Chapter 8 (1/2)

Very Much 8 : A Visit Home

Lina Sidorova

W

ith Colette in his arms, Lionel

rode his horse into the centre of her town. They were very conspicuous. Here

was a knight in ceremonial dress on a large war horse. Not only that, the

knight was the leader of the Black Dragon Knights that had recently returned

home victoriously. He had Colette in his arms, holding her like she was

precious to him,

‘Are you alright, Colette?’

‘I’m not okay, everyone is staring

at me…’

‘Don’t take any notice.’ He said.

Although she thought there was a big problem, she didn’t want to start a

quarrel with Lionel in the middle of the street with everyone watching. She

covered her face with her hand and held on to Lionel,

‘Isn’t that the Folk’s young lady?’

‘Didn’t she go to the castle for

apprentices.h.i.+p? She seems to have caught a good man.’

‘But he seems higher than her

level, don’t you think?’

They watched with expressions of

curiosity and envy. It seems Lionel has always been exposed to gazes and words

like these. Colette had only ever been watching from the sidelines. Now that

they were at the same position, she could understand him a little more,

‘…Lionel is really strong,’

‘What did you say?’

‘You’re mentally strong. I don’t

know if I can get used to…’

Even though, she would get used to

it, it seemed to be a painful thing. Maybe it would really be impossible to be

with him. She should try to dissuade him when they got to her parents’ home. As

she was thinking this, he touched her face and said softly, ‘Don’t worry, I

will be your s.h.i.+eld,’

His gentle words melted her heart.

That small comment made her love him even more. He pulled Colette even tighter

to him. In the end, she was no longer angry when they reached her parents’

trading company.

It looked like someone had sent

word that they were coming, for Colette’s parents were waiting at the entrance

for them looking tense, but more well dressed than usual. They probably changed

their clothes for their esteemed guest, Colette thought as Lionel dismounted

and lifted her down gently. Everyone was welcoming, and they had their

professional faces on.

Surely everyone was thinking: a

serious thing has happened.

His war horse was taken by an

employee to the stables behind the shop. So Colette and Lionel turned to her

parents. They were led to the reception room, where the four of them faced each

other. Lionel gave in first,

‘Pardon my sudden unannounced

visit. I am Lionel de Guiryal, the Earl of Foleilly,’

‘Of course, we know who you are.

How come the Earl wishes to see us?’ her father replied timidly. It seemed that they did

not yet understand whey Lionel was here (Zuben: They ain’t psychic). How were

they going to explain it to them? Colette’s heart pounded nervously.

Lionel replied, ‘Lionel would be

fine. It will all be explained in time. We just need to wait for the rest of

the party.’

‘What? What are you talking about?’

Her father said confused by the situation at hand. Colette also did not know

who was coming, but she was amazed at Lionel’s boldness; using another man’s

house like it was his own.

There was a knock on the door, her

father called, ‘Enter, please,’ and an employee led two men into the reception

room,

‘Matthew…’ Colette called as she

realised who had arrived. It was Matthew her fiancé and his father. In the two

years that she had been away, he had grown even taller. He was one year older