Angelus Carduus

Chapter 28: Cupcake

The next couple of days was a living hell for Valeria. Every time she was awake, Julia or Felix would make a servant call for her.

Everywhere she went, she would 'coincidentally' bump into them and was forced to chat with them especially under the eyes of the servants which were around them.

Valeria was growing tired and annoyed by their presence but she kept a neutral face the entire time.

She was walking around the garden which not many people knew of as it was deeper inside the duchy. Just as she thought she would be alone by herself, she saw Julia and Felix's figure walking to her.

"What a surprise." Felix spoke in a monotone voice.

"Valeria dear, shall we go back to the discussion-" Julia tried to butter up to her but she already saw her true colours.

"There is no need for that." Valeria answered back, pushing Julia's hand away.

"I will compensate you with a large amount of money in exchange for cutting off ties. So please stop talking to me."

"Valeria!-"

"Wife,"

Before Julia or Felix could do or say anything, Aelius' voice interrupted them. He walked over to where they were.

"Aelius." Valeria greeted back.

She could feel both Julia and Felix's gaze on her as she called out his name.

"What are you doing here?" she asked before her eyes fell on his crooked tie.

"I came looking for you," he responded.

Valeria raised an eyebrow, "For me?"

Aelius nodded, "Yes, I wanted to ask if you want to have tea with me today."

"Tea?" she repeated as she was slightly baffled.

He nodded again, "Yes, tea."

Aelius was about to say more before he stopped himself and turned to Julia and Felix.

"Oh father-in-law, mother-in-law, I did not realise you were here as well." Aelius said in a surprise tone.

The looks on their faces turned ugly before looking over at Valeria, "Valeria, we shall take our leave first then."

Valeria didn't reply to them as they left the garden, leaving her and Aelius alone. She looked up at Aelius and nodded, grateful for his actions,

"Thank you."

In return, he looked at her confused, "For asking you to have tea with me..?"

She blankly stared at him before a small laugh slipped past her lips. She adjusted his crooked tie before she quickly shook her head and headed to the exit of the garden,

"Nothing. Let's have tea, Aelius."

-

After Valeria had tea with Aelius, she returned back to her room. Not long later, someone knocked on her door.

A maid walked inside with a small dessert in her hand. Valeria stared at it, suspiciously.

"What is this?" she asked.

The maid bowed and hurriedly spoke, "This is given by His Grace!"

"Oh," Valeria stared at the dessert, it was a chocolate cupcake with rainbow sprinkles on top.

"Place it down and leave."

"Yes, Your Grace!!"

The maid placed it on the table and ran out of the room.