Ties That Bind 1.5 The Knot

Chapter 12

Unspoken

Author's Note: Hi everyone sorry about the delay in getting this chapter out just been a crazy week, but I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and hears to hoping for a better 2021. Just want to say thank you to all of my readers who are following alone and leaving your reviews. I love to hear all your feedback and thoughts so please do let me know and I hope that you continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds. Thanks Mars Light

Standard Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, never did never will thank you!

Darien walked up the cold stone pathway after spending the night at the bottom of a glass while trying to find a distraction from his thoughts on a portentous blonde, but the more he tried to forget her, just made it that much more impossible to not have her invade his every thought as he opened the door to the manor and slammed it shut behind him.

Mina turned towards the doorway hearing the loud slam of the door to see Darien standing there with his dark hood covering most of his face as she let out a loud gulp knowing he had been in an especially foul mood since returning from the ball the evening prior without Serena with him as they had all hoped as she jumped back replying carefully "my lord you startled me"

Darien ignored her comment as he removed his hood and walked over to see where Mina stood arranging a vase of fresh flowers in the front entry way where he would have to pass by and see them each day as he shook his head asking coldly "what is this?"

Mina let out a loud gulp seeing that his mood had obviously not changed or improved in any way since last evening when he returned back to the manor ordering that all the linens on the bed be stripped off and burned as she let out a loud gulp and shook her head replying quietly "I was just arranging some flowers, I thought that they would help brighten"

Darien looked to her with a slight shake of his head almost daring her to finish her comment as he picked up the vase and handed it to her having no interest in ever seeing them again while replying harshly "if you thought that they would bring me pleasure you are far mistaken, now get these things out of my sight and I do not want to see them within these walls again or anywhere else for that matter"

Mina quickly grabbed the vase of flowers from his hands as she nodded her head replying back "yes sir right away" and then quickly hurried away from the room.

Darien stood for a moment looking around where he stood and let out a deep breath knowing no matter how many flower's he removed or how many changes he could make, it would not change that she was everywhere here and the sound of her voice would echo in his thoughts as he let out a loud growl and called out loudly "someone get me a bottle of bourbon and I do not want to be kept waiting around all day"

Mina quickly walked in through the swinging door of the kitchen after the brief encounter she had with him that left her nerves on edge as she leaned up against the wall and took a deep breath in

Lita who was busily making supper turned her head to see Mina hiding behind the door as she shook her head asking her "are you alright?"

Mina nodded her head knowing that his mood had only gone from bad to worse since he had arrived as she shook her head telling her "yes, but I would hold off on making to much of a big meal Lita I have a feeling he will probably be passed out come supper time anyhow"

Lita nodded her head not surprised by Mina's comment as she walked over and grabbed an opened bottle as she shook her head questioning "I don't understand what happened between them? I thought that" Mina nodded her head wishing she knew what change had come over this manor herself while replying "I know I have never seen him so"

Lita looked to her waiting for Mina to finish her comment as she shook her head asking confused "so what?" as Mina looked to her with a small smirk and a shake of her head replying back "broken hearted" when they heard another voice come up from behind them Andy's voice say "I have once before"

Mina turned around not surprised to see him walk into the kitchen as she shook her head knowing that Andy knew Darien better and longer than any other asking him back "you have when?"

Andy walked further into the kitchen seeing both girls' eyes directed on him waiting for answers as he shook his head telling them "a long time ago before this manor was even built, when there was another woman in his life that mattered most of all who was taken away to soon"

Mina looked to him hearing for the first time any story of Darien's past which was mostly kept tightly sealed away from them as she shook her head telling him sadly "I know he misses Serena a great deal, but how he is handling it is well something entirely, yesterday when he arrived, he told me to burn the linens on the bed, and then just now he said that he wants to never see any flowers again, ever"

Andy had a small smirk cross his lips knowing that was how Darien chose to handle his grief by taking it out of sight and out of his thoughts as he let out a small chuckle telling her "yeah that sounds about right and I don't know if I would take it that far as to burn the linens, but it would be best to strip the bed for now"

