Chapter 22 - The Eternal Garden [Part 2]

"Cedric there you are".

A voice came in.

Cedric snaps his finger, the butterflies scattered even the one that clanged to my finger, I almost pout.

Cedric turned and I did too.

"James," Cedric said.

And there the fat ball was, the last time I saw him he was fat but now right now he just seemed more fatter? was he putting on more weight?

"There you are... we were wondering you didn't make it," He said in amusement walking towards us, his wife Camille came behind him.

"Lord James Albert," I said bowing elegantly.

"And if it isn't Lady Sylvia, you seemed to have put on some weight, Cedric must be treating you well I see".

I had to resist an eye roll at this point.

"Lord Cedric Hartford," Camille said with a dashing smile, bowing, it was sly and seductive?

She was dressed elegantly in a light blue sheath gown beneath, and a dark blue hooded cloak on top, embodied with silver designs, her silver hair let down to fall in waves, her hood up. Her curves were quite revealing also, making me a bit envious, she gave that vibe of confidence and elegance, a flawless nature to add to it.

I bit my button lip, why am I feeling so left out right now? I should know better than to think that way.

"Lady Sylvia" she grinned coming close to me.

"Lady Camille".

Both took our hands, giving a slight bow, a tradition Mother told me about.

"Say Cedric have you by chance seen Dalton he should be here," James said looking around for a bit.

"We're right here".

A voice came in as Dalton approaches us, Danette beside him, dressed in a sheath gown also but red, her cloak black, embodied with red designs, her hair pack in a bun but hidden underneath her hood.

"The road under reconstruction caused a delay" he adds.

We exchanged formalities as I did with James and Camille, once again Danette gave me a warm smile I couldn't resist.

"Well, Lady Sylvia it's good to see you again," Dalton said with a smug look.

I forced a smile.

"Lady Sylvia it's traditional you wear your hood up before the picnic, it's necessary," Camille said in amusement.

Dear Lord! I can't believe I forgot that Mother told me it was very important.

"My apologies," I said quickly putting on my hood. She would have just said so earlier, why wait till everyone was here? And then it dawned on me seeing her smug look, she did it on purpose.

"It appears there's so much your wife hasn't learned, is she taking her lessons seriously," Dalton said smirking.

I gulped.

"My mother took the liberty of doing so," Cedric said in a simple tone, once again he turned a blind eye to what was stirring just like he did during the banquet, as expected of Cedric Hartford.

"Well I do hope it's enough to put her in her place," Dalton said.

I gasp at his rude words.

"Now now everyone, the purpose of this picnic is to be away from all the works, as ambassadors, we're quite full of them so let us just enjoy what we came for," Albert said.

"Now shall we" he adds walking ahead.

The men walked ahead engaging in some sort of talk, Camille was up ahead also enjoying the scenery.

"I apologize for my husband's behavior," Danette said walking beside me.

I just forced a smile.

"He can be a bit overboard sometimes, a man fixed on the Empire laws can do that, he doesn't like when someone questions them" she adds.

"You think I question them..."

"No no not at all, you're not just used to them" she explained.

I smiled.

"I'm not angry Danette, and I do question their laws... it's too much" I reasoned sighing.

She giggled.

"I do not understand the too much you're speaking of because I have been here since I was a baby, it's like our everyday lifestyle, you will get used to it," she said.

I just nod, my eyes traveled to the gentlemen.

"How long have you been married to Lord Dalton," I asked curiously.

"A year now, same with the Albert's, we wedded the same day".

"Oh" I made a sound, that was quite uncomfortable, I wonder what it would have been like if we were all married the same day, I shivered at the thought.

"I have known Camille for years, we schooled the same and trained, she is what you may call the perfect silver-haired as they nicknamed her over the years"

"Tell me about it," I said with an eye roll earning a chuckle from Danette.

"You really are something aren't you"

I smiled.

"Something yes... manners no" Camille said as we got to her.

"Come on Cami, give her some space, it's not her fault she's not into our customs, we can help her by showing her" Danette offered.

She huff.

"I suppose we can if she can learn," she said eyeing me up to down like I didn't fit in and that got me angry.

"Seems like flawless isn't your only angelic features but that attitude of yours that keeps exploding," I said smirking.

She faced me with an angry look and a sudden stop.

"Ladies please, let's not draw attention to ourselves," Danette said looking back and forth between the two of us.

I looked away from Camille, coming in view of the newfound environment.

I gasped seeing the wide garden, how magnificent it looks, so what I saw earlier was just a glimpse of it, this view was absolutely stunning and enchanting.

And it seems we won't just be the only one here, other couples were too, enjoying their picnics on the evergreen grass and a tent set, it looked so royal, I was sure they all belonged to a different house of sorcery, and more there weren't silver-haired beside their husbands just normal ladies?

"Like what you see?" Danette asked beside me.

"Yes," I said breath taken, still engrossed by the view.