The second before knocking on the etiquette club’s door, Faye gave him a thumbs-up to build up his courage. The entire ride she kept guessing the reason why Alicia done something like that in the first place. Her favourite was that Alicia was always in love with him and only now declared it, he laughed so hard at it he forgot he should maintain his reputation.

  They looked deceptively casual. She was in formal clothes, like every upstanding butler who accompanies their masters. He was in home clothes, a little less fancy than formal, but still presentable and more noble than academy uniforms. His hair wasn’t even tied; he only brushed it quickly before walking out of the house. From the side, he would look like he was visiting a friend. What completely contradicted what he was about to do.

  He opened the door when a woman’s voice came from the inside. This club activity room looked like a noble tea-party room, with a big round table and soft cushioned armchairs in the corners. Decorations were mostly green with addition of walnut wood, it looked like Lady Florent brought most of it from her house.

  Alicia stood up from her place with a clasp of her hands and a big smile, which surprised all the nobles sitting there with her. They never suspected her to have good relationship with the rumoured ‘monster’ Crimson.

  “Oh, Darling, it’s good to see you here!” Her cheerfulness and the nickname only added to the confusion in the room.

  “It is a pleasure.” He cleared his throat and bowed slightly, not wanting to be impolite inside the etiquette club. He wasn’t smiling, per his usual wildly known self. He caught a glimpse of the shock in everyone’s eyes. Faye, who followed inside after him, also bowed, more deeply, avoiding eyes of the nobles. “Can we talk, just the two of us, Alicia?”

  She must have been very happy that he entertained her whims and put up the over-polite facade, that she clasped again, and with a toss of her auburn waves, she asked her club friends:

  “My Dearests, can you leave us alone only for today? It seems my Darling wants to talk privately; we will return to our discussion next time.”

  The students rose simultaneously, exchanging glances and bowed goodbye to her. When passing him, they also did that, only a little more reluctantly. Their confusion was palpable. What was one more rumour for Dante?

  Only one man stayed. Eric, Alicia’s handmaiden. He was their age but from another class. After the rest left, he relaxed and waved to Faye, showing her a seat next to him, happy to see another aid in training.

  Alicia, in turn, welcomed Dante to take a seat on the armchairs. When they sat, she crossed her legs elegantly. “Eric, would you pour us some tea?” He didn’t have to be told twice, and he moved around the room with a grace that Faye could only dream of.

  Dante sighed, unamused. He dug out his father’s letter and tossed it to her. She caught it, but didn’t even take a look at the content and put it on the tea-table.

  “Can you tell me why?” He asked, skipping the formalities, and when he did, she smiled with a sly edge to it.

  “Why not?” She teased. She did not change at all.

  “Maybe because we avoid each other?” He retorted.

  “Semantics, Darling.”

  “And stop with the nickname.”

  “I cannot! And you used to call me so nice before too. What was it? Ah, yes. Wifey!” Faye, who had just gotten her tea, spilled it upon hearing that. Alicia’s posture relaxed after he let her tease him without any outburst.

  “Stop with that too. What do you really want?” He only sighed.

  “Oh, you know me so well already!” She accepted her teacup from Eric and, instead of sitting like a proper lady, dropped into the posture of a grumpy soldier: legs spread, elbows on knees. Exactly like her father when he was deep in thought and forgot manners. “You know my father. Pragmatic to the heart. He decided that he would help me strengthen my position as a future Duke. Through marriage, because apparently, he won’t learn from his own mistakes. The baron he chose...Oh, the baron he chose! Don’t let me start on this man! He is just like my mother’s late husband, a gambling, good-for-nothing womaniser!” The ghost of the guy would be offended, but then would probably agreed with her. She took a sip of her tea. “He wanted to sign the marriage papers the quicker the better. That’s why I said I’ll only marry you.”

  She waited for the words to sink in. Dante had a bitter expression on his face, and when he said nothing, she continued:

  “Father wouldn’t be convinced. Everyone had tried. Me, my mothers, and even his butler. You know, when he sets his mind on something, he won’t let go. Mother still tries to encourage him to court Alera, after so many years she still didn’t give up.” She massaged her temples, reminded of the Duke’s stubbornness. “I need time to gather evidence of that baron’s wrongdoings. I just know he already has a child on the side! I know my father and I’m sure that when I show him how wrong he was, he will stop trying to help and let me be. And after being engaged to you, when the rumours about us spread no other nobleman will approach me of his own accord, fearing you would shoot him or something.” That was the end of her explanation, and then she straightened. Her position saying: ‘Now we talk business’: “Three months, maybe even less. That’s all I’m asking.”

  “And what’s in it for me?” Dante crossed hands at his chest. He didn’t want to be pulled into yet another drama. And apparently needed to avoid Faye’s puppy-like stare that was meant to nag him into agreeing to Alicia’s proposition. Maybe taking her with him was a bad idea.

  “For instance: I won’t tell anyone that scary Monster Crimson used to wear dresses in my stance.” She teased with a grin, and the young butler spilled her tea again. He rolled his eyes, they were like five then. “But being totally serious, you can ask whatever.”

