The Death of a Bachelor

Chapter Nine.

On the day of Anne's engagement, The Hammedatha family rode into Rivera Compound and found that wide white tents had been set up in the lawns, with long dinner tables of rectangular shape and well furnished chairs arranged under them. There were peach linen cloths over the tables, and flower centerpieces of white jasmine flowers and leather ferns. They were already set for lunch.

When the servants took their horses, the Hammedathas were ushered into a tent and to the same table where the Riveras sat. Aside from Lord Jared Rivera and his wife Victoria, were his younger siblings and some of their children, who lived in the Eastern sector and had arrived a day prior. They were all currently staying at Rivera Manor.

There was his sister Rose and her husband Lord Malachi Kingsley, with their son Alistair Kingsley. His sister Caroline was in the house with the other girls.

There was his brother, Lord Abraham Denning Rivera and his wife Regina, with their two sons; Seth and Taris. Taris was still a young child- the only little one, and was to be the ring bearer. They had a daughter, Leticia, who was also currently in the house.

Since Jared was the eldest son, he was referred to as Lord Rivera, and Abraham as Lord Denning. Their eldest sister, Meredith (Anne's mother) had always been ill, and died not long after Anne was born, without revealing who her father was. This is why she took up her mother's name, and she had been in tears when Luther accepted her even without knowledge of her full descent. To the entire family, Anne was not her father's daughter, but a daughter of The Rivera household.

The function had been organised in such a manner that the guests were to dine outside first, and then follow into the house for the official engagement ceremony. The meal was brought directly to their tables by several servants, and they stood at the nobles' beck and call. During this time, the two families interacted wonderfully, and Elena's cousins had been pleased to see Aira once again, and more so to meet her siblings whom she had already blabbered about to them. Alistair had been especially honoured to meet Kieran, and informed him of his admiration towards him and the Prince's Guard.

He was clad in a lavishly embellished gold and caramel doublet and brown pants, his dark hair slicked back with gel.

"I've always wanted to feel what it's like to be a soldier," he said and clicked his tongue. "But sadly I'm not very athletic."

"It's just because he much prefers dancing," Seth cut in. He was lean and thin compared to Alistair, and his face had rather delicate features, with starry brown eyes and long lashes, and prominent cheek bones. His black hair flowed to the nape of his neck in curly waves, but it was not as thick or as long as Kieran's.
"Honestly, I think it's a common trait of this family, the dancing bit. Like how the Hammedatha bloodline has warrior spirit, the Rivera's got dancing spirit. "

"And Luther isn't so bad himself. He's actually really good," Alistair noted, picking a strawberry from the fruit platter.

"I haven't seen the groom or his family, by the way," said Kieran. "I had presumed they would be dining with you."

"No, no," Alistair waved a finger at Kieran and leaned back in his chair, slumping a bit to assume a sort of laidback position. The confidence with which he did so reminded Kieran of Prince Luke.

"You will see when the time comes. It isn't us to introduce the groom, but the bride herself. It's kind of a Rivera ritual." Alistair added and tossed the strawberry in the air and opened his mouth to receive it, but Seth intercepted it with his hand and quickly popped it into his own mouth.

Immediately, Alistair began to yank on Seth's ear, with Seth letting out short yelps.

"Manners!" Lord Denning's voice boomed from all the way at the end of the table, and the two cousins winced and assumed the 'back straight' position, ceasing all horseplay with haste.