A Plead Of Affection

EÍKOSI TÉSSERA

"O- Ouch!" I yelped in pain, "Your back seems awfully familiar," He forced me to turn around and look back at the man.

"Wait-" His forehead creased as he looked at my face, "Are you that Lady who overheard- no purposely eavesdropped on us?" He carefully gazed at my appearance.

Before he could remember it correctly, I turned around; as he attempted to grab me again, I swiftly rushed behind Lady Vasila. "Why are you running away-" He could finish his statement when I heard a slap, looking at them, I saw the Lord's hand red, "First, you ruined my lunch and now, you are even bothering my guest?" She raised.

"That doesn't mean because you are the Count's nephew and a highly Lord at that, you dare to disrupt someone!" She yelled at him, making every people in the room look at us, "Do you have no shame left? At least think of your dignity and pride as someone from the Count's lineage." With that statement, Lady Vasila grabbed my arm and walked us out of the restaurant.

Soon going back to work, the Lady did not talk anything about the Lord. Instead, she just focused on work as I assisted her with the basics. With time flying back, I was glad, knowing that it would be another day for me.

However, the tense atmosphere in the room continued as her fingers continuously tapped on the table as she watched the wall clock. We were busy, and that did not stop her from working; she fell deep in thought after that incident with Lord Demeas.

As I got out waiting for someone to pick me up, finally ending the work for the day, I walked towards the front where I saw Lady Vasila at the shed. She looked adorable as her feet fidgeted. Slowly, I crept behind her.

"Lady Rabellino," She called my attention, "Yes, Lady Vasilas?"

"About what happened today, please, let's not talk about it," It almost sounded like a plead, as if another statement about Lord Demeas could make her tear up, "Of course," I smiled at her.

"Forgive me, it's your first day at work, you had a good impression of me and suddenly someone came in barging ruining it," She lowered her head, apologizing. "I understand, it's all right, Lady Vasilas."

I first saw her as an unsociable and snobbish Lady; however, looking at her now, feeble and could break at any minute. A part of my heart swore that I must protect her from making sure that she would never see that man ever again.

"It's not your fault, Lady Vasilas. I may not know the whole story, however, I can tell that you did nothing wrong," I leaned closer and smiled, assuring her. "We are both responsible for what happened and thank you for understanding, again, I apologize for brining you such unpleasant sight."

I distanced myself from her, "You don't have to apologize, Lady Vasilas." She took a deep breath, "All right."

She must have experienced something dreadful to make her quit her post at the Bureau of Military Affairs. Lord Demeas is not someone you can take on and escape from easily. He is a Lord that everyone admires despite his rumored- no, his true personality.

She should not blame herself; now that the man seemed to recognize me, that means that I am now involved with that man. Even though I tried not to show off and hide from him, the world is truly small for this to be just a coincidence.

I will be in danger if I continue to associate myself with him. However, working at the Bureau of Public Works, I cannot stray away and flee from them. I have my responsibilities now besides the House of Rabellino.

With no one speaking after, a carriage pulled up in front of us, revealing the coat of arms of the House of Rabellino; I immediately knew that it was the carriage who would pick me up. "It's my carriage, Lady Vasilas," I said to her, "I will go on ahead," As the coachman helped me up, I saw her waving bye at the window.

I was not alone in the carriage; Brother looked at me meticulously and had his forehead creased. "Do you know that Lady you are with?" I nodded, "Yes, she is Lady Ninia Vasila," I replied.

He then froze and looked at the window as we passed the building and greens as if he had seen a ghost, "That Lady!" His hands formed into a fist, "She's Ninia Vasila, is from the House of Vasila where the Lady Schleswig was from." I could not understand what he was saying at the moment.

My eyes widened, which meant that Alexios' mother is from Lady Vasila's House, and Alexios and her are cousins! I was not expecting a revelation. "She is the daughter of the second-born son of the House of Vasila. The first daughter of the House was married to the heir of the House of Schleswig," He explained, "You should at least be aware of the existence of our enemies. Tell me, did she do anything to you? Did she insult the House of Rabellino in any way?" I shook my head and pondered my thoughts on the information I had just learned.

Recalling her appearance, she does seem like Alexios, especially the part of the eyes. They have the same eyes! "I told you to prove yourself and show that you are strong enough to stand on your own and protect the name of the Rabellino!" My Older Brother preached, "Father always told you, right? No one can stand in this world if they are not strong!"

With that, I somehow knew the meaning behind her words when I approached her. Like Alexios, I could not determine and understand what they meant behind their words. Whether it was intensional or pure, knowing that they are from a rival House, no one could tell what they plan.

"I decided, you can be my mentee. I plan to get involved with you anway,"