TRAPPED BY THE SECOND MALE LEAD
CHAPTRE 4

The aroma of various dishes billowed from within the Emerald mansion's kitchen. The waiter there was no one to rest, all were busy pacing back and forth preparing for the party well. The sun had already started to set which signified that their preparation time was running low.

As the party's pioneer, Marigold checked all the work that was almost completely finished before he prepared himself. All the food presented in the hall of the mansion has been neatly arranged, “Thank God we can handle this as soon as.”

Blair and nanny Marigold followed him, “Your Majesty, aren't you getting ready soon? You have to look good at this party. We need to prepare you well.”

“This is too much, I will appear ordinary so that mother who became the only star on this show.” Marigold has since swept a glance across the hall to look for the existence of his double that is not visible both in the kitchen and in the mansion hall.

“Omong-by the way where is Meridia?”

Both servants seemed reluctant to answer— more precisely they did not care if the child was at home or not. No one knows where the girl is now.

A waitress who was preparing fruits on the table spoke up “Sorry when I interjected, Your Majesty. Meridia was in the back garden, she helped the gardeners pick green apples."

“Oh really? He's really very diligent.”

Marigold's nanny doesn't want her employer close to the unlucky carrier. “Yang Mulia. Let's get ready soon.” take Marigold's nanny.

“Please tell my sister that I will see her after I finish preparing.” Marigold patted the waiter's shoulder softly telling him about Meridia.

“Good Your Majesty.”

The night has come. The Marquess Residence began the arrival of many invited guests. The horse carriages of many nobles were neatly parked in Ziel's courtyard. Not only the nobles of the surrounding area, Ziel even dared to invite some of his noble friends from neighboring cities. That is the reason why this party is prepared so lavishly so as not to fail to entertain guests away.

Zoya, the mansion's mistress made her husband's hand a nervous dealer, squeezing him hard after peeking out the “ window I was so nervous. What if I make a mistake that can embarrass you?”

“Don't fret so, dear. This is not the first time we appear in front of many people, most of them are your friends too,” Ziel issued a sedative sentence to reduce the anxiety that his wife is feeling.

Both of Zoya's eyes glazed over with her husband's gentle demeanor “Ziel..”.

Marigold smiled at the closeness of his parents. He approached Zoya and grabbed the mother's hand to channel his strength that he could use to channel calmness, “I and I will accompany you so don't worry. We will complement each other.”

“You two really made me run out of words.”

“Oh, don't cry now, mom. Mom's makeup can be damaged.”

As they gathered together and filled the room with a heartwarming warm atmosphere, they deliberately gave more tasks in the kitchen to Meridia. There was no hope, no desire Meridia to buy a dress and attend the party.

Meridia continued to bathe as her hands were busy washing used kitchen utensils, “Should they be this cruel to her own child? I mean, why would they treat Meridia like an illegitimate child?”

Meridia never thought of seeing the strangeness of Ziel and Zoya. Ziel has his own reasons for hating and not loving Meridia, but what about Zoya who obviously gave birth to him? Is a mother's heart that hard?

She is not the real Meridia, but living a life as a twin of Marigold the golden child is enough to make her understand what the original character feels.

How not? Meridia alone felt sad and hurt to accept the bad treatment and Meridia felt guilty for hating this character without knowing her life was what made her become like that.

After finishing her work Meridia rushed to the room to rest for a while. His body had felt sore especially both feet up to his heels also felt hot.

Meridia had just opened the door and the echo of footsteps made her look into the corridor. Smell up first to the nose of Meridia before the man arrived, “Oh wow, you are very diligent to come to the hostel waiter,” Meridia's lips did not forget with a smile of wonder.

Take the time to show off, huh? How amazing.

Marigold smiled as he turned around until his dress expanded in the wind “What do you think? Does this dress suit me?” ask Marigold enthusiastically.

“Why should you ask me? You must have heard the answer a thousand times even when you haven't asked.” The estranged Princess Ziel let out a long sigh, trying to remain patient.

“I deliberately came here to ask my sister's opinion. You must know what's best for me ‘kan?” that pretentious smile made Meridia very fed up.

“You just considered me a sister at a time like this? Just be right. Then you asked me to imagine me wearing the same dress, too, because we're twins so that makes it easier for me to imagine?” It felt like Meridia wanted to express that annoyance but she paled and with a mute tongue she threw empty compliments “Yes, you look like an angel. Get out of here or your beautiful dress will get dirty,” gently remove it.

