The Love Potion Trials Continue

Aine ignored her maid, Mila’s call, and continued stomping on the walkway, glaring at every flower, like she was cursing them one-by-one in her head. Breakfast did not end well, with her mother scolding her again for her ‘odd’ hobbies. Her parents already found out about her love potions, thanks to her tenth subject becoming aggressive—smashing the teacups and teapot, and even almost breaking a chair when Aine rejected his love-potion-induced-out-of-nowhere marriage proposal. The other young men were also reportedly talking about feeling light-headed and having vague recollections of doing something really strange after visiting the Darien manor. Some of them also came out with injuries. Well, there were times Aine had to defend herself. Other times, the young men ended up hurting themselves through their own actions. Lady Odette had given Aine an ultimatum to stop with the love potion, or else she’d throw all her potions and all her magic-related paraphernalia.

Aine headed for the center of the greenhouse and slumped on the chair. Her mother’s overreacting. In the end, all the young men were unharmed. So what if they felt light-headed? They’ll recover after a nap. So what if they did something strange? It wasn’t that bad. She recalled one young man who jumped into the fountain, declaring he’d willingly drown for her. Yeah…it wasn’t that bad, right?

Aine suddenly heard the rustling of leaves. She turned toward the array of lilies. Is that black hair? Aine almost stood, but Mila’s voice stopped her.

“Please don’t cause any more trouble this time, Miss,” Mila said in her usual soft voice. “Remember Lady Odette’s warning.”

Aine merely clicked her tongue in response.

The door creaked open once more, and in came a gentleman. He donned a blue, rather very neatly-pressed tuxedo, and he had neon green highlights at the tips of his brushed-up black hair. He stopped walking and brought out a small mirror.

“Brilliant.” He beamed at his reflection.

Okay… Aine thought. Another weird one.

“Your date is here. I’ll take my leave.” Mila gave Aine a short bow and walked back toward the door. She bowed again at the gentleman before exiting.

“Good day, Lady Aine.” The gentleman bowed as he approached the table. “I’m Harold Hayes, son of Lord Clifford Hayes.” He smiled at her.

Aine nodded, but didn’t smile back. “Please.” She gestured at the empty seat in front of her. “Please wait for a while for tea. My servants are preparing.” She added under her breath, “Apparently because I’m no longer allowed to.”

Harold sat down. He placed his hands on the table, clasped together. “Oh, I don’t mind. The tea can wait. Rather, there’s a topic I’m more eager to discuss.”

Aine, who was not in the mood to pretend to be nice, raised her eyebrow.

“Accept my proposal, My Lady,” Harold said.

Aine merely looked at him with palpable disinterest.

“Marry me,” Harold said. “And I promise to make the Darien Corporation even bigger. It will be an empire.”

“Is this offer supposed to be irresistible?” Aine asked. “Because I don’t really see the appeal.”

Harold chuckled. “You really are indeed quite the Lady as I was told. Even if you don’t see the appeal in my offer, I’m pretty sure you can see my appeal.” He stood, pulled his chair to move it beside Aine, and then sat. He brought his face closer to hers, making Aine quickly recoil in disgust. “Marry me, and with my immeasurable intelligence and undeniable charm, we will both become the wealthiest and grandest in all of Berwin!”

Aine just stared at him, appalled. Lady Odette told her to behave this one time. But these were the types of people you do not really behave for. Right at the perfect time, Mila re-entered the greenhouse, carrying a tray with a tea set and slices of carrot cake.

Aine’s hand grasped her dress’s pocket, feeling the glass vial, which contained love potion. Aine smiled at the approaching Mila, apologizing to her maid in her head. Sorry, Mila. I’ll be causing trouble this time as well.