To Be A Bougainvillea

Chapter 22

The young man was disturbingly adamant for Aurelia to meet his grandmother. 

"Take a girl to dinner before you ask her to meet your grandma," She joked as the blue eyed stranger pursed his lips. 

"I'm being serious. I just want her to see you. That's all. Just a glimpse." He said, his eyes dropping to her locket again. 

"Don't they all want a glimpse?" She replied with a wink. He looked at her, kind of repulsed. 

"Just- just stay put." He gestured with his hands as he began walking off, "Whatever you do, don't move." 

"Sure thing, sugar." She smirked just as Marco suddenly materialised beside her. "And where have you been, Mister?" 

"The more important question is, Missy," He adjusted the chauffeur hat over his curls, "what were you doing with Sir Elias?" 

Aurelia's eyes widened, "He's the Emperor's grandson?" Marco nodded in response. 

"Oh." She blinked before realising who Elias's grandmother was. "Oh, shit." 

"What's wrong?" Marco asked as he snatched a mini pastry from a passing waiter. He bit into it and let out a moan. 

Aurelia raised a brow, "That good?" 

He shook his head, "It just tastes really expensive."  

Aurelia stifled a chuckle. "So, for some reason Sir Elias wants me to meet the Empress." She crossed her arms against her chest. "I can't fathom why." 

"Don't tell me you insulted him or something." Marco swallowed the pastry, "He's known to be quite a whiner." 

Aurelia frowned, "I'm pretty sure I didn't say anything offensive." 

"These folks will get offended by anything, to be honest." He said and Aurelia couldn't disagree, thinking back to the way the Emperor's daughter, Kimari, looked at her when she asked for her name.  

"I heard something gobsmackin' from a couple of men here." Marco continued, his eyes riveting through the busybody guests, "Apparently, there's been an attack from the neighboring country in the Southern banks." Aurelia gasped. "Shockin', right? There were only two casualties but a whole bunch of folks were injured." 

"Dear Lord." Aurelia breathed out, "Why wasn't it on the papers or the radio?" 

"Oh, that's the interesting bit." Marco lowered his voice, "The Takashima clan have censored all media routes because they don't want the public to know that the neighbouring country only attacked in defense." 

"Defense?" Realistion dawned on Aurelia. "That means the Takashimas attacked first, right?" 

Marco nodded, grimly. "Clearly they're intending to take over their lands no matter what the cost. Rich folks just can't have enough, can they?" He took a fancy sandwich from another passing waiter, "I also heard that the navy's going to the Southern fronts today for lookout. Apparently they'll be staying there for a couple of weeks-" 

"There she is, Grandmother!" Sir Elias pointed at Aurelia as him and the Empress glided over to them. Both Aurelia and Marco stiffened as the Empress's azure gaze fell on them. 

"Should I bow?" Marco whispered underneath his breath. Aurelia responded with the faintest shake of her head. 

The Empress was an ancient lady with wispy silver hair and wrinkled face. But there was a smile plastered on her face as she shook Aurelia's hand, her eyes also drawn to the locket on her neck.