Chapter 5: Ichor is fatal for mortals

"A tea party?!"

I gawked at my maid and she nodded. I'd called her to ask her to prepare for a carriage but what's this I'm hearing? I have to go to a tea party? How could I!

"Yes, my lady. Lord Caeles' page is here to announce that he will be arriving soon. The servants of the estate have begun preparations to receive the lord."

Oh, that would explain all the sudden noise. The house has never been so livel-

"What did you say?"

Who... is coming...?

"Lord Caeles is on his way, my lady."

I almost slipped off my seat with the shock.

No, think, think, why would one of the male leads suddenly be coming to the villainess' house?

No, this wouldn't be mentioned in the novel anyway because there still are a few years left for the book to begin!

But really! All the memories I've regained with Caeles are so unpleasant. He and Nora consider each other Enemy #1!

When Caeles was young, he was a grumpy and quiet kid who lived stuck to his older brother Cassian's side like a shadow. As the sons of the great Duke, the people that approached them were always two-faced; they'd sweet talk them upfront but badmouth them as soon as they were with other nobles; complaining about having to suck up to children.

Unlike his outgoing and gentle brother, Caeles didn't have many chances to meet and befriend other kids his age, but he didn't think much of the loneliness as he had Cassian. However; one day, a girl pushed her way in between them and began to stick to his brother's side, just like him.

Of course that didn't end well...

"He's my brother!"

"Cassian is mine!"

He found her annoying and they always fought, leaving poor Cassian to smoothen things out and clear the mess. Nora and Caeles' fights often went overboard and they did many cruel tricks and pranks on each other; they've even pulled each other's' hair out!

His enemy relationship with Nora totally reminds me of a kid I often fought with in my past life. There wasn't a day we got along with each other and it was so toxic.

I shuddered at the memory. Caeles, who spent such sweet moments with the heroine... I didn't know you had such a past with the villainess...

But why would he willingly come to Nora's house-

My hands flew to my face in horror as the realization hit me.

No way...!

Is he coming to fight me?!

He... isn't going to kill me... is he?

No way, he wouldn't... but...

The image of Caeles with his bloody sword materialized in my mind.

When he was a gloomy little kid, everything changed the day his father gifted him a wooden sword. His dull eyes came to life as he felt the blood pump within his veins with excitement. Although too young, he begged his father and began formal sword fighting lessons and the quiet boy was no more; a new, fiery and outbound Caeles was born.

Leave it to the male lead to transform completely as soon as a sword comes in hand...

When the book begins, he will claim the role of the youngest and most proficient sword-master in the empire; skills that are unachievable; a boy untouchable with a sword in his hand. The legendary Commander of the Knights of Sorin.

With the immense power of his fire strands, Caeles will be capable of burning down nations -and he does, for the sake of heroine- and he will become a leader soldiers will refuse to go to war without. With someone like this... I held back my sorrowful tears and the urge to bite my fist... why do I have such a relationship...?!

...Let's not get carried away. He wouldn't be here to kill me; he's the male lead and I'm still and important side character, even though I've chosen to deviate. Maybe I should try to smooth out our relationship while he's here?

The maids entered to dress me and I nervously stood up, itching my arm.

Let's see what the male lead wants.

When Caeles arrived, I was led down the stairs by excited maids.

They even dressed me so happily today... I grumbled to myself. Well, even I would be excited to see Caeles, if all I had to do was see him.

And what's with this reception? When was my house this sparkly? Everyone is even lining up outside the door to welcome him!

I realized this didn't happen with Cassian as he had come with no prior notice on that day.

"Lord Caeles' carriages have arrived!" a steward announced with a booming voice that seemed to echo throughout the house, making me wince. These guys really have no respect for me as the lady of the house, huh? I held back my glare as I passed him walking towards the entrance, my maids in tow, as if they were the most loyal of Lady Eleonora's servants.

But what's this about carriages? Did he come with an army or something?

