CHAPTER EIGHT
This is actually her first time to visit the dining room, after all, she never able to do it because of mulling over herself in preparing the letter that she will send to the male lead, and Marielle was there to send food and drinks to her
As
they walked in the corridor, Roanne was full of amazement looking at the
interior designs of the Marquess Palace. The floor is made of white marble, and
the white walls with huge paintings hanged on it. She doesn’t know much about
paintings, but glancing on all of it, she knew that they were made by great
painters in the kingdom.
Everything
is enough proof for her to believe that she was not in a dream, and her
transmigration in the romance novel was all genuinely true.
Letting
her eyes explored in every corner, upon reaching, a huge door came to her
sight. It seemed that they have already made to their destination. The servants
standing outside opened the door for their entrance.
It
is a very wide white room with a long mahogany table at the center with
expensively sculptured chairs. The table
has tracery and other old gothic motifs that befitting for wealthy nobles like
the Marquess Croix. The greenery view from the large windows gave off a fresh
and light ambiance in the room.
With
further careful examination of the room, she glanced at the table that is
filled with delicious and warm foods. Her eyes sparkled the moment it noticed
the different colored desserts. Her spirit level beamed highly.
Looking
around, she noticed that the Marquess has not yet appeared. As she approached
towards the table, one of the servants on standby pulled the chair, and
politely guide her to sit down. She didn’t care much to the shuddered hands of
the servant who served her as it was not her first time that she encountered a
trembling maid. Her first meeting with Marielle flashed in her mind, who is
presently busy talking to another servant like her. In her view, Marielle seems
giving instructions. After the conversation of the two servants, her maid came
back and stood behind her.
Looking
at the table full of delicacies that now, inches away from her body, it is hard
for her not to drool, but she still surely made herself on check. The anxious
feelings vibrating in her veins on the thought of meeting the Marquess a while
ago, because of fear that the latter might recognize her as an impostor, all
vanished instantly because of the great feast in front of her, and silently, wishes
for his immediate arrival.
“Good morning, My Beatrice.”, then, a deep man’s voice from
behind greeted that made her flinched and she slowly turned her head to the
owner of the voice. “I think I should try to learn addressing myself as
Beatrice now. I need to get used to it.”
She
happily greeted back, “Good morning, Father.”
The
Marquess seated at the head of the table.
The man appeared to be at his thirties. She can describe him with a cool-handsome-uncle
vibe like the books that she used to read in her previous life. There is no
doubt that the extreme beauty and dolly appearance of Lady Beatrice was truly
inherited from this man, the white skin, silvery hair and dark blue-eyes.
She
started to wonder what would the marchioness look like then. She surmised that
she might be so beautiful too. Unfortunately, from the few memories, she
learned that the former died because of weak heart condition, and despondently,
most pictures in Beatrice’s mind were blurry. As she still has yet to explore
the mansion, she hasn’t seen any portrait of the mother, but it seemed that
from the fuzzy images the marchioness had its curly long vibrant red hair with stunningly
emerald eyes. The hazy memories might be
because it was a very painful and agonizing event for a very young girl.
“Let’s eat.”, invited by the Marquess.
She
can no longer stay in her thoughts after hearing the invitation of the
Marquess.
“Yes, Father. Thank you.”, she smiled and then, started to use
the utensils.
While
they were enjoying the great and delicious breakfast, the Marquess asked. “My
Beatrice, have you seen my gifts?”
Lady
Beatrice halted and responded with troubled heart at the sudden question, “I
haven’t seen it father, but the servants might be transferring it to my room by
now. Even so, I am very happy to receive your gifts, Father, but seeing you here
safely back is the greatest gift that I have ever received today.”
The
last sentence of Lady Beatrice widened the eyes of the Marquess while the
servants around them was stunned, except for Marielle who already learned the
desire of the lady to change her bitter and rude personality.
Marquess
knew that his daughter loves him very much, but apparently, he was used to his daughter’s first greeting at him asking about gifts that he brought for her. It
was the very first time that she uttered those sweet and lovely words on him.
Noticing
all the reactions surfaced on the Marquess and the servants, Lady Beatrice nervously
questioned herself. “Did I say something wrong?
“My Beatrice, you have no idea how I am truly happy to
hear that.”
Not
knowing what to reply, she just gave her brightest smile. “I guess, the real
Beatrice never used sweet words directly to his father.”, she uttered in
her mind. Seeing the happiness expressed by the Marquess, she didn’t regret what
she had said. “Isn’t the Marquess well deserved those words from his daughter.”
“Anyway, did you remember what I have said to you
before I left.”
“The good news.”, she involuntary gulped by the sudden notion. “You
mean, the good news, Father?”, she asked curiously with unsettlement within
her chest, because she is well mindful that whatever the desire of the real
Beatrice, it only meant that it was not just simple things. Exorbitant.
Extravagant.
“At the Imperial Palace, I and Duke Aland had a
meeting. With joint motion, we talked about the possibility of having you, my Beatrice,
and his successor, Sir Zeke, be engaged.”
“engaged???”, her internal organs screamed.
“Is it not great? I know very well on how much you
love the son of Duke Aland.”, happily
announced by the Marquess.
“…”
Lady
Beatrice was flustered and unconsciously, released her grip to the fork that she
was holding to. She was baffled for a moment while Marielle immediately picked
up the fork that fell and gently replaced a new one on the table.
“Is it not a great news?”, confusedly asked by the Marquess
after noticing her unexpected reaction.
“It— it was, Father.”, she said after grasping her
thoughts.
“It really was, My Beatrice—", the Marquess was cut off by her.
“But Father, it was just a possibility for now,
right?”, as she recklessly
confirmed.
“Yes… and we were just planning about it. Is there
something wrong, My Dear?”, he
asked again with confusion.
“I am sorry, Father.”, she said after learning that she asked
recklessly and the fact that she has no idea on how will she be able to convey
her inner thoughts without creating suspicion.
“What is with the apology? There is nothing you have
to apologize, My Beatrice”, worriedly
asked by his father.
“Truth be told, I actually don’t know how will I
explain this to you, father.”,
she said with hesitation while fidgeting her fingers.
The
Marquess then reached and held her hand. “It is okay. You can tell me.”
She
gathered all her courage in her body and explained with lowered head and
trembling hands, “For the past few days, I have realized that my feelings
towards the young heir were just merely infatuations, resulted by my immaturity,
Father. To make it short, presently, I have no desire of being engaged or to
marry the young heir, Father. I just hope— hope you understand.” “I
wanted to marry with someone who will I love and also who will love me back.”, she
wanted to continue but chose not to.
“…”, the
Marquess, who is holding her hand, found it shaking and trembling.
Lady
Beatrice bewilderedly waiting his father’s response. Then, she felt the small
grip of his father’s hand to her hand. By the sudden grip, she lifted her head
and met his eyes.
“I won’t ask anything about your sudden change of
heart, but I will respect your decision.”, Marquess said with warm smile. “And rest assured
that I will always here to support you.”
“Thank you very much, Father.”, she gratefully responded with teary
eyes.
“But…”
“But?”, she
worriedly asked.
“I have no control over Duke Aland.”
Chill
echoed in her veins. She understands the meaning of no control over Duke
Aland. Defeatedly, she knew well that her father was telling the truth, should
the Duke Aland will send a marriage proposal to Marquess Croix, it will be a disgraced
not to positively respond on it. As a
practice, the high ranks always prevail than the lower ranks. But at least, it
was a relief that the Marquess, her father, is openly declared his support on
her.
“I
understand, Father. And thank you for hearing me.”, she warmly replied.
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Next: Chapter Nine