Prologue
"If you do not create your destiny, you will have fate inflicted upon you my little one. You will have to take the hand fate has dealt us and shape it to your will. Only with your determination, Rosie, will the wrongs against our family be avenged and only then, will you be able to claim what is rightly yours by blood." Adrienne looked down at her darling baby girl, knowing that a great destiny awaited her Rosie. She leaned in, laying a kiss on her brow, smiling affectionately down to her greatest treasure and family's bane. "Good night, my little one."
She stood up and walked away from the crib, shutting the door behind her and coming face to face with her brother, the new Lord Samuel Cyprus Greengrass. Her sweet smile vanished instantly, her face taking upon a cold indifference in front of her lord. "My lord, home so soon?" Her tone hid the disgust at calling this manor home, her hatred for her glorified prison apparent to only those who knew her.
His eyebrow rose at her words, amusement making his lip twitch beneath the haunty exterior. Samuel Greengrass had only been the Head of the Greengrass line for 24 hours and already his sister was trying to provoke him to do his worst. "Sister, calm yourself. I will not be responsible for my actions during this grievous time." He held his hand up, stopping her protests before they began. "Follow me, Adrienne. We have much to discuss about your future in this family." He led his sister down the hallway, stopping at a closed door and pushing it open to reveal his personal study.
Samuel walked over to the desk, almost flopping down into his chair in exhaustion, much to Adrienne's amusement. Adrienne couldn't believe this intimidating young man was her all powerful uncouth older brother and the ruthless Lord Greengrass that will decide her daughter's fate. Suppressing laughter at her brother's manners, Adrienne settles into one of the armchairs against the wall after closing the door, not wishing to awake Rosie or Marina with their discussion. She sat a fair distance away from her brother's desk, reminding herself why she always avoided this room when her father was alive. Nothing ever good came from the deliberations in this room, especially when it came to her. The last time she was in this room, her father had informed her that they were pulling her out of Hogwarts and disinheriting her from the family.
Shaking her head at such thoughts, Adrienne sighs and her attention focuses on her brother. Samuel can almost tell that Adrienne is debating how to approach this topic. He knew she was uncomfortable in this room but he had no other place to discuss these matters privately with her. A comfortable silence arises between the two, neither desiring to break it and broach the issues needed to be discussed.
"Adrienne-"
"Brother-"
Samuel laughed, his body betraying the exhaustion that was slowly seeping into his bones. He shook his head to clear his thoughts, nodding to his sister to continue. It was rare that he would graciously let his little sister steer the conversation without reprimanding her for her attitude. He hoped she would take this gift and not throw it back in his face. She might be his flesh and blood but he was still a Lord of an Ancient and Noble House.
Adrienne licks her lips, taking a deep breath before speaking. "My lord, no Samuel, I must request sanctuary within these halls, despite my disdain for having to ask such a thing of my own flesh and blood." There is a tremble in her frame, her speech uneven with the next words. "The late Lord, no father if he can even be called that by me, ousted my daughter and me from the line, making us no longer dependent on the Greengrass name and wealth." Her words are broken at this point, her voice barely above a whisper. "I beseech to you to allow us to become your wards, property for you to do what you wish with. I will not betray or humiliate you or our house, brother mine. Please, I humbly request you to save my daughter and me from a fate worse than death." Adrienne had tears in her eyes towards the end of her speech, her body leaning forward towards her brother, her hands clenched in the fabric of her robes. Her cold mask had fallen, the frightened seventeen year old young witch letting her true feelings known since the murder of her parents.
Lord Samuel Greengrass allowed a tired smile to grace his lips, his eyes holding nothing but affection for his little sister. "Addy, I am not our father." He watched as her posture relaxed, her body slumping into the chair, as if she were emotionally drained after her little tirade. He lowered his voice before continuing, his words taking on a stern edge to them. "I accept your proposal, Adrienne Greengrass. I will not strip your daughter and yourself of what little resources you have at your disposal." He notices her smile in his direction. "You will earn your keep, Adrienne." The smile vanishes into a frown, her head already nodding in understanding. "My wife, the Lady Marina Greengrass, is with child and due this Summer Solstice. I will need a wet nurse and caretaker for the child, since my lady will be unable to dedicate all her time due to her position in this household. In return for these services, I will allow your daughter to grow up as my child's playmate and cousin. She will be given all the education and instruction befit of someone an heir's station." He notices the tear trails on his sister's cheeks, feeling guilt for the unfairness of the situation. Tradition and familial law dictates how far he can go, making Samuel feel like a pawn in his political domain.
He forces his body to stand, slowly walking over to his sister. Samuel places a hand on her shoulder, looking sorrowfully down at her. "I am not our father, Addy, and I will not throw away the little family I have left during these dark times. Do you accept, Adrienne Greengrass?" His voice is soft towards the end, the love he feels for his sister leaking into his words.
Adrienne can only nod, smiling thankfully at her elder brother, despite the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Thank you, my lord. I accept your terms and look forward to meeting my lady's child." She wipes at her cheeks with her sleeve, sniffling slightly. She meets her brother's gaze. "May I take my leave, my lord?"
Lord Samuel Greengrass's gaze hardens, his mask sliding swiftly back into place as his sister reminds him of her new position. "Very well, Ms. Greengrass. You may leave." He pointed to the door, dismissing her from his presence without an ounce of outward concern.