"You really didn't have to walk me to my room," Arturia said.
Diarmuid shrugged and shrunk into himself. "It's my pleasure."
"Diarmuid, now that you'll meet my parents. You don't have to feel pressured to make them like you or anything, even if they're earls, they're regular people."
Except for the fact that they were rich and influential people.
"I'll try my best not to be intimidated," he mumbled.
Arturia reached out to him and landed her hand on his shoulder. "As their daughter, I know them best, and they are very loving people, they don't judge and are very welcoming of strangers. I mean, if they were stuck up, Gawain would be highly disliked, but my mother just adores him."
He smiled. "You're right, you know them best. If they raised someone like you, I'm sure they're as amazing as you."
Arturia coughed. "Uhm, thank you, that is so very nice of you to say."
He smiled. "I should probably let you go now."
"Why the bloody hell is the sun so bright?" Morgana shielded her face with her white lace umbrella. "It's such a pain." She groaned. Her large poofy beige dress fanned out around her, flowers patterned on the cloth and making her look as if she'd come straight from a vintage movie.
They were all standing outside, waiting for Arturia's parents as they were due to arrive any minute now. Diarmuid was wearing a suit that Arturia had gotten him, while the two women wore summer dresses. It would've been the first time that Diarmuid saw Arturia in something so bright and girly, and he felt happy to be able to see her.
She was wearing a royal blue dress that fell to her mid-calves. It was as extravagant and poofy as Morgana's dress, with a golden sash around her waist. She was wearing one of those small hats with a veil over her face, one of those royals usually wear when going to a grand event. She looked very feminine, not that she already wasn't, but it was definitely a sight for sore eyes.
There was another guest as well, Gawain. Since he was Arturia's cousin, he expected him to be there to greet his aunt and Uther. Gawain was also dressed in his Sunday Best and looked very composed.
"Morgana, I told you this is no time to complain." Arturia gave Morgana a stern look as she fixed the shawl over her shoulders.
"It still amazes me," Gawain nudged Diarmuid.
Diarmuid turned to him, lifting his brow. He, too, was burning up in his black suit. He wondered why they had to wait out in the heat of the afternoon sun for her parents, but he guessed it was what an earl's family did. "What does?" He asked.
"That Artie brought you all the way here." Gawain dug his hands into his pockets, letting out a deep breath. "She's never done that for any of her models. Not even when Gilgamesh was in our agency and dislocated his knee after falling from one of the ladders during one of his shoots, she would have none of it at that time, even if he begged her...not like did anyways."
Diarmuid remained silent. Arturia was just feeling a little responsible, probably because of what Cu had accused her of. Bringing Diarmuid to her estate was nothing serious; it was just her making sure he would recover quickly.
Gawain smiled. "I mean it with all due respect. If anything, I think you're a great guy, even if I'm a little jealous of you."
"Why would you be?" Diarmuid mumbled as he raised an eyebrow.
Gawain sighed. "Jeannie always speaks so highly of you." Then he shook his hair. "And it's not like I like Youth or anything, but she has never even spared me a glance, and she immediately took a liking to you. Deny it or not, you're a total hit with women."
Blushing, he waved his hands in front of himself. "No, there's no reason to think that. Really. I'm as average as anyone else."
"Really?" Gawain rolled his eyes. "As average as anyone else? You're hot, so just own it. Plus, I don't think you like Jeannie, so just don't flirt with her. She's spoken for already."
"You're dating?"
Gawain shook his head. "Not yet, but we're so close, so don't come and mess things up."
"Gawain, what did I say about dating my secretaries?" Arturia came up from behind them, causing both men to flinch and turn towards her.
Gawain looked defeated, his previously confident attitude deflating. "Stay away from them?" He looked like a dog with its tail between its legs.
Arturia huffed. "And I demand you respect my company rules. Plus, she told me you kissed her. Are you looking for a death wish?" She raised an eyebrow and tilted her head.
Gawain held his arms in front of himself as if in surrender. "It was on the cheek! Months ago. Plus, she said I could. Stop making such a big deal about it. You can't stop me from liking someone. Trust me, if it were up to me, I would tell myself to stop these feelings, but you know how these things work."
Arturia rolled her eyes. "Stop, or I'm going to have to fire you."
"Fine, if you fire me, that means I can date her. Plus, I don't need this job; I'll just take over the estate at my place," Gawain haughtily replied, a smug look on his face.
Arturia shook her head in disappointment. "Fine, do whatever you like, but if I find out you played with Jeanne's feelings, I'll make your life a living hell."
Now it was Gawain's turn to roll his eyes. "I'm not going to kill her, my goodness, stop being so dramatic."
The sound of a car's engine snapped them from their argument, and soon enough, in rolled the black Roll's Royce. Gawain immediately straightened his pose and cleared his throat as if he'd been shocked by electricity. Morgana took a few steps down toward the road and closed her umbrella while Arturia gave Diarmuid a reassuring nod.