Mina looked to him hoping that they could find a way to get the man that they all respected back before things became much worse as she cautiously asked "perhaps you may want to speak with him, he seems to open up to you in a way no other can speak to him, maybe get him to listen to reason"

Andy nodded his head as he let out a small chuckle telling her "yes well there is one other better than I at getting him to listen but yes, I will speak to him" as he looked around the kitchen that was filled with women that before she came along he used as his own personal harem as he took a deep breath and let it out afraid of what could be if he didn't find a way to get through telling her "for now, I think it would be best if you all keep a safe distance away from him"

Mina let out a loud gulp knowing what he was referring to as she reached out and took his hand in her own as she nervously questioned "you don't think that he will have a problem with us spending time together, I mean on a professional level of course"

Andy turned to look to Mina who looked up at him with worry but also hope in her eyes as he reached out to touch her cheek and replied with a small smirk "I would not concern yourself with it, deep inside his feelings have not changed for her that much and I just need to help him see that also" as he turned to walk away from the kitchen knowing he could not fail this time as he heard Mina and Lita wishing him "good luck"

Darien quickly exited to hideaway in his study where he could find a distraction with work of various importance as he walked inside and slammed the door shut behind him. He stepped inside and let out a long sigh seeing the rows and rows of books where she would choose one and they would sit curled up together by the fire as he reached up to his head feeling a throbbing that was only being increased by the second as he let out a loud growl yelling out "someone bring me a damn bottle and make it snappy"

He tried to ignore the constant thoughts that invaded his mind and went and sit behind his desk ready to find some needed distraction as he heard the door to the study open and then close as he looked up expecting to see Mina coming in with his requested bottle as he groaned out "well it's about time" only to see it was not Mina after all but his overly inquisitee captain of the guard and he was not carrying a bottle with him either.

Andy walked in the study closing the door behind him expecting that Darien would be in a foul mood, but was not expecting to see the shell of a man that he was as he walked further into the room making his own observation telling him "you look terrible"

Darien shook his head having no interest in hearing any further comments stating "leave now" as he turned around in his chair commenting firmly "I did not ask for your thoughts nor do I want to hear them now get out" as he let out a long sigh and looked out seeing the gardens that he would catch a view of the sunlight glistening off of her golden hair and felt a deeper headache coming on

Andy stood his place as he looked to the man hard before him who up until this moment, he had never known him to give up so easily on what he wanted most and replied back firmly "you will not win her as you are, honestly I don't know what you are doing here now"

Darien turned around to look at him with a dark shadow underneath his eyes and shook his head stating firmly "it is none of your damn business, now leave me in peace I wish to be left alone"

Andy let out a light scoff seeing what Mina had spoken on was actually right and before him stood a man whose heart was pieced back together only to be left heart-broken by the same person as he walked further into the study and crossed his arms over his chest telling him "what goes on within the walls of this household I make my business and I am aware of what you say you want, but what I don't understand is why?"

Darien felt the anger welling up within him hitting a new height thinking about their parting words where she had chosen Pennsworth over him as he slammed his fist down on the desk and looked up at Andy stating coldly "she has made her decision on what she wants, she prefers to be surrounded with those fools, if she prefers their company and to become just another zombie creature with no brain or thoughts to speak of, then so be it"

Andy nodded his head expecting that none of which he just heard was actually true as he went and leaned back against the wall with a nod of his head replying in a mocking tone "you are right of course, Serena is certainly not the type to speak her mind, or to be idealistic with her big dreams. I am certain right now she must be having the time of her life with what was it you said to be dressing up like a porcelain doll and learning to be just as silent as one as well"

Darien looked to him hearing the challenge behind his words as he took a deep breath in telling him "she had her choice and she chose to be with them, I would have given her everything" as he slammed his fist down on the desk in frustration of what could have been saying again "everything"

Andy nodded his head as he stood up straight and walked over to the book case and looked at all the book titles and chose one particular title as he turned around commenting back "everything you say?"