The door opened of an exquisite carriage, decorated with intricate designs and the emblem of the Arcturus House, and a man stepped out.

My breath hitched. Not a word from him but the excited murmur of the servants around me died down as we all watched Caeles come into the sunlight and glow.

What colour do gods bleed?

A memory of me reading a Greek Mythology book as a child suddenly came to mind. It had told me that it was ichor; the golden blood flowing through the veins of gods and...

I wasn't prepared to see something this beautiful.

Every time I see the main leads, this thought repeats in my head like a chorus: this isn't my world.

Because the person standing in front of me looked so unreal, with hair that glistened like pure gold in the sunlight, it made me wonder, if someone painted a picture using the blood of gods...

Would the Caeles standing in front of me be the result?

His sharp eyes focused on me and his expressionless face twitched as he began to walk towards me.

Gosh, even his grimace is breath-taking...

Wait, how do I greet him? How does Nora treat him? Should I curtsy or ignore him or what?! ...woah, damn...

His hair waved with every step he took and looked like it was literally glowing in the sunlight. Did fairies weave sunlight itself into silk to create these strands?

Ah, right, my greeting... to think about it, he knows that I have amnesia so it's fine, right? Maybe I should-

The servants around me bowed and caught in a sudden panic, I too quickly bent to a clumsy curtsy.

I noticed him freeze a few steps away and looked up to see him looking at me with surprised wide eyes. The servants were still bowing and only we two stood, for some reason staring at each other.

Ah, his face really is the work of art... sharp features, clear skin, pink lips and a jawline that could cut-

"...the fuck?" but why do I hear something so dirty come out of his pretty lips?

I blinked in surprise at the contrast and he narrowed his eyes dangerously at me.

He took a few steps with his long legs and his aura made me feel like I was watching a predator walking towards his prey. Ah, t-there's his sword!

I held my urge to run back.

It's fucking pretty and all but I'm really terrified right now!

"Are you mocking me?" he sneered at me. Wait a minute! Just what did I do wrong now? Was it the curtsy? Alright, it makes sense now that I think of it, Nora wouldn't ever bow her head to him!

He took my silence as confirmation and leaned back with a satisfied smile. "That's good then." he continued, pushing back his hair in one smooth motion, and damn, that forehead-

"I heard you lost your memories but seeing your insolence, you remember me after all. I don't have to act like some gentleman, then." No, what are you saying! Please act like a gentleman!

I opened my mouth to reply but the words that came out of my lips surprised me even further.

"As if Caeles is capable of acting like a gentleman."

I blinked. What the fuck did I say just now? I heard sharp intakes of breath from the servants around me.

Nora... does your body have default reactions for the male leads? The words had come out so naturally, I was doubting how much control I had over my body. Only Caeles stood unbothered by my words. No, he actually looked overjoyed instead; he was smirking at me.

"Father and brother told me to get along with you today but..."

"Just the thought of acting kind to a madwoman like you makes me feel I'd rather run off to war." He spoke cold words with the smile of an ethereal god and holding back tears, I cursed the author for making me a madwoman in the eyes of such a handsome and fearsome man.

I bit my cheek and glanced around. Being talked to like this in front of the servants is off-putting. Actually, remembering Nora's past with him, it was foolish to think I could ever smoothen out this relationship. He's just standing in front of me but I can feel his hate for me from here.

At least he's not hiding the fact that he hates me; there are no mixed feelings at all, unlike with Cassian. His openness was one of the reasons why I'd loved his character in the book so much. He was always direct and full of passion; it tickled my dull heart to see someone who felt so intensely and was courageous.

But to think I'd be on the receiving end of those intense feelings... I can't even laugh.

I sighed. If this is what it's come to... I guess I know how Nora treats Caeles.

I held my chin up and crossed my arms. This haughty pose felt so natural in Nora's body.

"Get along with you? What a joke."

"We finally agree on something!" Caeles grinned, and then at last gestured to the servants,

"Raise."

