Chapter 149 - Elegance

Parson Residence,

Regina was currently checking all of the invitation cards from a few houses. It's also part of Dana and Katarina's social gatherings. She declined it all. She didn't say anything. This time, they had saved millions of money every day from the shopping expenses, gas, and other foods that the two consumed. Her darling Victoria never spends much money on a day. But they are spending too much although their family has an income of half-billion or sometimes billions. 

"Are you sure about this?" Her secretary Yazmin asked. 

"Yes." 

"Alright," Yazmin burned the invitations. Then, there's another letter. A letter from the Duke of Westeria. 

Regina's heart started thumping as she opened it. Then, there's another card. A red and black one. 

"An invitation from the Thunder Lily Castle." Regina smiled. "I have a beautiful suite in a castle and a beautiful view of the wild orchids." 

"That's great, madam." 

"I don't think I could leave the mansion," Regina mumbled. Then, there's a P.S. part that Kenzo wrote. 

P.S. Victoria is still worried about you. Please visit. 

"I am sure that Miss Victoria is expecting you, Milady." 

"Yes, I should visit." She said. "Don't let them know about it. Make sure that they can't leave this mansion." 

"Yes, milady." 

Regina went to her closet to choose what to wear. She doesn't care much if she use the same clothes that she wore last month. Victoria doesn't buy many clothes for herself. She's thrifty like her mother. 

"I want to have comfortable clothes too." She told her secretary, who is also her assistant. 

While the two women were busy packing, a knock on the door made them stop. Then, Secretary Yazmin approached the door and opened it. 

"Miss, Lady Madeleine Belmont is here. She's asking for Lady Dana." 

"Hold it." 

Regina was confused about why Dana was close to Madeleine Belmont. She's not even close to the late wife of Belmont. She wonders what's going on. 

"Let her in," Regina said after hearing it from the Butler. Now, she wanted to know what happened. 

They made Madeleine wait for a moment as Regina went downstairs and greeted the Countess. She bowed her head as Madeleine did the same. 

"What can I do for you, Countess?" Regina asked. 

"Thank you for welcoming me warmly. I am here to see Lady Dana?" 

"Oh," Regina gestured to the seats as Madeleine sat down while Regina was getting ready to sit down. She thought that Madeleine was well knowledgeable about etiquette. She's a senior and she should have waited for her. "May I know what this visit is all about?" 

"Well, we set up an appointment for business." 

"Hmm, I understand. But Dana isn't here. She went on a vacation to an island with bad reception, with her family." 

"Oh," Madeleine seemed to be disappointed. "I will visit again. Maybe wait for her until she contacts me." 

"Sure, you are welcome. But you haven't touched your tea yet." 

"I am very busy, Baroness Regina. Thank you for your time." 

Regina nodded her head. A Butler rushed in. 

"Baroness! A gift from the Duchess of Westeria!" 

Regina's face beamed and it made Madeleine stop from walking to the door. She turned sideways to see as the baroness opened the big box. 

"This isn't just a gift, but gifts?" Regina chuckled. "Oh my… My granddaughter never forgets about me." 

"Madam, there's also a gift from the Marchioness." 

Madeleine quickly left as Regina watched her leave. After Madeleine was out of her view.

Her phone chimed after seeing Madeleine leave. She checked her phone to see a message from Prince Philip. She smiled. It's been a while since he messaged her through mobile phones. 

Prince Philip: I'll meet you in the Thunder Lily Castle. 

She quickly replied. 

Baroness Regina: I'll see you there, your highness. 

She put down her phone and opened the fragile box from the Marchioness. She suddenly felt loved by her. She never had a daughter and Vivien took care of her like a daughter who was supposed to take care of the mother. Neither of her daughters-in-law would care for her. Even when she was in the hospital. Only her granddaughter, Victoria would visit often and would also stay for a night after her work. 

<><><> 

Thunder Lily Castle

Currently, the Marchioness was helping her daughter, the Duchess of Westeria, on making an actual fruit tea from their shop. This time Victoria wanted to have a bar near her husband's office. So, she customized a few rooms for it. 

"It's best if we freeze these fresh fruits and replace a little ice with it," Vivien told her daughter. 

