Chapter 6: Please, sticking to trash like you will dirty this pretty dress of mine.

All dressed up, I walked down the stairs. I was feeling a little giddy about the fact that I too had a kind of Cinderella moment, although I didn't really change all that much. I feel pretty, though!

I carried myself more confidentially and my back was straighter than usual.

A servant opened the drawing room door for me and I expected Caeles to be there but it was empty; when I asked, the servant said that he'd already left.

I groaned in frustration, feeling anger showing its ugly face in me. Didn't that bastard say he'd brief me about the party on the way?

How am I going to a party without knowing anything? The fact that I have amnesia is being strictly kept between the Sollea and Arcturus Houses, so how the heck am I supposed to act now?

Maybe he'd meet me at the party instead? Should I still go or not?

I clenched my fist and walked out of the house; the carriage was still there but there was no sign of Caeles.

It was to be expected that I wouldn't walk down after my Cinderella moment and see Caeles make a nice face at me; I know who I am but the fact that not only was he not going to give a damn, he wasn't even here to see it... it's a little disappointing to have no one to react to me. I realized I have no one in this world that I wanted to share my happy moments with.

One of my maids stood by the carriage and I walked towards her.

"We must make haste, my lady. We are late." She said, helping me into the carriage but didn't get in.

"Where are you going?" I asked her and she pointed at the coachman.

"...I will be sitting there." With that she shut the door and I leaned back into my seat quietly, willing myself to not think about it; the fact that she'd rather sit out than be stuck in a carriage with me. Whatever.

So I spent the carriage ride looking out the window and trying not to get violently sick. I never realized how much the comfort levels between cars and carriages would differ.

My anxiety was also piling up and I was asking myself what I was doing and why I was going but I looked at the dress gifted to me and the people who worked hard to make me shine at my house and I thought I probably should take this risk. It's not like all of Nora's memories are gone; I still know how to act like a lady... I just wish I remembered names and faces, but maybe I could just wing it?

Suddenly the horses whinnied loudly and the carriage stumbled to a halt; I barely managed to stop my head from hitting the side.

The fuck!

The carriage door opened abruptly and I was looking into Caeles' angry jewel eyes with wide ones of my own.

He glared at me and handed the reins of his horse to a violet haired servant riding a horse of his own.

"Stealing a carriage of the Arcturus House and running off with it; what else should I expect of you?" He got in and sat opposite me. He loudly hit the wall and we were moving again.

"What are you blathering about now?" I asked with furrowed brows; what is he doing here?

"I told you to wait for me and here you are. You always just do whatever you want; it's fucking maddening."

What!

"You didn't tell me shit. I thought you'd left me behind!"

"I clearly told your servants! As if I'd sit in the drawing room that entire time."

I took in a breath as the realization hit me.

"Those fuckers..." I muttered under my breath. Caeles rolled his eyes at my words.

"You still treat the people who work for you like this? When will you learn-"

My eyes flashed at this and I snapped angrily "You don't know shit, Caeles, so shut your mouth."

My outburst angered him as well and he snarled at me, "Not even a minute has passed and I already want to tear your hair out!"

"Well, same here, bitch!"

We both glared furiously at each other before we finally looked away with heated sighs.

After a moment, I heard his voice again.

"Just tell me how much you remember. I'll fill you in."

I turned to him with surprised eyes. He's still going to help me?

He saw me looking and rubbed his face. "Father and brother gave me responsibility for you today. If you slip up or if anything happens, it's all on my head so you better be careful, or I'll choke you myself."

Look how harshly he talks, I grumbled, knowing that Nora was no less when it came to fights with him and now I'm the one who's supposed to go through it. These two really do hate each other after all. I sulked but began to talk about what I know, which was... nothing.

Caeles leaned back with a whistle. "I always thought that head of yours was empty, but it really is now."

I tch-ed with irritation at his jabs. "Trash leaks out every time you open those lips of yours."

"Well, a good thing for you is that no one likes you so you don't have to worry too much about conversation." Caeles smirked, more than happy to insult me. I grit my teeth and swore I'll get him back somehow.

No, I reminded myself. I'm an adult and he's just an annoying child.

Caeles and Nora were the same age so that makes him around 15 as well, although he already looks well over 17 due to his training and that arrogant stature.

In one ear and out the other, I instructed myself. I just won't let this boy get to me. So I smiled sweetly back at him, making him make a face of disgust. Annoying little fucker. Just watch, I'll show you my retail employee skills!

"Is that so? What a relief." I said with a professional smile. Well, it made sense that Nora was disliked, since she watched over Cassian like a hawk and anyone who approached him was ruthlessly attacked by her.

"What are you smiling about? You really do look air-headed," he grumbled, eyeing me wearily. I just smiled wider, knowing he hated it.