  Dante thought for a moment and then asked about the first thing that came to mind, the one he was putting aside for so long:

  “The three mandatory months…”

  “Anything but that.” She cut him off.

  “I’m not asking to join, just sign the papers.” He groaned. He understood that his reputation contradicted with the club too much for him to join.

  “You know I despise cheating. I cannot do that.” He sighed. Even when they were children, she played some kind of justice among their peers. He wouldn’t admit, but it was one of the things he was grateful to her, despite what happened later.

  He thought for a moment longer. It was a great deal, to be honest. Alicia had influence and contentions; more importantly, she was loved by all. Maybe fake engagement wasn’t that bad after all, and after a few months, everything would go back to normal. For a moment, his mind was blank, but then he remembered what he was trying to resolve before the supernatural appeared. He matched her sly smile and leaned forward.

  “Wanna make a revolution?” Her brows tightened, but she looked intrigued. He started looking among his pockets, and finally he dug out his pocket watch. He hid there that threatening note, he found in Peter’s notebook. He passed it to Alicia. She read it in silence and then hummed, giving it back.

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  “Grim.” She commented with understanding, and Faye looked at Eric with questions. He only put his finger to his mouth with a wink. “That blondy of yours?” He nearly choked on his tea.

  “No. The small one.” She hummed again, already knowing to whom he refer to. It was a habit she got after Alera.

  “Not bad. I wanted them gone a long time ago.” She refrained for saying more and fell in thought for a moment. “Alright, then we have a deal.” She looked him over, like considering a mannequin or a doll on a display. He didn’t like that look, but it was also more humanising then the look Kelit was giving him before. “Not bad, you look better with your hair down. But we will have to make some small changes.”

  “Just don’t make me wear dresses again.” She giggled. “So I guess we have to make it believable.”

  “Very much so. We have to make them think we are deeply in love...or at the very least engaged for a long time. Eric…Faye was it?” She looked in the way of their aids.

  “Yes, how does Lady know my name?” the girl looked surprised.

  “I know everyone in the academy, of course.” She smiled sweetly.

  “Just say that you stalked me before making that proposition.” Dante retorted, and she looked at him in mock offence and then she softened:

  “You didn’t change as much as they say after all. Mum will be happy to see you more often.” He sighed, but a small smile played on his lips. “But, like I was saying, Eric, Faye, please make sure that everyone knows that Dante Crimson is the fiancé of Alicia Florent.” She clasped her hands and then hummed. “We will have to spread some rumours too. Any idea, Darling?”

  “I’ll just call you Wifey in public. We can slip some half-truths.” She nodded in agreement.

  “You sure you won’t choke on that word?”

  “No, Wifey,” a sweet, fake smile appeared on his lips. When Alicia nearly laughed at that sight it disappeared. “After all, I associate this word with a small girl who wanted to eat only pink pastries and was too stubborn to wear dresses.” He teased her back.

  “Still is and still prefer the pink ones.” She mused.

  “Dully noted.” He also nearly laughed too. After so many years, she was still able to make him feel at ease. “We have to exchange gifts, right?”

  “Let’s make it accessories, so it will be easier for both of us.” For a moment, she observed him. “About that blondy of yours.”

  He looked her in the eyes, not catching a bait this time.

  “Why do you phrase it like this?” Her brow went up, and she rested her head on her hand with a smile so soft it didn’t fit her sharp face.

  “No reason. Just don’t tell him it’s fake.” He looked at her, confused. “He will make a fine party to help our agenda if he doesn’t know, that’s it.”

  “Your engagement, your call.” He didn’t want to argue over that, and maybe she was right. Kelit would definitely be surprised and he would like to see that. Anything but that fake big grin, would be good fit for his face. “I’ll write to father explaining everything; he will be on your side. If you had read that letter…” he pointed at the red envelope on the table. “…you would know that he already wanted to scold yours.” A laugher yet again escaped her. “I guess I’ll have to tell Edward too…”

  “Maybe don’t, I wanna see the look on his face! He was always so dumb-looking that it would be hilarious!” He rolled his eyes. “I mean, we will tell him, he has to play a good brother-in-law, but in time. Is he still so over-protective?”

  “Yes, but thankfully now he has Rose to parent.” She chuckled and then, fully serious, added:

  “Well, someone has to in that family. Your father is hopeless.”

  “My Lady, you sound just like Duchess Ophelia.” Eric reminded her with a smile, and she groaned, but didn’t deny anything like she usually did when someone compared her to Claude.

  “We will have to meet often now; tell Ron to be ready for my visits.” She declared, but Dante thought for a moment. Ron never said it out loud, but he dislikes her. The young lord had no idea why, Ron adored them both when they were children.

  “Maybe it’s better if we leave him out of it this time.” She didn’t look happy at that compared to Faye, whose eyes lit up with excitement. She would know something that her teacher didn’t.

