The Ruse

Chapter 7: Flower Language of Matthiola Incana

Before the sun could rise, a letter arrived, sealed with the Vance family crest. The letter contained formal greetings and asked for Duke Baroque's permission to visit his youngest daughter. Guinevere couldn't help but worry after she remembered how straightforward and vague her fiance had written to her. It was far from the formal, flattering, and ambiguous letters that aristocrats usually send. In short, it was also a part of their etiquette.

She couldn't sleep, not even close her eyes until she caught a glimpse of the contents. Her eyes were wide open when her maid came to wake her up and assist her with her morning bath. Not even magic or concealers could hide the dark circles underneath her doe emerald eyes.

"Should I inform his grace that you won't be able to welcome Lord Vance upon his arrival, M'lady?" Sven, the old but elegant head butler, inquired after seeing their tired, sleep-deprived lady at her breakfast.

Guinevere massaged her temples, which had been hurting since her bath. "No, you don't need to. Just call the doctor immediately and give me the letter that Lesle—Lord Vance sent." said the lady, still massaging her head. He gave her a nod and excused himself to go to her father's office.

Sven came back holding a silver plate on which the letter was placed. While reading it, Guinevere sighed in relief and smiled. Thankfully, it was written by Duke Vance and not by Lesley. "So that's why Sven unnecessarily put it on a silver plate." Guinevere thought, walking out of the dining room and going to her personal dressing room.

Two hours before the afternoon strikes, Guinevere, together with the servants, is waiting at the main entrance of Castle George. She is now dressed in a plain yet elegant purple gown. The lady sighed in relief that she had never listened to her maid, who insisted she wear a glamorous dress and expensive jewelries as if she were to attend the imperial banquet. The master of the house, who is Duke Baroque, wasn't there because of the mountains of documents he urgently needed to sign.

"Let's make the lord be impressed by your beauty, m'lady," said the maid assigned to her wardrobes.

Guinevere let out a loud snort. She stared directly into her eyes, holding the maid's cheeks. "I was just wearing the Magic Academy's uniform when we met, yet I swooned over him. My presence is enough to impress Lord Vance," she said with a grin, taking advantage of the rumours she spread. Those words were enough for the maids to be silent and dress her as she wanted.

A black with a golden outline carriage, carved with the Vance Dukedom insignia, stopped in front of them. Guinevere couldn't help but smile widely when she saw a tall man exiting the carriage. He looked so fine in a black coat and a blue vest, with his hands tucked into the pockets of his trousers.
 
Before the gentleman approached the lady, they exchanged greetings and curtsies. Everyone except Guinevere was amused and captivated by how elegant and gentle the man was that even his steps did not produce a sound. Well, only Vance's servants and Guinevere knew that he was a skilled assassin.
 
"Welcome again to Castle George, Lord Lesley Vance. I hope you will enjoy your stay here." said Guinevere, who remembered that her betrothed would stay a month in their castle. 

_⚜️_

After the formal greetings were made, the two headed to the castle's garden to have their lunch in one of the five gazebos there. The table for two people had already been set prior to their arrival. It looks like Guinevere truly prepared thoroughly for Lesley. Oddly enough, it made the sniper smile. Having someone you admire treat you with such gracious hospitality could truly make your cheeks burn. Especially when Guinevere wouldn't take her eyes off her throughout the meal to observe Lesley's table manners. 
 
Lesley could barely taste the food served because of Guinevere's keen gaze. Heaven forbid that she might have indigestion. Both of them were silent; no one dared utter a word. It was a not so uncomfortable and embarrassing luncheon. 
 
The lord of light may have heard her silent prayers for their lunch to finally come to an end. Guinevere dismissed the servants and even her shadows to spend some private time with her fiance. And to teach her etiquettes—the main goal that she almost forgot.
 
"Thank you, my la—Gu-Guinevere." Lesley broke the silence. The lady chuckled at the fact that she was still awkward about saying her name.
 
