The grand hall now crowded with middle-cla.s.s socialites and higher cla.s.s aristocrats. In this era, French fas.h.i.+on for women is wearing long and layers of skirts and a high hairdo with a hat on top of their heads.

On the grand staircase is where the greeter positioned and announced the name of the guests now arrived.

Everyone antic.i.p.ates the appearance of the Chen family as they heard the rumor about Marivella kept in prison for hurting the mayor's granddaughter. As now, gossip rising on this gathering and one person doesn't like it at all.

In one table is that said, a higher cla.s.s of the aristocrats seated. Carlisle stood from the chair, but his mother halts him.

"Where do you think you're going?" asked d.u.c.h.ess Genevieve, she who glaring at her son.

"It a.s.signed me to this Gala's security. I must not just sit around and pinning my a.s.s on my seat," he replied to his mother full of sarcasm. "I have to do my rounds, Mother," firmly, he reasons to the d.u.c.h.ess.

He does not wish to join the table with his mother, but he doesn't want his sister to know that there is a fight between him and their mother.

d.u.c.h.ess Genevieve cannot argue anymore when her daughter is around. She's still in a rage because of how Carlisle quarreled her this morning because of that peasant woman she despised.

Genevieve is about to speak one more time when a lord from northern France approaches her. Being a widow for many years, she still holds a great influence among the upper-cla.s.s society and to the royal families.

Seeing more guests coming to greet her mother, Carlisle turned around to take the opportunity to leave the Hall which the d.u.c.h.ess cannot act grudgingly toward her son in front of the guests.

Carlisle did his rounds inside and out of the Grand Château. He is finally alone and breathes fresh air. He hastily left the hall as the women attempt to crowd him, invites for a company or a dance which he has no interest as there is only one woman he wanted to be by her side.

He was standing near the window and observed the Korean soldiers which also scattered in the palace where possible the Prince would walk around... Yet; he hasn't come out, although he was already inside this Palace.

"Captain Williams!"

"Gene, how was it?"

"Miss Chen safely entered the palace through the pa.s.sageway. A female soldier is accompanying her," Gene's reports.

"That's good. But can we trust her?"

Gene smiled and Carlisle could sense that Gene liked this woman. "Don't worry, Captain. We can trust her!" he a.s.sures.

"All right. Thank you, Gene, standby... tell the men."

"Copy, Captain!" Gene salutes then marching away from him.

He takes a peek below where carriages are falling in line and the guests one by one stepping out. Now, the person who steps out of the carriage is Charles… then a woman in a baby blue dress came down after him; it was Carlene.

He cannot explain but his heart beating strangely. He was like a proud family member seeing how beautiful she looks like in that dress. But one thing is he doesn't totally agree on the dress. It was way daring for him. He can't imagine his sister or a daughter wearing a dress like this.

The dress fitted to Carlene's body, and it shows too much back. Her long neck emphasized by her short hair then a navy blue styled tiny hat beautifully place on top of her head.

If all the women he saw tonight are all dressed with many layers and have a mountain hairdo, Carlene is the opposite one. And she looks stunning, that Charles cannot take his eyes off from Carlene. Carlisle grinned.

Charles made gradual steps on the stairs to lead Carlene to make safe steps. She was too beautiful even she is wearing a face veil. Her eyes wearing a light make up which only make her eyes enticing. After they separated from Marivella escorted with Gene and the other soldiers, Madison asks him if he wishes to see her whole face.

However, even how it tempted him, he refused. He prefers that Madison stays a mystery for him. A few years from now, he will meet her after Marivella gives birth, and he will raise her then... He has all the time of his life to look at her. Although to this life, he cannot love her like what he is feeling toward Madison. But he decided, he will love her hundreds of years until the day comes.

Charles tilted his head and set aside these images playing inside his head. He must focus on tonight's Gala.

Gladly, Carlisle stopped desiring to elope with Marivella tonight. Still, they must watch the d.u.c.h.ess and other people that will cause trouble toward Marivella, but he's confident because behind them is following Levi and Quinn.

"Good evening, Doctor Montfort," greeted by the Royal Guard in the door. He took the invitation then interviewed him a little, asking the name of his date.

"I am afraid that we cannot allow these two gentlemen behind you. Who are they, Doctor Montfort?"

"My, they are my family escort, can't I brought them with me? I heard someone has kidnapped yesterday. I just a.s.sure my safety, gentlemen." he smiled at them.

The royal guards on the door whispering at each other. "All right, Doctor Montfort. But please, let them keep a distance."

"Do not worry, monsieur, they were professionals!" he a.s.sures them, and Charles gives them a wink. 

Finally, they are now entering the Grand Hall. The greeter began his speech and then introduced the arrival of Charles.

"First Young Master, Doctor Charles Montfort, and his date, Miss Carlene Moore!"

Charles glanced at Madison, then smiled sweetly. On the sideline, Levi has been feeling intolerant even he knows that right now, it was his past self who's with Madison. But he cannot help it, could he? He sighed, and Quinn elbowed him to act properly as everyone was staring at their direction, especially toward Madison. 

It shocked everyone sees Charles's date wearing an extraordinary dress. They wondered if whose seamstress made this dress.

Women were gasping and wis.h.i.+ng that they wore the same dress. It was a thin layer but an extrlong skirt hugging her waist gliding down behind her, displaying elegantly upon her steps. Her dress shows the curves of her body. They guessed that she's not even using underclothing to tighten her waist. It looks natural! Their thoughts.

But they also wonder why she is wearing a face veil. However, it made her enchanting tonight, and they cannot help not become intrigued about her.

"Good evening, Doctor Montfort!" greeted by one aristocrat.

"h.e.l.lo, Lord Bastien."

"This is a rare gathering because you are present tonight! Not only that, you have a beautiful date!" Lord Bastien praises. "Who is she?"

"Good evening, Mademoiselle..." Lord Bastien took Madison's hand and planted greetings on it.

"Good evening, my lord..."

Madison bends her knees and elegantly nods at the lord. He looks like an old Mr. Larry Bastien.

She then glanced at Charles, he who winks at her; while Levi at the distance, he's fidgeting on the corner.

"What's with you?" asked Quinn who notices how restless he was.

"Brother Quinn, make sure to stop me if I am about to punch myself."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"I wanted to punch my past self from flirting at Madison!"

Dumbfounded, Quinn peered at Levi. Astounded, he chuckles, shaking head. "Are you out of your mind? Charles is you, and so, he will feel what you feel for Madison."

"But--"

"To think now? Charles who loves her for a longer time than you."

"Huh? They just meet, so I who was meeting Madison longer than him!"

"Really?" Quinn teases him.

And Quinn is right. Charles loves her longer because he waited to be reincarnated in the future to have the freedom to love her by then.