Chapter 9 - The First Invitation
The new general had instantaneously made a mark and earned the respects of the soldiers that once were his father's troops and without a doubt, Cain became a favorite general of the Regaleria Kingdom owing to his looks, skills and the fact that he was younger than the other generals of King Garlow.
Quickly, he became the front liner of the regiment and the head of battle strategies and command. No one would dare object such decision though, for the other generals themselves admitted that Cain truly was one skillful warrior in battle. He ultimately became the major general of the group in just a span of eight months.
Being this much popular had busied him every day but what somehow kept his time more was the one command Garlow had specifically assigned for him to do and it was the re-excavation of the cave in the City of Olga; the very cave his father died in. If it wasn't because of this particular order, he would have been in the Soulisse Mansion hosting a party for his many great success.
The princess was in the second floor of the library one evening when she heard footsteps downstairs. Peeking at the glass balustrade, she found Lady Faye finishing up a setup of white cake lighted with twenty-four tiny candle sticks and a red sparkling wine. With those immediately in sight, she remembered that it was actually her twenty-fourth birthday.
"Happy birthday, Princess Lianne," Lady Faye greeted as she glanced up at her leaning on the iron railing. She saw the princess' face lit up with joy as she began to scurry down the winding stairs towards the first floor.
"Lady Faye! Really, you shouldn't have bothered to prepare all of this!" Lianne stated as she smiled sweetly and hugged the old woman. "But anyway, thank you. Even I myself had forgotten what today is, but you...wow, you never once did."
"Don't think too much about that my dear. I'm not too old to forget," the Head Servant commented as she patted Lianne's back. "Now, go on, blow the candles."
Lianne smiled shyly and pouted her lips at the sight of the cake. "Hhmm, I'm too old for this kind of stuff Lady Faye."
"Hush," the old woman quickly dismissed. "Nonsense. The least I could do is this, since you never wanted to have a party in your birthday."
"I am truly grateful for your cooperation of not telling the others about this occasion," the princess affirmed as she began to position herself in front of the glass table and gently blew the flames out of the candles.
"Here are your gifts then." Lady Faye subsequently laid out a basket of gifts in the table for the princess to see.
"Oh my!" She darted a questioning look at the Head Servant. "I thought you didn't tell them?"
The gifts apparently came from Lianne's closest friends in the mansion, particularly the kitchen staff.
"I cannot just throw them away right? It is their willingness to give you a birthday gift since they weren't allowed by you to celebrate your birthday. You don't even know how regretful they were to find out too late about your birthday last year," Lady Faye responded conscientiously, hoping that the princess would accept the gifts.
The princess sat helplessly on the settee adjacent to the glass table.
The gifts did truly made her feel cared-for by the kitchen staff. If only she wasn't too uptight on herself that maybe they could have one good celebration together.
She pondered on those too many birthdays she had skipped just in order to keep herself from everyone's attention. But what good was celebrating a birthday anyway when she had no family to share such joyous occasion with?
Lady Faye exactly knew that fact, but still the old woman couldn't let such an occasion pass by without just a little surprise for the young lady.
"What are you waiting for? Open them my dear," Lady Faye ordered without delay. She took a wrapped box and handed it to the princess who gave her a quick contented smile.
There were six gifts inside the basket. Every single box wrapped uniquely as to the owner's preference. There was a rose quartz pair of earrings in one box, a handkerchief, a bead bracelet, a pair of white lace gloves, and a diamond flower hairclip inside other boxes respectively.
Everything she received was all feminine, exactly suited for her, but what caught Lianne's attention was the slim, rectangular box placed on the bottom of the basket she last opened. There was no name in it to suggest who the giver was, only a greeting of 'Happy Birthday' written in front of it. No initials nor any marks or clue which effectively made her intrigued more.
Upon opening the gift, she was surprised by its content. It proved to be a book entitled 'In the Gods Own Hands' authored by J.M. Felic.
"Ah, where have I read this author before?" Lianne thought to herself, somewhat unable to recall the author's previous works that she might have read in the library.
"With so many books that passed in your hands my dear, I don't think you'd be able to remember that one author," Lady Faye commented.
"I don't even know who gave this to me." The princess once again scanned the wrapper for any missed names, but found none.
"Why don't you eat your cake and stop thinking about that for now." The Head Servant then prepared her a slice and poured a glass of wine to balance the sweet taste.
Whoever the person that gave this book to her must have known what kinds of books she wanted to read, but as to who this person was, was exactly the problem.
