Chapter 15

"Father, I've changed my mind." I say a few days later when I have some spare time. I place the plate of cinnamon buns in front of my father. He looks up from his desk.

"What is it Beatrice?" He asks curiously as he takes a cinnamon bun.

I smile at his changed attitude towards me. Is my father's heart softening for me?

"Since Laurent doesn't agree to the cancelling of the engagement between us," I explain, "I've decided that it might actually be better to keep it."

Father strokes his small beard, "Didn't you want to cancel it because he has someone else? Are you sure this is a wise decision Beatrice?"

Of course I want to cancel it and forget about it because Laurent likes Bella, not Beatrice and I have no feelings for him anyway but since he is being stubborn about defeating me by doing everything against me, I will accept the engagement to make him disagree with me and cancel it.

I grin as I think about it. Don't underestimate Scarlet Mayer's skills at psychological warfare.

"Beatrice?"

My father's voice interrupts my thoughts. "Oh, yes I think it will be better this way." I say quickly.

"Won't they think we're being a little easy if you change your decision all of a sudden? They will think we're not serious." Father says with concern.

I hide my smile. I need to use this to trick Laurent into freeing me. "Of course not Father. Think about it. Laurent is the one who really wants to keep the engagement so shouldn't I go along and agree with him? It'll be easier this way."

He sighs, "Fine Beatrice. I trust you."

"Thank you Father." I say gratefully. I'm a little touched that he can finally say things like this to me and have a normal conversation.

"I'll invite Bernard and Lady Swan to talk about it."

I nod, "Thank you." I smile as I leave the room.

Agreeing to the engagement again won't be enough reason for Laurent Bunter to end my life right? I know he is petty but not to that extent for sure? I glance at my watch. There's some time for me to practice my sword fighting skills before I have to go to the bakery.

After training with Francis for a few months now, I can swing and attack quite well. Francis said I have a natural talent for wielding a sword which of course made me jump over the moon. He has now began to help me use my spiritual energy to bind with the sword. After confessing about my fire magic, he contemplated whether Beatrice's spiritual energy and magic had been sealed for some reason since she couldn't use it before.

Of course I couldn't tell him the truth that I am not the real Beatrice. I simply half lied that the spiritual energy inside me had awoken later than everyone else.

Standing in the centre of the garden, I wield the sword in my right hand, jabbing and sparring with imaginary opponents. I need to get some dummies to use for practice when I am alone like this. I can't keep relying on practicing with Francis.

I close my eyes as I practice, the breeze feeling good on my sweaty face. It feels like I am dancing. Smiling, I twirl around and do some fancy footwork. I should defeat my enemy in style.

The sound of clapping stops me. Opening my eyes, I survey the area. I can't see anyone around. Could it be an intruder? Some of the other nobles around town have had intruders trespassing over their properties recently.

Cautiously, I hold out my sword in front of me and walk around. "Come out." I say sternly. "Show yourself."

"Hey, hey. No need to point a sword at me Beatrice." The annoying voice says from behind the tree as I walk toward him with a death glare. Why is it him again?!

"Are you stalking me?" I say angrily, still holding my sword out. I can easily kill him here but that would implicate my father. I can't get him in trouble.

"Of course not." Laurent Bunter's chocolate brown eyes twinkle as he smiles. No, Scarlet, stop thinking he is handsome.

"Well, it's good you're here anyway," I grin, changing tactics. Might as well bait him whilst he is here in my lair.

His eyebrows rise as he stares curiously, "Why?"

"You were right. We should go ahead with the engagement." I smirk and walk closer. Let's see if he catches the bait.

"What do you mean? I thought you wanted to–"

My foot suddenly trips over a small stone and I scream in surprise as my face heads straight for the ground, my sword flying out of my hand. I close my eyes before I clash into the ground.

Huh? Why is there no impact? Confused, I open my eyes. If my eyes could grow to the size of a football, they would have because I realise that my lips have smacked into my enemy's and I am lying flat on top of him.

Hurriedly sitting up, I wipe my mouth with the back of my hands. I don't want any of his germs. "Ugh! What bad luck!"

"How long are you planning to sit on me?" My face heats up more as I realise that I am still on top of him. Laurent seems amused as he watches me. I quickly get off him and turn my head away in embarrassment.

"I–I have to go." I say before running out of the garden. Why did it have to happen in front of my natural nemesis?  I blush as I think back to the kiss. No, it wasn't a kiss. Just an accident of two people's lips meeting. More importantly, why is my heart beating so fast? Of course it's because I ran and probably from my hard sword practice too. I always end up sweaty and with a faster heart by the end of my training sessions.

I will definitely get him to reject the engagement.