“How about me, give me a task!” 

He even pointed to himself and raised his hand like a student who wanted to get called by his teacher. Do I really need to include him? But he flooded the discussion with his outrageous ideas about this love-friendship operation. 

“You killed her Father, do you think she would befriend you?”

Before the debate ignited, I told them we need to be friendly and cautious about every word that would come out from our mouths because it might scrape her vulnerable heart.

Like what I wrote in the script, I greeted Miuerella when I saw her sketching Mingming. She immediately dropped her graphite pencil when she saw me holding a tray. 

“Beth! Look at our Mingming, isn’t she cute?”

I applauded at her artwork, then stroked Mingming’s black fur. Yeah, maybe the other reason Ella empathized with her was because no one wanted an animal that would bring misfortune.

“Ella, is it alright if I introduce you to one of my friends?” 

“Do they like black cats?” she asked.

“Of course, Lady Miuerella. They love us.” 

If it weren’t for the social hierarchy and my determination to make this a smooth sailing operation, maybe I’ve already guillotined him.

Waiting for the whistle was what we agreed, and he even simpered before he replied. 

“Ming!” 

Ella could only murmur our pet’s name because it already sprinted towards Duke Frederick’s arms.

He held her as if it was his child and they touched noses—thing that Ming didn’t even do with us.

“Beth, look at this rare docile kitty! I should give him my reward.”  

“What’s with that guy that our obedient kitty ran to him as if he was her boyfriend?”

Same question girl, same.

Ella hid behind me and can’t help but to question if she herself was a responsible pet owner. 

“I love you too!” 

The pet owner’s body shivered when she witnessed how Ming accepted Duke Frederick’s kiss without leaving scratches on his face. Besides that, the kitty purred and kneaded her front paws on his chin. 

Ming, why did you fall for his charms?

“You shouldn’t kiss or pet someone’s cat without the owner’s permission.” 

What a nice timing, Mr. Reyner! I wonder how protagonists in novels determine when was the right time to appear and save everyone’s day.

“Could you stop shoving rules for just a day? Isn’t it enough that this lovely, independent, smart ass baby welcomed me with its open paws? And now, I knew that my charm worked for animals too.” 

Did he just call Ming a smart-ass? And why do the leads argue over the kitten? You guys completely ignored the grand prize here!

I stood between them, cleared my throat, instructed them to sit on the two chairs facing ours, and introduced the third wheel first.

He extended his hand and said, “Yo! Frederick’s the name and I don’t know if you remembered this but, I’m the dungeon guy!” 

0 out of 10 stars for the introduction because no one introduced themselves as someone’s butcher. Please also take note that he even smouldered causing me to facepalm.

“Your Grace, would you kill me and Ming too?” 

Ella can’t even meet his eyes. His Grace habit of doing the reversal of a particular instruction got into my nerves and if I had known this earlier, I should have said “do” instead of “don’t”.

“No, I only kill bad guys, however, do you know what I do with good girls? I bring them to heaven.” 

I picked up the bread knife on the tray, gave him a death stare and stabbed the fruit cake, simulating what I would do if he is not the Duke.

He winced and glanced at Reyner, which shook his head as he sipped on his tea.

“What I meant was, heavenly paradise! In Athenesy, there is a beautiful lavender field frequented by couples!”

Upon hearing his edited and filtered answer, Miurella’s eyes shimmered like a glittery Christmas ornament. I proceeded with scooping cake crumbs on the plate. She put her hands on my shoulder and shook me just what people usually did before taking suspension medicine. Cake crumbs were all over the table and floor.

“Let’s go to the Athenesy together, Beth!” 

You cannot say no to your target. 

Next, I introduced her future husband and got immersed in their own world. Thankfully, the Duke vanished without saying a word. Such a perfect time to lie about going to the bathroom.

The sight of him sitting in the corridor while petting Ming melted my heart. 

“Hey, now that Reyner’s love life was a success, it’s time to clear the clouds between us!”

I dashed towards him, knelt down, covered his mouth using my hands and used our alternative way of communication.

~~~

“Please forgive me for my rudeness, but, Your Grace should be careful with words. People have the power of turning them into gossip.” 

After that, I put away my hands.

“I don’t care about them, talk about me all they want, create the most exaggerated news if it would bring happiness to those bullshits.”

I exhaled to appease my soul and replied that I will clear those clouds over that condition that we needed the right environment for the said event. He wanted to say it right here, right now. 

“You were not a worm. My intentions were sincere. Did you know I didn’t get a wink of sleep when I heard you were missing?”

“I got it, Your Grace. Now could you please hand over Ming to me?”

“That won’t do. Why would I bring Ming all the way here if I didn’t want those two to meet again?”

~~~

Author’s Note: This sign ~~~ showed the telepathic communication between Bethany and Frederick.

Should I believe what he said earlier? I put my right hand on my chest when my heart thumped.

Beth, don’t get swayed by his words and silly smile. Remind yourself why you were here.

“My Lady! I finally found you.”

Nora, you became shameful now that you’re held hands with James.

She snatched away her hand and had an eye contact. The sweet scenario ended when Frederick cleared his throat.

“Duke Klein, was looking for you, My Lady.”

 I bid farewell to the two and asked Nora to help me stand up. Idling doesn’t work for me now that the time has come for my friend’s rags to riches transformation.