Victoria's eyes widened at the beautiful cocktail that Vivien made. It's the one that she's going to serve to her husband. She's practicing every day after she recovered to be the best wife for the Duke. She also plans to train on how to be a perfect Duchess later. 

"This is beautiful." 

"I know." Vivien smiled. "Small amount of vodka won't make him drunk." 

"Yeah, he's good at handling his alcohol." Victoria put the beautiful clear goblets on the tray with the food that they baked for the Duke. Vivien escorted her to the Duke's office as she knocked gently. Then, Victoria opened it and took the tray from her mother. 

Kenzo is currently on the phone and he's talking to someone over it. He seemed frustrated. Victoria knew that he had long patience but this time, seeing his face red in frustration made him agitated. 

"I want that report right away! Yes!" He scolded the person on the phone. Kenzo never raised his voice to her and somehow, it's the first time that she heard him scold someone. He hung up as he creased his brows and looked down at the documents. It seemed like he never noticed her there. 

She gently placed the tray on the coffee table. Then, she approached him, gently wrapping her arms around his neck. Kenzo relaxes and inhales her scent. 

"You smelled good and delicious." 

She giggled and kissed his top head. 

"Why are you angry? I never see you frustrated like that." 

"Well," he held her arm, hanging on his neck. "The report was needed today. I can't wait no more until Kennedy will be put in the dungeon." 

"Take it slow. Okay? I make pasta and nice fruit tea." 

"You are amazing." 

The couple kissed passionately and hugged each other. It's one way to relieve Kenzo's stress. He left everything and ate with his wife. It's lunch. Kenzo was so busy that he didn't get a chance to eat all of the snacks that she prepared. She tried so hard to prepare it for him and he was very unhappy that he forgot about everything else when he's focused on work. 

"You know love, I can help you. Why won't you also hire a secretary?" 

"I have Butlers. They are family Butlers and they are more capable than any secretary." 

"Then, set up one or two for you?" She asked. 

"I'll think about it." He hummed on the salted egg pasta that she made. "This tastes great." He mumbled. "By the way, how's your assistant?" 

"Pauline?" She asked. 

"Is that her name?" He creased his brows. 

"Yes. Uh, she's currently on sick leave. She caught the flu and so I gave her time to recover." 

"Well, if there's something wrong with her. You can always find someone suitable and change her." 

"Don't worry, love. Everything is fine." 

Victoria watched her husband eat to recover his strength. One thing that gives him a headache is eating past the time. He just forgot everything quickly these past few days. 

"Uhm, grandma will arrive tonight." 

"That's good." He reached the goblet and sipped on the drink and chewed on the fruit. "This is great. It's elegant." He smiled at her. 

"Yes," She agreed. "Love?" 

"Hmm?" He put it down and focused on her. "I don't want you to hire a female assistant or secretary for yourself." 

He chuckled and poke her nose. 

"No. I won't do that. I know that you get jealous easily and it's toxic." 

"Yeah, like you were jealous last night?" 

He sighed and had to agree with that. 

"Hardin looked handsome. He's a bachelor, he's rich and~~" 

"Love, you are a Duke." She giggled. 

"What I'm saying is, if we haven't met each other earlier and you met Hardin. You'll probably fall in love with him. Since he's also kind." 

"Yes, he's kind and dreamy. But for me, you are enough. I haven't dreamt of any man but you since that night you married me." 

"Good thing." He chuckled and kissed her lips. 

"Also, I had delayed my training as a Duchess. Prince Philip will also arrive. I want to learn from my Grandma, my mom, and from the Prince. On how to be a perfect Duchess." 

Kenzo smiled slowly and stared at his Duchess's beautiful face. He knew her worries and he was the same. That's why he loved her more each day. 

"You don't have to be perfect, Victoria. I told you this many times. You are already perfect." 

"Kenz, you know what I mean." She reached his hand. "I don't want to embarrass you." 

"You are not." Kenzo sighed. "I love you and that's all that matters." 

"Don't worry," Victoria smiled. "I will do my very best for you. Because I love you… like bigger than the universe." She giggled. 

"Yeah, I'll have those sweet words recorded in my mind."