Vasillis couldn't help but dwell on Miss Millington's reaction. He had always known that there was a close relationship between her and Alexandria Midford, it was not much of a surprise since it was obvious. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to it. Were the two of them hiding their intimacy? Vasillis could not help but think of that question. But it was normal for friendship between women to be as close as they are, there was nothing to hide. "...or is there?" Vasillis muttered under his breath.
He couldn't help but regret not heeding Alexandria's warning about trusting people. Now, he found himself unable to trust anyone, not even his friends...if there was one, nor his family who was 'worried' about him, let alone the Midfords or Alexander. The paranoia that everyone was out to deceive him was consuming him.
He used to think that the twins were too much for doubting everyone, but now he understood the feeling of being surrounded by people who might betray you or lie to you.
"How can you see the truth if you keep letting yourself be blinded by the lies?"
Alexandria's words echoed in his mind, reminding him of his own foolishness. He had been too naive in the past, easily swayed by what was in front of him, never realizing that there were people who were constantly putting a blindfold over his eyes.
Vasillis massaged his temples, trying to alleviate the headache that had been plaguing him. Even Miss Millington, who had seemed so innocent and pure, couldn't be trusted anymore. He was at a loss as to whom he could believe.
He looked outside the window of the carriage. They were now traveling the road of the middle line of Arcturus and Capella, the field of flowers, just as Miss Millington said. He did not want to trust her words because of the suspicions that arose, but he had no choice but to try. Maybe she was lying...but maybe she was telling the truth. To know which one was true, he had to go to the place.
If the place were indeed special for Alexandria, then maybe there would be clues to help him uncover the truth.
As the carriage came to a stop, Vasillis stepped out and squinted as the sun hit his face. It was a beautiful day, and he imagined Alexandria spending hours under the tree, enjoying the peaceful scenery. The field of flowers, as Miss Millington had described, stretched out before him. He had hesitated to believe her, but he had no choice but to investigate.
His men stayed near the carriage until he had given them orders. He walked towards the tree and looked up to it, "So this is...a special place for Alexandria." he muttered.
"Let us see what we can get."
Before the chaos, 1888, Antares.
"You finally listened to me," he said. "If you always did that then everything would have been all right from the start."
Bastien Cross furrowed his brow but couldn't help but smile. He glanced over at Alexandria, who still wore a blank expression. He knew she was just as confused as he was. "What do you mean?"
"I heard it all from Alistair Lockhart," Marquess Midford replied, a hint of condescension in his tone. "He said you were pleasant to talk with."
Bastien almost laughed but managed to hold back. He was grateful that Alistair had lied for Alexandria, but 'pleasant to talk with' was a stretch. Alexandria always spoke formally, and her straight face made her words seem sarcastic. People were often secretly upset after speaking with her. Having a 'pleasant talk' with her was a new concept.
Bastien composed himself and returned to his butler persona. He stifled a laugh, and thankfully, neither Alexandria nor her father noticed.
"Alistair Lockhart?" Alexandria asked, "He said that?"
The Marquess sat down and put both of his hands on the armrest, all relaxed from the good news. He nodded, "He did, I received a letter from his servant." he said and pointed at the opened letter on the table.
Alexandria stared at it before approaching the table to grab the letter. The butler was right behind her as she read it, the lady and her butler exchanged glances and they put the letter in its place.
Bastien Cross smiled, to think that Alistair Lockhart would lie for her. It will be entertaining to see where this would all go. Whatever the man was planning, it would either benefit them or bring them down.
"You can go now, do not let my good mood go to waste by seeing your face." Marquess Midford said and gestured to the door.
Alexandria did as she was told and left the room together with Cross without uttering a single word to his father. Bastien was relieved that Alexandria did not say anything, he thought that the lady would tell him the truth especially since she disliked telling lies.
"Is it all right that Alistair Lockhart lied?"
"Why would it not be all right?"
"You never liked telling lies, am I wrong?"
Alexandria stopped and turned to the butler, "It was not I who told lies as it did not come from my mouth." she said and continued walking to the dining area of the manor. Bastien Cross smiled and followed her.
It was time for Alexandria to eat and the butler ordered all the servants to prepare dishes for the lady. The servants looked like they were all doing it against their will. They did not like Lady Alexandria, and that was why Alexandria does not trust any of them. If it was not for Bastien Cross, then the servants would never have prepared anything at all even if she ordered them to.
Bastien Cross was the butler from whom everyone follows orders from, they cannot disobey him or go against his commands. Other than the Marquess, he has the power to assign or remove servants. They would easily lose their jobs.
On the other hand, Alexandria Midford cannot fire anyone, she has no power to do so. After all, other than being a shadow of her twin, she was nothing more than the daughter of the Marquess who disliked her entire being. Despite having the same face as the man that the Marquess favored.
While Alexandria was eating, Bastien Cross could not hold back and asked, "What do you think of Lord Alistair Lockhart?"
"What answer are you expecting to hear from me?" Alexandria asked.
"I can already guess that you do not trust him." Bastien Cross said. He knows the lady he serves well enough to tell.
"Perfect, then there you have the answer," Alexandria responded and continued eating.
What part of this is a 'pleasant talk'? the butler thought.
"Even so, what if he could benefit us?"
"Same goes for us being a benefit to him."
Bastien Cross did not answer, she was right of course. Alexandria spoke again, "If you think we can use him, did the thought of him using us not cross your mind?"
Alexandria put down the knife and fork and wiped her lips with the napkin. "Whatever we think about doing right now could already be thought of by the other. Do not be confident with just one lie he made for us."
"You once told me that you have known us for so long, you know how wary we are. Yet you cannot think of what to do with a suspicious person, and even try to trust and use him?"
Bastien Cross bowed, "I apologize."
"I do not trust the servants here, and I mentioned I only trusted you," she said, "But for that trust, I meant you yourself...not your loyalty."
"I am unsure of what you mean by that."
"Your loyalty is uncertain. I am not the only one you serve, Cross." Alexandria said, staring st the butler's eyes.
"But also my twin brother."