Marigold still stands there “I've bought you a gift too, you might be able to join in this party too.”

“No, thanks. I already know enough of your tricks through the face of the angel that many people adore.” Meridi brought Marigold's face to an annoyance.

“Why are you so hard to warn?!” suddenly Marigold raised his voice.

“Marigold. You need to know, not everyone is willing to lick your feet and worship you. You also have to accept the reality.”

“You insulted me?! All this time I've been kind to you. Who do you think has always saved you from so much abuse and anger? I right? You should realize you can't do anything without me.” Marigold placed a hand on his chest, bragging about what was in his own favor.

“You just want to shine in front of a lot of people, it's not just because you care about me as your real sister. Just because you didn't say it directly doesn't mean I don't know what your real intentions and goals are.”

“I've known a long time ago you are a bitch but I don't know that you really don't know yourself.”

“You can insult me to the fullest. This isn't the first time I've heard a curse like this.”

Marigold became very upset to see his sister stay strong with her stance. As a result he pushed Meridia back hard and made her sister fall until her head hit the door post behind her.

“Ack!”Meridia complained of the pain of the unrelenting impact until it made her gaze go round and round. Dizziness and pain radiate up to the neck, “Aduh.”

“You're so annoying. I hate you so much!” Marigold just left his sister who was still sitting on the floor because of his actions.

“Sials. It hurts so much, what the hell does it want? He who helped him was also upset.” His head twitches in pain. Meridia no longer felt like waiting in the room after her mood was broken. He also went to a park that had lighting not bright enough to beat the glitter of the mansion hall. The right atmosphere for Meridia because the dim lights make it quieter.

When everyone else entered, Meridia herself came out of the mansion to get some fresh air in the garden. The air that night was quite cold, moreover the clothes he was wearing were not thick enough to protect him from the cold.

Not a single window curtain of the mansion was closed. The sighting is visible from the outside. At that time Meridia was sitting on a chair that was not far from the mansion building so her eyes could still clearly see inside.

Warm beautiful clothes, talking together, eating healthy and good food. Meridia smiled nanar “Passion once. Meridia and I could never feel that despite being born into a noble family.” He muttered while throwing his face.

From inside the hall came the boisterous applause of the hundreds of people present at the Marchioness' birthday party tonight, a sign that the star of the party had entered the room. Ziel, Zoya, and Marigold are always hosts giving warm welcome to the guests.

One by one the guests congratulated the Marchioness and her family and thanked them for the kindness they had given the invitation.

The host also did not forget to greet some of his guests and now they were directly facing off against Grand Duke Palmieri who was from a neighboring city. They specifically took the time to attend the party which certainly could expand business opportunities as well in addition to adding relationships.

Ziel and Zoya are grateful for their presence “We are very grateful for your presence and your family at this small event that we held, Your Majesty Grand Duke.”

The authoritative man with the title of Grand Duke smiled knot “Thank you for inviting me to your happy event, Marquess Emerald.”

After opening the conversation smoothly, the couple's only son William and Helena came over shortly after he finished chatting with the other nobles.

Zoya is astonished to see her very beautiful appearance and a higher level of politeness. He even smiled kindly after greeting, “I wish you a happy birthday, Marchioness. May you always be blessed throughout this year.” Said.

Ziel glanced at his wife confused as Zoya did not reply and continued to look at the Grand Duke's son unblinkingly. Finally Ziel elbowed his wife's arm to bring her consciousness back “Oh jeez. Thank you very much, Your Majesty. You are very handsome, you are also very good, May I know your name?”

“My name is Arden Lund Palmieri, Marchioness.” Reply to the young man known as Arden.

Zoya smiled happily "I also have a daughter who is the same age as you. Will you meet him? Maybe you can be friends well.” Ziel had feared the wife's speech was too presumptuous and considered too looking for opportunities in narrowness. He was already sweating coldly waiting for the answer that came out from Arden's parents.

Helena, the Grand Duchess, does not seem to mind and tends to be curious about who Zoya's daughter is, “Please, I also want to meet your daughter,” Arden and William glanced at Helena. William cleared his throat “Isn't that concerned who should answer?” whispered the man near his wife's ear.

“Already. What's wrong with meeting for a minute? I heard that the daughter of the Marchioness Emerald is a Saintess descendant who has the power of purification. I'm very curious so I want to see it live.”

