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"Nadia?

" My brother called out to me again.

nOh dear. How long was I gone for him to come and look for me? Must have took me a while…

nI was already walking back to the path that I took earlier. Still flustered, of course. Who wouldn't? If some guy just started touching you out of nowhere, what would you feel?

nIt's also unfair how flippant he was about it. I mean, you don't go around touching people, right? I have no idea what he was trying to do. He was saying something to me while he did so but I was so flustered that I basically didn't hear a single thing.

nDid he do what he pleased? Absolutely.

nDid I hate it? I don't know.

nIf anything, I'm more confused and panicked than hating it.

nIt caught me off guard, alright?

nSo, from sprinting away from Lukas, I gradually slowed down my pace. I'm still red and it wasn't from the alcohol. If my brother saw me like this, I don't know what he would think.

nThat's why I should calm down first before I appear in front of him. He would probably jump into conclusions upon seeing me. After all, I went outside to cool off my head.

nI let out a seep sigh.

n

"Hoooh. Okay, let's breathe first,

" and proceeded to regulate the air flowing in my lungs.

nWhen I am sure that look more normal now, that's when I picked up my pace again.

n

"Nadia, where are you?

"

n

"I'm here!

" I said and walked right up to him.

nNathan's eyes instantly fell on me and frowned.

n

"Bea told me you're here but I didn't see you. Where did you go?

" He inquired and looked me over, as if confirming I was okay and well.

n

"I was admiring the moon,

" I replied and sheepishly looked overhead us--

"The view is better over there, so…

"

nIt's a pretty good excuse. If I were to hear it, I would believe myself. And the moon is truly beautiful tonight anyway so I wasn't entirely lying.

nNathan put his hand on top of my head,

"Do you want to go home?

"

nIt almost made me melt. He really knows that I dislike attending parties for long durations. The initial hours would be fun but it gets boring afterward.

nThat question was so tempting that I almost nodded to him. If this was another ball, like a birthday or something like that, I would have probaby ditched the party long ago. But this was a Founding Ball and it's also the rarest one. Rare because all the main characters in the novel are strung together.

nWhy would I miss the chance of having to see them?

nIf the only thing that would keep me up of my feet all night is to watch them like a predator, then why not?

nThis time for sure, I will not meddle. I don't want to get trapped between a wall and a mam again, being teased for looking like one.

n'But a wall though? That such a strange thing to be compared at. I don't know which one was worse, looking like my horse or the walls…'

nThese men sure know what to say to bewilder a woman.

nLukas is just as bad as my brother when it comes to compliments, seriously.

n

"I'm fine brother. Just had too much wine but I already sobered up,

" I said and smiled at him.

nAh. Look at him. Still unruffled and ridiculously good-looking even now. It's like he didn't go around getting chased on by both men and women.

nI sometimes feel annoyed when I look at his face. Those noble ladies that talks to me would always, always, praise my brother to heavens. At first, I was like, yeah that's my brother! He's cool, I know that.

nThen now I just find it repetitive. Yeah, he's handsome but can you all shut up already? Also, I find it weird now that I compliment him for his looks.

nWhy am I saying this to y'all again? Maybe I'm not that sober after all. I better stop drinking or I will end up with a drinking problem in the future...

n

"Rest if you are tired. There are drawing rooms here,

" he said and escorted me back inside the hall.

nOh, right. Why did I forgot that those rooms exist? Maybe later, if I get tired on watching them all, I would drag my friends on one of those.

nI was greeted by a lively bunch. It honestly amazes me how energetic these people are even if it's way late in the night. They still have the same vigor as they first arrived. I'm kind of envious by that.

nAnd how can they socialize all night? Don't they get exhausted? Because boy, I feel so tired right now.

nI looked over at the north side, near the podium, and saw my dad with the other noble heads. They were obviously engaged in a serious talk but I could see my dad was in between them.

n

"Is dad acting as a mediator again?

" I muttered.

nNathan heard me and snorted.

n

"Those old fools need a leash or they would all go mad,

" he said.

"I don't know why he still stick around when all he does is to stop them from biting each other's heads off like rabid dogs,

" he added.

nDamn, Nathan. Chill out! I find it extremely funny how he comes up with different colorful expressions for everyone. And that he's always super pissed when it comes to the nobility's bull**.

n

"He's a Marquis, that's why. You do know that it's going to be your future,

" I remarked while smirking at him.

nI saw his face soured which made me laugh.

n

"I will let them kill each other if that's the case,

" was his instant reply.

nThat's-- That's not it, brother. I mean, I could definitely see you doing just that but the noble faction would certainly turn into shambles.

nI worry for the future…

nThe orchestra was playing another slow tune, a familiar one. It's one of those music that Countess Miller had played when she was teaching me waltz.

nSpeaking of the Countess, I wonder if she attended? But knowing her, I bet she didn't. She hates big parties after all.

nNathan's hand suddenly appeared in front of me so I stared at it.

n

"I haven't danced with you yet,

" Nathan stated.

n

"You didn't dance with anyone,

" I pointed this out to him and accepted his hand.

n

"It's troublesome.

" He then guided me towards the dancefloor and brought me closer to him.

n'Troublesome? How are you going to find a wife, Nathaniel?'

nAs I've said, I had never seen him with a woman before, nor heard rumors of his lovers. Not that I have business with that but I'm worried for the future of the Herman household.

nIf he's not into women, then goodbye to our bloodline. I'm pretty sure it would end with him.

n'Hmmm maybe I should also do something about that, huh. Play cupid, perhaps?'

nAnd the question would be, 'To who?'

nThe ladies I know are few, mainly my friends. Gwen is engaged to Conrad, Bea is a candidate. Rosamunde is errr another candidate and I don't think Nathan would like her. He hates the Vinea family-- cut that, he hates everyone, period.

nIt all just go back to Nathan.

n