There was a change in the atmosphere when Anthony joined the dinner celebration. The other nobles might not notice it but Sydnee felt it, specially when Anthony was giving her extra attention. She did not need him doing stuffs like picking up shrimps and meat and then put it on her plate. No, this attention would definitely invite trouble for her.
She smiled at him when he put a piece of cake on her plate. "There's no need for that, Duke."
"It's okay," Anthony said and ignored her silent protest.
She could feel the fiery gaze of both Lady Geneva and Catarina. Ladies, she did not beg him to do that, okay?
Until the end of the dinner, Anthony was showing her favor. The guests were all gone and apart from the four of them, Anthony was still inside the VIP room.
"Uh, no need to do that," she immediately declined when she noticed that Anthony was going to get her a drink.
It was when the Duke noticed the strange behavior of Anthony towards Sydnee. While in the dinner, he did notice that Anthony was giving a lot of attention to his adopted daughter, but it was at that moment that he knew something was going on between the two.
Duke Theodore raised his hand and the butler standing beside him cleared his throat. "Ladies, the Duke wants to talk with Duke Anthony. Please let the maids see you out."
Lady Geneva showed a displeased expression but she heeded outside. Catarina was sulking while following the Lady, while Sydnee was silent. When she arrived outside, Catarina had blocked her way. She sighed. As expected of this girl.
"Are you trying to seduce Duke Anthony? Wake up, you trash! He will never notice you!" she yelled.
Sydnee winced. They were still inside the restaurant and there were many guests. Why was this girl shouting at the top of her lungs? Could she just hold her anger and vent it out once they arrive at the mansion?
"Let's talk later," she said and walk passed by her.
Catarina continued her yelling so Lady Geneva immediately reprimanded her. They went outside first with two maids in tow. A maid was left standing behind Sydnee to serve her.
Not long after, Duke Theodore and Anthony walked out of the VIP room. Sydnee stood in front of them and saluted. "Greetings, father. Greetings, Duke Bermeda. Mother and Catarina are waiting outside."
Duke Theodore immediately knew that Catarina was throwing a tantrum, so he bid goodbye to Anthony and walked out of the restaurant together with Sydnee.
Anthony watched the father and daughter duo walking away from where he stood. A smile crept into his lips and his gaze was gentle while staring at Sydnee's back.
When college started, Sydnee did not travel far away. The University inside the teritory of Obando was enough for her. It was one of the prestigious Universities in the kingdom, so the other nobles in neighboring teritories would travel to Obando just to enrol into the said University.
"Mom, I don't want this dress!" Catarina was throwing a tantrum again while Sydnee tried hard not to wince.
The corset that she was wearing for the first time made her gasp a little to breathe. It was hard to breathe and with the dress on her, it was even harder to move around. Why should she wear like this? She was not attending some sort of ball.
Lady Geneva coaxed Catarina. "No. It's the first day of school so you should wear this. Any freshman noble ladies would wear it."
"But I can't breathe!"
"Just relaxed your shoulder and muscles. You would find it easier to breathe."
Even though the advice was meant for Catarina, still, Sydnee did as what Lady Geneva said. True enough, she could move around in a limited manner, but it was okay than being held up by the corset that she could not move around even for a bit.
After a few minutes of tantrums, Catarina calmed down. It was also the time for them to enter the car that was waiting for them outside. Catarina and Sydnee were studying in different academy during highschool, but Duke Theodore decided to let them study in the same University during college.
Even though Sydnee was not really okay having Catarina with her in the same University.
"Don't act like a kid inside the University. There are many noble young man inside and you should uphold your image as young and delicate noble young miss," Lady Geneva warned Catarina.
Sydnee did not listen to what the Lady was saying. She checked the time in her phone. One hour before the first class would start. Seriously? How many more minutes did she have to wait for this girl?
"Go and enjoy!" Lady Catarina said before the car sped up. Sydnee sighed in relief.
There was only silence inside the car until it stopped in front of the University. Sydnee was the first to hopped off the car. She did not wait for Catarina and just walked briskly towards the entrance. It was almost time!
When she arrived in her designated classroom, all Sydnee could see was unfamiliar faces. She gulped and secretly drew a breathe. With the unordinary bearings of her new classmates, she could guess that they were all nobles inside and outside of Obando. Her lips pursed into a thin line before she walked at the back, where a group of boys were sitting quietly.
She chose to sit in the chair on the back beside the window. Just like what Selena liked, she also wanted to see the scenery outside the classroom and that chair would let her do it freely.
"Are you Sydnee Mondragon?" someone beside her asked.
She turned her head and she came face to face with a young man. He had an auburn hair and blue eyes. His distinct features were often seen in the capital. She smiled and nodded. "Do you need something?" she asked and turned her head on the side so she could not see his face again.
In the corner of her eye, she noticed the young man smirked. "I am Aleksander Tamarin, from Alta Sosyedad."
She guessed it right. This young man was a noble from the house of Tamarin in the capital. "It's nice to meet you, Young Master Tamarin," she said.
Aleksander laughed. "I heard that you are also an adopted daughter of Duke Mondragon. How was it?"
"Huh?"
"I asked how was it being a noble? You were once a commoner so it is understandable that you can't adjust to the lifestyle of my world."
Sydnee's lips twitched. What did this young man mean? Was he just trying to insult her?
She shrugged her shoulders and smiled helplessly at him. "It's alright."
"If you need something, you can count on me!" Aleksander said before he stood and walked back to his chair in front.
Sydnee's expression darkened. So he was originally sitting in front and he just went in the back to tease her?
So rude.