Their siblings sat frozen on their spot because of what their brother had said. The whole room immediately fell on silence that they could even hear the sound of their breathing. What Maxine had said bothered them but not in the way like Maxlein who did take it as a negative statement.
Maxine was startled on how cold the voice of her brother was. It was as if, Maxlein went back to his old cold self in her past. Her heart pounded like crazy, she became nervous all of a sudden.
Maxwell and Maxillary who have been listening while eating stopped eating and put their utensils down. The two of looked at Brother Lein then Maxine, then Lein, then Maxine.
They were looking back and forth on their two siblings. Whilst Maximillian and Maximo were silently observing the room.
The most affected of Maxine’s words was Maximillian who was still being distant at his sister up until now and their father, the Duke, Maximus who also felt guilty on ignoring his youngest child for 5 years with only Kath as her side.
Maxineirah suddenly turned blank and stared at nowhere. Maxine did not meant it for her brother to think like that.
It was her fault that she forgot that her Brother Maxlein was the most ill-tempered and often sulk among her brothers. She almost forgot because her brother also changed to fit her mood.
Maxlein’s ego was bad, he was being immature again and he did not know it. He thought, Maxine did not like the way he was being kind to her. Maxine’s question just now sounded sacastic to his ears eventhough it was really not.
“I-I am sorry, B-roth-“ Maxine could not finish her words when Lein’s chair screeched back on the floor. He stood up abruptly and bowed to his father as a respect.
“Pardon me, Father. I am full. I am going first in the carriage.” The Duke just nodded without thinking. He was still in shock for what was happening.
Maxlein turned around and walked towards the door. His family were just eyeing him from behind, following him with their stares until a servant opened the door for him and he finally walked out of the room.
Maxine could not help but to bow her head because of what happened. She did not know if she have to either follow his sulking brother or let him be.
Maximus cleared his throat to lessen the tension of the room. “Let’s continue eating.”
Despite of what happened, the continue to eat but their appetite had vanished because of the scene.
Maxine’s question was still lingering around their minds and thinking about something that had to do with it.
Maxine forced herself to chew the food given by her father. They finished eating faster then expectedd, unusually for the time they always spend eating.
Meanwhile…
The Zachrono’s servants and Knights were eating loudly in a lively manner. They were really wasting the Duke’s money as they could since the Duke treated them again since the last time they could not remember anymore.
Kathelina could only shake her head upon seeing everyone around her. She could not help but to think and worry about Maxine because these past few days, she have been busy with something.
“Duke is really great!” one of the Knight escorts complimented the absent Duke in a baritone joyful voice as he lifted a cup beer on the air. The rest of the Knights created a noise to cheer as their response. Kath smiled and shook her head because of her comrades.
Kathelina leaned her cheek on her palm when someone placed a plate full of dishes infront of her. She looked up to the man but it was not needed anymore because the man sat across her.
Her breath hitched when she realized who it was. She heard fake coughs in the background but she ignored them.
Kath was startled and put her arms down on her lap. She looked at other direction when Hushker suddenly looked at her and smiled.
Hushker smiled at her and Kath could see him on her peripheral vision.
“Let’s dig in.” The man said. She gently nodded her head and avoided the man’s gaze infront of her. She picked up the spoon with her hands shivering a little.
Her heart was pounding in her chest as if it wanted to burst out. She was nervous in an unknown reason and she could feel a tingling sensation on her stomach. The atmosphere rose inside the club house and suddenly felt hot for her.
How could she calm herself down? She did not even know why she was like that whenever Hushker was around her.
The guy always pops up anywhere whenever she was alone. Too great timing for the man to talk to her and for her to be embarrassed infront of him that always makes her work longer than ususl because she kept on doing those things wrong and repeating it again.
Hushker could see how flushed Kath was and he could not help but to adore that face more. He was like seeing a little cute bunny infront of him.
Kathelina ate slowly. She did not know what to do or what to talk with Hushker.
She was being anxious on the way Hushker was looking at her while she was eating.
Kathelina was reserved, she only talks with few maids, no close colleague other than her Missy. She could only interact well if it was about work but other than that, she was really quiet and did not know how to socialize so she did not know what to say in these kind of situations.
‘Oh, please. I am embarrased enough. Stop looking at me with that way!’ Kath muttered inside her head but could not say it aloud.
“Hush! Do you not know that it is rude watching other people while they are eating?!” one of his comrade told him from afar. The others made a noise as if tesaasing Sir Hushker.
Kathelina’s co-maids were giggling while the boys were shouting nonsensical words that really made her embarassed to the man beside her.
“Just eat, you guys.” Hushker stopped them but he could not help but to smile secretly because of the tingling feeling.
Kathelina felt something rose and blocked her throat so she reached the glass of water infront of her, avoiding the teasing eyes. She wanted to clear her throat to remove the lump on her throat but she did not want to be the center of attention
She took a side glance at Hushker and she caught him also looking at her secretly. Lips tight sealed, they looked away from each other and flushes visible on their faces. The woman felt like her head would burst anytime. Sobrang init ng pakiramdam niya at parang gusto niyang magwala -sa kilig.
‘Calm down Kathelina. Think about something, think something!’ she convinced herself while fanning hersemlf in her imagination.
She did not know how she finished that great amount of food despite of the sensation she was feeling. Her nervousness lessened when Hushker sat quietly infront of her and ate with her but she could feel glances coming from him. Well, Hushker’s silence helped her to dissolve her panic.
After hearing from their comrades that they would be leaving, Kathrlina immediately stood up while forcing herself not to look at Hushker who was hoping to be glance by her.
“Miss Vigar-“ Hushker stood up and wanted to escort the Lady but Kathelina immediately vanished in the crowd that was leaving.
Hushker could not help but to heave a deep sigh and smile with a dismay.
Kathelina has a pretty face and gentlemen tried to catch her aloof attitude but none piqued her interest. No one succeeded. She was too engrossed in taking care of her Lady that she did not have time to entertain such things.
But these days, a man who she just know afar was starting to stir her mind up, her so composed mind.
Thinking of him unconsciouslyunconsciouslyj9 and physically bugging her all day whenever she leaves her Master.
The adjutant of the Zachrono Knight Squad, Hushker Lifre Castrozia. A tall man with well-built body and tan colored skin with yellow hair and dark eyes that looks mysteriously dangerous, piercing but warm.
Kath did not really know how and why Hushker’s face seems to be pinned inside her mind.
She was not born yesterday not to know things. She was not new to this kind of things, she just want to pretend naive and dumb to ignore the surging feelings.
(Maxine’s PoV)
“We still have hours. I am going to the Palace so you can wander around but not too much. Limit yourselves.” Father said with his hands behind him before turning his back on us and talked with some of the Knights we brought.
The Knights with us would not be any greater than 10 and we brought each other’s servants plus Dad’s aid. That would make us less than 20.
Hmm. We still have hours before we depart. What should I do?
Oh! I need to buy gift for the Viscount son’s birthday. How could I forgot. Haaa.
Hmmm. But what gift be the youngest son would be satisfied with? What did Brother Maxillary gave him on his birthday?
Ugh. I could not possibly remember because it was already wrapped…poorly anyway.
I could not gift him a sword. Maybe, a jewel? But that was too feminine. What would boys around his age would like?
“Milady?” I was startled when someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to Kath who looked at me with a question mark on her face. I smiled awkwardly at her.
Did my mind wandered too much?