"For what?" asked Guinevere.
 
"Everything? For the warm welcome and the exquisite food... for your presence."
 
"Nonsense, it is given to me to do this. But it's my pleasure." Guinevere gave a wide smile that made Lesley's lips curl into a smile as well. That goddamn smile of hers was so therapeutic and could make her heart beat fast. Lesley even has a sudden urge to thank any god witnessing their conversation. What did she do to have this privilege of seeing and becoming the fiance of the most prominent woman in the empire? The answer didn't matter any more.
 
"I know I have no right to say this when you're the owner of this house, but... would you like to join me for a walk?" Lesley said, with a smile so sweet and giving her hands to the fair lady.
 
The Baroque's garden was beautiful, just like the undying beauty of their family. Various flowers were there with different colors, such as tulips, lilacs, roses, and more flowers that Lesley couldn't determine. Unlike the flowers inside the greenhouse of Guinevere, where mostly herbs and matthiola incana are present, that garden was colorful. Even Lesley, who was never a fan of flowers, was amused and fascinated by the sight.
 
They are now slowly walking around the maze-like garden, taking their time, which they secretly wish to stop. Lady Baroque's hands are now clinging onto the arms of Lesley, who is now in her woman form since seeing her as a man was quite uncomfortable for the both of them. "Do you like flowers?" she asked, staring at her.
 
Lesley came to a halt. "Not really, but this garden is so beautiful."
 
"Actually, my father's hobby is collecting flowers. Odd, isn't it? Maybe that's why I also love Matthiolas. " stated by the lady.
 
"Rather than odd, I think it's unique." The sniper opposed it.
 
Guinevere giggled like a child. "Do you know the flower language of Matthiola incana?"
 
"Is it kiss—?"
 
Before Lesley could finish saying her answer to the question, Guinevere had already covered her mouth using both hands. The beautiful face of Lady Baroque was now so reddened that she even tried to hide it by facing the ground. "Why, of all things, does she think it means kissing?" Guinevere thought, and she screamed. screaming inside her mind. But she knew the answer. It was because they kissed after Guinevere welcomed Lesley to her greenhouse, where matthiola incana is everywhere. 
 
That damn kiss. It never escaped her mind, and she seemed to be craving more. Guinevere lifted her, meeting Lesley's gaze, who was bewildered. Then her eyes went down to her lips. Just as she expected, her lips were naturally pink and so kissable that she wanted to bite them.
 
Even her heart agreed, it was beating like crazy. She was suddenly breathless and started to pant heavily. 
 
"It means happiness and contentment for a long life." Guinevere said without stuttering, despite panting. "However, we could give it another meaning. like... kiss. " She continued. The next thing she knew, she was savoring her lips. With so much passion, hunger, and intimacy.

_⚜️_

The day was a long day that tired the heck out of Lesley. The sun had set when Guinevere finished touring her around the massive Castle George. They went to every nook and cranny of her abode that even Lesley, who was trained to be a knight and had great stamina, drained her energy. And now she's in her room, laying on the bed, but she couldn't afford to sleep because the devil would visit her.
 
TOK TOK TOK 
 
And the devil arrived. 
 
"The door is op—"
 
"How are you, Lord Vance?" A man in a robe entered, wearing an arrogant smirk on his lips.
 
"Go away, brother. Just come back tomorrow! " Lesley replied in a monotonous voice. The man just laughed and walked towards her bed.
 
"It's tiring to be a noble, huh?" 
 
"Anyway, how are you? How about the old man? And Harley?"
 
"How's your fiancé?" Can I meet her?" 
 
The man asked continuously, and that made Lesley rise from her bed, annoyed. 
 
"Do you mind asking questions slowly, Fredrinn?" Lesley pleaded. 
 
"Haha! Your wish is my command, Miss Vance! This will be a long night ahead. Oh—And you summoned me for love advice, right?"
 

_⚜️_