THE CROWN'S OBSESSION | LK ADAPTATION

Chapter 16 - Suitor At House

When she fell asleep, Lalisa found herself back in the castle—walking in the empty corridors that were not restricted by any guards.

There was no one there but her.

She could hear the sounds of the crickets coming from the garden as she walked on the clean cold floor.

There were no shoes on her feet, and her footsteps made no noise.

Lalisa was in the beige dress that she had worn for the ball, the ends of it trailing behind her.

She continued to walk until she came upon a door that was slightly ajar.

She pushed the door and stepped into the big room that had large windows with grills that were built in designs.

The night outside was cloudy, hiding the stars and moon behind it and when she turned to look to her right, she saw a man stand.

His silhouette was lonely because of the lack of company next to him.

"Hello?"

Lalisa called the man, wanting to go back home.

As if on hearing her, the man turned around to look at her, "Wandering by yourself again?" asked the deep voice, and she recognized this voice.

When a thunderstruck in the sky, Lalisa's eyes flew open and she looked up at the wooden ceiling of the room.

She could feel her heart beating in her chest over the dream she just dreamt a few seconds ago.

Her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness in the room where she could see things much more clearly now.

Turning her head, she noticed her sister Rosé was asleep.

In her very own dreamland which Madeline believed was less haunting than what she had experienced.

It seemed that the halls of the castle had come back to her because of what happened.

Those eyes that had looked at her were dark red, keeping her captive.

Lalisa had grown under the shadow of her sister which was why she was not used to the attention she had received tonight.

At least not so intensely.

She didn't mind the shadow because it gave her more room to breathe.

Like what happened in the ball today while both she and Rosé were dancing, Lalisa observed the already known facts about her elder sister.

Rosé enjoyed and basked in the limelight.

She loved the attention she received, but that was how she had grown up, unlike Lalisa who had received less attention.

Rosé liked being hovered and asked, to be given importance even when it came to her sister and Lalisa didn't mind it.

She let her do what she wanted, not wanting to upset her sister.

When the next day arrived, as expected, Rosé had a visitor who had come looking for her and Mrs. Manoban got the man to sit in the hall of their house and Beth was seated opposite to him.

Though she was not dressed in a gown like last night, she still looked stunning compared to the pale walls and furniture that the family-owned.

Mr. Manoban had gone out to work while Mrs. Manoban and Lalisa were in the kitchen with the doors closed.

The older woman stood next to the door listening to them.

"I think Mr. Park likes her very much," said Mrs. Manoban, moving away from the door with a pleased look on her face.

Rosé had indeed done an excellent job in finding a good man.

The woman somewhat felt relieved that the money they had used for the clothes and the carriage along with the coachman would be covered.

At least it didn't go waste, thought Mrs. Manoban.

"Anyone will fall in love with Rosé, mama. You don't have to worry about it," said Lalisa picking up a fruit from the basket and taking a bite from it.

"That is true. If Rosé gets married, it won't be difficult when it comes to your wedding. Who was that man yesterday?"

"Mr. Kim?" asked Lalisa.

"Yes, yes. That one. How did it go last night?" asked her mother, curious.

"He knew how to dance,"

Lalisa said with a thoughtful expression, "And that is all it was," her mother gave out a sigh.

"You should put yourself out there more, Lalisa. Do you know Mrs. Boyers' daughter is still unmarried. A spinster's life and no one wants to marry her because of you how she looks," her mother shook her head.

"Mama, you worry for nothing. Your daughter won't die alone."

"Really?"

Came a sign of hope in Mrs. Manoban eyes, who asked, "Did a gentleman ask you to dance then? Perhaps invite you for tea?"

Lalisa pursed her lips, her foot tapping softly and she said, "I was thinking about Mr. Choi," she noticed her mother's eyebrows furrowing.

It wasn't that Lalisa was in love with the man, but she found him to be nice.

"Choi Minho?" her mother verified.

She smiled, "Yes. Choi Minho. He asked me to accompany him in one of the following days. He is a good man."

She liked the man for his simplicity, and he indeed was one of the few decent looking men in their village.

"Isn't he going out with Lady Irene? Well, he is a good looking man," her mother agreed,

"I did not know you fancied him. When are you going to meet him?" asked her mother, and Lalisa smiled at the thought that her mother approved of Mr. Choi.

"I am not sure about it. I refused him as Rosé and I are going out to Aunt's house-"

"Why would you do that?"

Her mother asked with her eyes wide, her hand on one side of her waist.

"Because Rosé will need-"

"Rosr will be fine. She can take care of herself," said Mrs. Manoban.

Lalisa wasn't as expressive as her elder daughter and if she liked someone decent, Mrs. Manoban didn't see any harm in it.

Rosé would be getting married in a wealthy household while Lalisa would be in a kind and humble home.

It was also what would suit Lalisa in a good way, "You can go meet him but not too far. Your father and I would want you to be happy."

"What will I tell Rosé?" asked Lalisa as she had promised to go with her.

"I will tell her that you have an errand to complete,"

That would be better, thought Lalisa to herself.

She didn't know what Rosé would say, especially when she had looked down upon Mr. Choi's profession.