Montague is Dead

Chapter 2

I MUST HAVE fallen asleep after we sat on a bench. The sun is now completely out and my body is starting to absorb the heat. My cheeks down to my neck are dripping with sweat when I smelled a familiar fragrant scent. I lifted my head from Percival's shoulder.

"Good morning, little one." he touched my cheek with the back of his pointer finger. He leaned his back against the seat. The orange juice can is being embraced by his slender fingers, and when he took a short gulp, I watched how his adam's apple moved up and down.

"How long was I asleep?" When he handed me a handkerchief, I felt a familiar feeling. I took it and wiped the sweat lining up on my forehead, "I hope your shoulders are not aching."

"Just a few minutes, fifteen, I think." my gaze fell to his shoulder blades. His collarbone is peeking slightly, I bet water pools up there when he showers, "Do you know what liquid is dripping on your neck?" he looked at my eyes, then down my neck, I forced out a breath.

"Don't tell me..." my eyes hardened when he smirked. I did not drool, did I? I made a mental note of keeping my habits ladylike. But Percival laughed beside me, "You fool."

I irritatedly wiped the rest away, "Here." he offered me his juice and when I didn't respond, he poked at my shoulder, "Gorgeous, drink up." I accepted the juice without question. When I emptied the can, I let it sit on the space between me and Percival.

Compared to earlier morning, the streets are now packed with people. Some were pulling their wagon and some had their stalls and booth ready. The wide gate, the entrance to the town from afar has also been opened. But no more people than a while ago waited for the visiting royalty. The villagers are focused on the start of a new day, on more important things like getting to work.

"Scarlett!" Percival and I threw our heads, Eleanor was waving hugely not too far away from us. I immediately perked up and she ran towards the bench, "You little mallow!"

Before I could respond, she jerked her gaze to Percival, who is now silently whimpering like a little puppy.

"You, Percy! Not even a letter, no? I hoped to be informed of your trip!" Eleanor snatched the orange juice can that is now in Percival's hands. Midway to her lips, she halted, "And no more orange juice! What an awful person."

Percival and I exchanged glances, but he said nothing. Eleanor would've reacted differently if she knew it was me who finished the drink.

"Very pleasant morning too, El." his sister dumped the can in the nearest trash can, "How was Mother?"

"She's least one problem while you were away, at last. Now save the details of your trip for later! I do not take interest in dreadful brothers," Eleanor presented me with a big grin and gripped my shoulders, "Where were you the whole week? You weren't responding to my letters!"

"Unfortunately, I was locked away in our library, to do my readings as usual." it was always my excuse whenever I go off the grid. It was because I was busy with a task last week.

"But you should have still written me back." She pulled me back to the two-seater bench and sat with me, leaving Percival standing beside us. He only scratched his nape with light frustration to his sister, "So when are you stopping by? You have your dress ready?"

"What?"

Eleanor's jaw fell and looked at me with complete shock, "You're not even reading my letters!" she gripped her chest dramatically, and contorted her face into a painful expression.

"I'm sorry, El. What were they about?" I smiled guiltily and comforted her clothed thighs. I am sincerely feeling guilty. When Laura handed me three or four letters, I was overwhelmed to read them all because I was too occupied with my job. And now, I have forgotten about them. I think I have left them in my drawers or maybe not.