Roses Are Red (book 1)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Red-haired Stranger

Ruby's mind swirled with revelation as Orion's hand wrapped firmly around hers, pulling her away from where Epsilon stood.

"Ruby, was he bothering you?" Orion leaned closer, his voice gentle.

Ruby looked up to Orion's blue eyes, she shook her head slightly, rigidly, "No. We were—" She glanced between the two boys, her breath caught in her throat. Epsilon's smirk remained. "We are talking about this secret garden, about the roses." She said finally, keeping her breaths steady, smiling to keep the atmosphere from cracking.

"I see." Orion beamed at Ruby, and turned to Epsilon, also smiling, "It's quite pleasant to see you actually participating in the polite company, but I'd hate for you to overwhelm my fiancée."

Epsilon's smile grew, charming and just a touch wicked. "Overwhelm her? I would never. But tell me, Orion, do you think roses blush when they're admired? I don't want to leave Little Miss Nightingale feeling underappreciated." His golden eyes flicked to Ruby, who averted her green eyes a second after processing his words.

Orion's lips parted but he didn't say anything, a hint of embarrassment flickering in his blue eyes as he shook his head. He took a step closer towards the red-haired stranger, closing the space between them, enough for him to pat him on his shoulders, then backed away, "I think you've had enough fun for one evening."

Orion gave him a smile—one that Epsilon had come to hate. Epsilon was used to it, of course. Yet it still made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Here, with Ruby, Orion's smile felt like a weapon, polished to a gleam, aimed directly at him. Epsilon returned a smile, irritation simmered beneath. "If anyone knows how to have fun, it's you, Orion. You're always such a—" He breathed in, saying nonchalantly, then paused.

Orion's eyes narrowed as he signed once more, but he didn't rise to the bait. He glanced down at Ruby, his hand subtly tightening on her arms. Without a word, Orion turned, his fingers slipping to gently take her hand instead. "Shall we head back, Ruby?" he asked, his voice steady, calm, as if nothing had happened.

However, Ruby could feel the slight tension in his grip, the need to pull her away from the red-haired stranger with golden eyes.

"Leaving so soon?" Epsilon called out, his tone playful yet laced with something darker. "You could at least introduce me to your lovely fiancée, Orion."

Orion halted, his back to Epsilon, the air around them charged with unspoken words. He turned slightly, the smile still hanging on his frame, "Lady Ruby, allow me to introduce my younger brother, Epsilon Lancaster," he said to Ruby, his voice smooth—contrasting to the tension hanging in the air.

"Charmed." Epsilon nodded toward the caramel-haired, green-eyed princess.

Orion's expression remained gentle & calm, though he slightly tightened his grip on Ruby's hand. "Let's not keep the others waiting," he suggested as he turned to her, his voice still smooth, a hint of urgency leaking through, gently guiding Ruby away from Epsilon.

"Do carry on with your 'noble' intentions, brother. I wouldn't want to spoil your little fairy tale."

Orion didn't reply, his back on against Epsilon, not letting him see his expression.

Ruby cast a last, quick glance back over her shoulder, catching Epsilon's golden eyes for a fleeting moment. He hadn't moved, his posture still. He breathed as he met her green eyes, "Farewell, Little Miss Nightingale."

They walked away from the garden, and the intoxicating scent of roses faded, along with the magnetic allure of the red-haired stranger, who turned out to be the infamous Lancaster, Ruby should've known. Orion led her down the dimly lit path toward the mansion, towards the lights, glamour, and laughter.

"I'm sorry about Epsilon," Orion began, his voice steady but edged with an underlying tension. "He doesn't always know how to behave." His smile remained, but there was a flicker of something deeper in his eyes—a mix of an apology, or perhaps a warning, Ruby couldn't quite tell.

"I really hoped my brother didn't give you any trouble, Ruby," Orion asked again as they neared the ballroom doors, his voice soft, searching her face for any hint of distress.

Ruby shook her head, trying to find her voice. "No, he didn't... not exactly, no." Epsilon hadn't given her "trouble", not in the way Orion seemed to imply, but there was something about him—He's something else—there was a pull to him like she was drawn in without realizing it—like a magnet.

"I'm relieved," Orion said, his tone soft, "Epsilon enjoys... creating discomfort. It's how he's always been."

Ruby glanced up at him, searching his expression, but Orion smiled down at her, his eyes were warm, and a hint of an apologetic look lingered.

"He's never been the same with the rest of us," Orion continued. "Always rebellious, always going against the rules, pushing boundaries. It's not surprising, really, given how we grew up, how he grew up." He sighed, his eyes darkening a little, "Especially with the way our parents... handled things. Our parents—They favored me, and Epsilon... Well, he suffered because of that."

"I'm not sure he ever felt like he belonged," Orion said, sounding sad.

Ruby's heart tugged slightly at the thought. She knew that certain feeling all too well. But Epsilon? She recalled his golden eyes, the way he had looked at her with something dark and unreadable behind them. What could possibly turn someone into... that?

Orion gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, his touch warm and steady. "You don't need to worry about him, Ruby," he said, his voice soothing. "Epsilon's antics are nothing new. You know how my parents are. Let's just say, our parents have a way of making sure Epsilon understands the consequences of his actions. After tonight, I'm sure there will be some serious discussions. He won't have the chance to stir up any more trouble, at least not for a while."

Ruby nodded slowly, trying to focus his words.

Orion led her back toward the estate. They approached the ballroom, the soft glow of chandeliers illuminated the polished marble floor, and the hum of laughter and music swirled around Ruby once again.

Orion turned to her, a charming smile gracing his lips, his blue eyes sparkling. "Would you care for a dance, my lady?"

Ruby's green eyes sparkled as Orion led her onto the dance floor. He gently took her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers. They moved gracefully together, the music enveloped them, and the audience faded into a blur of twinkling lights and soft whispers. Ruby's red gown flowed beautifully, shimmering under the glow of the crystal chandeliers. Orion, standing in front of her, inches away, dressed in pure white, made him look every bit the prince.

But Ruby Nightingale's mind was elsewhere.

She couldn't shake the memory of the red-haired stranger they had left in the garden. The thought of his golden eyes made it difficult to concentrate. No matter how much she smiled at Orion, a part of her remained distant, not letting it close in.

She had never considered herself as a good dancer; but she forced her feet to move, forced to concentrate on the gentleman in white—who would soon become her husband.