~ 0 ~
Four days after Lianne's birthday, Lady Faye received a letter addressed to the princess from the Soulisse Mansion. She immediately gave the letter to the princess who was at the vegetable garden planting tomato crops with Malerna.
In the shade of an oak tree, Lianne opened the letter wondering what the contents were all about. She had not seen the popular lord for quite sometime after he became the major general, and receiving a letter from him was one new thing for her.
I want to invite you to my party at the Soulisse mansion. It will be two days from now, so I expect you to come without hesitation. Don't worry, I will talk to the King about it tonight.
That was what the letter stated. A simple letter but yet with words that gave more impression on the general. It sounded very assertive and it was giving off an aura that he wouldn't take no for an answer. On top of that, he even mentioned asking the King's permission himself.
Right after reading the message, Lianne instantly felt anxious. It would definitely be her first ball if she will go. What would she wear? How would she act? Will she have a chaperon going there? Or will she go alone?
There were so many questions in her mind that bottled up her anxiety even more, but it actually wasn't her topmost problem right now. It was actually different. It was the King's permission in the end that weighed all of it. She had already expected that Garlow would never allow her to go. She was after all his prisoner in this mansion.
That night, Erza went in the princess' room bringing with her an important message. It seems that Lord Cain had visited the mansion and went to the King's bedchamber.
The princess was sitting comfortably in a stool facing a small vanity mirror combing her hair. She was all ears on Erza as she continued on with the message.
"Your Highness, the King has allowed you to attend General Cain's ball," Erza stated with a suppressed giggle in the end.
Lianne paused in an instant and turned to face the servant who looked giddy with excitement.
Her mouth was agape upon hearing it. Never had she expected that Garlow would agree to Cain's request. That sick of a man, surely, there must be some flaw.
"Oh, princess!" Erza shouted. "At last, the time has come for your debut in society!" She clasped her hands with her eyes twinkling in enthusiasm.
"You make it sound so surreal Erza," Lianne replied simply as she returned to combing her hair, but she couldn't contain the wild beating of her heart.
How did he manage to get Garlow's approval? That was what she asked herself.
"I wonder what dress would make you shine princess," The younger maid commented as she began to scrutinize the princess' wardrobe.
"Erza! That wouldn't matter!" Lianne shouted, watching the servant continuously rummaging the dresses that was hung on the hanger.
She immediately felt gloomy upon the sight of her wardrobe. "Besides, I don't have anything in there to wear properly," she confirmed. "I can't possibly present myself well in front of Cain's guests."
This was ever the first time she felt cognizant of her own misfortune in terms of her overall appearance. Cain have seen her dress like a servant, and she knew he didn't mind it, but attending a ball mingling with other significant guests would be a different matter.
Erza felt the frustration of the princess, but she brightened her face at the thought of some plan. "Oh, princess. Surely, Lady Faye can solve that problem," she proclaimed.
"There wouldn't be any problem regarding that my ladies."
The two women turned their heads at the same time to where another woman's voice suddenly emerged. Lady Faye stepped inside Lianne's room wearing a pleased smile as she faced the princess who was now confused.
"I'm sorry. The door wasn't properly shut, I couldn't help overhearing your conversations."
Erza quickly provided the Head Servant a stool to sit on, but she dismissed the offer waving her hand on the servant. "I will be quick. I have more things to do."
"Lady Faye?" Lianne cleared her throat waiting for the old woman to continue.
"You may go now Erza," the Head Servant ordered, dismissing her promptly. Soon as the servant was out, she began to cite the issue at hand.
"The King did allow you to attend the ball, that is good news, but I am to accompany you to it, that was his condition."
Lianne stared at the old woman digesting everything she said. She was amazed by the simplicity of Garlow's condition, but nevertheless, was pleased upon knowing that Lady Faye will accompany her in her first ever ball.
Is this the only flaw there is? Or is there much more waiting for her during the ball itself?
"And about the dress. I do have one spare when I was younger that I had never worn." Lady Faye remembered consequently. "I'm pretty sure that dress would perfectly suit you dear," the Head Servant added.
"Oh! Lady Faye thank you!" Lianne expressed openly, relief washing all over her anxious face.
"Now, now. I am just happy to see you smile. But, you would have to wait until tomorrow to fit the gown."
Lianne nodded in response, politely accepting the setback. "That would be just fine Lady Faye, don't worry, I can wait."