Chapter 3: An Invitation

It was an ordinary day at the Palmon residence. The Duke of Palmon was also quite ordinary. He has a duchess and two sons. He has inherited his residence from his parents before him who have both now humbly retired to the countryside. He had his fair share of troubles of course, the very first was the rebellion of his first son at the age of only sixteen, took a horse and traveled to find the ocean.

Although the others often looked back at the incident as interesting and memorable of the Palmon residence, his son’s influence on the younger generations had taken its lead.

“Cassian!” Aristelle ran towards him in the castle much to her maids distraught.

“Aris hello--oof!”

She had engulfed him in the ruffles of her dress with her bear-like hug. They fell to the ground unceremoniously stacked upon each other. “Did you get an invitation?”

“Ow…invitation?” Cassian rubbed his head before coming to his senses. “Was this greeting really that necessary?” He found himself enraptured by her chocolate eyes, glowing like a full moon.

“What?” Aristelle crossed her arms over her chest and raised a brow at his reaction.

He turned away. “Nothing, Christ are you trying to kill me? What invitation are you talking about?”

“From the crown prince, Prince Aurelius,” said Aristelle, removing herself from Cassian and sitting down beside him. She reached into her dress and pulled out a letter with the royal emblem.

“What kind of invitation did he send you?” Cassian lifted himself to meet Aristelle as he received the letter.

“Afternoon tea at the Philia house. He mentioned that he invited you too,” said Aristelle.

“Young master, it was the letter from this morning,” said Herman, Cassian’s family head butler. He had been standing nearby the two for who knows how long.

“Good morning, Herman!” Aristelle said cheerily.

“Good morning to you too, Lady Aristelle,” said Herman. “Young master, would you like the letter?”

“Yes please,” replied Cassian, handing back Aristelle’s letter. He then stood up before dusting himself off. He offered a hand towards Aristelle.

She opened both hands to ask for his other hand.

He complied and pulled her up. It was just like they had always done as children, an exchange between friends instead of the proper elegant stand for a lady.

Aristelle watched as Cassian received the letter.

“Oh, it really is from the prince,” said Cassian, surprised at the royal emblem at the front.

“Like I’ve said!” Aristelle said. “Maybe we could do some shopping for something nice! After all, it's the first time we’ll be meeting him in public.”

“Shopping?” Cassian couldn’t put a finger on it, he was upset with the idea. But it was Aristelle, he would never decline something they would do together. After all it was his brother who often took them on such adventures… He shook his head from his thoughts, why would that matter now?

“Cassian?”

“Yes? I mean, yes, let’s do that,” replies Cassian, still slightly lost in his thoughts.

Aristelle studies his face for a moment before shrugging it off. “You still have training today, right? I want to come too.”

“Are you going to rob those poor soldiers again?” Cassian asked begrudgingly.

“No! I mean that sounds fun, but I’ll be good,” said Aristelle. She then added under her breath, “Maybe.”

“Aris,” warned Cassian.

She crossed her arms and turned away. “You’re not my father.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine, alright let’s go.”

X

“Checkmate,” said Aristelle, beaming at the chessboard.

The soldier groaned. “Do I really have to look for a cat? I would rather give up money...”

“Yes! I am determined to make her like me,” said Aristelle. “And I promised Cassian that I wouldn’t bet money today.”

However, the voice of the very person rang out. “Aris!”

“Oh no,” said Aristelle. She quickly threw her shoes off before running off. A slight yelp could be heard from where one of the shoes fell. She stuck her tongue out at Cassian before disappearing into the hedge maze.

Cassian groaned in defeat. The soldier nearby cupped his shoulder in pity.

Moments later, Reeves steps into the clearing holding what seemed to be Aristelle’s shoe. He yawned, rubbing the top of his head as he studied the shoe. Seeing that Cassian was picking up the matching shoe, he walked over to hand it to him. “Yours?”

Cassian shook his head. “They’re Lady Aristelle’s, I’m just holding onto them for now.” He then looked at Reeves’ face and recognized him from the ball dance. “You’re acquainted with her right?”

