Laurus had been notified that Lady Iris would be visiting to Halmere estate to join him for breakfast. He accepted the immediate request of hers—for he knew Iris would be there for a reason.
Laurus had plans that morning. In fact, he had a meeting by nine with a business man he contacted last night. But instead, he chose to extend his meeting and decide to make time for his future fiance, Iris Olheimn.
He already was dressed well and fine—composed and calm, all he had to do now was to meet Iris.
However, meeting Iris made him remember something—something that reminded him his past—their past. They had both grown matured since then, and Laurus was able to shoulder up to his responsibilities. In doing so, it had made him forgotten what it felt like to have someone by his side.
Lady Iris Olheimn had arrived in Halmere—she was poised and elegant, as her hazelnut hair shined exposing her exotic beauty. She was pleased that she was greeted politely by the servants. Nonetheless, she expected Laurus to escort her.
Her brown eyes gazed at one maid, She then asked. "May I know where the duke is?" She smiled.
"The master is waiting for you at the lounge area." The housekeeper replied.
Not long after, Lady Iris was escorted by the stewards, she had long awaited to see the duke, it had been two years since she last saw him.
Iris could hear her loud heart trying to escape from her chest, but as usual, she only kept her calm, just as she was trained to. She kept fixing her brown hair every second she could—glancing at her tiny mirror to make sure her appearance would be perfect once she meets the duke.
The grand door of the dining area opened, Iris entered elegantly and casually, since she was already familiar of the place.
Iris smiled gracefully, like any lovely lady would, her gaze only stuck at Laurus, who was already sitting down drinking coffee with a newspaper on his hand. He sensed that Iris was there, but he only waited for her to greet him first.
There was a long pause between the two, Iris stood silent at first, waiting for him to stand up and greet her, as she knew it was a practiced etiquette for men.
'He isn't going to greet first, isn't he?'
Iris' smile twitched, avoiding to reveal her thoughts. Laurus only continued reading his newspaper, pretending Iris was a thin air.
Iris cleared her throat, trying to catch Laurus' attention. "Laurus…" Her word broke the silence.
Finally Laurus looked at her, but he was still holding on to his newspaper.
"It's nice to see you, finally." Her voice was gentle and her mouth curved softly than before.
"Please sit down, Lady Iris." He replied, his tone distant and cold, his glacier emerald eyes avoided her spring green eyes.
Iris was assisted by the stewards to sit down. The first course meal had already arrived, but her eyes were still stuck on him, trying to catch a glimpse of his warmth and his welcome.
"Laurus…" Iris tilted her head, trying to let his eyes rest on hers. "Have you been well?"
"I have been well, than before." His eyes still laid on the newspaper.
"I see." She looked down on her meal. "That's wonderful to hear."
Laurus finally looks at Iris, but his eyes never shown any signs of warmth, Laurus only scoffed silently—only he could hear it. All this time, he had been pretending to read the newspaper to avoid any further conversations with Iris, but he knew that Iris came here for a reason.
"I believe there are some matters to discuss."
Iris, who was playing with her food, finally looked up on him, and finally he was looking at her, for the first time again, first time in years, but this time it was different—it was cold and distant. But to her, it didn't matter, what matters was his attention towards her.
"Yes." She smile brightly.
"Don't worry about the engagement, I'll have it announced by next year's spring. For a moment, I'd like to give the spot light to my sister."
He answered immediately, without even letting Iris lay a word. Eventually, Iris didn't thought of talking about the engagement, she was there to talk about the land—and a little to have him alone as well.
"We will be engaged soon, can you believe it?" She said hesitantly.
Laurus was simmering resentment when he heard her words, but his face didn't show his inner emotions, he only hummed as he sipped his coffee.
"Our pending union has been long since we were fifteen and eighteen. Yet the official announcement kept adjourning."
"And whose fault was it?" His eyes finally looked at hers.
Iris avoided his cold gaze, her lips parted but no words came out, but in her head she was gathering acceptable words to reply.
"We were young back then."
"But we were old enough to make decisions. Old enough to be naive."
"I was just twenty-two, Laurus—"
"Don't call me by name. Address me with respect, Lady Iris." His voice became rougher yet he remained composed.
"Look… I made only one mistake." Her eyes started to shimmer. "Just once. Am I not eligible for forgiveness?"
Laurus didn't want to reach his limit, so he lets go his look on Iris' eyes and took a silent deep breath to himself. Laurus didn't touch his food, and his coffee was already half finished, he wanted to say more, but something was stopping him.
"Tell me about the land."
He mentioned to avoid any sensitive topics further—his eyes laid back on the newspaper, acting busy again but it was to make Iris feel excluded in his house.
Iris' glistened eyes had dried up already, there were no tears that left her eyes, she remained unmoved, and by this time, she avoided his look. She straightened her back—poised and graceful, but her hands trembled slightly as she lifted the spoon.
"Well… I like to purchase the land."
Laurus folds the newspaper, then he gently set it aside. "Ferlin farm?"
"Exactly." Iris looks at him again before placing the spoon to her lips.
"I am quite sure that you are well aware that the land involves their livelihood." He replied, deliberately.
"That is exactly why I am here." Her eyes downcasted and her tone was overly measured—more distant than before. "I need your help. You're the only one in authority who can help me obtain the land. I offered three times of the land's original price."
"I understand your frustration, Lady Iris." Laurus leaned in his dining chair. "But this would involve their farm—their only source of income."
Iris was silent for a while, she couldn't think any other good reasons. Particularly, she was interested on the land due to her personal likes—it would be oblivious to reason it.
However, she wouldn't let go of this instant, especially when she wants it for herself.
She didn't care being called greedy by others, but to Laurus, she didn't want to look like it.
However, to Laurus, it was really obvious that it was for her own personal gain.
He knew that the farm was deeply beloved by someone—someone he barely knows.
Someone he wanted to see again.
Laurus hummed and swirled his half-finished coffee. He was thinking something positive about it—maybe being involved in this land would have his own personal gain.
He finally found a way to see her again.
He didn't knew exactly why he wanted to see her—maybe sooner he'll find out why.
"Alright, I'll issue the land." He said, striking Iris a cold approved eyes.