Chapter 7 Part 7

"Not dangerous. But who brought this?"i muttered.

I sat down again. I hugged the soft doll.

"Whoever it is, thank you for thinking of me even though it's late,"i don't know if I should be so happy about this very late gift or just be suspicious. Maybe they are doing this to make me a weapon against Gerald.

"No-Miss!"Jenny's voice startled Her. she stood with her hand holding the vase, her body shaking with sweat.

"What is it?"

"Yes-His Highness the Grand Duke is inviting you for dinner, tonight!" she said with an exclamation of disbelief and a little annoyance.

"What?!"i spontaneously sat up with a surprised face.

What's wrong with Cleo? Did something happen to him? Did he eat something wrong today? A personal dinner invitation? This is not normal, okay. This is suspicious.

***

Lyana went in her green dress. With long hair tied up with a yellow ribbon.

"Miss, you must present yourself properly to His Highness the Grand Duke."

As she remembered, Lyana rolled her eyes. If only Jennie knew more about what her father, Lilyana Van Bearc, had done to her youngest child.

A maid stood outside the dining room, especially for tonight. It was the room where Cleo usually greeted her important guests. Liana is warmly welcomed. Those who used to stare at her with disdain now looked like obedient dogs. Servants like them are just like fawning dogs, shameless and dirty.

"I greet His Imperial Highness, the Grand Duke,"

Cleo's red eyes stung. Liana lowered her head because of the feeling of pressure that immediately crushed her courage.

"Sit down,"These cold words left Cleo's lips, which were often harsh and short. A man who rarely speaks or even greets his youngest child. Why do you suddenly want to eat together?

Delicious food, neatly arranged on the table. Candles and flowers decorating the table. The smell of hot food wafts through the air, tempting Liana's stomach to eat right away.

"Eat."

Lyanna didn't move. For a while she stared at the food warily. Is this safe? Lyana asked in her heart. Even though she was hungry, Liana couldn't just eat the food that was being served carelessly.

"I have no intention of killing a genius who once appeared hundreds of years ago like you."

Little idiot. Liana stared at Cleo in disbelief. Lyana's look lasted only a moment, though, for then Liana quickly ate the food that had been served. Scared too, because Cleo's red eyes were very intimidating.

"I heard you were injured during training,"Cleo said, breaking the silence.

"Yes."

"Have you recovered yet?"Cleo asked again.My power is weak. I may be able to heal people, but not myself,"Lyana replied, understanding the direction of the conversation. Besides, Cleo could see for herself that the wound on Lyana's face was still there.

"Still, catching up on a few days' worth of missed lessons is amazing."

"I am indeed a genius, Your Majesty,"Lyana said confidently.

Those confident words brought a smile to Cleo's face. Lyana looked at him in surprise. A smile? Cleo, who is like a walking statue, smiles?

He smiled? No way, I must be crazy to think that,"Lyana thought as she slowly shook her head at the strange thoughts about Cleo. I must have seen wrong.

"Today is your birthday, isn't it?"asked Cleo, who had finished her meal. The man could be seen wiping his hands and mouth with a white cloth that had been on the dining table since earlier.

How did he know?

Even though Cleo asked, Lyana didn't answer right away. He was silent for a moment, his head bowed. His heart fluttered, happy, that's for sure. Because his family still remembered something. Although I don't know how Cleo could know that. But Lyana held back those feelings, too, so that it wouldn't be too much for her, which would only be used or discarded again.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Liana replied after a long silence.

Cleo sighed. The man's next move was to reach into his pocket and pull out a beautiful blue box. He held the box to Lyana, who was still bowing deeply.

"Open it."

For a moment, Lyana hesitated, only touching the object Cleo had given her. But then Liana took the box and opened it. Inside the hand-sized box was a pendant with a blue pendulum like water drops. Beautiful blue light emanates from the pendulum necklace.

But this beauty could not fail Lyana. Her hand took out a small, colorless magical stone. Then she attached it to the blue pendulum of the pendant. Wait a few moments, and the stone will turn bluish. There is no black magic, only the fact that the pendulum contains a powerful water nature magic.

Cleo, seeing Liana's vigilance, grimaced sadly. A sad, heartbreaking smile appeared on his face.

"You don't trust your father?"Cleo asked in a quiet voice.

Liana turned her head at the sound of Cleo's voice. She stared at Cleo's bloodshot eyes, which looked dazed.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty,"Liana could only say that. Actually, Liana shouldn't have apologized, because it wasn't her fault that she was like this.

The colorless stone was held by Lyana again. Then the girl touched the pendant with a gentle stroke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"Lyana closed the blue box.

Cleo sighed again. His red eyes stared deeply at the princess. A look that made Liana nervous and confused, not knowing what to do except sit stiffly in the chair.

"Would you like to see the view from this balcony?"Cleo asked.

Lyana's attention was caught by Cleo's question. For a long time, she had always liked the night view from above. It is so beautiful and amazing.

"Yes, I want to,"Liana answered quickly.

Liana's behavior now looked more like that of a child, as it should have been. Liana got off the chair. She followed Cleo's footsteps to the balcony. The cool night breeze greeted them as soon as the door to the balcony was opened.

Liana stood holding on to the balcony railing.

"Wow!"Lyana exclaimed unconsciously, amazed at the view of the star-studded night sky and the glow of the lanterns from each of the duchy's residences. Lyana, who was in awe, was shocked by Cleo's action, who suddenly placed the blue pendant around her neck. Lyana, frightened, looked at the dining table. The necklace she was wearing was the one she had worn before. No imitation for mere distraction.

This isn't an imitation of black magic, is it?

Once the necklace is worn. The magic that was in the pendulum entered it. Liana felt calm and at ease. It was the magic of water nature, but it felt warm.

"It's your magic, isn't it?"asked Lyana, staring intently at the drop-shaped pendulum.

"Correct."

"Why would you give something like that?" asked Lyana, who still had not taken her eyes off the locket.

"So he can take care of you."

"He?"parroted Lyana.

"The necklace,"Cleo replied quickly and calmly.

Lyanna nodded in understanding. Then she looked back up at the night sky.

"I heard you wanted to leave the mansion several times. Why?"Cleo asked, resuming the conversation that had died earlier.

Something surprising that Cleo cared about that.

I want to run away, Dong. And the reason is clear to you,' Lyana thought, which obviously could not be used as an answer.

"I want to see the outside world. I don't want to stay in here. It's confining,"Lyana replied half-honestly.

"Yes, it is. It's very cramped in here with your presence always tormenting me.

"From now on you may go outside to play. But don't forget to bring your bodyguards and maids with you. Permission will be given to me first. Do you understand?"Cleo said, which surprised Liana.

The little girl next to Cleo was stunned by the difference in his attitude. She couldn't believe that someone as ruthless as Cleo could say that. Her voice sounded very warm.

"My gift is enough. So I hope you can be better and more obedient in the future,"Cleo said.

The last sentence undermines a possibility that is clearly impossible. Obedient? Ha, this attention is only for his power again.

For a moment Lyana thought, perhaps Cleo loves Lyana. But it's still just an empty hope, and it hurts to know that the reality is different. Cleo will only love Gisella. Forever.

"Thank you, Your Majesty,"Lyana said with a bitter smile.

What do you expect from this heartless person, Lyana?"thought Lyanna.