Second Life's Revenge

Laura walked closer to Erwin and turned her head, apologizing to Viscountess Andrea for leaving her alone. But she didn't look that she cared too much about it and made her way elsewhere, giving the two some time alone. Setting her eyes back at Erwin she notices the suit he was wearing.

It was one of the suits designed by her shop. Her smile grew big as she went to take a closer look at the suit. Erwin cleared his throat then said, "Aren't you too close?" For a while, Laura froze but then she took a step then answered, "I don't think so." Her answer made him chuckle and she then pulled him along, leading him to the dancing circle.

"May I have this dance?" Erwin asked as he offered his hand to her. Laura gladly accepted it and placed her hand on his shoulder. This was their first time dancing together and not to mention in public. Her face slightly blushed as she realized they were sticking very close to each other. 

"You look beautiful with that dress. Don't you realize it's matching with mine?" Erwin asked. Laura carefully looked at his suit then nodded her head. She couldn't look at his face as she felt embarrassed by his compliment. 

"Thank you. You look nice with that suit," Laura complimented and stopped him from talking as she then said, "You should wear Serena's designs more. It fits you." Erwin hissed and acted like he was undecided about it. He wanted to tease her and so he did.

"I don't think so. But the important thing is, aren't you happy that I'm wearing your suit?"

"But you don't wear it every day," Laura argued.

"I did buy all your suits. I just haven't worn them. Except for this, because this is the one Serena made just for us," Erwin gave her a wink but his face turned serious as he remembered something. He didn't want to bring this topic up but he had no choice. "I heard Louis did something." Laura nodded her head. She can't hide things from him and so it's better to tell him than hide it. 

"He thought I was interested in him," Laura said hoping that Erwin doesn't throw a fit for being jealous. This man gets jealous easily but she finds it adorable. Laura called his name when she didn't hear anything from him.

Taking a closer look at him he was frowning or rather pouting. A 19-year-old man still pouting because he is jealous. No woman would want to leave this man or talk about another man with a face like that.

"You don't like him do you?" Erwin asked a stupid question making Laura deny immediately. Thinking about it why would she like that man? He is not good looking or isn't charming at all. Not only that she wouldn't fall in love with a person who thinks she likes him.

"Erwin, do you not trust me?" Laura asked as she pretended to act hurt. She wanted to tease him back and payback the times when he would tease her to no end. Like a sad puppy, he shook his head then answered, "I trust you. But you don't like him right?" 

"Silly, how can I like that man when I only have eyes for one?" 

"You're right," Erwin mumbled feeling shy after what she said to him. 

"And that man is right in front of me."

The song was coming to an end but before he released his grip off her. He made a bold move, kissing her forehead. The kiss made her speechless and made her want to run away. When she looked at him she saw a sly smile on his face. Laura didn't know if she should hit him or what but she unconsciously kept her smile on.

'Out of all places, it had to be public where many eyes are present, looking at the dancing circle.' she thought as she blushed to a bright shade of red. 'Doesn't he know the meaning of that if he shows these kinds of actions?' When she hoped the rumors about her would die down she was wrong. For a while there she felt betrayed but there isn't anything she could do about it anymore. Raising a white flag is the best option for her.

They both walked away from the dancing circle and approached Serena who couldn't act properly as she was keeping all her excitement from spilling in front of them. Laura knew what was going on in her mind right now and if she speaks a word about it Serena might bomb her with questions. 

"Don't ask anything please," Laura said to Serena who was smiling weirdly at her. Yep, it's here Serena, and her imaginations. 

"Don't worry about me. I should leave you two alone," Serena smirked but was rejected by Erwin who spoke, "Please don't. I still have unfinished business to tend to. Not to mention there are people wanting to speak with me." 

"That's unfortunate. See you later, Your Grace," Serena said as she bowed. Erwin waved his hand and walked away from the two. 

The trumpets suddenly played catching the attention of the nobles. All eyes were looking at the stairs that were covered with a red carpet and entered Prince Winston who made his way down first, followed by Prince Elijah, then the Emperor and the Empress. 

The applauds of the people filled the ballroom as Prince Elijah took a step front to make his speech. Then followed the Emperor who raised his cup to make a toast with the nobles. Laura and Serena raised their glass wines which were given to them by a servant. 

"Glory to the Empire!" Laura and Serena cheered in unison as they laughed at each other after.

"Isn't that lady Tine? What is she doing there?" A noble lady muttered to her friend. While Laura and Serena heard it out loud. They looked at the direction the noble lady was pointing at and made them speechless.

What is she doing there? Even if she was the Prince's fiancee it doesn't mean she could do whatever she wants to do. Laura looked at Prince Winston's reaction and he too looked shocked. 'This woman is crazy' Laura thought. 

The noblemen and women were all looking at Tine who looked confident. She then spoke, "Prince Winston, may I have this honor to have a dance with you?" With hundreds of nobles in this ballroom, there was no way he was going to reject it. He stood up from his chair then took her hand saying, "You may."

Her confidence was up high to the point she didn't care about being embarrassed with her own actions. From the nobles' point of view, they would find it romantic but for those who know Tine they aren't pleased at all.

Prince Winston led Tine to the middle and signaled the orchestra to play. The music covered the murmurs of the people who looked at them with admiration, but as for Serena she kept looking at the two with an unreadable gaze and didn't look away. Laura looked at Serena's serious face and didn't ask questions since she knew it was unnecessary to. 

What is lost will be lost.

But because Laura didn't want Serena to witness it any longer she pulled her away and brought her to the balcony. 

"This is so much better than watching them dance," Serena laughed as she leaned onto the rails.

"You might fall, be careful," Laura warned. As she laughed along with Serena. Who would want to witness them dance? It is the last thing she'd ever wanna see as the sight was horrendous in every way. 

"Says the one who is joining me," Serena argued back then continued, "Pulling me out was the best decision. I felt like vomiting." 

"I agree."

"How can Miss Andrea stay in and watch?" Serena hissed as she thought hard about it. Laura then smirked answering, "Do you want to bet?"

"Sure."

"I bet she's not even watching them. She probably made her way to the food area."

"Now you think about it. Miss Andrea would do that," Serena agreed. 

"You girls are taking me like a fool," joined Viscounts Andrea who was holding a platter of bite sizes desserts. 

"Miss Andrea! When did you enter?" Laura asked as she changed the topic.

"I was following you both from behind. Don't leave me with women I don't want to talk to," Viscountess Andrea said as she walked closer to the two and leaned onto the railings. While looking at the two she asked, "You don't mind if I join do you?"

"You're always welcome," answered Laura who giggled seeing Viscountess Andrea act like an improper lady in front of her.

There are times where Viscountess Andrea didn't care about etiquettes but that is if she was only alone with people she was comfortable with and close. Even the respected Viscountess acts like a kid once in a while.

But acting like one from time to time isn't a bad thing.