Darien looked to him hearing him question his judgement on the situation while calling out loudly "yes, I have given her everything that she could want from me, what else is there?"

Andy shook his head knowing of the one thing that Serena wanted, that he had yet to be able to find the words to tell her and was not sure if he ever would open his heart like that again, but had to try as he spoke up telling him "Serena is a fine girl with much to offer, but she wants to be with a man who has only one passion and desire that can make her feel a warmth inside only he can give"

Darien looked to him as he shook his head taking his words to a different context stating "make her feel I know perfectly well how to make her feel the passion that you speak of, that was never an issue, but she still chose to be one of them and if she thinks one of those pompous dainties can make her feel the way that I did"

Andy looked to him with a shake of his head hearing what he expected Serena needed while knowing it was much more then anything physical telling him back "if you believe that is all the girl is looking for, then that my friend is your ultimate downfall and I only hope you wizen up soon, so you don't end up losing her forever"

Darien looked to him with a shake of his head telling himself the same words that he had tried to believe but so far had not worked saying back "I don't need her; I have everything that I need right here and everything will return back to normal for once with her not here as a distraction"

Andy placed the book he held under his arm his one salvation left as he nodded his head and faced Darien telling him "well that's obvious, since you returned you have been nothing but level headed what was it that I heard from the others that you wished to have all of the books removed from this room and Mina just mentioned something about having all the flowers removed from the premises and there was also something about burning linens, could this all be because of a certain blonde that found pleasure from those things or perhaps it is just the memory of being near her that haunts you, should I have the table that you sat at together turned into firewood as well "

Darien shook his head having enough with this conversation and tried to put as much distance between himself and his overly aware friend as he went and sat down at his desk looking to find a distraction from Andrews keen observations as he picked up a letter and started to read it over, but was unable to focus on a singe word of it telling him back "do what would you prefer, just get rid of all of it and this has nothing to do with her. I simply have read all of the books and am ready to" as Andy finished his comment adding in "start the next chapter"

Darien nodded his head knowing that was exactly what he needed to do as he placed the letter, he held down on the desk telling him calmly "yes exactly right I do not need her here nor do I" Andy shook his head challenging him back asking "do you what? not want to hear her voice or miss the warmth of her touch"

Darien let out a loud gulp knowing those were only two of the many things that he had not been able to forget or stop thinking about for these many days that had turned into weeks that passed as he shook his head replying untruthfully "no, I do not"

Andy nodded his head as he walked over and poured a glass of chardonnay as he walked back over and placed it down on Darien's desk figuring he would need it soon after finding out what he had learned in the village today as he commented back nonchalantly "then you will have no problem that she is going to be marrying another"

Darien reached out and took the glass swallowing it down in one long gulp at the thought of those fools parading around trying to win her hand as he slammed the glass down on his desk stating back harshly "what she chooses to do is her own making, if she wants to parade around and be the perfect little debutante until some fool of Pennsworth's choosing that he deems is right for her, then let her go ahead and make a fool of herself"

Andy stood by nodding his head knowing that day was sooner than he expected to come as he let out a small chuckle telling him "well actually that day is closer than you think, apparently Pennsworth has already found her a match and she is supposedly to be getting married by the next sunset"

Andy stood by as he looked waiting for some sort of blow up or anger to come raging out as he looked seeing Darien sitting completely still in his seat not saying a word as he shook his head unsure if he had made it clear enough asking "did you hear what I said you are going to lose her to another. Pennsworth has set up some sort of arranged marriage" as the silence was broken with the sound of shattering as he saw the glass that Darien was holding in his hand break into pieces in his tight fist and knew he had gotten the message loud and clear.

Andy shook his head seeing the blood left on the edges of the broken glass as he called out "your hand" but was further taken back when the man he considered his friend reached out and grabbed him by the shirt collar and pushed him up against the wall questioning in a lethal tone "what do you mean she is getting married?"