  “I wanted to put his skills to use. He’s better than my handmaidens...sorry, Eric.”

  “No worries, my Lady. I’m only a master’s student after all.” The young man smiled gently not offended in the slightest.

  “Mother’s handmaiden could help, but Ron was always good at gathering information. Why leave him out?”

  “What is better to make a noble engagement believable than an angry butler?” He rolled his eyes. “He hates the idea of my being unhappy; if he were here, he would drag me out…”

  “But he always liked helping me with…” her lips created a small ‘o’ like she had just realised something important, and her smile fell for a moment. “Right, we will leave him out. It will be harder to fool my father without him, but we will manage and maybe what you’re saying is true. But he must help with the other matter.”

  “He will, when we create a plan for it, of course.” She hummed without realising it and bit on her long fingernail, her mother’s habit.

  “I’ll put some thoughts into it, but it’s better not to discuss it here. My club may be a safe space in the academy, but it’s not that safe.” Eric nodded, and Faye still looked confused. She had no idea what the other matter was, but she guessed that it had to do something with what Dante had shown Alicia. “Let’s meet on the weekend somewhere public, I’ll reserve us a table at Dahlias.” Dahlias was the most elegant restaurant in town. “Also, you will ride a carriage with me for now, Faye, my dear, you’re welcome too, of course.”

  “Is this really..?”

  “Yes.” She cut him off, which made him smile longer than usual.

  They talked a little more, mostly about how she wants him to dress from now on, and she also pointed out that she needs a new hair accessory. He told her he was happy with whatever, which wasn’t a surprise. After that short talk, he started to pity her future real fiancé.

  Eric walked them to the carriage, giving Faye a few tips on how to survive the training and avoid making many mistakes. He also warned her with a very big grin that the training she receives now is nothing compared to what it will be in a few years. Pointed out that they are very lucky to serve the Ducal families, and overall, he impressed her so much that she talked about him for the first few minutes of the drive.

  “What is the matter you wanted Lady Alicia’s help with, young master?” She finally asked.

  “Student council. They decided to frame my...friend this year, and I’m tired of their games.” She blinked. Her expression told him that now she holds him in even higher regard than before. She looked at him like he was at least the gods’ messenger. She must have been completely aware of what the student council had done and still was doing.

  “And why exclude Ron from the fake engagement? It’s not that I’m complaining, that will be the prank of the year! But, wasn’t he always at your side?” Her expression told him that, despite her excitement to finally see Ron’s not-so-perfect side, she was worried about him.

  “That’s exactly why. He dislikes Alicia, and I honestly don’t know why. He was with us both our entire childhood.”

  She fell into silence; she only spoke again when they were getting out of the carriage:

  “Thank you, young master. For trusting me.” She went out first, just like he thought she would, without waiting for his answer.

  Ron stood waiting for them by the door, arms crossed, the picture of displeasure. Not happy that he wasn’t told that they were going somewhere. He scolded Faye twice as hard, but when Dante was escaping upstairs, she showed him a thumbs-up. It must have been an adventure worth scolding. He wanted to write the letter to his father and inform Ron that he has to go with it. The trip would take him around three days, long but much quicker than a postman. He started worrying that Faye would break something at least once during his week-long absence, but he would at least eat well. She really got cooking and baking in her blood.

  Before he opened the doors to his room, he hesitated. He had a feeling what was waiting for him there, or rather, who wasn’t. He guessed that after no ghost greeted him. His hand stayed on the doorknob longer than he intended. In the end he took a deep breath and walked to his room.

  It was quiet, but this time the quiet wasn’t annoying like when she left him the other day; it was almost peaceful. He put the lights on, as the autumn evening was already dark. There were no dragons, and only one ghost sat on his bed. For a second, Dante felt an ache in his heart, but then he smiled, really smiled. Veyra matched his soft smile, their head slightly off their spine, neck visibly broken.

  “You were gone longer than expected.”

  “Well, the unexpected happened.” The door closed after him with a click.

  “Oh, yeah. Marriage, Agnes told us.” They chuckled. “How was it? Did you have fun?”

  “Yeah, I think I did.” For a second, they were silently watching him with a smile.

  “Ron was fussing about pumpkin soup. I added some more salt to it, or I would be too sweet for you again.” They grinned, expecting a prize. “Can you convince Faye to bake an apple pie? I really want a slice!”

  “You really do like apples.” Dante chuckled, walking closer to the altar where all the presents for ghosts once were. They must have all had a taste before he returned. The only thing that was still lying there was the orange sweet. He unwrapped one and tossed it into his mouth, but quickly spit it out. It was the sweetest candied pumpkin he had ever had. That’s why Ron hoards those candies. Veyra laughed at this expression.

  “You can say I was as obsessed with apples as Ron is with pumpkins. It comes with age.”

  “You look like you were only forty when you died.”

  “Yeah, wait those twenty years and you will see!” Dante laughed at that. He sat at his desk, deciding to write the letter and fill in the ghost in the new gossip. They were thrilled when they heard the words ‘fake engagement’.