***Walter had not received instructions since he had done his task. Walking around the city with his mother; he could see that the latest development in the royal family has caused the capital to go into a frenzy. The cold was getting more p.r.o.nounced; he could tell the windy quarter was fully here. He watched his mother and sister"s excitement as they tried on clothes for the white cold and sighed. Things were bothering him; things he could not explain.
"Walter." he heard his mother call before she arrived at his side. Beside his mother stood two women. He had glanced at them before, so knew who they were. They were his mother"s new friend from the countryside and her daughter.
"This is Mrs. Fionette and her daughter, Lana." his mother introduced. He nodded at the two, in hopes to immediately leave. The look that Lana girl gave him reminded him of the Lady Steinhouse, and he finally understood why he was dragged by his mother to come shopping with them.
"Don"t leave so fast, Walter. Since you are here, you should show Lana around the city." his mother stopped him.
"Is this necessarily? You said you would not take time, so why are you branching out to other things? I"m not free today." Water frowned at his mother.
"When are you ever free? I will not take long. I just have a few things to discuss with Mrs. Fionette." Walter"s mother said before turning to Lana, "Lana, go with Walter while your mother and I talk."
"Brother, let"s just go. You know how she is." Amie said to Walter trying to drag him away.
"No Amie, you go have your fitting." his mother pushed Amie to the attendant before moving away with Mrs. Fionette. Walter turned to the have a better look at the girl in front of him and sighed. He felt he should make more male friends. He was about to open his mouth when he was called.
"Walter." he felt his back stiffen at that voice. He looked sideways to see Lady Steinhouse approach him. What are the odds, she would be here at this moment? Walter felt a headache coming. He remembered how he had a bad feeling about this shopping activity; the moment he was forcefully invited by his mother.
Lady Steinhouse reached him in seconds. She smiled sweetly, ignoring the gloomy look on his face. She acted as though she had not seen Lana and grabbed Walter"s arm.
"It must be fate. Why are you here?" she asked.
"Why are you here?" Walter asked.
"I just came to look around. You"ve been scarce these days." she said and Lana coughed, gaining their attention.
"Who is your friend?" Lady Steinhouse smiled at Lana.
"I came to shop with his sister; our families are close." Lana answered. She tried to smile, but the lady before her gave her a bad feeling, especially that smile on her face.
"Oh really?" Lady Steinhouse said. Lana felt her hair stand at the lady"s stare. She felt as though those eyes were challenging her. Suddenly, she wanted to win.
"Mr. Krain is here to keep us company, since he is free." Lana said before Walter could talk.
"I guess has to take responsibility for his family." Lady Steinhouse said before turning to Walter, "But you are busy today. I thought you said you would come with me to Madame D"huile. I know family is important, but you haven"t seen me try on the dresses you got for me last time."
Walter felt his head hurt. This was getting out of hand. Lady Steinhouse had always been one to be up to no good, he knew this would not end well.
"Madame D"huile? I just thought it was nice he took his mother shopping; I guess he is a benevolent person." Lana"s eyes shrunk, but she refused to loose. Even with all the benevolence, who would buy clothes at Madame D"huile for just any one? Did this lady think she could make her back down because he got her expensive things? It"s winner take all. If nothing else, this made her more interested in Walter. If he could afford Madame D"huile, then he was her perfect catch.
"Yes. He"s really nice. He even gave this Princess a token." Lady Steinhouse said with a sweet smile. She had seen the look on the girl"s face when she mentioned Madame D"huile. This little girl was irritating her. Seeing her back down the moment she referred to herself as a princess, her smile widened.
"Tell my mother something came up." Walter said to Lana. It was the first time he had said anything to her, so she smiled sweetly and nodded. He then grabbed Lady Steinhouse away.
"Let"s go." he said frowned at her. As Lana watched them leave, there was a dangerous glint in her eye.