We begin the banquet of free choice. Each person holds a plate and selects the dishes they desire. I walk around with my plate but can only find a sweet cake. It is not that the food is not good, but I feel uninspired.

"Ah, there you are!"

A masculine voice suddenly interrupts my thoughts and brings me back to reality. I turn to see Augustin, and I greet him like a proper lady. I feel weak standing next to him, without any support, but no one is here to rescue me.

"How do you find the food here?" I ask.

Augustin does not answer immediately but stares at me intently. I feel uncomfortable under his gaze. My forced smile blooms, and my eyes scour the table for something to help me. I take the opportunity to pick up the sweet cake on my plate and offer it to him. Soft as a feather, I ask:

"Would you like some strawberry cake, Augustin?"

He takes the cake from my hand and laughs awkwardly. Augustin looks away, trying to hide his embarrassment. He puts the cake in his mouth and slowly swallows it. Perhaps the cake is too sweet for his taste, as I can see the tension on his face. I put my hand over my mouth, giggling softly, and ask:

"Is it too sweet for you?"

"Yes," Augustin shakes his head and laughs. "But it's delicious."

I smile and continue to search for something to eat. We do not speak for a few minutes. Honestly, I do not want to say anything more, because I know what is behind Augustin's eyes. But if I remain silent, it is not proper etiquette. I will be cursed if the Lamstrong family is smeared because of my stubbornness. I find a croissant for myself, but I do not hurry to eat it. I look over to Augustin, who is also searching for something to eat. I start a conversation:

"Your brother is not coming?"

"Andermis has some business to attend to, so he has returned to London," Augustin replies.

"Returned all the way to London?" I exclaim. Now I worry that I have offended him with my comment and caused him to leave early.

"Don't worry, Andermis will be back in time for the evening ball."

Despite this, I still worry. I had better not say anything other than polite pleasantries. People are becoming more and more sensitive, and one cannot predict how one's words will hurt others! I gaze at the cream horn on my plate. Oh dear! Even this pastry reminds me of those horns! Have I truly been cursed for my jests? May God forgive me and spare my family from punishment for my thoughtless words!

I try to push my anxiety aside and change the subject. This time, I will bring up the fair.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

"Was everything overwhelming for you today?"

"A bit..." Augustin nods. "I didn't think there were so many unique and exotic things in this world. I was very impressed by the pumpkins at your farm. I think it will win first prize."

"Really?" I smile softly. "Although I would love to win, I don't think that will happen."

Augustin takes a moment to look at me without saying anything. After a while, I switch to another topic:

"Is there a festival in London?" I step away from the table in surprise, and he follows with an empty plate. Instead, Augustin just chooses a glass of fruit juice.

"We are very busy with our work. You know, running a bank is not easy," Augustin looks at me with gentle eyes and says.

"I have never been to London..." I reply softly with a real sense of regret. "I really want to know what it's like there."

"Believe me, you will get bored quickly!" he laughs. "What you will see are just rows of houses with long lines of cars behind each other."

We laugh happily together. And it's not an overstatement, I genuinely laugh with Augustin. Not because of him, but because of his witty way of speaking. We stop talking for a while, I focus on finishing my cake while Augustin sips his wine. After a while, he decides to break the atmosphere:

"You can come to London anytime you want. I'll show you the places I know."

"I wouldn't dare to bother you," I bow my head. This woman knows when a man says something, he has a purpose.

I plan to find an excuse to leave as soon as I have the chance, but Augustin takes a step ahead. He suddenly puts his hand on my hand, and looks at me with eyes full of affection. I swear, if I hadn't met and loved Enzo before, or if I were an easy girl, of course I am not, I would have leaned into Augustin's arms immediately. Augustin looks at me with a serious expression, and it makes my heart skip a beat. In a warm and deep tone, he says:

"I want you to bother me, indeed."

In a moment, I do not know how to answer. I can feel the warmth of his hand, as well as the tightening grip becoming more apparent. My mind must race to find an excuse to refuse. I am afraid that if I do not find one in time, I will have to push him away, and that will tarnish my image and position. It is not easy for women like me to be placed in such situations.

I gently smile, slowly withdraw my hand and respond softly: "Then I hope those places will be as wonderful as I expect."

I call this response intelligent, as Augustin did not realise that I had withdrawn my hand. When I see him smile, I immediately stand up and ask to leave. As I walk away, Augustin stand up and call out to me, making me unable to be alert and forced to turn back to the conversation:

"Yes?"

"About the ball tonight..." Augustin hesitates. I could see his hand shaking. "I don't know if you have a dance partner already..."

I miss a beat without answering, then I straighten up and respond bluntly: "I actually have a dance partner... But you can dance with me right after."

With that said, I curtsy and leave immediately. Have I been too lenient? Am I also playing with Augustin? I do not know anymore. I just try to keep everything under my control. I do everything to soothe my conscience, to prevent my family's position from declining. And I lied! I have not had any dance partners yet, but I do not want him to be the first to dance with me. That position has been reserved for someone else!