II. Homecoming Surprises

After having a talk with the physician and settling the early fees with the accountant, I was finally going home. It’s almost midnight, surely the guests have returned to their respective estates. However, to be sure, I’ll just enter using the back door.

“Miss Cassey, your things have been unloaded. I will now bring them inside.”

“Thank you Fred. Please use the back door just as I have said.” He bowed and started moving.

I fixed my hair and bit my lips to gather some blood and hide my paleness. I must look presentable, at least to Ashanti. She must have been very happy to be proclaimed as the esteemed daughter. Thinking about it makes me smile. I should greet her later.

“Lady Cassey...” I stared at the woman in front of me. Her silver wavy hair shines in the dark. The blue eyes are tantalizing, I don’t dare to look away. It looked straight at me, into my soul. The aura around her was strong and charismatic.

“Father and Mother are waiting for you. You should go greet them. They’re at the hall.”

She walked with me to the hall, where the count and the countess are as of the moment. I stared at the moon above that seemed to be a stretch of a hand away. After a tiring day, I’m finally getting a rest.

The enormous door stood before me. The delicately carved design shows how exquisite the Timmerhaus is. For sure, the banquet hall must be made to look glamorous too. After all, the count can’t miss such rare opportunity to directly show- off his wealth.

As the door opened, the bright light blinded my vision. I have to use my hair to block such brilliance as it makes my eyes sore.

“I am sorry for the inconvenience. Let me announce to you, the arrival of my sister, Lady Cassey Timmerhaus!”

I was in deep shock. Suddenly, the people are clapping and murmuring. How could this happen?

“Lady Cassey, I greet you as the esteemed daughter Lady Ashanti Kaia of the Timmerhaus. I hope you had a safe travel. Please give me the honor to have my first dance.”

It was her. Damn, I was...

“Lady Cassey!” The Count’s loud voice echoed as he walked towards me. I could hear people gossiping, must be about me.

“My daughter, I never thought you would be able to attend today. I was worried you might be hastening your trip to welcome your esteemed sister. I shouldn’t have mistaken your sincerity when you said you’ll never miss this.” The Count’s tone infuriates me. However, this is not the case today. I must be able to redeem myself in front of the count and the nobles. I can worry about the esteemed sister later.

I took a deep breath and bowed gracefully. 

“Greetings to the great Count Seloriett Moroan Timmerhaus. Greetings to the Esteemed Daughter, Lady Ashanti Kaia Timmerhaus. Greetings to all the glory who gracefully witnessed today’s proclamation. Forgive me for appearing today in my travel clothes. The esteemed daughter requested for an audience, and I don’t dare refuse the esteemed.”

“It’s fine sister. I should be the one at fault for troubling you when you are exhausted from the trip.” Ashanti replied, with a meaningful “smile” I couldn’t grasp.

I smiled back and hid my disappointment. “It’s a privilege, Lady Timmerhaus. If you don’t mind, I should excuse myself to rest as I have another voyage tomorrow. I sincerely wish all of you enjoy the banquet. I shall now escort myself.” I bowed for one last time and headed to the exit.

So much has happened in such a short time, and yet nobody has asked about maternal grandmother.

Upon arriving at my room, I started undressing. My body might look like it’s healthy, but I’m actually very thin. My eyes were tired, from all the writing and studying of documents that doesn’t even reflect to my portfolio, since I’m only a “shadow.” 

I rang the bell. It took minutes before someone knocked on my door.

“Please come in.”

“So, what do you need?” my brows raised at the attitude of the mere servant. Is this how they train their attendants? Such insolence.

“Please move the bathtub to my room. From now on, I will bathe on my own, as I have to focus on my new work. I supposed you already understood.”

She bowed as a sign of agreement, but rolled her eyes afterwards. I held on myself back, or I might stain thy hands with such corrupt blood.

Wearing a temporary cloth, I looked at the night sky from my window. My room is at the highest floor, almost at the attic, and it is the most desirable place to stargaze. However, I can only remember stargazing when night skies are cleared. It is my first time, from my privileged room to appreciate a starry night.

BANG!

A loud sound came from door. When I checked it, it was the maids who disrespectfully barged into my room without permission.

“Place it beside the table.”

Once finished, they rushed to exit. “Melissa Hundrels. Your family is still suffering from the effects of the previous epidemic. Here’s a bag, make sure to send my best regards to them.”

She smiled brightly, and took the bag. “Thank you, Milady. I really appreciate your kindness. Would you like to have snacks? I will deliver it in five minutes.”

“Please prepare a dinner. I’m a little hungry from the long journey.”

“Gladly, Milady. I shall prepare it now.” Then she blissfully closed the door.

I indulged myself in the warmth of a warm bath. Just earlier, Ashanti showed me something I never thought I’d experienced in my whole life- schemes. She was the chosen one now, and yet she decided to humiliate me, a nobody in this house. What would it benefit her?

I heard a knock from the door. “Who was it?”

“Milady, I’m from the kitchen. I am delivering the dinner you requested.”

So, it was not Melissa?

“Please come in, and set the table.” With my word, an older woman, wearing white uniform and headress entered and placed my meal on the table.

“Where’s Melissa?” She flinched at my question, and fiddled her fingers.

“Melissa had to handle more important matters so I delivered it instead of her.” She answered consciously. “Have you perhaps prepared that script?” is what I wanted to ask but she looks nervous. She might be a new one.

“She must be disappointed with my humble offer,” I mumbled.

“Pardon Milady, is there something-” 

“Yes there is. Shall I ask you another question?” she slowly nodded her head and stared at me. She looks like a commoner, since nobles usually have eyes with bright colors. They really were looking down on me and sent a commoner staff to serve me, so they would use the racist card if I complained. 

“Supposed you are an excellent student. The teacher has announced that she would choose a student to wear a crown on a festival, and you really wanted that crown. Would you bother threatening the nerd beside you when she’s just a nobody?”

“If she’s a nobody, then I would really get rid of her.”

“And why would you do that? ”

“Because in a competition, everyone is a threat. If you let them sit beside you and do nothing, they might pull of a scheme before you and ruin you completely.” 

I grabbed the bathrobe, and wore it on me.

“I see. You may return now.”

“Thank you, milady. This servant shall go.”

I drank the hot choco she prepared. It’s unexpectedly scorching so I put the mug back on the table. My tongue seemed burnt, so I took it out like a dog needing attention.

“So what she did was natural instinct. Even a commoner possesses the same ambition. Does everyone have greedy instincts?”

I jumped to bed and hugged my pillow. The ceiling is low in the attic. It even has a lot of spider webs.

I touched my lips and reminisced the scene just now. “That hot choco just now, it was strangely bitter.”

-

Once again, I found myself in an awkward position, among the high ones in the house of Timmerhaus.

“For what reason have you called me here?” The count was drinking the residue wine from today’s party, while mother was assisting him, as he was swaying along the invisible lanes in the room.

 “Aren’t you supposed to help me carry him now?” I cringed. That’s so family-like! Just what did she consumed on that party that turned her to this?

 “Can’t we just call an attendant for him? He seemed too heavy for a tired feather like me.”

Mother stayed silent for a moment. Everytime she does this, there’s always an obvious trap placed ahead on me. A trap that I can’t avoid.

“What has happened?” I asked her, with a stink eye, hoping to finally unveil the mystery behind her strange actions. 

“A marriage proposal has arrived, Cassey.”

At that moment, I realized that my solemn life is bound to end.