The Me In Another World

Chapter 16

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"It's nice to see you, Lady Lucille. I'm glad you're able to attend this banquet."

"Of course, Lord Kaleb." Nakangiting sagot ko.

"Believe me, I almost cried when I saw you two dancing."

Napansin ko ang pagsulyap nya kay Archer na nasa gilid ko. Katatapos lang namin magsayaw at lumapit agad sa amin itong si Kaleb.

"Shut up, Kaleb." Masungit na sabi ni Archer.

"What? I'm just happy for you. Masama bang maging masaya para sa aking kaibigan?"

"Don't mind her, Eli." Baling sa akin ni Archer. "This man has few loose screw in his head."

Kaleb sighed while shaking his head. "I shouldn't have invited you."

"I didn't come here for you," Archer retorted. Palipat-lipat lang ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. I don't know if they are fighting or is this their normal way of conversing with each other.

There's an evident look of betrayal on Kaleb's face before facing me. "You see how rude this man is, right? Never ever dance with this kind of man again, my lady."

I was a bit taken aback by what he said. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang irereact ko. And now I'm starting to regret dancing with Archer. I think it's not a very Lucille-ish move.

Plus, the fact that I'm starting to feel awkward and just want to make a quick escape. Baka mamaya ay may iba pa akong magawang kakaiba na paghinalaan pa nila.

"My lady.."

Kung pwede lang sigurong lumiwanag ang mukha ko ay baka sakaling nagliwanag na ito. It's official. He's an angel. He's Heaven sent whenever I'm stuck in this kind of predicament.

"Nik!" I said, a little too enthusiastically. I hope they didn't notice it.

"Your father, the Duke, is looking for you, my lady."

Lumapit agad ako kay Nik at humawak sa braso nya bago bumaling sa dalawang magkaibigan na kanina pa nagbabangayan. "I shall take my leave, my lords. Then, have a good day." Bahagya akong tumango sa kanilang dalawa. Nung mapatingin ako kay Archer ay napansin kong nakatingin ito sa kamay ko na nakahawak sa braso ni Nik.

"See you around, Lady Lucille!" Tipid ang ngiting sabi ni Kaleb. I don't know if it's just me or the air around us suddenly felt so intense.

Umalis na kami ni Nik at noon pa lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag. I didn't even know that I was holding my breath back there.

"Thank you, Nik. I really want to get out of there."

"You're always welcome, my lady." Sagot ni Nik. I think he wants to say something and just hesitating whether to say it or not.

"Spill it, Nik. I did something stupid, right?"

"Well..." he trailed off.

"Just say it."

"It's not stupid but rather unusual. You danced with Archer Treon, my lady. Of all people."

"Is it really so bad?" Tanong ko.

"That man got some nasty rumors around him. And you, dancing with him.."

"Definitely an odd pair, right?"

"You have no idea," Nik sighed. Para bang stress na stress sya sa ginawa ko.

"Do I really know him? I mean, are we close or something? Friends? Acquaintance?"

"Not really. You actually slapped him before."

"What?! Why?" Gulat na tanong ko. Oh God, Lucille slapped Archer? I'm surprised that her hand is still perfectly intact.