Andy quickly removed his hand away knowing it was not he that he was mad at but he was the closest to take it out on as he carefully slipped away knowing this was only the beginning of Darien's temper showing and how dangerous he could get especially when he became as quiet as he is now as he placed his hands out in front of him stating cautiously "don't shoot the messenger, but it's true old man Pennsworth has found someone to marry his granddaughter from what I hear is being used as a cover up to hide somethings that Pennsworth considered unsatisfactory, which I am sure you know something about, but the marriage is all supposed to take place by tomorrow evening"

Darien turned around feeling his blood boiling up knowing that Pennsworth had probably paid some fool off to be with her as he slammed his fist down against the desk successfully knocking the desk to the side as Andy stood by witnessing the damage, he could do with his fists alone as Darien spoke aloud telling him "more like paying some fool to cover up what he doesn't want known"

Andy took a deep breath in knowing the way things were done or hidden in that pother world and nodded his head telling him "my thoughts exactly" as he looked to Darien asking the one question no one had been able to get a proper answer from him saying "what did happen at that ball that night?"

Darien closed his eyes tight and could feel for just a moment his arms wrapped around her holding her close to him, just to hear her voice in his head once again rejecting his proposal, rejecting him as a possible suitor as he replied back coldly "nothing of consequence"

Andy stood by knowing that much was not true, otherwise they would not be where they are standing right now or having this conversation as he nodded his head telling him "well I do know this, that girl would never willingly agree to an arranged marriage and I am sure Pennsworth has some sort of hold over her to do so"

Darien took a deep breath in knowing he was right that Serena would never want this and would never willingly agree to such a thing, but he had given her a way out and she had not taken it as he lifted his head up high telling him gruffly "she made her choice now she has to live with it"

Andy stood there with his mouth hanging open to see the man who just knocked over a desk and broke a glass with his bare hand and then slammed him into a wall by just hearing the words he spoke, now suddenly acting cold and distant, not caring as he shook his head telling him "you obviously don't mean that"

Darien turned around sharply to look at him, seeing that no one in this place was listening while stating loudly "I do, why must everyone around this place try to assume they know me or what I want, I will tell you right now what I want is to be left alone and to have that damn bottle I have been waiting on brought in here at once"

Andy looked to him with a shake of his head replying back "yes obvious that bottle is what you are looking for and will solve all your woes, and perhaps in a few years you will believe your own lies also, but by then it will be too late and she will be married with a few young ones running around"

Darien looked to him with a shake of his head trying to forget once and for all the girl that made each day a little brighter just with her near presence as he replied back harshly "she has made her own choice and now has to live with the consequences of that choice"

Andy looked to him seeing that he just preferred to give up and waste away as he nodded his head telling him "well I guess I was wrong then about a lot of things" Darien nodded his head hoping this was the end of this conversation as he went and took his place in his chair by the fireplace telling him sharply "yes you were"

Andy walked over and picked up the book he had dropped on the floor telling him "I thought you were a stronger man than this, one that would not back down from an added challenge, that you would fight for what you want, but I guess you have changed, because the Darien that I knew would not just sit there while he loses for good the one good thing he has in this world, the one person that meant anything to him, that would challenge him in ways no one else could and bring about a part of his soul that I myself thought was gone forever, but she restored that part in you and yet here you sit, when she is about to be forced into a marriage she does not want and it makes me question if possibly you don't deserve her after all" as he walked over and placed the book he held down on the side arm of the chair Darien sat in stating "perhaps you should not get rid of all the books right away, you might learn something between the pages of these books"

Darien took a deep breath in trying to ignore his words as he heard the door to the study open and then close shut.

He shook his head telling himself that Andy was wrong and he hadn't changed at all and didn't need her now as he stood up from his chair and walked over to the window and looked out seeing instead of the bright morning day, instead a vision of a distant past when he as a young boy walking along the gardens with his father at his side as his father turned to him saying "one day Darien you will meet a girl who will change your way of thinking and when that day comes hold onto her tight and if you are truly lucky enough you will end up losing a part of yourself to her that no one else has and in return she will give you something far more precious than anything money or power can buy "

He turned away from the window quickly as he shook the remembrance out of his head instead remembering a different sight not long after the conversation he had with his father, where he found him lying in a pool of his own blood as he shook the terrible thought from his head telling himself "no girl is worth that price"

He walked back over to his chair ready to face this world alone only to see the book that Andy had lied down beside him Sense and Sensibility another blasted novel by Ms. Austen with her wayward thinking.

