DROPPED | A Witches Garden

ten

The only thing I really enjoyed with banquets was the food. Everything else was just a large bother.

I stayed away from the middle where everyone was dancing and stayed away from the edges of the dance floor where they talked. I wanted a moment for myself and my food. There was a large pillar by the corner which I could hide and eat my food in peace.

For some reason during the banquet I had felt someone's eyes on me. But whenever I looked around I couldn't see anyones eyes on me.

Another guest entered the room but unlike the other ones I could feel how the air in the room changed. Murmurs and whispers spread. It was the prince Laurent Vin Jost!? He was here...

This banquet wasn't even one of high status and Laurent was known for how he often didn't go to banquets. So why did he come here?

It couldn't have possibly been because of me? Or?

No...

I took a big bite of my food and snuck out from the other exit. Hoping that Laurent wouldn't see me.

Better be safe than sorry.

The air outside was so different from inside. There were scents of flowers and a small whiff of perfume from the guests. While inside the air had been stuffy and a lot more overpowering with the smell and mixtures of different perfumes. I'd learned how to get used to that smell but I still enjoyed the nice, weak scent of outside.

I walked around, enveloping myself in the chill air from outside. A smile on my face.

But that had turned sour when a hand grabbed me by the waist. I instinctively pushed myself off their grip but they pulled me closer to them. Making my chest hit theirs. Their grip was strong. One I couldn't get away from.

"What are you doing?" I kept the smile, but it was clear that I was growing irritated.

"You've grown so–sooo– beautiful, Lady Elietta." The man slurred his words.

"I think you've had a bit too much to drink." I sighed. Trying again to push myself off him.

"I do– don't know what," he hiccuped, "what could you possibly be talking about?"

He gave me an attempt at a charming smile that only ended up looking sleazy, and tried to lean into me. But I pushed myself back as far as I could possibly manage.

Yet he kept on insisting, moving his hand from my waist to my shoulder to keep me in place. His grip as hard as a rock.

He really won't stop, will he...

Should I?

I was fighting the urge to use a spell that'd make him fall asleep. But if there was even one single witness I'd be in horrible trouble.

As my mind roamed through the possible options I ended up forgetting to check on the sleazeball who was slowly getting closer by the second.

Without thinking I got ready to push him as hard as I possibly could but stopped after hearing footsteps from behind getting closer. The person from behind grabbed the man and spun him around in an instant. Making the man's grip on me finally disappear. He made moving him look like an easy fit.

"Let's not harass the guests shall we?" The man's voice was enough for me to know that this wasn't gonna end well. Nothing ever went well when I was with him.

Roye patted the drunk on the chest and gave him a smile that would freeze peoples heart rather than warm them. "I think it's time for you to leave."

The drunk looked at him for a moment and then me. Nodding his head slowly and then wobbling away.

I groaned in distress. "Can we really let him roam around like that? What if he harasses another woman?"

Roye fixed his suit. "It's alright. I've already signalled for my knights to keep tight watch on him."

"Hahhh, thank goodness."

I rubbed my shoulders which felt stiff and rolled them. That grip was really tight.

Roye just watched me in silence with a stoic expression. But then his brows furrowed a bit. "Is there something you want to say?" I asked as I rolled my shoulders.

He crossed his arms and looked to the direction the drunk had gone.

"Couldn't you have..." He looked down. And looked like he was contemplating something. "Nevermind."

"Do you still love me?" His words came crashing like a harsh wave in contrast to the peaceful feel of before. I couldn't process what he'd just asked and just stared at him dumbfounded.

"You used to tell me that you did every time you got the chance, could that perhaps have changed?"

"I've grown out of it." My voice shook a bit at the end but hopefully he hadn't noticed.

He stepped closer and looked me deeply in the eyes. I tried to act natural and gave a friendly smile. "Don't worry. I won't bother you with those silly feelings anymore and will make sure to stay out of your way."

"I don't want that."

"Pardon?"

He opened his mouth preparing to say something but another voice broke in.

"My, my, never expected to see the cold duke flirting."

The prince appeared with a princely smile and placed a hand on Roye's shoulder.

"Your Highness?!" My voice squeaked and I cleared my throat. Forcing a smile although I felt uncomfortable. "What brought you here?"

"I just felt like seeing a beautiful rose." He smiled.

Roye didn't know the context of what Laurent said but seemed to have caught the drift that something was going on.

"Are you close to Lady Elietta?" Roye asked.

"Sadly not. But I'd like to be," Laurent replied.

Roye's eyes darkened.

"Why?" Was all he asked. And it shocked me how much malice was in his tone.

"I shouldn't have to disclose my personal affairs with you." Laurent gave a cheeky laugh.

The mood between those two was as thick as brick. There was nothing I could say to get between them. But a saving grace appeared. More footsteps could be heard from afar, getting louder after every step. It was a girl, thank goodness, who ran right past the duke and the prince so she stood in front of me. Grabbing me by the hands and smiling brightly at me. Her rosy pink hair stood out next to the dark of the night. And her silver eyes stared right through me.

Is that—

"Lady Elietta! I'm so happy to finally meet you!" She laughed with pure joy. "I'm Lily Hitchwell, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Roye, Laurent and Lily.

The male lead, the second male lead and the main character all in one place.

Surrounding me?!

What is going on??