—Rosethorne Estate, front entrance—
As soon as we get closer to the entrance.
From a far distance, Kel seems to be waiting for our arrival outside the mansion.
I stepped out the carriage, and Rey offered his hand as I go down the stairs.
I take it gracefully.
...Almost tripping anyway.
"Welcome home lady Velora!" Kel bows quickly.
Rey suddenly leans closer, placing his finger over his lips, whispering.
"You better keep this a secret to our oldest brother and father, that we suspect the High Priest." Rey's sharp gaze pierce through me, a sudden chill went down my spine.
'Wait why does it suddenly sound like he's very serious that he'll actually kill him if he actually found something.'
'Siscon is actually terrifying.'
a cold sweat run down my spine as realization kicks in.
'What would he think of me, an imposter when he founds out the truth that his sister turns out the be possessed by an old man?'
—Velora's Room—
'I keep forgetting that based from what I heard, Reynard Rosethorne, the 2nd son of the late duchess is part of King Alric Lysanthir's Knight Order 2nd Division, The Sapphires,'
'On the day of his 15th birthday he was able to control his water element ability fully well and instantly get a contract after several days which is why he was able to join the knights not only because he's the son of the duke.'
'He became the 2nd command in that Divison and from what Kel said to me, he was kick out on the 1st Divison cause he tried to kill his fellow knight.'
'He's known as the ruthless knight—,
the Red Tide.'
'I've heard about the Red Tide but I never knew he was the villainess older brother, he's an extra that was barely in a part of the story.'
'From what I remember, he was showcase during the time that he's stopping the villainess from following duke Caelrion, the ML. And that's all of it, it felt like he never looked for her again.'
"Hmm."
'Why're the villains in this story so mysterious?'
"This is annoying me." I let out a sigh.
"What's annoying you?"
Lady Elie pops out of nowhere, with her dandelion colored hair how can I forget.
"!!!"
On an instant, my soul left my body.
"AHH! Why do you always barge in, in Lady Velora's room?!" Kel shouts
"Ehh, Vel is my favorite cousin, she wouldn't mind, beside I'm a girl." Lady Elie says proudly.
'But... I'm a man.'
"I heard you guys went out with your red-headed brother." Lady Elie smiles, waiting for a reply.
"Yes, we did."
Lady Elie's expressions brightens up.
"You're really talking!!!" Elie starts to hug me tightly, rubbing cheeks to cheeks.
'This is my first time in contract with the opposite gender up close.' My face flush red.
"Aww she's blushing." as Lady Elie continuously to rub my cheeks with both of her hands.
"Lady Elie—,
please refrain from rubbing Lady Velora's cheeks or I'll tell Young Master Rey."
Erisa says in a serious tone while glaring at Lady Elie.
Lady Elie leans closer to me and hugs me on the side, she puff her lips out and pouts.
"Ehhh, you're no fun Erisa. Just because you get to hang out with Lady Elie more than me."
"It is my duty as one of Lady Velora's personal maid."
Erisa stares at Lady Elie and Lady Elie stares back.
'I want to be alone.' crying emoji.
Lady Elie left and says her goodbyes.
'We'll meet to play tomorrow she says.' I let out a sigh as I wave goodbye.
—Next day, Outside the Mansion, near the garden—
Lady Elie walks ahead while I follow behind, making our way through the garden.
Lady Elie halts to touch a flower.
"Vel, I heard you were liking the flowers recently."
'Eh? Did Velora despise it?'
"From now on, I'll tell the maids to fill your vase with bouquet, since my family has way more flowers!"
Lady Elie's eyes beaming with excitement and clenches both of her hands.
Lady Elie suddenly grabs my hand and leads me.
"Come on let's go play."
The air is light, the scent of flowers drifting gently as the leaves sway above us.
Lady Elie starts asking me to play different games.
"Let's do hide and seek!"
I press my forehead against the tree, covering my eyes and count to ten.
I start to look for lady Elie but found her hiding around the hedges.
"Found you."