With his one word, everyone stood up straight at once, eyes still lowered with respect. At seeing these people's behaviour, I held back the swirls of awe and discomfort in my chest and clenched my fists.

Look how two-faced...

Something caught my eye behind them; servants from Caeles' house were carrying a huge box out of a carriage, and I turned back to him.

"What brings you here?" I asked him. He'd mentioned something about the duke a minute ago.

But instead of replying, he walked past me into the house, as if I was a fly he was ignoring.

I grit my teeth and glared at his back, opening my mouth to call him when,

"I'll be waiting in the drawing room. Try to get ready fast, will you?"

What? Get ready?

I tilted my head in confusion and rushed after him. "What do you mean?"

He looked at me like I was stupid and we passed the servants that were holding the doors open for us.

"For the damn tea party. Father sent you a dress, and Cassian also got you a present." Gifts? So that's what the boxes were... but why is this guy walking around my house like he owns it? We had now reached the drawing room and Caeles plopped onto a couch.

My eyes glanced over his outfit; I was so distracted by his face but now I see even his clothes were over-the-top handsome. On his white shirt, he wore a blue brocade vest that was embroidered with gold designs. On his chest was a gold lapel chained pin with a gorgeous tanzanite on it; it matched his eyes.

Purple eyes were a symbol of the Arcturus bloodline; Cassian's sparkled like amethysts while Caeles was a bit bluer, like tanzanite. The sight was such a spectacle to me.

With his elbow on the armrest, he put his fingers to his temple; looking like a painting of a monarch resting on his throne.

The arrogant second son of the Duke.

The words of the novel floated to my mind at the perfect image in front of me.

His eyes met mine and my breath hitched at suddenly being the focus of attention of such an intimidating character.

He stared at me before finally speaking,

"Do you think I'll wait forever?"

Wow, my sweet Caeles... what a cold voice! Is he always going to be this harsh to me? Give me back the moments I spent loving you while reading the book!

I pushed back my feelings about Caeles' betrayal and asked him the question that's been plaguing me this entire time.

"I don't even know what you're here for. What do you want me to do?"

"...You're really acting stupid. Are you not going to the tea party?" I could see him getting more impatient by the second but I just shrugged.

"I didn't know about it. But that still doesn't explain why you're here?"

We all knew Caeles wouldn't be caught dead personally taking me anywhere, let alone a tea party-

"I'm here to take you to the tea party." Say what, now?

I looked at him in shock and he grimaced, turning away.

"Father got wind of you being ill so he sent me to look out for you today." He clenched his jaw. "Brother was busy, as well..." rubbing the back of his neck, he groaned in irritation. "Fuck, this is annoying. Truly, you were born to burden me," he glowered at me with scorn and I replied with a scowl of my own.

"It's not like I want to go. Especially with you. I don't even remember who, what or anything about today's party-"

"Whatever," he snapped, making me shut my mouth. "Just go prepare already. I'll brief you in on the way. Brother also called a dressmaker to take your measurements for the other party, so do that as well." He barked orders at me and after considering my situation, I turned around with a glare.

"Stupid bossy jerk!" I muttered, loud enough for him to hear and satisfyingly heard him growl in anger as I stomped out.

So there's an important tea party today and I have to go with one of the male leads that I'm trying so desperately to avoid... No, just why are these brothers troubling me when I've already decided to get out of their hair?

But, still, to think I have to be treated like that by my sweet Caeles... it's too unfair!

"To think they actually came to the estate to take her measurements! As expected of the Arcturus House!"

What are they blathering about now?

On the way to my room, I overheard the maids squealing about the dressmakers. Apparently they were a favourite amongst royal families and very hard to book.

The excitement of having a dress made from such a shop bubbled in me and faded just as quickly.

So wait... does that mean they're expensive? I stood holding my palm to my forehead with worry. This situation I'm familiar with... the male lead books out a whole designer store for the heroine and buys her whatever she wants while she feels burdened but happy.