He picked up the book and got ready to destroy any lasting memories of her from this place and throw it towards the fireplace to watch it burn, when he noticed a page that he had never taken the time to notice before as he sat down in the chair and placed the book down on his lap and opened the book to the page that had been slightly sticking out of it from the rest.

He opened the book to added page of chapter 6 and realized it was not a page at all that inside the book was a letter folded in half that did not belong with the book, he removed the page out of it and placed the book down wondering how long it had been here, that it was left unnoticed and opened the page as he dropped it from his hands as if he had just been burned himself by touching it.

He looked down to the paper on the ground and slowly stood up from the chair and looked down to the slip of paper sitting on the floor waiting to be read and reached down to pick it up and slowly opened it as he read:

My Dearest Son,

I sit here under our favorite tree while I watch you grow into the wonderful young man you are becoming, watching you run and play with the breeze brushing through your hair, I cannot tell you the joy that such a simple pleasure can bring me. I know that you will do wonderous things my beautiful boy. You are brave, kind, and have a beautiful soul my son and my one wish for you is that some day you will find a special someone who will fill your life with as much joy and happiness as you have brought to your father and I each day. Never lose sight of what is most important my boy and that is love and family and you will go far and live your life with no regrets as I always have.

Love Always,

Mother

Darien stood there reading the simple note in his hands as he wiped a tear away from his eyes thinking of the person that he had not allowed himself to think of in many years as he walked over towards the window and looked out on the gardens and could hear his youthful laughter ringing out as his mother sat watching on with a tender smile on her face as she read one of her many books.

He let out a small chuckle thinking of the utopian youthful days he once had and forgetting for a time the large wall he had put up to block out all those memories from his past from surfacing.

He held the note tight in his hands hearing his mother's words to him of finding joy and happiness and knew he had found that for a time with Serena and had to laugh at how much they really were alike, with there ways of thinking and seeing the world in a different way then most as he heard her voice fill his head asking "do you really believe that it could be possible what she writes about is true and that there is only one person in this world that is truly meant to be the one that you are meant to belong with"

He let out a small chuckle knowing that she had already known the answer before she asked him the question, only he was the larger fool for not to see it sooner that she was his one as he quickly raced across the room and threw open the door yelling out "Andy" only to see Andy standing by the door with his arms crossed and a small grin asking "what took you so long?"

Darien looked to him with a simple nod of his head knowing he would stop at nothing to make her his again replying back "she's the one, the only one I want" Andy nodded his head expecting he finally had come to his senses and would fight for her as he crossed his arms questioning "so what are you going to do about it?"

Darien walked over towards the doorway knowing he did not have much time to stop this wedding, but he would be damned that he would lose her to someone else as he quickly grabbed his cape and wrapped it around his shoulders responding back "I am going to tell her what I should have said before and let her know how important she is to me"

Andy took a deep breath in knowing it may need more than just that, after hearing from the others what Serena wanted to hear most from him as he walked up closer challenging back "alright what else?"

Darien looked to him with a shake of his head not sure how he would get Pennsworth to listen, but would do whatever was needed telling him in a hurry "well I am not going to stand around and let her marry some jack ass when she should be with me"

Andy nodded his head glad to see that he had his fighting spirit back at least as he stood against the wall challenging him back asking "all well and good, but what else?"

Darien looked to him with a shake of his head not having the time for guessing whatever Andy was up to this time stating frustrated "I don't have time for games, what else is there?"

