Chapter 21.1
After the wagon with luggage departed at the crack of dawn, the carriage for Canillian arrived. Lia, who had been unable to sleep all night, stood in front of the mirror and fixed her appearance. Strangely, she was feeling lazy, which was unlike her.
After she’d finished tucking in her tight-fitting shirt and tying her cravat, Pepe came into the room, ready to leave.
“You must go now. I think the guests will be leaving soon.”
“Okay, I’m just about done.”
They soon left the room and Lia carried her warm jacket over her arm. In the hallway were a few employees, preparing to greet them. She watched as they bowed their heads and smiled bitterly to each other, and with each step she took, memories of the past four years she’d spent here, flashed through her mind. Four years was not a short amount of time by any stretch of the imagination.
Waiting for her as she stepped outside was a carriage, and the employees and Kieran waited to bid her farewell.
“What about your mother?” Pepe asked.
“My mother isn’t feeling well, so she is resting. Don’t mind her as she said not to worry about saying goodbye,” Lia said bravely, trying to hide her true feelings. It’s more so that you don’t want to see me, rather than you are not feeling well. Lia was afraid of Anastasia, but she didn’t hate her; it was a little disappointing that she didn’t want to say goodbye to her though.
Kieran approached and gently stroked her cheek as he could see the sadness in her eyes, and then he hugged her tightly. Not expecting a hug from him, she grabbed onto his shirt awkwardly, feeling a bit uneasy. She was struggling to get used to Kieran’s sudden change of behavior, as he was no stranger to expressing affection these days.
At that moment, they were separated by Ian, who suddenly appeared while yawning loudly, “Canillian. Say goodbye to me as well.”
Lia quickly backed away from Ian as he tried to hug her. He raised his eyebrows in displeasure, staring at her as she avoided his embrace. Brushing his fingers through his ruffled hair, he stood in front of her with more than half of his shirt b.u.t.tons undone. Anyone could tell that he’d just crawled out of bed. Lia turned and opened the carriage door while keeping a watchful eye on Ian.
“Well then, big brother. Go well and say h.e.l.lo to mother as well.” Kieran laughed as he looked at Ian, who was smiling oddly out of frustration. “See you soon in the capital. When our father returns, we will have to go together to see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes. Well, then I’ll be off.” Lia glanced at the displeased-looking Ian, and with her hands politely placed together, she bowed her head. “Please stay well, Prince Sergio.”
“Such coldness. Do you dislike me that much?”
“It’s not like that. It’s just that you keep putting me in a difficult situation…” she mumbled, blurring her last few words.
“I will ride in this carriage. Canillian, you go over there.” Red-faced Wade staggered over and collapsed into the carriage, startling Lia. She bent forward to check on his condition and the strong smell of alcohol was emanating from the prince.
“Your Majesty, are you okay?”
“Do I look okay in your eyes? I feel sick. I will never drink Geore’s liquor again. d.a.m.n it.” The prince kept gagging with his hands placed on the floor of the carriage. Somehow, he managed to climb up onto the soft chair and groaned as he settled in the comfortable seat.
Lia wondered if he’d been drinking all night. Then she realized that she’d noticed that Ian and Kieran also had dark circles under their eyes, and they didn’t look well either. She now wondered about Claude as well and turned toward where the prince had appeared a moment ago. And there was Claude, getting into the car. Unlike the other three that were disoriented and unkempt, he was wearing his well-pressed suit and looked fresh.
Claude glanced at Lia, Kieran, and Ian in succession and asked, “Aren’t you going to get moving?” Even his voice was clean – a smooth voice with no sign of indulgence. But it was her first time riding in a car and feeling fearful, Lia hesitated.
Kieran looked at the prince lying in the carriage and nodded, “Go on. Cars are much faster than carriages. It will be a great experience.”
“But…” Lia wanted to protest but Kieran cut her off.
“It’s okay. You have the Grand Duke with you.”
A large shadow fell over Kieran as Ian asked, “Are you sure that the Grand Duke isn’t the most dangerous of them all?” He scoffed as he approached Lia. He was staring at Claude’s car with displeasure as he wrapped his arm around Lia’s shoulder and whispered into her ear, “All men are beasts, Canillian. Be careful.”
“P… Prince Ian!” She stuttered. His naughty voice penetrated her eardrum and her face turned red as she covered her itchy ears. Lia left behind the giggling Ian and mustered the courage to approach the car.
Claude, who had been staring at them with contempt, reached out and pulled Lia into the car and she sat down next to him unintentionally.
“I hope this doesn’t take too much of my time.”
“I’m sorry,” Lia said meekly.
“There’s nothing to apologize for. The problem is the d.a.m.n prince, drinking Geore’s strong liquor until he pa.s.sed out.” He said, sounding highly irritated. As soon as the car door closed, Claude, who had been displaying the perfect gentleman’s face, frowned, “Is there no one else for you to say goodbye to?”
Lia turned her head to look out of the window after hearing those words and saw Betty standing under a tree in the distance, but she didn’t even wave her hand. Their eyes met and that was enough.