The next day, Juliet returned back to her house because Mrs Rosewood and Titania were due to return that day. Still, the witch's words puzzled her. She seemed to have known her parents for some strange reason but for the moment, she tucked this away because she needed some strength to deal with her step-mother.

As Mrs Rosewood sauntered into the house, Juliet bowed. "Mother," she echoed dutifully.

Her step-mother nodded and barked, "Sophie, prepare some dessert for tea-time."

The maid bowed and gave Juliet a small smile before disappearing into the kitchen. Mrs Rosewood turned and surveyed Juliet for a moment. "You're thinner," she said a little accusingly.

"I've been ill a little while but I'm fine now," Juliet replied and lowered her eyes. She couldn't lie but she had to. Edmund had specifically instructed her to keep mum about her poisoning.

"It was a pity that you missed out on our little trip," Mrs Rosewood continued, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Sir Bernard's house was simply wonderful! The fountain, the servants, the food. Titania, once you marry him, everything will belong to you."

"Yes, mother," Titania said, looking a little distracted.

"Did you enjoy yourself with Sir Bernard?" Juliet asked. She didn't know how to bring up the topic regarding Syvil's pregnancy.

"It was fine. Really extravagant." Titania waved her hands dismissively.

Mrs Rosewood fluttered away and Juliet stared at her sister, who seemed distracted. Still, Titania still looked as lovely as ever with the rouge on hr cheeks. "Sister, are you okay?" she whispered.

"Yes, I'm fine," Titania sighed. "It's just..that...I...I miss Cedric."

"Cedric?" Juliet frowned. "You should forget about that liar. He made use of you and called you a devil! "

"'Tis true," Titania said morosely. "But he was a great lover. Far better than that old prick Sir Bernard. He was a complete bore. All he did was talk about was how rich he was."

"Bear with it." Juliet placed her hand on Titania's shoulder. "He's after all your future husband."

"I suppose so," Titania muttered in her melodious voice. "There aren't that many attractive men available now."

"Indeed." Juliet nodded. Her sister was being sensible for the first time.

"Why sister, I've an idea," Titania's eyes lit up.

"Yes?" Juliet asked cautiously.

"I've heard that Lord Edmund and Lord Japer are your good friends, aren't they?" Titania asked smugly. "Why don't you have them over for dinner? I can know them better than."

"Pardon me?" Juliet was baffled. Was Titania having designs on the man whom she loved and her best-friend? Not that she didn't mind Jasper and Titania together, but Jasper clearly didn't like her sister.

"Think about it, sister!" Titania exclaimed excitedly. "With my looks and wit, I can charm them and they can help me secure a better match! Maybe if I plead with them a little, they can help you to find someone suitable as well!"

"Well, I suppose so," Juliet muttered. She didn't think it was a good idea but if Jasper did manage to end up liking Titania, she would not only gain him as a brother-in-law but also help Syvil if Duke Roman suddenly decides to abandon her because of the child.

"Well then, it's settled!" Titania smiled gloriously. She kissed Juliet on the cheeks and sashayed upstairs.

**********

It was thus decided that Jasper and Edmund would come over that night for dinner. Upon hearing these news, Mrs Rosewood fussed over preparing for it.

Juliet had to help Sophie out because besides from the maid, she was the only person living under the roof that knew how to cook.

"I'm so sorry, Lady Juliet, that you have to do these menial work," Sophie apologized again.

"Nonsense," Juliet chided lightly as she watched the savoury broth simmer away. She enjoyed Sophie's company and it was honestly preferable to spending time with the fussy step-mother. Besides, she liked chopping up the spices and ingredients and make flavorful food for the guests- especially since Jasper and Edmund were coming.

"I'm not sure if I should tell you this, m'lady." Sophie frowned. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear nervously. "You've always been kind to me and I feel that I inform you this."

"Speak." Juliet cocked her head to the right.

"As you know, I accompanied Lady Rosewood and Lady Titania to Sir Bernard's residence," Sophie began slowly. "One night, I was due to deliver food to Sir Bernard's chambers and I overheard Titania and him talking."

Juliet frowned. What was her sister doing with Sir Bernard in his private chambers in the night? But then, she suddenly realized that she had done the same thing at Edmund's house. Perhaps her sister was just visiting her fiance to find out more about him- just like what Edmund had done.

"What did you hear?" she asked.

"I...I can't say." Sophie dabbed her forehead. "I will get into trouble."

"Fear not, Sophie," Juliet said softly. "I will keep whatever I hear from you to myself. Rest assure."

"Sir...Sir Bernard told Lady Titania that he understood that she was a woman who couldn't be tamed," Sophie continued in a wavering voice. "And he promised her that once he married her, he would allow her to do whatever she wanted, provided she gave him the same courtesy."

Juliet frowned. Strange as it sounded, how Sir Bernard and her sister treated each other was their private business. How was this a matter of importance? "I don't get what you are trying to say, Sophie," she said slowly.

Sophie whispered, "Lady Titania got really happy. She started squealing about how she was delighted to have such an open-minded husband but Sir Bernard then shushed her and told her that all of that depended on one condition."

"A condition?" Juliet repeated skeptically.

"Yes," Sophie continued fearfully. "He told her that if she managed to seduce Lord Edmund and cheat him out of his assets, she would be duly rewarded."

"Impossible." Juliet shook her head. It was true that Sir Bernard disliked Edmund but he didn't seem like the type to be so mercernary and cruel. But then again, this was the same man who impregnated her best friend.

"Are you sure this was what you heard?" she asked.

"Yes, m'am," Sophie replied. "At that moment, the door opened and I pretended that I had only arrived at the door then."

"I see," Juliet whispered. "Thank-you for telling me all these, Sophie."

