Chapter 3

The vivid and lively hallway blinded Veta, it has been long since she has seen how extravagant and luxurious a noble's life is. Carrying only the name has wounded her pride somehow, she is just a poor lady wandering behind someone else's pity. It wouldn't be surprising if she were to be paired with some adult men who have money in order to save what remains of Le Blanchet's assets.

True to her worries, that nightmare has come to haunt Veta just right before the party which she thought could reconnect her to the business minded nobles to invest in them, but it is much more than that.

" Father!" Cecil called, it was a strange endearment that Veta has long heard, it's been several years since she has called on to the late count, been overly occupied with labor and salvaging the remains of the fief, the young child in her was robbed.

"Oh dear, wasn't that lady Cecil?" Murmurs of adornment to the young lady of Marquis Phlox, though she is not the eldest  her beauty was well known even when she still is within the academy. Proposals of wanting to be engaged with the young lady were overflowing.

If Veta, has still been the same Lady Le Blanchet, she would be standing beside with Cecil, however, she is just now a poor countess-to-be that has no money and in poverty.

"I see that young lady Le Blanchet was with you."  The Marquis who is a virtuous man, even though he knows the current situation of Veta, did not hinder her chance and even sent a handwritten invitation as per request of his daughter Cecil. He believes that every individual must be given at least a chance, with this, Veta piqued the interest of the Marquis, he would like to know what can the young lady who dropped out of the academy and has been running back and forth to save the remains of her inheritance that her relatives has been indulging their stomachs.

" Greetings Marquis Phlox, thank you for the invitation you have given to this humble Le Blanchet." Still with grace, even though she has been living a poor life for a noble, her elegance still remains, the infamous Lady Veta still can catch the attention of the nobles, especially that she has been in a fire of rumors.

"Lady Le Blanchet, time has been fast, I didn't know you would grace us with your presence." One of the ladies, whom she believes is a wife of a count, that is with the conversation of marquis and the rest of his peers greeted her.

" Yes lady, it has been, I am glad to be invited here by the Marquis." she replied carefully as it was the first time they met.

"Still, even though it has been years since the passing of the late count, I still couldn't believe it." One of the gentlemen who seems to be insensitive of Veta's current situation continued to speak.

" The kingdom still has a lot to improve, just imagine how can inheritance of a young noble be ever safe to the relatives, especially when it is a lady!" In the Franche-Comte Kingdom, they value the male heirs of a family. This made Veta a bit uncomfortable, as she remembered her dead brother who is supposed to be the heir of the family.

“It is still fortunate for you Lady Le Blancet.” The older Count that has a half drank wine on his has caught Veta’s ears, looking at his flushing face, it seems the count has already had several servings of wine.

“Pardon it Sir, I wasn’t paying attention.” In surprise, her purpose is to look for investors who are willing to take risk with Le Blanchet, however, it seems like having herself to attend this party has more she has to discover.

“I said a lady like you who inherited nothing but a title is still fortunate despite the tragedy of your family.” The insensitive answer of the old man clearly proves his tipsiness.

“Sir, I think this matter is a bit…” Marquis Phlox who intervened was a bit uneasy, then his daughter Cecil also grabbed Veta’s hand.

What is it that they are preventing her from knowing?

“Cecil?”

“I think we better get some refreshments first.” Cecil, who looked a bit troubled, tried to sway her away.

“Wait, the count still hasn’t…” She declined back and looked at the old man who then spoke with the Marquis.

“That lady is lucky that someone is still willing to accept her into marriage, her family is poor and the title is the only thing she has.”

“Marriage?” It was an unknown subject to hers.

“That…” Marquis Phlox massages his temple and looks sharply at the old man, the other nobles who surround them trying not to make any reaction.

“The count must be tipsy of the wine, let him rest at the guest room first.” The other noblemen who passed them called the servant. However, the old count seems not to notice that they are preventing the subject from being known by Veta.

“Isn’t it right young lady?” The way he looked at her body sent chills to her.

“Veta, we should go.” Worried at the rude act of the old count, her friend urged her.

“If I only knew that the lady was looking for a marriage partner, I could have offered you help in the first place.” He continued and the surrounding nobles who liked this kind of gossip smirked and pondered at the young lady’s reaction.

“Count, the lady would be uncomfortable, that matter still has no basis and just a rumor.” The young man instructed the servant.

“Oh Why? Isn’t it already public news that the house Le Blanchet is now marrying to that commoner merchant of Gautbert? Isn’t my house of count better than that low rank?”

“Count!” Marquis Phlox's voice rings like a thunder that leaves the rest in surprise, no one dares even to let a breath out.

With trembling hands, Cecil looked at her friend who’s pale blood face drained her from the shocking news.

“L-let’s get out of here.” Pulling her with force, the feet that seem to be stoned on the floor, Veta seems to lose her balance, she is then assisted by the young man who intervened earlier.

“Ladies, let me accompany both of you on the balcony.”

“Ah, thank you Marquis Chastain!” Cecil, who recognized the man who instructed the servant to brought out the old count, feel at ease to know that the young Marquis is also concern of her friend.

Upon arriving at the balcony the young Marquis left them, only silence remained between them, Cecil cannot seem to search for words to comfort. 

“I will get a glass of water for you Veta, I’ll be back.” 

Veta on the other hand, still shocked at the news, knows that her aunt and the baron will soon arrange for her marriage in order to gain profit from it, however, this matter has gone on the very wrong path.

“I will never let them play with my life.” Grinding her teeth, she looked up at the bright full moon shrouded by the trees, as if she was hypnotized, she cursed everything around her.

“Even if I make a deal with a demon, I won’t let them trample on me.” 

That night the wind carries and blows the hatred of Veta to the evil.