Ceres

90

"Announcing the engagement in front of..."

"What a move our emperor has done."

"It seems like Leona and Ceres are even close."

"For a friend to take away her beloved..."

"Ceres really is a pitiful soul, huh?"

"Pitiful soul? More like a trash. Nobody would ever want her anyway."

Everyone in the kingdom knew how close Ceres and Lucas are and now, Ceres was even talking to Leona who would soon be engaged to Lucas.

What a small world!

Even though Ceres heard the discussion, she did not mind. She wasn't Ceres after all. All she wanted was to meet the third prince in this banquet. As such, her eyes were only focused at Lucas. It was her first time to see the third prince this close; if one can even call that distance 'close'. Her eyes, instead of feeling hurt, were instead staring intensely at Lucas with admiration.

Amidst the discussion, Leona couldn't help but furrow her brows and she was about to take Ceres away from the crowd when she saw how Ceres was looking at Lucas.

It must be love, huh?

Leona couldn't help but bit her lips. She doesn't want to ruin something this precious. She, too, wanted to find someone to love with all her heart, someone who would accept everything about her and not just her looks or status, and... All of a sudden, Cerio's image appeared in her mind.

Leona couldn't help but place her hand on her chest.

Her heart started beating fast.

What could this be?

Lucas, on the other hand, looked first at Dwight and then, noticed Ceres beside Leona.

He couldn't help but be stunned. He knew that Ceres was present in this banquet but he didn't know that Ceres and Leona were right next to each other.

Why?

Of course, tonight, Ceres looked beautiful in her new gown. However, Lucas couldn't help but take note of how he wasn't able to notice Ceres and how he felt like this Ceres was different... Particularly those eyes.

She is not her.

Lucas had always been aware of Ceres' presence. He could easily sense her even from a huge crowd of people. But somehow, this Ceres was different. He wasn't able to notice her at all.

Moreover, Lucas knew how Ceres behave in front of other people. He was her childhood friend and probably her only friend. Ceres wasn't used to a lot of people and would always feel shy in front of others. She would cower and instead, find a quiet place of her own.

And then, those eyes.

It was different.

It wasn't the warm gaze that Ceres would always look at Lucas whenever they see each other.

It was different.

It was not the eyes that used to glare at him and used to care for him.

It was different.

It was not hers.

Then, who is she?

Lucas was about to walk away to contemplate about things when Leona pulled one of his sleeves.

Lucas, of course, faced Leona and asked her what was wrong.

"Let me borrow some of your time, please?"

Lucas could only nod. If he rejected such offer, it would cause problem for Leona particularly in front of these people. However, even though he was aware of what he was doing, he was starting to think of something else. And, something deep inside him started growing once again. It was growing even more intense than before...

Before leaving, Leona told Leonard, who was acting as a royal guard, to take care of Ceres and also, she told Ceres with an assuring smile,

"I wouldn't take your friend away from you."

Leona didn't use lover or sweetheart. She used friend in case someone overhears them. Also, she doesn't want Ceres to hate her. She knew that Ceres and Lucas are important to each other. She doesn't want to be the villain anyway.

Furthermore, she was here to break the engagement between her and Lucas. Although it may be late, if Lucas could agree with her, everything will be alright. Well, even though Lucas wouldn't agree, Leona would find a way to break the engagement off. She just wanted to personally tell him that she doesn't want to be married to him.

This is what she decided when Ceres talked to her before.

This uncertainty will only end with my single step!

Beatrice,obviously, saw all of this and couldn't help but grit her teeth. She alsoclenched her fists inside those long sleeves of hers. She took a lot of time toget ready for the banquet but Lucas didn't even pay any attention to her.Moreover, she hasn't eliminated Ceresyet and now, Leona comes to the scene. -tbc

A/N: Thank you for reading Ceres!!! :D Thank you for the reads, votes, and comments, etc!!! I hope you enjoyed reading this update! I read it again before posting and I think I did a good job on this cliffhanger...? Did I? Hahahaha!! Anyway, thank you very much!!!