wasn’t even angry to begin with but ruby still isn’t used to his behavior.
” If not,why would you such a thing? “Iske asked,giving ruby’s shoulder a squeeze and ruby tried maintaining a smile.
” B-because that’s the only way I can see you without troubling you “she replied gently,looking up at him with a nervous expression.
RUBY’S POV!
wait did he take that to mean i was planning on assassinating him?he can’t be serious!
Iske said nothing else but only sighed as he closed his eyes,that’s when diana decided to speak..her melodious voice adding a relieving symphony to this tensed atmosphere.
” ruby iz isn’t trying to scare you,it’s just that he’s concerned “she said softly,smiling towards ruby.
” she’s right,ahm lady rudbeckia i understand your sentiments but what you’re suggesting is highly dangerous “ivan stepped in after clearing his voice,standing next to diana.
” Pardon? “ruby asked gently,very confused about this.
” Well…iz isn’t mistaking you for an assassin ruby “diana said softly.
” of course,iske is not so careless and inept that he would mistaken you for an assassin “ivan began explaining as he nodded towards Diana who gestured for him to continue the explanation.
” However as the north is notably perilous us paladins are inherently different from other knights,when we chase after demonic monsters by tracking down their demonic aura we raise our sword energy and divine power to the maximum level should you happen to be nearby when that happens,we would be unable to differentiate you from a monster and end up attacking you as well “Ivan explained calmly. noticably ruby’s eyes widened after hearing this.
RUBY’S POV!
Oh right!when a paladin’s sword energy and divine power reach their peak,they enter a state of hyperactivity .. but..I had no intention of following him anywhere unsafe either!!
” Oh .. I almost made a big mistake,im sorry I didn’t know any better since I’m from the south “ruby replied with a nervous smile,sweat drops upon her cheek .
” oh please don’t say that you’re still trying to learn everything slowly “diana said quickly as she smiled at her,she didn’t want ruby to feel embarrassed or anything.
DIANA’S POV!
i know iz didn’t suspect ruby for an assassin,he was just worried about her however he’s not doing a great job in communicating with her .. she still knows nothing of his personality and my words to reassure her won’t be enough to actually reassure her ,he needs to fix his expressions .
” Lady Diana is right!please don’t say that,it’s not common knowledge for those outside the north right,iske? “Ivan immediately jumped into the conversation seemingly panicking since he didn’t want ruby to feel embarrassed either.
” say something!? “diana whispered to iske as she nudged his arm gently before looking beside her when hearing the click of Ellen’s heel.
” Don’t mind me I’ll make sure not to put you in a difficult position “ruby said softly before going quiet when Ellen and Freya approached.
” You should have notified us sooner if your plans changed “Ellen said softly while looking at her elder brother.
” I agree!you could have stopped by the castle be more appreciative that beautiful ladies like us were willing to wait for you “Freya said softly,playful as usual as she winked towards iske and lightly tapped his arm with her fan.
DIANA’S POV!
the usual behavior of Freya towards iske,I assume he got used to such tappings by her fan .
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