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"Meet Again" (L'Renouille) " FRESH BREAD! FRESH BREAD STRAIGHT FROM THE OVEN!!" " Get your vegetables here, madams!! All freshly picked from the fields!!!" " Pearls and Gems for sale!! Today's special prices can't be missed!!" It was really a nice day to be out on your own. This was Coates' first experience of walking amongst the crowds within the streets of L'Renouille. Before this, his father was the one who managed the business' trading transactions in Highland. But lack of time held Gordon back from attending to the current antique deal with a Highlander merchant, and thus Coates had to go in his stead. Not that Coates was complaining or anything; in fact, he relished the experience he had so far within the capital of this beautiful country...if only the shadows of war weren't looming above the lands, everything would've been perfect. He was walking past a crowded flower stall when he heard someone call out his name. " COATES!!" He turned around, but could only see the bustling crowd. Who was that? Suddenly, he could feel something pat his back, making him jump a little from the surprise. Cocking his head back, and saw a familiar face smiling at him. " Lady Attha...?" He said, all wide-eyed at the encounter. " Good day, Mr. Coates," Attha beamed. The lady was clad in her signature tight red suit that normally would be pleasing to the eyes, but today her curvaceous form was mostly hidden underneath a dark brown velvet coat. Not that he was looking at that fact. Her face was enough to make his heart beat faster. " It's a surprise to find you here," She said," Are you also on a trading venture?" " Um, yeah," Coates replied with a nervous grin, not knowing how to properly respond. After that incident at the Gregminster Ball two month ago, he wasn't sure what he should do in her presence. Attha noticed the discomfort within the tall, slim lad before her, and knew the root of the cause. She moved closer towards him, and much to his surprise, brought her face near his ear. " I'm sorry about what happened at the ball...I didn't know you're Gordon's son," She whispered her apology, knowing what she was trying to say were not meant for strangers' ears," I can get quite careless with my words, so please don't take it personally." Pulling back, she could see the somewhat bewildered expression on Coates' face. " Lady Albion..." Coates said softly," It's...okay, really. I should have made it clear who I was from the beginning." " No, no, no...really, please...it was my fault, and if there's anything I can do to make up for it, please tell me." Fall in love with me and let me be by your side forever?, Coates mused, but refrained from saying the thoughts aloud. " Really, it's alright, Lady Albion..." He said that instead, waving his hands in the air. " Better not give him the option, Attha." A deep voice appeared from behind him, "He might get...creative." Coates turned around, and frowned slightly. If there was someone he didn't like to have in his presence, it would be Rhambert Cavanaugh, Attha's Personal Assistant. Tall, dark, not so handsome but dashing enough, Rhambert was proud and arrogant, with a tongue to match...and unlike Coates, he wasn't bashful at all about using it openly. Both of them had crossed paths in the past, and to be honest, icy was best that described their disposition towards each other. And that feeling was apt to describe Coates' current encounter with the black-clad man. " Good day to you, Mr. Coates," Rhambert smirked," I see you're acting as an errand boy again after that ordeal in Gregminster...it's a wonder how you recovered so quickly." " And to you also, Mr. Rhambert," Coates resisted the urge to kick the man in the shins with a smile," Fortunately, I'm blessed with a good constitution. I am so proud that a man of high stature as yourself would bother to associate with an errand boy such as myself, but then again, it takes one to know one doesn't it?" Rhambert bit his lips softly but still maintaining his calm expression," My, aren't we being a little hostile today?" He turned to face Attha before he continued," Milady, it's near the appointed time. We have to get going." " Ah yes," Attha nodded, realizing the time. " Whe---where are you both going?" Coates asked, a feeling of desperation suddenly overcoming him. " To the Palace," Attha smiled," I'm negotiating a deal with the government...why do you look so surprised?" " Huh? Oh...it's just that...wow...you're actually going to the L'Renouille Palace...I can only dream of exploring it." " Then how about you come along with us?" " Attha!" Rhambert exclaimed, a look of disapproval apparent on his face," I don't think that's a wise idea, considering the nature of the meeting..." " Oh, Rhambert, don't be such a sourpuss!" Attha raised her voice in annoyance; even some of the people around them noticed her sudden outburst," Just because you get to go there with me often does not mean you have to be so haughty about it! Besides, I owe Mr. Coates here a favor." " Are you sure it's alright?" Coates asked nervously," If it's something important, I don't have to bother you..." " Of course it's alright!" Attha smiled," Not many people get to have the experience of seeing this kingdom's magnificent fortress. You should feel lucky you have the chance to be able to do more than admire its outside!" " Well...if it's okay with you...I would be honored." Coates smiled contentedly. But his outer shell could not compare to what his heart was feeling, soaring happily at the thought of actually seeing Attha at work, and in the majestic place he had only heard of in tales and stories. His father would not approve, and so would the other workers that followed him to Highland, but he didn't care. He deserved to indulge himself, and this was his chance! " Fine, don't listen to me then..." Rhambert sulked, clearly unhappy with his mistress' decision. As they made their way to the palace, the tall, black-clad man shot a gaze at Coates, as if saying "I'll be watching you.". Coates could only smile in triumph.
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