Die Arthia

B i l a n g LVII

I look around the whole garden of Ariesè manse while having a silent tea.

I heard some movements behind me but I did not move because I know who is it. I can smell his familiar scent.

"Did you have fun last night?" He asked and move his hand, asking a servant for a cup.

"No." I said honestly. I saw the lady last night went out of the mansion. She stretched out while yawning.

Very bold for a lady.

"What happened?" Levi looked at where I'm looking while taking a sip from his tea now.

"It's Luxius." I said and looked at him, he also look at me and put down his tea cup. He leaned on the chair and give all his attention to me.

"What did he do?" He asked.

"He asked me to marry him." I said. Levi raised one of his brows as he survayed my face.

"Ofcourse you rejcted him." He said. I sipped on the cup of my tea and look away, my eyes wandered on the lady, she's not alone anymore. Duke Ariesè is watching her from behind, while she keeps on looking at him smiling, the Duke looks serious.

"It feels different this time." I said and looked at him, the wind blows. "He sounds sincere." I said

"Don't tell me that changed your mind?" I shook my head in a dramatic way. He sighed and look away.

I don't know why I'm telling this to him, I just feel I should.

"About the mansè of Laissè." I said get his attention again but he did not look at me. I continued talking. "I'll just wait until you become the Emperor." I said. He look at his cup of tea and then transfered his gaze to mine. Our eyes met, I can't read him.

"Why did you let your maid hear you in purpose?" He asked. I look away when I noticed that the Duke and the lady is hugging each other. From afar I can see how their mouth open as they talk to each other.

"I'm doubting her." I honestly said. "She's shaking everytine she sees me looking at her, as if she's hiding something and she's not like that before." I said and took a sip on my tea, still watching the two from a afar.

The lady faced the Duke and wipe his tears. Is he crying? What happened last night?

"You think she's scheming something behind your back?" I stop.

Den is fooling me?

That thought suddenly came to my mind. Is she? She's been loyal and serving me since forever I don't think she'll fool me but there's still doubt now that she's acting strange towards me.

She won't betray me.

I fixed my hair behind my ears before looking at Levi.

"Where do you think she is right now?" I asked realizing that I haven't seen her today.

He did not move and just watch my expression.

"You don't trust me too?" He asked making me laughed.

There he goes again. His anxiety is my anxiety. I'm fearing that he'll turn his back on me and his anxiety is seeing me fear that thought, he thinks that I'll leave because of that.

Now tell me Levi, are you like Luxius?

Do you want to marry me too?

Are you like your other brothers? If yes, why aren't you showing it and why are you infront of me dealing with me and my whims?

Why are you so patient with me? What do you want in return? Why won't you voice it?

I smiled and look at the Duke and the lady.

"You called her name last night." I said referring now to the uncertain lady. "Cecilà." I said and look at him. "She looks young, do you know her?" I asked. He's just watching my expression, he did not even flinched when I saw him.

"He's the Duke's lady." He said.

"You know her?" He shook his head. "Then why did you called her name last night with so much passion?" He wrinkled his forehead. I sip on my tea cup, it's the last drop of tea.

"Because it's her name." He said plainly. "There's a huge painting of her in the Duke's bedroom and he really loves that lady." I wrinkled my forehead.

Love?

"Love?" I voice out my question, he look at me. "What's that?"

I know is that it's the feelings that one person feel for another, and it's temporary.

Is it a family that stays together when there's a storm and face the calamity together?

Is it a friendship that understand each other?

I heard servants who have lovers that it's fun being loved. Hugging the person who you share feelings with and planning a future with them?

I probably forgot the feeling of being loved or I was never loved?

How can I forget that little thing about myself?

"Have you ever love Levi?" I asked Levi. My heart is racing so fast with unknown reason, I'm just glad that I didn't shutter.

I look at the Duke and the lady so he won't notice my shaking eyes.

"That's a big word." He said. "But yes, I think I'm inlove." He whispered the last words which made my heart race more. I slowly look at him amazed.

I never imagine him being inlove.

"How about you Tia?" He asked, I slowly shook my head, the wind blows again.

"How did you choose the one you love?" I asked. From a frown face he slowly smirk.

"Tia, you don't choose who you love." He said then place his elbow on the table between us, he intertwined all his fingers covering his mouth. "I did not choose you because I want to."

♡
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