4. Trent Phoebe{ManxMan}

•CHAPTER 7

He tried every night then on and on the second it had gotten significantly less visible or sensible. He beamed at me as I told him how it was still there, but less drastic, more subtle and I encouraged him to keep trying.

I felt proud to have been useful to him despite my lack of knowledge or experience with magic.

I had slept in his room despite his boss's warning and had woken up earlier than him just in case he made a surprise visit. I didn't want to see my dad in trouble so I tried to help him sell things and as shameful as it was, I used people's attraction to me to do it.

I realised then that the envelope left by Valencia imposter was still in the shop as a customer flirted his way out, he was subtle and yet obvious at the same time. I opened the letter finally and realised that later that day the party would begin.

This time may not have been my own, however it's hard to do nothing when you hardly had any rules about it all. I decided I would go for the simple reason that I needed to find this imposter and figure out what their deal was especially because my dad was being tight lipped.

I didn't have much of anything to wear and I doubted my dad would approve of me going when she had terrified him so much. I couldn't risk him thinking that I was secretly with her or something ridiculous like that.

I left him tending to some customers after I told him that sometimes flirting can be helpful. He was shy about it and didn't want to, it still helped though because a few customers found him charming in his humble behaviour and naive innocence. It was a better day than before.

I was walking around thinking about how to score some clothing fit for this party. I wasn't an idiot. Judging from how Valencia had dressed the night I saw her and that Valencia imposter it was obvious they came from money so a party hosted by either would most indefinitely be fancy and full of rich people and I wasn't entirely sure about the behaviour of rich people in this era.

It was as I crossed what appeared to be an elite cafe that I caught it. His scent lingered, the cinnamon and oak with a dash of lemon caught my attention and I found myself following.

I then stood outside a store that sold clothing for men. He was there, hand in a pocket, his hand swept through a single direction and the attendants were rushing to giving him what he wanted. He was offered tea and I watched him elegantly drink, his face devoid of much emotion. He seemed different from when I had met him, closed off.

I wanted him to see me, completely uncaring to how I probably looked dirty in comparison to him.

He left the store and his gaze met mine. He paused, blinking and his eyes traveling over the length of me. Realising his clean cut suit I paused for a moment wondering if it was smart to have even allowed him to see me. Suddenly I felt shy. I tugged on my shirt and rubbed my neck as he approached.

"Trent." He said blankly his eyes trailing me again, there was a hint of something coating his scent, almost fear as his eyes glanced behind me. "I wasn't aware you travelled these parts." He spoke almost through gritted teeth.

"I was out on an errand." His eyes met mine.

"Oh? Valencia had said how she found you outside the tavern, can I assume you found yourself work?" I blinked then and swallowed and nodded. "I must admit, I thought you were some kind of noble when first we met."

"Oh?"

"Mmmm, not many outside that are as handsome." His eyes sparked and I felt myself growing a smile. "If you'll excuse me." He made to turn

"Are you going to Valencia's party?" He paused and looked over at me.

"You're coming?"

"Only if you will." He looked me over then and pursed his lips before going over to his carriage without a word. He came back with a plastic covered outside.

"This should fit you." I took it carefully, avoiding his touch. "Clean up, yeah? I would hate to see how her group reacts to you if you don't." My brows furrowed and he shot me a small hesitant smile before his eyes darted behind me and around before he was gone.

I turned to see who or what it was that had him so tense and saw a man, arms folded and smirking as he saw me. I sighed then as I contemplated my mates involvement. The night we meet, it sounded that he only wanted or rather could only have a woman, looking around I realised it may not technically be the case however it was sadly an expectant thing.

I wondered though if my speculation were correct, that perhaps yes, society expected men and women and thus publicly nobody could utter the suggestion of anything else. That perhaps he was unfortunately closeted because of this. I don't even know if it was my hope that had me thinking this way or if it was what I was noticing.

I went back to the shop, my dad grinning to himself as he counted coins. I pat him on the shoulder and got myself cleaned up before I was late. I realised though that I had no way of getting there.

I got dressed and was subject to my dad's curious gaze. "Where did you get that?" He asked innocently as the suit surprisingly fit, although mildly tight.

"A...friend." I felt my cheeks flushed and my brows furrow as I realised that my father, not even knowing who he was with me was triggering a very important moment for me low-key.

How I had always longed to talk to him about people I liked, those I took interest in or those my brothers and sisters tried to convince me were interested in me. I flushed at this and rubbed my neck as he nodded.

"Be careful." He told me then.

"I will." He stared at me for a moment before looking away and continuing with his day.

I was outside, was and realising that I was a right idiot because I didn't know the area and yet was just expecting to somehow make it. It felt like forever and I was beginning to sweat which also wasn't attractive when a carriage pulled over. A smiling woman looked me over.

"Are we lost?" She batter her eyes at me.

"It seems we are." I told her and she paused, smiling bashfully before nodding her head.

"Well, sir, I'm only my way to a party."

"Me too!" I held up the card, she squealed and clapped before motioning me in with her hands.

"How wonderful." I got in and sat across from her. She had a light blue dress, she looked beautiful, like a princess and she reminded me of my sister Danielle. Her Auburn hair was intricately decorated and her make up subtle. "At least I'll know someone there."

I tilted my head. "You don't know the host?"

"Valencia DuMorte is way above my social standing," she pouted. "I would kill for her to notice me, but alas, all is fair." She beamed brightly.

"You seem happy despite this."

"I believe joy comes from what you make of things," she admitted, a light blush blooming from her face. "It doesn't do any good to be sad all the time."

I liked how she thought. We made it as the fourth horse was being shown off. Valencia had greeted me warmly, kissing my cheeks and I had to admit I didn't catch the glitch like before which made me realise that I had probably only seen it because of my father who at the time had touched my shirt.

I wondered if it had been a glamour since the first meet but had no way of knowing.

Demetri was there, surrounded by men as handsome as he, but he stood out for me, he among those pretty faces was all I could focus on even as the girl who had given me a ride, whose name was Nani, clung to me.

Demetri and I glanced at one another ever so often and soon I was surrounded by women so eager to know who I was, where I was from and who my father was.

The nobility were a store in my side.

A\N
Written: 5 April 2022