Chapter 111 - Tripped Over

Three men standing behind the table with their mouths twitching and with different kinds of facial expressions that consist of disbelief, dumbfounded and amusement at what they are seeing in front of them.

"What the hell did you bring a crossbow here!?" Gavril shouts and went besides Geraldine who is drinking her tea.

She peeks to the side to see Gavril fuming in embarrassment and gesture using his mouth towards the crossbow that is strapped on her back.

"What's the problem, Gavril? There's a chair beside you, so why do you want my chair?" She ask innocently as if she didn't understand what he really means.

Gavril was about to answer when the Duke cleared his throat and they all went to take their sit and the waitress immediately served them some tea and biscuits.

"Father…" Gavril called out the Duke but he just got ignored by him.

"Why did you bring a crossbow, Geraldine? Did you already forget what happened last time before you got banned to go to this event?" Gael spoke calmly as he drinks his tea but his eyes remained towards Geraldine.

"Yes brother, maybe she wanted to shoot someone again and embarrass our family name.." Gavril look at her with hate in his eyes but Geraldine only cocked her head to the side and smile.

"I don't know why you're reacting like this when father is the one who gave it to me. If you want to complain then tell father about it." Geraldine smirk and adjust the sling across her chess which is connected to the crossbow.

Gael and Gavril's eyes went to the Duke who nearly spit the tea he's drinking. He never expect Geraldine to say it in front of their faces and especially to the public but luckily she muttered it in a low voice to prevent others from hearing what she said. 

The Duke cleared his throat and look at his two sons who are waiting for an answer, "Well, that crossbow is less harmful than the one she used before so you don't have to worry if she's gonna shoot someone."

The two men look at their father in disbelief as they thought he was supposed to be the one who will scold Geraldine and teach her the proper manner but he gives her a crossbow instead.

"Father, look at her. She's wearing a white gown that looks so innocent but paired it with a crossbow. Doesn't she looks ridiculous." Gavril said and pointed at Geraldine to show his point.

"Gavril, you understand her attitude, right? The more we tried to scold or refrain her from doing something, she will do the exact opposite of what we said and it could lead to a more destructive occurrence." Duke Victor Gauthier explained in hopes that they could understand.

"Father's right, Gavril," Gael said then his eyes went to Geraldine as he spoke with a firm voice, "But it doesn't mean that you can still do whatever you want. Do you understand, Geraldine?"

"Brother, I won't shoot someone if they don't trigger me first. Even though I'm a hated person here, it doesn't give them the right to talk dirty towards me. After all, I am still a young miss of the Duke's residence and I need to protect my nobility, right?" Geraldine smiled sweetly which makes her brother cringe but can't say anything else since what she said is right.

After an hour, Geraldine excused herself to go back to her tent as she got a feeling that Alexjin's presence is near so she needed to get away as soon as possible. Also, the rest of her family went to talk to their friends or business partners while she remained alone at their table.

The evening air greeted her as she inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with fresh air. She begun walking back to her tent which is on the other side of the clearing. The torches which served as their light flickered due to the wind passing by.

There's less people walking by as they are all inside the green house and most servants are on their area as well, preparing dinner for their owners.

"Ah! This is nice," She whispered and look at the sky and because there are no abundant lights from the houses. The stars becomes more evident in the sky as it glisten to it's glory.

Her guard lowered at that time and she didn't realize she bump to another person's body, "Oh! Sorry," she muttered instantly and tried to step back which caused her trip over the tip of her gown.

Geraldine was ready to feel the impact but when she opened her eyes, jade colored eyes stare back at her. The man pull her up and let her regain the balance.

"Are you okay, milady?" Deep soft voice spoke and a hand pressed behind Geraldine's back makes her uncomfortable.

Geraldine instantly squirm herself away from the man and when she looked into the man who she bumps makes her freeze as she keeps staring at his face.

Golden hair as if it was kissed by the sun and jade eyes that complement his skin. A face that is very familiar to her makes her take a few steps back.

"Milady, I'm Kadon Moulin and I apologize for what happened. It's my fault that I wasn't looking to where I was walking and caused you trouble." Kadon spoke softly and bowed lightly in front of Geraldine who is still in shock.

All Geraldine wanted is to avoid only two people at the event, Kadon and Alexjin but fate is not on her side.

"It's fine." She replied and curtsied then she lowered her hat even more to cover her face and walk away in a fast pace.

"I haven't gotten..... your name , yet," Kadon shouts to the lady who is walking away like he's some sort of contagious disease. This also grabs his attention as no woman ever wanted to get away from him except for her and also because she's mysterious, he can't even see her face correctly and she gives no name or her identity.

"That girl, I haven't seen her around," He muttered to himself while trying to remember the noble ladies he met before. Kadon felt like he have met her before but couldn't point where and when.

"She's interesting."

***

"UGH! From all the people I bump with, why is it Kadon!? Why, why, why!?" Geraldine grasp her hair and pull it apart due to her frustration.

"I hope, he wasn't able to recognize me! Ah yes, he won't because I've been away for a long time and he only seen me at the masquerade ball wearing a full face mask! That's it! HAHAHA why do I need to worry pfft. There's nothing to worry about!" 

Geraldine laughed loudly as she pace back and forth on her own tent while convincing herself that everything will be okay.

"Kadon is better than meeting Alexjin! Yes, yes I should be grateful," she whispered and laughed lowly as a sign of relief.

"Umm, young miss?" Levine awkwardly stands at the corner of the room and patiently waited for her owner to notice her. She also saw everything but couldn't clearly understand what Geraldine are saying because she's whispering to herself.

"Ah! You are there. Why didn't you make yourself known sooner," Geraldine put her hands over her hips as she's breathing heavily, "You didn't hear what I just said, right?"

"No, young miss. I just arrive," Levine smiled awkwardly as both of them are looking into each others eyes, "Umm, you're dinner is ready."

"Bring it in, I'm starving!" Geraldine took off her hat and let her hair lose.

Levine place the food at the table and was about to leave when Geraldine stopped her, "Where are you going?"

"To the servants lounge, young miss," She inform and Geraldine shakes her head.

"Get your food and bring it here. Let's eat together," Geraldine smiled and gestured at the opposite table in front of her.

That actions makes Levine's heart melts as no noble would offer a seat to a server much more eat with them.

"Ye - yes! I'll be right back, young miss!" Levine spoke cheerfully and went outside the tent and fall in line to get her food from the servers.

Alike from the noble's food that was cooked by the famous chefs of the North Empire, servants are only given bread, egg soup and water as their dinner and there's no table or place for them to eat. So, most of them are sitting on the ground or finds a clean place in the clearing and that's where they grouped and eat together.

The line was long and it took a bit more time before she was up to get her food. This got her worried that Geraldine's food might get cold because of waiting for her that's why she's in haste to get back to Geraldine's tent. This caused her to unnoticed the feet on her way and makes her trip over, spilling all the food she carried and even burn her hand from the egg soup.