The Outsider (Outsider #1) ✔️

Chapter 86 : Henry Cartier's Party

Dusk had spent more than 2 weeks in Regis already. With the work at critical stages at both Patricina and Futurista, she could not go back to Ci'gazze. She continued to attend her classes with remote classroom app at Regis Cybera College. With additional funding coming to the college from patents and royalties, the Principal and in fact all members of the Governing Board treated her like a Queen. After all, but for her, they would not have known that they had a gold mine of patents.

One conference room plus one teacher room was given over to her and her visitors. She had access to the computer lab and the chip fabrication facility 24 hours a day, without any restrictions. In fact, sometimes regular students were asked to vacate the facility if she needed something. She had access to the college canteens and often met with students and teachers, all of whom were exceedingly nice to her. She sometimes felt that it was better if she did not go back to Ci'gazze.

"Elder Sister Dusk, today is a 6th Day and tomorrow is a holiday. Can we go for a party?" Catherine jumped into the lab in Regis Cybera just before Lunch Break, startling Dusk and making her hand hit the wrong button in a very complicated chip fabrication session. Mentally she cursed herself because it would take hours to set it right. However, she could not shout at the young girl for startling her.

"Party? Like a Ball?"

"No, No. A party is not a Ball! Its food, music and dance. Good youngie dance not the oldie stuff. Please! Let us go. I haven't been to a party for ages now."

"As if you are going to get an approval for a party!" Dusk snorted. She saw what happened to one shopping trip. Catherine's mother was very fussy about where she would let her child go. And Dusk had no intention of getting on the wrong side of Shanit Lidwig. She was the mother of the Crown Prince, after all... and pretty scary and an absolutely snob.

"Yes, this is at Cartier's Country House. You remember Henry Cartier at the Ball? He is the host. So, mom will allow me. I asked Louis, he said I can go if you take me along. Lord Cartier has sent a specific invitation for us to stay tonight at his country house!"

"So," Dusk said, "You have managed everything, huh? Even an invitation to stay over at their house. It seems you like Cartier Jr., is it?"

"Huh? No, not like that. But he is a good friend. And mom does not mind me being his friend. He is rich and a Noble..."

"Wait, isn't his house some 500 km from the capital? How will we go there? Fly?"

"No! that is his castle. I am talking of their country house. It's about 50 km into the countryside."

"Hold On! Weren't you banned from spending? How will you go to the party?"

"I will wear some clothes from previous party. You already have a party dress you told me when you came to the Ball. We will ask Susco to get one for herself quickly. Anyways all costs are yours, not mine. I am going only to help you out." Catherine batted her eyelids cutely at Dusk. "Of Course, if you are willing to buy new clothes, we can go to Central Mall and get new ones for ourselves too."

"Wait, Susco is invited too?"

"Yep, Henry specifically asked for her to come too. Now please tell Imperial Security that we will be going to the party. They will tell the maids to pack up and be ready. The maids will travel separately. We will go in the pink car. Susco can drive..." Catherine started.

Then seeing Dusk's expression, she knew Dusk did not want the maids, but she scoffed and said, "What? You think my mom will let me stay at Lord Cartier's home without my own maids? Or allow anyone to know I am doing my own stuff? Hah! You have hopes! In fact, mom has allotted 2 maids to specifically serve you on this trip."