"I'm running! If you can't tag me you're it." Lady Elie runs, giggling.
"Run…?"
I remove my heels, and hoard my skirt up.
"Eh—" Lady Elie looks behind and sees me getting closer.
"Ehh!?" in shock
I won.
"Unfair, that isn't lady-like!"
"Who decided that, anyway?"
"ah." Lady Elie halt.
She ask for another round and I agree.
While running I found a caterpillar at the rear end of the stick.
I start to pick it up and Lady Elie curiously runs back.
"What's tha— HIIIK!!" Lady Elie went pale.
She recoils instantly, stepping back in horror.
"W-What is that—?!"
I smirk and slowly inch closer to Lady Elie while I'm holding the stick.
"Noooo!" Lady Elie runs fast.
We start to play different games like, rock, paper scissors,
Chess but I'm not good at it so I've been defeated.
"Checkmate." Lady Elie smirks as she make a move.
I fall to my knees, punching the ground in frustration.
'AAAA I lost again!'
We play around in the garden some more, till Lady Elie gives up cause she can't win in terms of running.
Lady Elie asks for another round of hide and seek.
"Blehhh!" I stick my tongue out, making a face.
Lady Elie suddenly gets annoyed, slipping off her heels, lifting her skirt without a second thought.
'She's finally gaining up on me!'
"Ah—Lady Elie, didn't you just say that wasn't very lady-like?"
"I am temporarily adjusting to the situation—,
besides who decided that anyway?"
I can't help but smirk in that sentence.
The sun starts to sets in, I wasn't able to realize the day finally ends after that.
—Next day, Velora's room—
"Vel!" Lady Elie barge in my room on an instant.
That scared me, I thought she meant let's play once not every—
—Next day, In the garden—
"Vel!!" Lady Elie waves her hand in excitement.
Every—...
—Next day, night time—
'Every—... day'
"I'm tired." I lay down on my bed
"Did you have fun?" Erisa asks while fixing my wardrobe.
I burried my face under the pillow.
"Noo... I'm too tired...."
Erisa scoffs lightly, letting out a small giggle.
"That's the first time, I heard Lady Velora complain."
'Did I not sound very Lady Velora?'
I sit upright in a cross-legged position.
"Hey, Erisa, Um... Do I sound very different?" I scratch my cheek, my eyes darting around nervously as I avoid eye contact.
"Different? Hmm, I think more cheerful, If I get to choose which version I like—,
I'll say both but this version of you now is the best since we get to finally see you act like a child."
"Seeing you smile, Lady Velora ease us more."
I gently smile.
'Erisa's words eases me but the lingering feeling that this isn't my body never fades.' As I look at Lady Velora's slender hands, I tighten my hands.
I smirk with confidence.
'This is a celebration, a success that I blend well.'
—Knock, knock, knock—
"Lady Velora, It's Kel."
"Come in."
"I have a letter for you, it seems to be from a count's daughter."
'Letter?'
"Did you made friends when you gone out, My lady?"
Kel hands me the letter.
I open the letter on the spot to see whom it may be.
"It seems they want me to join a Tea party? Three days from now..."
"How nice, Lady Velora." Erisa smiles gently
"Wah that's a first." Kel clasp her hands.
'I don't know who this person is? and was never mentioned in the story?'
"S-should I accept it?"
"You can, Lady Velora! We'll help you get ready by that time!" Kel beams in excitement.
"You can take your time, Lady Velora since its 3 days from now."
"For now, rest, Lady Velora, so you may grow into a refined lady."
—5 days later—
I wake up, take a stretch.
—knock, knock, knock—
"My Lady are you awake now?"
"Yes."
Erisa comes in with food tray in her hand.
"Let's get you to eat."
"I think I'm ready to accept the Tea party from the count."
"Eh, but you rejected it Lady Velora?"
"What?" My brows pulling together as confusion settles in.
"It's already been 3 days, so its already too late."
"3 days?"
"Yes My lady, you declined it 5 days ago."
My eyes widen in confusion.