The car rolled to a stop, and from the driver's seat, the driver stepped out. He walked towards the back seats and opened the first door; out stepped Igraine, Arturia's mother. She was clad in a pink dress, elegantly fitted to her body, and her hands were covered with lace gloves. Pearl earrings hung from her ears while her fiery red locks fell in large ringlets over her shoulder. She removed her big black Audrey Hepburn-style sunglasses ( just like Morgana's) and revealed bright and mesmerizing green eyes. Her neck was adorned with a fancy pearl necklace, while her lips were decorated with a rich red lipstick. She was a beautiful woman.
Then stepped out Uther from the other side of the car. He was a well-built man, wide shoulders and gray hair. He looked powerful, and it was evident in just the way he stood. His outfit compromised of a black Italian cut suit and a red tie and handkerchief. He was holding a cane with a dragon head on the handle, and even if he had scruff on his chin, it made him look well put together. Diarmuid already felt heavily intimidated.
Igraine immediately strode towards Arturia excitedly. "My dear!" She somewhat squealed before she brought Arturia into a tight hug. "You look adorable with that dress on." She kissed her on the cheek as she pulled away. "Have you been eating well? Have you made sure to take care of yourself, sweetheart?"
Arturia smiled at her mother lovingly, and she nodded. "Of course, mother, I would never want to make you worry."
Igraine then looked over at Morgana and offered a smile before she pulled her into a hug. "And how are you, Morgana? How was the trip to the continent?"
Morgana smiled at Igraine as they pulled away from one another. "It was going great, but it was cut short because one of Merlin's patients had an emergency."
Igraine frowned. "Oh no. Are they alright?"
Morgana nodded in response. "Yes, but I'm rather disillusioned. I thought we'd be able to spend the whole month there."
Igraine sighed. "We also had to cut our vacation short, sadly. Your father insisted we return after the news of Artie's company."
Morgana lifted an eyebrow and looked over at Arturia. "What about your company?"
"I heard it was a security issue," Igraine replied.
Overhearing this, Diarmuid's cheeks immediately burned red in embarrassment. Cu just had to go and cause trouble for Arturia. So much so that her parents came back home from their trip.
"Mother, it isn't something to worry over. It was a simple misunderstanding that the media blew out of proportion. Why didn't you ask me directly?" Arturia brought attention back to herself.
"Well, Honey, I know you sometimes hide the truth if you feel we will worry."
Arturia sighed, "There was a dispute with a family member of one of my models. It was a simple misunderstanding that was resolved."
Igraine eased and took her daughter's hands in hers. "And you weren't hurt, were you?"
"No. It was a verbal disagreement. Everything is settled now; you really didn't have to cut your trip short for something so trivial."
"If you say so, honey." Igraine then caught sight of the two boys as Uther went on to greet his daughters. "Gawain! It's so lovely to see you here!"
Gawain stepped up to greet Igraine and kissed her on each cheek. "I'm glad to see you too. How was the drive?"
Igraine huffed. "Tiring, but all worth it now that you're here. How is that pretty lady you have an eye for?" She winked.
A blush blossomed on Gawain's cheeks, and he gave a dismissive chuckle. "She's doing good."
"You should invite her for tea or something; I'd love to meet her."
"Oh, auntie, I don't think any time soon. Maybe someday."
"Speaking of bringing people home...who might this handsome man be?" Igraine's green eyes finally settled on Diarmuid. "Hello," she extended her hand out to him. "I'm Igraine."
Diarmuid couldn't help but smile at her. She was just such a lovely woman. "Nice to meet you. My name's Diarmuid. I am one of Ms. Pendragon's models."
Igraine looked confused for a second or two, but she quickly masked it with a bright smile. "Well, Diarmuid, it is lovely to meet you."
"Honour to meet you, Diarmuid." The gruff voice of Uther caught his attention. He looked over at the man as he approached and extended a hand. Diarmuid shook Uther's hand and offered him a smile. "I know most of Arturia's models, but I had yet to meet you. Are you a recent hire?"
"Yes. Ms. Pendragon hired me just a few weeks ago."
Uther nodded. "I see." His aqua gaze fell to Diarmuid's bandaged arm. "What happened to your hand?"
Diarmuid softly chuckled. "I fell and broke it."
"Well, I hope it heals up soon." Then he turned towards Arturia and raised an eyebrow at her. He had a few questions he would ask later, but he would rather keep it between him and his daughter.
Without much hassle, the group entered the house and made their way to the living room, where they began to catch up and enjoyed a cup of tea.
author's note
damn has it really been nearly two years since my last update...damn I am so so so so so so sorry. I still intend to finish all my stories that I have unfinished...it'll just take a while. Sorry! Love you guys for all your support and thank you for everything!
xx