As per the rumors. Marigold's beauty, which is equivalent to the goddess Aphrodite, was able to amaze the eyes of many attendees. His soothing smile when viewed makes anyone's heart melt. His crystal clear eyes looked at everyone full of warmth, his hair looked like a thread of gold when it was hit by the spotlight of the party lights.

No one can deny its beauty. Both men and women, all admired Marigold's perfect figure. The room even became quiet for a while and was filled with admiration from the guests.

“Wah, no wonder if she is called a descendant of Saintess.” Helena flatters the sighting of Zoya's daughter who so easily steals the spotlight from her own mother.

Unlike the impression of others, Arden even looks ordinary. The focus is not on the plenary face of Marigold, “It feels like I've seen it somewhere.”

Marigold walked gracefully and charismatically, clamping down on his skirt while putting his right hand in front of his chest and greeting the Grand Duke and his family as well as possible “Good night, Your Highness the Grand Duke and the venerable Grand Duchess. My name is Marigold Emerald, the daughter of the Marquess Emerald family.”

Helena closed her mouth that did not want to be closed “Jeez, you are more perfect if viewed from this close distance. You really are a goddess.” Praise him while holding the little shoulder of the golden girl.

“You're overreacting, Grand Duchess. I was just like any other girl,” was low to skyrocket, it felt like the slogan was already attached and became a part of Marigold himself.

“Gosh you're so good. Your name is also very beautiful.”

After getting acquainted with William and Helena, now Marigold shifted to the front of Arden the tall young man who was ready to put on a smile “Goodnight, Lady Marigold,” greet Arden first.

The girl who was touted as the successor of Saintess was flabbergasted to see that unusual face and immediately put on a taste right after the eyes of the two met. Their blue beads were almost the same as each other.

Arden's very neat blonde hair with a hairdo that revealed his narrow forehead made the young man even cooler. His sharp jaw combined with the sharp nose like a child's slide perfecting the living creature in front of the Marigold.

The expected event is reversed. The astonished Marigold saw Arden's good looks and not the other way around. As they stood facing each other, boisterous sounds rang out on some sides busy gossiping about those who looked like a fairy tale couple.

“Lady, are you okay?” Arden waved in front of Marigold's face which woke princess Ziel from her admiration.

“M-sorry for my impoliteness, Your Majesty,” Marigold instantly subdued the look of hiding a tinge of red on her beautiful face. “A-anu, can we pull over for a moment?” invite Marigold who wants to start the movement first. He just wants to look friendly to everyone.

Refusing is clearly an ethical act especially for a respected and respected man like himself. Although Arden was a bit awkward talking to women for too long, he still had to give an answer. “Ya, sure.”

They both pulled over and avoided the gazes of many people by hiding on the balcony. The two still looked awkward and timid but seeing them suddenly break away made the young mother of the two tease each other. “Ohohoho should we often meet the two of them?” ask Arden's mom flirting.

“If that's your wish, then I'll gladly follow hahaha,” the god is back. While Ziel and William chose to separate themselves so as not to engage in an impromptu matchmaking discussion between the wives.

Marigold silently looked at Arden through the tail of his eyes. The young man is more charming just “See from any side his good looks can not be covered,” praise Marigold in heart. His heart seemed to have been on the verge of the boundary and was ready to explode at any time.

While Arden was busy thinking about where he saw Marigold's face because he himself very rarely came to other cities and was always busy with his busy schedule.

Was he disguised when he came out of the mansion without telling anyone?

“Lady, do you have a brother?” marigold's body stiffened for a moment, how could someone who had just met a few minutes ago ask that?

Marigold shook his head “No, I have no siblings. But I consider everyone like my own brother.”

“Oh so,” Arden looking forward. The long paced beautiful girl held Arden's arm for a moment then lowered her hand again “Why are you suddenly asking about my brother?”

“Eh? That..” Arden hesitated to uncover the reason, "I just feel familiar when looking at your face, maybe we've met before. Um, in dreamland for example?” Arden regretted saying that after seeing Marigold's response blushed in embarrassment.

“You are so sweet,” Marigold smiled as he covered it with his hands— it forms a code of courtesy for noble ladies as he smiles or laughs. Marigold looked at Arden with sparkling eyes, “Can we both be friends?”

Arden is not the type of person who likes to socialize. But back again, maintaining the courtesy and impression of others was the main thing for the nobility. So do not be surprised if the nobles are called the ultimate liars.

“Of course, Lady.”

Marigold just got a gift. Heart's blossoming. His mood soon reached the peak of pleasure. “Then can we talk like friends? I want to be more familiar with you.”