Chapter 3: The Same Way I Looked At You
"Lily, are you even listening to what I am saying?" fumed Luka.
"Yeah, I'm listening. Just the only things I can hear you say are blah, blah, blah," Lily retorted. It was the day after Gumi's party and Lily had tried to avoid Luka all day but her older sister had managed to corner Lily inside the mansion's study.
"When will you stop acting like a child and start acting like an adult. You are sixteen now and you should be acting like a proper maiden. Yet, you still insist on pulling stunts that will tarnish our family's reputation," Luka glared death rays at Lily.
"I'm sure you will make a wonderful mother one day," sarcasm evident in Lily's tone. Sitting at one of the study's many desks, Lily rested her head on the hard, wood, closing her eyes and yawning in boredom.
"Hey, I'm still talking to you. See, it's this attitude of yours that damages our reputation," Luka muttered.
"Um, excuse me, Madam Luka. I'm sorry to intterupt the two of you but there is a guest who has come to visit Madam Lilly," the butler, Hiyama Kiyoteru, knocked at the door.
Lily raised her eyes towards the servant while Luka asked, "Who is our guest?"
"Kaito of the Shion family," Kiyoteru responded, in reverence. Lily flinched at hearing Kaito's name because she didn't expect to hear that name again. Looking at Luka, she saw that Luka was staring at her incredulously.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Lily questioned, feeling uncomfortable.
"Let me guess, you don't know who the Shion's are?" When Lily failed to respond, Luka continued, "Figures as much. The Shion's are one of the most powerful and well respected family's around. So what exactly did you do that angered their oldest son so much he had to make a personal complaint?"
"Uh, who said I angered him. For all you know, Kaito has fallen madly in love with me," Lily shot back, while thinking of what Marie had mentioned at the party about how she thought Kaito liked her.
As Lily stood up and asked the butler to take her to where Kaito was waiting, Luka growled,"Lily, I'm not finished with you."
"It's not very polite of a lady to keep her guest waiting, especially someone as important as a member of the Shion family. I wouldn't want to tarnish our reputation now, would I?" Lily innocently smiled at Luka, as she followed Kiyoteru.
"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting, sir. Madam Lily, I present you to Master Kaito of the Shion family," Kiyoteru announced. Lily held out her hand towards the blue haired man. As Kaito gently placed his lips on the back of her hand in greeting, Lily saw his eyes light up and she felt her heart race from his touch.
"Kiyoteru, you are excused," Lily dismissed the servant with a wave of her hand. Left alone with Kaito, Lily said, "Whatever I did to offend you last night, I sincerly apologize," holding back her laughter from listening to her false words.
"Offend me?" Kaito blinked in surprise. What makes you think that I came her for something so petty?"
"So then, you came to confess your undying love for me," Lily rapidly countered, pretending to look like she wanted his love.
"Sorry but I don't love you," came his blunt answer. "Though my reasons for coming are similar. I would like to get to know you more, Lily," Kaito smiled, alluringly.
"Not interested," was Lily's immediate response.
"Wow, that was harsh. You didn't even hesitate. Do I have any chance at all to change your mind?" Kaito replied but instead of looking disappointed, he looked amused.
"None. I refuse to go out with jerks who only want me because I am attractive," Lily remarked, rolling her eyes.
"You are beautiful but that's not why I want to spend time with you. I find you interesting. It's not everyday you meet someone who shows up at a fancy bash that will be attended by all of the most powerful people, dressed for the dead," Kaito smirked.
"Insulting me is not how I would go about winning my heart," Lily muttered, irritated.
"That wasn't an insult, it was a compliment. Even though you were in death attire, I thought you were the most gorgeous woman at the party. Right, me complimenting your looks makes me a jerk, right? The reason I'm interested in you is because you aren't an ordinary girl. I've dated girls who stick to the society's rules and they bored me. Lily, you are the first girl I've met who actually excites me," Kaito revealed, his deep blue eyes focused on Lily.
"Fine, I'll go out with you but you have to promise that if things don't go well, you will never bother me again," Lily glared at him.
"I promise," Kaito vowed, giving Lily a peck on the cheek in thanks.
Lily was only agreeing to this to shut him up. Well, that wasn't really true. For some reason Lily's heart had been pounding faster than normal during the entire time she had been in Kaito's presence and her face was flushed from the feel of his soft lips. She had also recognised the way he gazed at her. It was the same way she looked at Marie. The same gaze of adoration but this pained Lily. Marie was important to her and she didn't want to abandon her for another person but then again, Marie herself had suggested to Lily to get to know Kaito better. So maybe everything will turn out just fine, right?
A/N: The reason this fic has an old European setting with butlers and other stuff is because that was just the vibe I got from the name Marie-Luise and also the dress' Lily wears in the Marie-Luise illustration suited this era.