Andy let out a long sigh knowing there were somethings even he couldn't say that Darien would just have to figure out on his own as he shook his head telling him "that my friend is what you will need to figure out for yourself, for now I suppose all there is left to do is wish you luck"

Darien looked to Andy knowing that he had something else in mind, but obviously was not about to share it as he nodded his head telling him "thanks I'll need it against Pennsworth" as he walked out the door and shut it behind him as Mina came walking down the stairs slowly after over hearing their conversation and walked over to Andy questioning "do you think he will do it? Will he tell her he loves her? I know that is all she wants to hear from him"

Andy put his arm around the woman that he adores and helped make him see there were other things in this world worth fighting for beyond loyalty as he shook his head telling her with a deep sigh "honestly Mina I'm not sure, but I do hope so"

Mina nodded her head as she looked to the table that once held fresh flowers every day and took a deep breath in telling him "for all of our sakes I hope so too"

Serena sat in the formal dining room as she watched her grandfather making conversation with the Viscount Bradford, he was everything her grandfather said he was handsome, sophisticated, proper, egotistical, arrogant and boring. In all nothing that she wanted or could see herself choosing for a partner as she let out a deep yawn hearing them continue with there conversation as though she was not in the same room.

She listened on silently as Bradford spoke of Pennsworth's solution as though it were obvious by raising taxes to help fill their own pockets, when she knew personally how hard it was for a simple village family to support themselves and yet he sat there speaking of filling his own pockets with greed.

She watched her grandfather nod his head appreciatively to hear the Viscount ideas on how to provide a better more stable income, while she sat there being the dutiful granddaughter listening to the two men talk as though their ideas would not hurt anyone else, when she knew that was the opposite.

She let out a deep sigh wishing she was back at Castle Hill right now sitting at the table with Darien as he shared with her his thoughts and ideas and more so valued her opinion as he spoke to her of what a true leader would be commenting on as she looked to the two men hearing them speak of filling their own pockets as she smiled quoting the one man who deserved such admiration telling them "a town is only as rich as its lowest class worker. I don't see how others can sit by and speak of filling their own pockets, when those working for a living are left hungry and desperate to keep a roof over their heads. We live comfortably enough and have the needs to help support those who are the heart of keeping the village running, how can you ask for more, when there are those who have none to give"

Bradford looked to her as he let out a deep laugh not taking any thoughts of a girl seriously commenting towards Pennsworth "well Pennsworth your granddaughter does have some interesting thoughts, but obviously no knowledge of how the world actually works"

Serena looked to the pompous man in front of her as she shook her head stating back "excuse me Viscount, but I am well aware of how this world as you say works, it is you I dare say that has never taken a day to step out and really see how the other half lives, have you ever even taken the time to speak to one of the people you are so quick to raise the taxes on and find about their own personal struggles"

The viscount let out a hardy laugh at the thought of actually speaking directly to someone that was not one of his household servants as he responded back "my dear duchess, I do not need to speak to them I have others that will do so for me"

Pennsworth looked over to his granddaughter as he shook his head stating properly "Serena, I believe you are speaking out of place none of this conversation concerns your thought or behavior"

Serena stood up from the chair she sat in hearing her thoughts once again being ignored as she shook her head having enough with staying silent while stating back "how can I possibly forget I am sitting here as your prisoner, while you both make plans on how to run my life, when obviously neither one of you has actually taken the time to see and consider what I want or any others besides yourselves for one moment" as she looked towards the viscount giving him her full attention questioning "tell me sir do you really prefer to be marrying me, when you do not know a thing about me"

The viscount cleared his throat seeing the girl in front of him was nothing like the typical ladies he was used to or that she had the manners that he would expect of a duchess as he looked towards Pennsworth commenting lightly "It has been an interesting lunch, I thank you for your time sir, but I believe it may be best that I be on my way for this evening"

The duke looked to Bradford as he nodded his head commenting dryly "yes thank you Viscount for taking the time to come by we look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening, and I believe a word is due between myself and my granddaughter"

The viscount looked to the girl who stood there stubbornly with her arms crossed knowing that he would have a problem on his hands being stuck with someone like her as he nodded his head responding back "yes I believe a word or two would be wise "as he nodded his head to Serena stating formally "duchess it has been a pleasure seeing you again. I look forward to our next engagement"

Serena looked to the man in front of her with a scoff knowing he had not answered her question at all and was certainly not acting like a man who wanted to be getting married in the next coming day as she shook her head stating back "I guess money and power can be useful forms of persuasion, tell me sir how much was offered for my hand in marriage?"

