Cloaked Heart

.·:*¨༺ Fourteen ༻¨*:·.

"Win, you came at last!"

The duke consort eagerly awaits his arrival with New on his side at his palatial residence, far more splendid than the Vanderveer House at the Terrace Lane with a wide-open courtyard and several displays of fountains and a big moat around it.

"Are you alone?" Win guessed this as they entered the foyer and New was following closely behind him.

"Only the servants and my loyal house steward Shipley," Gun answered and ushered them to a much more comfortable area of the house where they could gaze at the garden filled with colorful flowers. "I thought you will never come."

Win sat down on the chair across the duke consort, smiling softly. The maid has returned to place the tea on the table and even New was invited to sit down beside them. "I heard Lady Vanderveer has taken you around the royal capital to meet half of the members of the beau monde aside from us. The King will be returning tomorrow and the schedule for the announcement of your title shall follow a day after. You must be thrilled."

"On the contrary, but I guess you know what I feel about the matter."

Gun smiled understandably. "You should start getting used to it. I heard your cousin's debut will be scheduled before your reentry to the court. Have you received any invitation?"

"I am not expecting anything but I am hoping to be considered," Win said as he took a sip of his earl grey tea.

"I do not see any reason as to why your aunt will bar you from coming or will even forget to write an invitation for you, especially since she had it in her mind to ensure that Lord and Lady Vanderveer shall be present."

"I am not so certain about that."

Gun studied his forlorn visage and put the cup on the table gently. "You do not seem excited, is something bothering you?"

"A lot of things have been bothering me, Gun. I can still call you as such?"

"I shall not hold it against you. Tell me, what is the matter?"

There was a time in his life, specifically in his childhood when he used to tell Gun everything. Although the man in front of him still offers the same warmth as they once shared when they were younger, there was also a certain change that cannot be denied given Gun's current position and his involvement with the Lord of Vanderveer.

"Are you apprehensive because Bright is my husband's cousin?" The duke consort guessed this correctly.

"I do not mean to offend."

"I am not offended. I just could not help noticing that something is bothering you." When Win did not answer and instead drew a sigh, he proceeded, "Is it about Lord Vanderveer?"

"Why is my every action having to be related to him?"

"It is not?"

"I do not wish to talk about him."

The corner of Gun's mouth curled playfully. "It has been ten years and he still affects you like when we were children."

"He did not change as much," Win maintained. The sudden mention of the man was causing his pulse to beat rapidly. "Arrogant, conceited, and toplofty at his finest."

"Nonetheless?" Win looked at him confused. "I can sense a distinction..." Gun said to him.

"Nonetheless, he is kind enough to let my brother reside in our old house in Lilac Ville."

There was a moment of silence as they enjoyed their tea while they admire the open courtyard and the garden for the freshly blooming florae. Gun was supposed to speak again but Win broke the reverie much to his surprise.