Chapter 6
1618 Words
(Esmeray POV)
"My lady!!!!!!!" a shout came as a figure ran to me. Her eyes were swollen and she was crying. "I was so worried! Why did you run away!?"
Cassy grabbed my hand as she continued to cry. The three guards who were sent to protect me also looked worried. They were panting and sweating and I couldn’t help but feel guilty.
"I am sorry. I wanted to do some things and-" I paused as I couldn’t say anything else. It was a secret and my head is not at all coming up with a plan to cover up my lie. "Let's go home"
As we walked to my carriage, I turned around and looked in the direction between the two big trees. The man who is now my spy was smiling and waving at me. It was then that I realized something.
"I didn’t ask for his name" I muttered as Cassy looked at me.
"What?" she asked as I shook my head.
"Nothing"
Once I entered the carriage, I, once again, looked in the same direction but this time the mystery man was not there.
In about half an hour, we were back home and I fell on the bed without even changing as I felt really tired. But my break didn’t last long.
Cassy walked into the room within half an hour.
"My lady, you have a guest."
"Guest?"
"Yes"
I frowned and sat up with a sigh. "Who is it?"
"Sir Ethan"
I froze at her words. Ethan is here? Why is he here?"
"Shall we dress?" she asked as I nodded my head. She prepared my dress as I went for a quick shower.
Well, who am I kidding? I took my time getting ready. Cassy was trying to fast up the process but I still made it lag.
I was already not interested in meeting him.
Let him wait.
But when I reached the tea room I couldn’t help but laugh.
Who am I kidding? I was giving the cheater and his b***h more time to hang out.
"Lady Esmeray" my mate smiled and stood up before walking to me. He took my hand and kissed the top of my knuckles with a huge smile.
How can a man's smile look so sincere when everything was a complete lie? He led me to my sofa but after settling me down, he decided to go sit opposite, next to my sister.
I chuckled internally.
"I thought you were busy today."
"My duty is over so I came to see how you are doing."
I looked at my sister and then at my ex. Both of them were on the same sofa chilling. Now that I think about it, it was always like that. In my previous life, I didn’t think much as I thought he was being a great brother, but my god, how foolish can I be?
I sat there silent as the maids prepared tea for me. I didn’t show any emotions as I took a sip. I could feel the stare from both of them but I didn’t mind them.
"Esme, are you OK?" Ethan asked as I looked at him.
"I am fine. Thank you for asking". I smiled at him.
That's right. Don’t show any disgust or hurt you are feeling. They don’t even deserve to see it.
"Are you sure?"
I raised one eyebrow at him and put my teacup down. "Well, I am tired from visiting the town earlier."
"I-" Ethan stopped midway, taken off guard by what I was saying.
"What are you saying, sister?! Show some respect"
"Respect?" I let out a short laugh as both of them glanced at each other. "My dear sister, if you had some respect, you wouldn’t be sitting here in between listening to us talking."
"Esme! She is younger than you!"
"By 3 minutes!" I shouted back, but then took a deep breath and sat back down. "She is mature enough to know what she is doing is wrong. As couples, we must have our own privacy, even if it’s a younger sister. I am sure Elinor is smart enough to know common ethics."
I could see how red my sister's face went. I couldn’t smile internally, feeling satisfied by it. Ethan also looked strained but he didn’t utter a word. He knew he couldn’t.
It was like this in my life in the past. Elinor was always in between us whenever we had a family talk. Every single excuse for being with her was 'She is younger than you'. At that time, I thought he was right. I thought we should give her time, but now? Now I just want to punch their faces.
But for now, their constipated faces are enough to give me a satisfied sleep.
"I am sorry, sister. I didn’t realize you would think like that" she started to sniffle, making me roll my eyes.
"Eli, Esme only means good for you. It's ok. Don’t cry"
I scrunched my face at the scene in front of me. I am so glad I have resisting power because, as of now, I wanted nothing more than to throw the table, curse the living s**t out of them and walk out.
"It's ok. I will go out" she said with a sympathetic face and stood up. I could even see the sympathy on the maid's face.
The b***h really knew how to act helplessly.
I kept a neutral face as she walked out of the room. What's more frustrating?
My dear fiancé decided to walk her out. When he came back, he didn’t look happy.
Pfft, hilarious.
He sat down opposite me and glared. But I didn’t act like I cared as I stared back at him. A few minutes later he sighed and sat back, running his hand through his hair.
"What happened to you? You have changed."
I know. I changed because of you both.
"I don’t think so."
"You-" he looked frustrated. "It's OK. I have been gone for a long time. Maybe you felt a bit distant from me. How about we going out on a date tomorrow?"
"I am busy"
"I am sure you will be able to put your work away and spend the evening with me"
"I am sorry, but it is an unavoidable business."
It's not like I lied. I have to go with the mystery man and help him find her a present. It's unavoidable, since that is more important than a date with this bastard.
He stared at me for a few more minutes and I looked away feeling annoyed.
God, even knowing that I am breathing the same air as this man annoys me.
"Is there a reason you are staring, Sir Ethan?"
"You are calling me that again. Sir Ethan"
"I don’t think anything is wrong with that. We are not committed."
"That is exactly what I came to talk to you about. You rejected my proposal yesterday."
Of course, I did. I didn’t want to be trapped in your hand.
I will never accept your proposal.
But rejection cannot be rejected publically unless there is a reason. So I have to wait for the perfect opportunity to taint both of them and then publically reject him.
"I didn’t reject it" I replied, trying to act innocent.
"You ran away."
"I thought you already knew the reason, since you also confirmed the news that I was sick."
The man in front of me ticked his tongue at my response.
"OK alright," he raised both his hands as if surrendering. "Your father talked to me before allowing you to meet me. He said you wanted some time since the engagement was so soon. I understand. I was away for too long. That was why I suggested a date. So you get to know the gentleman I am."
I wanted to laugh out loud at the word he used to describe himself.
Gentleman? Having that word close to his name makes me want to puke.
"I told you I am busy."
"Alright," he sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, we are invited to go to the birthday ball of the first princess. It's already a known fact that we will both go"
I looked up at him.
Of course, the grant ball the king set up for the first princess of the kingdom. How can I forget?
In my previous life, I was beyond happy to receive the dress he had gifted me. We had matched like a beautiful couple but everything went down the drain when I saw my sister also wearing a dress that matched my date. Even better than mine.
What's worse? During the middle of the ball, I came to know that he, himself, had brought my sister that dress.
It was heartbreaking for me and I felt ashamed when high society had downgraded me. Rumors had spread that my sister was my lover's favorite. But the man comforted me by saying Elinor was alone and he was only doing the part of being a good brother.
Brother my ass. If only I had not been a fool. If only I had known sooner that they were f*****g behind me.
Ah, no use thinking about that. Now everything is different. I know what is going on and I am no longer that naïve girl they think they can mess with.
"I will be waiting for the day", I smiled at him.
But this time it won't be like before. This time I will shine brighter than you and your side b***h. This time you will be the one who will be looking down embarrassed and I will make sure that will happen.
- Writer
