CHAPTER FOUR
Lady Beatrice is known for being head over heels to the young heir of Duke Aland, which is unfortunately him. It is said that the moment she laid her eyes unto him, she instantly fell in love with him.
It has been two years since he met the lady in a tea party held in the Marquess Croix's Estate. Zeke is at the same age with the young heir of Marquess Croix, Ronald, and one year older to the daughter, Lady Beatrice. The marchioness, Sarah Vanella Croix, has passed away due to a weak heart condition. This context undeniably helped him to relate with the siblings as her mother was also died long ago.
At first, he was captivated by the lady's eyes, it gave off a feeling of mystery. She has dark blue-sky eyes color, which also compliments to her silvery hair. Further, he had never seen anyone with white as snow as her skin. Being the daughter of Marquess, her well known etiquette also never missed….,
but it seems that first impression never last for her.
Now, just a mere thought of Lady Beatrice is enough for his face to be darkened and prepared to visit hell. The Lady's angelic appearance is far from the evil lurking inside of her.
And because of the lady, Zeke will never forget the first tea party at the Marquess that he regretfully attended.
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“ It is an honor to have you here, Young Heir of Duke Aland. ”, Greeted with a bow by the Marquess to Zeke.
“It is my pleasure. Marquess Ron Claude Croix. Thank you for your invitation. ”
“I should be the one, Your Highness, to be grateful. Thank you. ”, And he bowed again, and lifted his head to continue conversing to him, “ Ah, you might find it strange that I was the one greeting you, Your Highness, for this tea party. As you may know, it is hosted by my beautiful daughter. ”
“…”
“As a father, I would just like to guide and make my Beatrice comfortable for this is her first time handling an event. She is still at a very young age. It is just my Beatrice wanted to have more friends with the same age. ” , humbly explained by the Marquess.
"That is why we are delightful to receive your acceptance in attending this event."
“It is alright, Marquess Croix. I also would like to know and befriend with my fellow nobles, same age as I am also. ”
"Then, allow me to guide you at the place of the party."
“Thank you.”,
Zeke, then, followed the Marquess.
By way of Marquess to allow this petty request of his daughter to host a tea party at this young age, which was not a usual event for young girls to handle. But It really seems that Marquess Croix was the real busy body behind all the preparations of this event which only proves, how much the Marquess loves and cares his daughter, Lady Beatrice. “ Interesting”
As we exited the Marquess Palace through the back glassy door, a wide beautiful garden appeared in my view. There is a lot of beautiful pink roses and white roses that it did compliment the tea party of the young lady. At the end of the road of the field of roses, you will be able to see a narrowed water stream that has a golden bridge. A bridge that connects the garden to a small stunning and gorgeous kiosk that has the same design with the greenhouse of the kingdom palace, which it looks a small version of it. The only difference is no plants inside, but four (4) benches forming a square and at the middle, a circle white table.
“Beatrice, my daughter”, called by the Marquess to his daughter.
“Yes, father.”, Answered by the young lady. The young lady went close to her father and turned her gaze to Zeke.
It was noticeably that the dark blue eyes sparkled at the moment it met his gazed.
“Beatrice, this is the young heir of Duke Aland. Please introduce yourself properly. ” , by introduction of the Marquess.
“I am very honored, Young Heir of Duke Aland, for having you here at my first tea party. I am Beatrice Delavine Croix, the young daughter of Marquess Croix. ”,
As she gracefully curtsied and bowed.
"It is also my pleasure to meet you, Lady Beatrice.", He replied with a languid smile.
"Then, Beatrice, please guide Your Highness, to your tea party.", Said by Marquess to Lady Beatrice.
“Yes, Father. I will. ” , replied by the lady with a bright smile on her face.
Unlike the proper tea party hosted by fully pledge adults, the tea party of Lady Beatrice has still filled with silly and childish atmosphere in it. The young nobles both male and female seem to have their own world. Small groups were created. Overall, you can still see that the young nobles enjoyed and were joyful by their own way in the tea party.
As the two walked inside the party, the young noble ladies immediately noticed the presence of Zeke. After all, the reason why they went to attend this event was due of the latter. The news of the young heir of Duke accepted the invitation of Lady Croix's tea party immediately spread in the ears of all nobles. As to why, all nobles sent their young daughters and sons to the party for the opportunity to be close or became a friend of Zeke.
As they continued in the middle of the tea party, all the young nobles one by one greeted Zeke.
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"Sir Zeke?" , called by Lady Beatrice.
"Yes, Lady Beatrice?"
“Is it alright if I called you, Zeke. I know for a fact what is the importance of ranks to us, nobles, and we are still at the stage of studying our obligations in the society, but as you may not know, the reason why I eagerly hosted this party is to have more friends. And if you do not find it quite well or that I am crossing the line to much, I would like to ask you… can you be my friend? ”
"By all means, Lady Beatrice." , he shortly replied.
“Thank you, Zeke. I am really happy on your positive response. ” , she exclaimed and clasped both his hands together. Zeke stunned by the sudden acts of the lady.
Then a voice called from Zeke's back, "Beatrice."
Lady Beatrice, then, peeked from his back to see who was calling her.
"Brother." , answered by Lady Beatrice with still ecstatic liveliness, and she, then, let go of Zeke's hand.
"I am sorry that I came late as I just sneaked out from my study, so I am sorry lil 'sister if I need to go immediately.", Apologetically said by his brother Ronald.
“It is alright, Brother. Don't be upset. And Zeke is here too to make me happy in this tea party of mine. ”
“Zeke? Who is— “, he asked unknowingly, but as he recognized the boy in front of him. “I am sorry for not being able to greet you as soon as I see you, Young heir of Duke Aland. My name is Ronald Augustus Croix, the son of Marquess Croix. ” , he immediately greeted with composure.
“It is alright. Sir Ronald. I am glad that I was able to meet the next successor of the Marquess. ”
“Thank you. I am honored. But then, I would like to apologize again, as I need to leave now. I just really want to show my support to my lil 'sister. ” , he replied to both of us.
“Is that really so, brother? That being said, it's really heartwarming. Thank you, Brother. ”
“Yes, lil 'sister. And I am glad that it appears that everything is okay here. ”, Ronald said as he looked around the party. “It is a proof that you are brightly growing my lil's sister. It is just with a broken heart that I have to leave you immediately here. ”
"It is alright." , she said and by hand, reached the cheek of his brother.
"Then, I'll be leaving."
“Yes, Brother. Goodluck on your study. ”
When Ronald left us, Zeke spoke again to Lady Beatrice, "Lady Beatrice."
"Yes, Zeke.", Then, she turned her gazed to Zeke.
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Next: Chapter Five