Pennsworth slammed his hand down on the table hearing her outrageous comments and quickly shouted out "enough, you will hold your tongue this moment"

Serena turned around to face her grandfather with a little grin stating proudly "what is the matter grandfather if the viscount is to take me as his bride, don't you think he should he at least know who he is to be marrying" as she turned to the viscount telling him coldly "I am not who you think I am"

Viscount Bradford was taken back as he looked to Pennsworth for answers questioning "you are not?"

Serena looked to him with a shake of her head seeing even when she was speaking directly to the man he was looking towards her grandfather for answers as she shook her head telling him directly "no I maybe a duchess, but I am more then that, I have thoughts of my own and can speak another language. I know more than just about how to put together a tea party and the weather. I have read the works of Shakespeare, Bronte, Austen and many others. I have seen both sides of the land and yet you sit there and judge me for my incompetence. I have walked a mile in the shoes of those you look down upon whose hard work is what keeps the land profitable and yet you look down upon them as someone beneath you, so I tell you this whenever you feel like criticizing just remember that all the people in this world who haven't had the advantages that you have had, although from where I currently stand, I think some are better off for it"

Pennsworth stood up from his seat hearing enough of her speak as he shouted out loudly "that is enough" Serena looked to her grandfather with a shake of her head having no intention of backing down while replying back "no grandfather not being heard, is no reason to stay silent"

Bradford looked to her as he let out a small cough never hearing a woman speak us as she has done so in his presence stating both shocked and amazed "well it appears you have much to say on the subject" as he looked towards Pennsworth with a nod of his head replying calmly "Pennsworth your granddaughter has many intriguing qualities, which I am sure in time she will see the difference between what is literature and what is genuine reality, for now I wish you both a good day"

Serena stood with her arms crossed to see the pompous man walk out of the room with his head held up high and knew that there was no way she would let herself be wed to such a man when she heard her grandfather speak out from behind stating angrily "that was the most disgraceful and dreadful display I have ever witnessed"

Serena turned back to him with a shake of her head hearing that he wanted her to continue to stay hidden to the shadows, but she had enough with hiding away while replying back "why because I did not serve tea correctly or because I spoke my mind which I will do so again and if you expect me to marry that arrogant, self-centered, egotistical man you are highly mistaken"

Pennsworth stood up from his seat as he crossed the room and stood right in front of her telling her strongly "the deal has already been made, you will marry Bradford tomorrow and in time you will learn how to act your place"

Serena stood defiantly with her shoulders back as she shook her head responding back "I would rather be Darien's whore, then that man's wife"

Pennsworth quickly slapped her across the face in response to her comment as he told her back coldly "you will do as you are told, now go upstairs to your room. I will deal with the consequences you have made of your actions this afternoon"

Serena reached up and touched her cheek, the slap didn't hurt, but it did tell her plainly what she would expect her life to be like, as the Duchess and the Viscounts wife to be. Whish meant following their rules and being left in silence without being heard as she shook her head crying out "time and fate may have made me weak, but I am still strong in will and will not bow down to those who do not see or listen with their hearts left open" as she looked down to her fancy slippers that she could not walk in without tripping over her own feet.

She quickly slipped her feet out of the shoes and reached down placing the uncomfortable shoes on the table and with a small bow to her head she looked seeing her grandfather's disapproving glare and turned to walk out of the room with her head held up high.

Author's Note: Hi everyone hope you liked this chapter and please stay tuned as the story comes closer to the ending, but I just wanted to make a quick note to recognize three of the comments made in this story were from better works of literature then I could ever dream up Ulysses by Alfred Tennyson, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. Although I did change their words around slightly to fit into this story, those are not my direct quotes so thank you to the literature masters who gave us amazing works of fiction and also a large thank you to all my readers for following along with this story and please send your thoughts and reviews. Thanks Mars Light