“Isn’t everyone?” Reeves said while handing over the shoe.

He studies Reeves' face for a moment before sighing. “But it might be different for you.”

“Different?”

“Sorry, I’m just talking to myself,” said Cassian. He opens a hand in greeting, “Cassian of Palmon.”

“Reeves Erland,” says Reeves, shaking his hand in return.

“I believe she has asked you for a dance?”

Reeves raised a brow. “It seems that everyone knows that now, why do you ask?”

Cassian seemed in deep thought again. He looks around quickly before asking. “Do you mind if we speak in private?”

Reeves studied his expression for a moment before accepting. “Lead on”

They walked through the garden underneath the shade of the trees. It was rather warm that day which made Reeves wish he continued his nap.

“She is a woman of high class,” said Cassian suddenly. “As long as she can be friends with as many people as she wants, she will ultimately be married off to someone deserving of her.”

“I understand,” said Reeves. “Why must you explain this to me? I’m plenty aware.”

Cassian seemed to doubt him still. “I don’t want to doubt you. Lady Aristelle is quite a charming woman really.”

“I haven’t intended to woo her if that’s what you’re thinking,” said Reeves. “And what’s your business for wondering?”

“Business? My apologies, I suppose we’re still just strangers.”

“Likewise, and I don’t believe I should have a hand in the business between yourself and your lady.”

“My lady?” Cassian lifted his shoulders and gazed at the ground. His mouth twitched into an awkward smile. It was obvious to the prince, why would anyone else think different? “No, no she doesn’t see me in that way at all.”

“I apologize for misunderstanding,” said Reeves, distracted, with his gaze elsewhere beyond the rose garden.

The silence between the two men became uncomfortable.

Reeves then sighs. His conscience didn’t let the silence continue. “Does she know?”

Cassian seemed lost in thought for a moment. He finally replied. “No, I don’t believe she does and...I don’t think she’ll like it.”

Reeves didn’t seem impressed. If anything, he seemed to regret becoming the love coach for this man.

“She was very close to my older brother,” said Cassian. “I always figured I’d be her closest companion after him but now…”

“Sir Cassian”

“Yes?”

Reeves’ eyes were deeply furrowed. It wasn’t his business, right? “Sir Cassian, I believe there are some things meant to be spoken about. If she never knows then it was never really about her in the first place.”

“Spoken about? You mean--”

“Hey!”

Both turned to see the flurry of what seemed to be the ruffles of a dress. The mischievous grin of Aristelle appeared soon after.

“Aris, christ my heart,” said Cassian with a hand over his chest.

“Has milady had enough running?” Reeves asked.

She stepped towards them, slightly breathless from running. “It’s too warm to be engaged in such behavior. Are those my shoes?”

Each has been carrying a pair of her shoes. Habitually, Cassian bent down to return his pair but Reeves held onto the other.

“Sir Reeves, I am not just going to just wear a single shoe,” said Aristelle with her hands on her hips.

“I don’t understand why you shoes like this,” said Reeves, placing the shoe behind his back to prevent her from taking them. “My head received this item far too dangerously.”

Aristelle stifled a laugh before curtsying. “I apologize for the misdemeanor of my shoe.” She then stepped shakily with her single shoe before slipping to the ground.

With an arm from each side she was saved from her fall. Both Cassian and Reeves grabbed her just in time.

“Oh, this is rather awkward,” mumbled Aristelle, a hand on each man’s arm.

Cassian sighed as he and Reeves helped her to her feet. “That’s enough from you, don’t forget we’re still in training today.”

Aristelle perked up at Cassian’s words. “Can I join?”

“No,” said Cassian, seemingly annoyed by the question.

She pouted. “Stingy” With Reeves’ help, she managed to have her other shoe returned.

“Lady Aristelle!” A red-faced maid walked briskly towards the three. She then escorted the lady back to the castle.

Before Aristelle disappeared from the sight of the two men, she turned around to stick her tongue out before curtsying to leave.