"Please don't apologize, m'am," Sophie said softly. "You're like my sister, if you pardon my imprudence."

Juliet smiled and her gaze flickered to the soup. She pondered over Sophie's words and found it rather puzzling. Did Sir Bernard really said all those to her innocent sister? Was that why Titania suggested to have a dinner with Edmund?

***********

By evening, the table was set and Edmund and Jasper arrived promptly. The moment Juliet saw Edmund, she blushed and turned away before she could blow her cover. They weren't an official couple but she couldn't resist the love swelling up inside her whenever she saw him.

"It's kind of you to invite us over for dinner," Edmund said smoothly. He looked as suave and handsome as ever and he seemed utterly at ease.

"Yes, indeed, it's utterly kind of you, Mrs Rosewood," Jasper added a tad sharply.

Mrs Rosewood put on her artificial smile. "Why, it's only my duty. I haven't properly entertained both  gentleman ever since you returned to society."

As Edmund and Jasper took their places, Juliet started towards the seat between them before Mrs Rosewood pulled her away and called, "Titania! Sit between both of them please."

Titania smiled. She looked utterly breath-taking in the her new sea blue dress and Juliet felt ashamed of her plain appearance. She dutifully took the seat opposite Edmund and Mrs Rosewood sat next to her.

"This soup is wonderful, is it not?" Mrs Rosewood smiled.

Edmund took a sip and he nodded appreciatively. "Who prepared this? The maid?" His eyes slid to Juliet as if he was asking her a question but she looked down at her plate.

"Why, Titania prepared it of course!" Mrs Rosewood exclaimed. "Right darling?"

Titania nodded enthusiastically. While Edmund looked skeptical, Jasper asked a little sarcastically, "Well, Lady Titania, how did you prepare it then?"

For a moment, Titania looked stumped. Her eyes slid to her sister for help but before Juliet could answer, Mrs Rosewood said brightly, "Gentleman, let us not discuss on how the food is made but take the time to enjoy it."

Jasper snorted and though everyone heard it, they chose to ignore it.

Titania began a conversation with Jasper who didn't look particularly enthusiastic. Edmund sipped his red wine and suddenly, Juliet felt someone brush against her leg.

She looked up and stared at Edmund accusingly. Maybe it was an accident. All of a sudden, she felt Edmund's leg brush against her again.

It actually felt nice but that wasn't the point. "What are you doing?" she mouthed.

Edmund shrugged and he smiled. Juliet chuckled and when Mrs Rosewood looked at her strangely, she simply answered, "I just remembered an old joke."

She ate the meat and chewed carefully before looking up to find Edmund getting up. Was he leaving so soon? Did she anger him?

"I would like to have a tour of the house." Edmund smiled. "Will Lady Juliet do me the honor of accompanying me?"

Mrs Rosewood practically leapt up and exclaimed, "Why, Titania can do it!"

Edmund shook her head. "She's enjoying herself with Lord Jasper, am I right?"

Titania, still too self-absorbed in her conversation to pay attention to anything else, was still rattling on but Jasper heard that and shot Edmund a dark look.

Edmund ignored him and held out his arm. "May I?"

"Yes sir," Juliet whispered and looped her arm around his. Together, they went off into another wing of the house.

The moment they were alone, Edmund muttered, "At least we managed to escape from there."

"Not for long," Juliet sighed and leant against the wall. "Did you enjoy yourself at the dinner?"

"It was barely bearable." Edmund frowned. "Your sister is a chatter-box and your step-mother is a nuisance. I'm sorry for leaving Jasper behind but I couldn't bear it anymore. There was only one redeeming point though." He suddenly smiled playfully. "I had the company of a beautiful woman."

"I know." Juliet nodded. "Titania looked exceptionally ravishing today."

"Please," Edmund rolled his eyes. "I was talking about you." He smiled a little shyly. "You look ravishing to me."

"I'm not." Juliet gestured to her clothes. "I spent the entire morning in the kitchen. Look at all the grease."

"Well." Edmund raised his eyebrows. "So you did cook that dinner."

"Yes, I did," she replied.

"Why didn't you own up then?"

"I don't want to hog the limelight."

Edmund snorted, which was completely unlike him. "Ah, my innocent little Juliet," he whispered softly. "I can tell that you're going to be a good wife."

He was teasing. She could tell that but she just wanted to play along. "Why, Edmund, how can you say that?" she laughed. "While I do have certain virtues, I'm rather scary."

"How so?"

"For starters, I talk in my sleep," Juliet retorted.

"'Tis nothing." Edmund waved his hand dismissively. "I kick people when I sleep. Is that not worse?"

Juliet laughed. She loved Edmund for his sense of humor. Suddenly, she realized how close Edmund's body was to hers.

"Perhaps you should take a step back," she said.

"Why?" Edmund leant in further, until he pinned her to the wall.

Juliet's heart sped up and she closed her eyes instinctively. Within seconds, she felt Edmund's soft lips press against hers and she stiffened.

"Relax," Edmund whispered. "I'm not trying to eat you here."

"'Tis easy for an experienced man like you to say," Juliet muttered. "'Tis my first time kissing a man."

For a moment, both of them didn't speak as they were engrossed in the act. Kissing was such a strange yet wonderful experience and Juliet felt her body respond enthusiastically to Edmund's warm body pressed against hers.

"By the way," Edmund whispered. "I have never kissed a girl in my life."

"Lies," Juliet accused half-teasingly. "A handsome lad like you surely must have suitors."

"'Tis true," he said softly. "But none of them stirred up as much emotions as you do."

They continued like this for awhile when suddenly, someone shouted down the hallway, "What are both of you doing?"

Juliet gasped and she pushed Edmund away. She turned to face the person with trepidation.

"Titania?"