Chapter 102
Similar greetings were exchanged with everybody. The Baron and Baroness Houres seed to be in their mid-forties, a little older than the Renoves.
The Baron Zephyr and his wife also appeared to be as young as the Renoves. Baron Piamon ca alone. It seed he was unmarried. He walked up to them and placed a chaste kiss on the back of Athyst’ hand.
“It is indeed a great honor to et the beautiful Lady Skad,” he said.
“Oh, you flatter ,” said Athyst, smiling.
Alexcent frowned. Athyst tried to wipe the back of her hands on her skirt when Baron Piamon wasn’t looking. Another carriage appeared with Count Citri and Countess, another carrying Onslow and the Countess, and finally Count of Glacia. The Onslows were the oldest, perhaps in their sixties.
“Greetings Lord and Lady Skad,” said Baron Onslow, “I am Onslow Skad and this is my wife.”
“Greetings Lady Skad, I am Maria,” said the Countess.
“Thank you for honoring us by being here,” said Athyst, “I hope the journey wasn’t too rough.”
“Not at all,” said the Countess, “It is our honor to finally get to et you.”
Afterwards, Count Citri and his wife, Countess Retegina exchanged greetings with them in similar manner. Count Citri, most recently appointed seed the youngest of them all as did his wife, Countess Retegina. They seed to be newlyweds too from the way they gazed at each other affectionately.
Count Citri and his wife stepped aside after their greetings, and a woman with glossy, black hair appeared before them eagerly. She was graceful and beautiful and emanated confidence. She smiled at them.
“It is an honor to et you Lady Athyst,” the woman said, “I am Count Glacia.”
Athyst was taken aback for a while. She didn’t know a woman could be a Count. Silly , I shouldn’t be prejudiced. If the Emperor can be a female, why not a Count. Athyst smiled warmly at her.
“The honor is all mine to have t you, Count Glacia,” she said.
Count Glacia was a very beautiful and attractive woman, slender waist, pale skin and reddest lips Athyst had ever seen. She radiated with elegance and confidence, that made her stand out amongst everyone else.
“Okay, now you have to go and rest,” murmured Alexcent.
“Thank you everyone for making the long trip. You will be escorted to your accommodations. We’ve arranged it the sa as the previous year so that there will be no inconvenience,” said Athyst. She looked at Roman and nodded.
On Roman’s instructions, the maids escorted the respective nobles to the buildings where they would reside for the duration of the annual festival.
“Do you an to say that I would be sleeping in the sa room as last year, Lady Skad?” asked Count Glacia.
Athyst hesitated. “Yes. Count Glacia. It’s been arranged to be the sa as last year. If it’s not to your liking we can….”
“No, not at all. All good for ,” said Count Glacia, smiling warmly. But Alexcent’s gaze flickered to Athyst and she thought she saw a bit of disappointnt in them. It had seed everything had been going on well until now, but with that one look, she felt like she had made a big mistake. Count Glacia smiled, nodded and followed the maid to the main mansion to be shown her room.
Why is she going towards the main mansion? Athyst thought. The rest of the nobles were escorted to another building near the mansion where arrangents had been made but Count Glacia was the only guest who was heading towards the main mansion. Athyst looked at Lunia, Gen and Pon who were standing near her. Gen looked at Pon uncertainly, Pon avoided his gaze and looked afar into the distance. Lunia seed anxious and fidgety.
Alexcent turned and headed towards the main mansion. Athyst watched Alexcent’s back and then followed him into the mansion as well.
*
“What in the ….! Call Pon imdiately!” roared Athyst.
Pon had expected it and arrived at Athyst’ room after a short while. “Yes, Madam,” he said.
“Explain yourself Pon,” said Athyst, “Why is Count Glacia in the room next to Alexcent?” She glared at him.
“You instructed it to be the way it is, Madam,” said Pon calmly.
“?” thundered Athyst, “When?”
“You instructed to prepare everything exactly the way it was the previous year,” said Pon, “So everything was done that way.”
“What?” said Athyst, “So Count Glacia used the room next to Alec the previous year?”
Pon hesitated. “Yes,” he said.
“What?!” exclaid Athyst.
“My apologies, Madam,” said Pon, bowing.
“You should have at least inford !” said Athyst.
“Madam, did you perhaps read the docunt I had prepared for you containing the information about the guests?” asked Pon. He had passed her the docunt urging her to read it. She had ant to get around to reading it but had forgotten.
Even so, he could have just inford , thought Athyst, He must have known that it looked suspicious. “Are you saying that it’s my fault because I forgot to read the docunt?” she said, “You must have obviously noticed that it would have been awkward to place Count Glacia’s room next to Alec.”
“Of course not, Madam,” said Pon, “But I assud you had already read it and had no problem with the arrangent. I felt it too bold of to ask you. I am just a butler serving the Lord and the Lady, it would not dare to ask about their personal affairs.”
Everything Pon said was right. He had urged her to read the information many tis, but she had always out it away. I should have questioned him when he looked uncomfortable after I instructed him to arrange everything sa as the previous year. She sighed. It wouldn’t do to bla everything on Pon. Partly, her complacency was to bla as well. Athyst felt ashad of herself for not taking this seriously.
“Even so, Pon,” said Athyst, “You could have given a hint, or a heads up. If there is anything of the sort in the future, please don’t hesitate to inform . Honestly, it would make my life a whole lot easier. You would be helping .” She clenched her fists. There was no point now when things had turned out like this.
The fact that Count Glacia had been using the room next to Alec before, disturbed her. Was she his mistress? His old lover? Was she still…? It won’t to do change her accommodation in such short notice. It would co off as rude. What could she possibly do? Athyst grimaced.
“You may leave, Pon,” she said curtly.
“Yes, Madam,” she said. He bowed politely and left the room.
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