To think it's happening to me... but I couldn't feel more worried. Because I don't know how much money I have and I can be pretty sure Caeles isn't gonna pay a penny for my dress, because although he's the male lead, I am not the female lead.

What do I do...? Should I run back and-

"Lady Eleonora!" a maid came running towards me and I jumped in shock at the sight. Gosh, that surprised me.

"Lady Eleonora, they're waiting for you! Please come with me!" with that she turned around and scurried off, before I could get a word out.

I followed her and was led to a room full of people and gorgeous gowns. At my arrival, the strangers quietened and gave me polite bows as greetings. One of them who looked like he was the head of the group approached me with a smile.

"Lady Eleonora, we are here from Flower Maiden and have been called for the honour of dressing the lady. If you will, please step that way and we will have your measurements taken, after which you can pick designs of your fancy from our catalogue."

This is all going by very fast! I literally have no idea how the payment is going to be done...!

"Y-yes, but about the payment..." I stammered, knowing I looked really pathetic as the daughter of a marquess. Although else what can I do when my already limited budget is thoroughly enjoyed by my servants and cliché evil stepmother instead?

"Oh, that has been taken care of by the Arcturus House, Lady Eleonora," the man assured me with a polite smile and I resisted the urge to do a fist pump of joy.

Yes! Free designer dress!

My anxiety forgotten, I grinned and followed the women to get my measurements taken, praising the male leads for their very male lead-ish behaviour. The opportunity has presented itself, so I'm obviously going to take advantage!

After that, I picked out designs I liked and truly fell in love with some of the fabrics they had brought for me to choose from, trying to ignore the fact that most of them were purple.

Damn that Nora, everyone really knows all about her mania. It's so embarrassing.

After we were done, I remembered Caeles was waiting for me. I stood up and turned towards the people from Flower Maiden with a polite smile to thank them and bid goodbye when,

"Lady Eleonora, if you'd allow us, we'd like to prepare you for the tea party," the head, Rence said, surprising me. "The duke has entrusted us with dressing you today as well as the upcoming masquerade." He gestured to some workers and the opened the box I'd seen them carry out of the carriage.

In it was a gorgeous amethyst empire waist silk chiffon dress with puffy Juliet sleeves and a lovely sash that had flowers embroidered on it.

I gasped when I saw it and the dressmakers smiled proudly. "It's a gift to the lady from the Duke of Aldebaran."

What...? It's so bloody gorgeous! But why...?

I thought to myself about why the Duke would go so far as to gift me something so expensive and a memory came to me of the book.

The Duke wanted the daughter of the Marquess of Ilaria to marry into the Arcturus House for the political benefits... He didn't like his son hanging out with the commoner heroine so in the book he often pushed Cassian to do things with Nora, like escorting her and buying her gifts; this was the little trump card Nora had over heroine and often served to make her jealous.

I held back a bitter sigh and continued admiring the dress when another worker opened up a smaller box to reveal a breath-taking lace hand-fan; it had purple flowers embroidered on it and at the handle hung a glittering teardrop amethyst.

I thought I had seen enough purple today to last me a couple of years but this really is so...

"Pretty..." my murmur made the worker smile and she gently pushed the box towards me.

"This is Lady Eleonora's gift from Lord Cassian. It perfectly fits most of the outfits in the lady's wardrobe."

"Lord Cassian picked well..." another worker nodded with approval.

"How dreamy..."

The dressmakers around me burst into romantic sighs and glanced at me mischievously, making me feel uncomfortable and blush. I looked away, my brows furrowing in thought.

Honestly... no wonder... with how they spoil Nora even for just the sake of appearances, no wonder Nora couldn't get enough of this feeling. No wonder she just kept falling deeper for Cassian.

The hidden glares on the faces of my terrible servants served me with a good amount of satisfaction and I wanted to smirk at them and show off the special treatment I'm receiving from Cassian.

But I shook my head and told myself to forget this feeling. If I take anymore sips from this grail, I will end up poisoned.