From today I've decided I'm too mature to keep fighting with a kid like you so, I don't care what you say anymore, sweet little second young master. I turned to my side and just stared out at the unfamiliar landscapes passing by. It was peaceful for about a minute and then...

"How suffocating!" I turned to see Caeles glowering at me.

"As I thought, I can't spend a whole ride in the same carriage as you." He suddenly opened the window and pushed his head out to say something to the coachman.

"I wanted to save this but screw that." Grumbling something, he popped out a gemstone from his bracelet and before I could ask him what he was doing, he threw it to the floor and everything went bright.

When I blinked my eyes open, the scenery outside had completely changed. We were now pulling into an estate with a humongous mansion.

I looked around in surprise and realized he'd used a teleportation bead; something I'd only read about in the book. This means...

"Magic!" I yelled in excitement. "That was magic?!"

I'd seen Risor's little elemental power before, but this sort of magic really makes me feel like I've stepped into Harry Potter!

Yer a wizard, Caeles! I resisted saying it out loud, lest he really figures me for a fool.

My reaction made him stare at me before he looked out the window and mumbled something like "I can't wait to get out of here..."

Sounds from outside distracted me from asking him to properly show his bracelet to me and I looked out to see a whole line of carriages. Seeing this, Caeles groaned.

"There's already so many people... this means if I don't escort you, father will hear."

Is that what you're worried about? Are you not seeing all this traffic? I'm going to be stuck here with you forever...

But instead of stopping, our carriage kept going; I realized people were making way for us as if we were an ambulance and we were led to an open side path. VIP entrance?

I looked back at the indifferent Caeles with awe and thought, as expected of a male's lead's house...

We made it to the entrance of the mansion in no time and Caeles hopped off, turning around to lend me a hand.

"I didn't realize you even knew how to escort a woman," I mumbled to him with a fake smile as I got down, thinking that his hand was warm for a second before he dropped it. He replied with a plastered smile of his own,

"If you don't shut up, I'll tell brother Cassian about how you kept letting out inhumane gasses in the carriage."

It made me gasp with horror. "You wouldn't! What a child!" That really was such a childish threat that I was shocked for a second.

Caeles just snorted in reply turned around to stride ahead. "I won't be holding onto you, so just walk properly."

"You haven't told me anything about this party," feeling my anxiety return, I hissed at him as we approached a giant flower arch leading to the garden where the tea party was taking place.

"Oh right," he said casually as the servants we passed bowed to us. In front of us, a man was escorting a woman; they handed cards to the presenter who then promptly announced their entrance in a booming voice. We were a complete contrast to their intimate conduct as we were far from touching each other. My arm felt a cold wind at the thought of the eyes that will be on me.

"It's a tea party in name only; in truth, Marquess Daesyn managed to hunt a Phrixios so he has his wife arrange a party to show it off. That's all there is to it," Caeles shrugged and I raised my eyebrows.

"Do you think that helps at all- "

But before I could finish, we had entered the arch and our names were announced, surprising me because we hadn't even passed any cards.

"Lord Caeles Arcturus of Aldebaran and Lady Eleonora Sollea of Ilaria."

And just like that, all eyes were on us. I gulped as we stood in silence for a moment before Caeles began to walk again.

"That's Lady Coralee, and Lady Isadora beside her," Caeles whispered to me as we moved further, subtly pointing with his chin. "Your relationship is especially worse with them so it'd be best if you don't create any drama today. It's a headache for me to have to deal with you."

As we walked towards the lady of the house, Caeles named a few women for me and warned me to stay the hell away from pretty much everyone.

I was just surprised that he was actually helping me out; though of course, it was only due to his father's orders. He's an obedient son, I thought.

"Lord Caeles Arcturus! What a pleasure; we've been waiting for your arrival!" Marchioness Daesyn greeted Caeles with a sugary smile that turned stiff as she faced me. "And Lady Eleonora."

Ah... you're making it really obvious, lady.

I gave her a curtsy with a smile and Caeles returned her greeting politely.

"We're already done viewing the Phrixios, but please go ahead and enjoy the gathering." Oh right... we've arrived late.

"I've had today's sweets imported especially for this event..." yada yada yada. I tuned out when I realized my face was heating up with the glares I was receiving from the ladies nearby.

It's like walking into the lion's den with my own two feet...

I felt sweat trickle down my back. The marchioness moved away to greet more guests; Caeles turned to me with an eyebrow raised.

"Do you plan on sticking with me for the entire day?" I was now used to his harsh words but they irked me nonetheless. I held up my chin.

"Please, sticking to trash would dirty my pretty dress."

And before he could counter with something worse, and I knew he was capable of it, I quickly turned around and made an escape to one of the many round tables with ladies sitting around and chatting.