Chapter 1; Newcomer
Cool air brushed along your smooth skin, your heart beating gently within your chest. You slowly begin to waken due to the light from the sun shining through the small crack of your heavy and mostly closed eyelids. You gently grasp the wool blanket you had placed over your lower half the night before to keep yourself from getting too chilly as you sat there on a creaky, old wooden chair, a cushion being the only thing giving you any amount of comfort, your feet propped up onto a stool. You often allowed yourself to sit outside and watch the stars as you drift off into unconsciousness. It was the only amount of relaxation you were gifted with.
You place your hands gently against both arm rests, giving yourself some assistance sitting up. You reach behind your neck, gently rubbing out the knot that had formed from you sleeping with your neck crooked for the most of the night. Your skin was cold to the touch. Your mouth waters, your eyes widening a bit as your senses were completely consumed with a delicious aroma, breakfast.
Gently moving your feet from the stool, you removed the blanket that covered you. Your feet touch the cold stone, sending shivers throughout your body - a small gasp escaping your rosy lips, probably should have worn some slippers to cover your feet. Your body tenses as you hurriedly walk towards the door to your room, wanting to escape the cold feeling beneath your feet.
As you enter your room, with your peripheral vision you see a figure standing by the foot of your bed. It was Andreea, your personal maid. Your feet stop in their tracks as this woman seemed to be looking you up and down, was she ashamed? Definitely so. You were sick and were yet still allowing yourself to do everything that Doctor Fischer forbid you to do. You walk towards your bed after a few seconds of uncomfortable silence.
"My Lady, You know Lord Varon would not approve of you being out all night, exposed to the piercing cold. It is not good for your health." Andreea informed you, rather stern in fact. Andreea is an older woman, in her 60's. She was one of the only people you could tolerate to be around. She followed your movements as you made your way towards the black clothes that she had displayed for you on your bed.
You couldn't help but let out a dejected sigh - looking over the fabric, gently using only your fingertips, you lazily caress the smooth surface of the gown. Of course you knew the cold was poor for your health, most days you complied with your doctor's requests, but other times, you just felt the need to inhale the fresh, cool air. Your eyes glossed over as you knew the event that was awaiting you, your father's funeral. Your father's death was sudden and the cause of death was ruled an accident. Your father, Petru Floarescu, was a prideful man. He wasn't necessarily kind but he got matters and issues resolved at any extent. On the evening of his death, he had gone gambling with a few other Lords. The night turned sour and - according to the man in charge of the autopsy - your father 'accidentally' toppled over the railing while on the second floor balcony, harming himself in such a way that caused him to die instantly. Of course you were never convinced it was an accident. Your father was one of the richest and most powerful men in this part of the country. You knew how vindictive and greedy the fellow Lords were around these parts. If given the right opportunity, you knew that any man would have had your father heaved and pushed off that balcony. The actions of these greedy men resulted in you becoming an orphan.
Your mother, Marilena Floarescu, had passed away during childbirth - your birth. It was a difficult matter but you grew up well with the help of Andreea. She had practically raised you ever since you were but an infant. Now you were married and she moved with you into this old, lifeless castle nearly six dreadful years ago, living with your husband was definitely not easy. You never liked the man - you never really approved being in the presence of any man besides your father. They were all filthy and perverse, in your opinion.
Nicolae, your husband, was not a kind or gentle man. He didn't seem to care about anything that was not his friends or his money. You were arranged to marry him - without an option, as most women were with your status. Your father was a Lord who married you off to the son of another rich :ord. You resented Nicolae but there was nothing you could do about such a thing, so you focused on other matters such as your painting and music. You loved music, you adored music.
Your attention was taken from your dress as the woman beside you cleared her throat. You quickly glanced over towards her. She could tell by your facial expressions that your mind was running wild with intrusive thoughts.
"Lord Varon wants you to get dressed and meet him for breakfast before you make way to your father's funeral, my Lady." She calmly told you.
You rolled your eyes, looking away at the thought. What could he possibly want to speak to you about? He never even cared for you or your father. He only ever spoke of how foolish your father was. Little did Nicolae know, but he was the foolish of them all - but you weren't about to tell that to him, or maybe you should. "He probably only wishes to see me so he can talk to me more about my father's money that he is to inherit." You snapped a bit, not at the other woman as she had done nothing wrong. You were just frustrated over the entire situation, as you were a woman in this world, you were never to receive these lands unless you were married, therefore making those lands your husbands, not actually yours. Thankfully Andreea knew all too well of the circumstances and completely understood, remaining silent.
You slipped off your robe before Andreea helped you remove your night gown. As you put on this black dress, your mind kept sinking to the horrid thoughts of your father's death, you were going to get answers as to the true events that occurred.
Once you were dressed and your long brown hair was put into an elegant up-do, you made your way towards the dining hall where you were to meet with him. Your heart dreaded seeing him as all he ever did was point out your flaws and practically mock your existence. That or he would simply go on about his friends, whom you had gathered enough knowledge about to know they were not the best influences.
You gently placed your hand against the wooden railing as you descended from the stairs, your lungs felt as though you were about to fall into a coughing fit. The red carpet covering your stairs, preventing your shoes from making too much noise, Andreea following close behind. She was told to stay with you everywhere until you were of good health as Nicolae didn't want the responsibility, which you preferred for you despised being in each other's presence.
As you approached the door to the dining hall. You watched him as he downs a glass of alcohol - typical. He didn't seem to notice your entrance for he was startled when your seat was pulled out for you by, Marius, the family butler. You nodded your head towards the man as if saying 'thank you'. Marius reciprocated the smile before helping you take your seat, pushing in your chair.
Nicolae stood there, watching you with greedy eyes as he placed his now empty glass onto the dark wooden table, creating a loud clank. He apparently seemed to be in a foul mood, shocking to you as he was getting everything he wanted, was he not?
Your food was placed before you, along with your medicine to help you with your illness, paired with a glass of water which you were especially thankful as you really needed something to drink. He spoke, finally, causing you to groan internally. Couldn't he just allow you to eat your breakfast in peace? Apparently not.
"I don't wish to be at the funeral very long. I have other matters that I must attend to." He spoke to you as if this day was an inconvenience to him - you averted eye contact as he spoke, just his voice alone made your skin crawl. You hated him. Everything in the life was about him and what he wanted. He never cared about your father and that much was evident, even more so now.
You gently picked up the fork placed beside your glass plate, and began to poke your cooked eggs with disinterest. "If you're so bent on avoiding my fathers funeral, then simply don't attend, you surely won't be missed." You told him in a slightly harsh tone, glancing up at him with your eyes.
He didn't seem to appreciate your tone very much as he glared at you, his eyebrows scrunched together. He takes a few steps around the table, slowly making his way towards you, his left hand balled into a fist as his other caressed the table, inching towards you menacingly.
You slowly stiffened your posture and raised your chin a bit, looking at him through narrowed eyes. He wouldn't dare touch you - not today.
As his presence grew nearer, there was a voice that came from behind you, stopping Nicolae's movements almost instantly, it was Marius. He held a letter in his hand, his index finger gently drumming on the paper as he had a sense of what he just interrupted and prevented. "Forgive me, my Lord." He takes a glance at you before walking towards your husband. Nicolae was standing there with an annoyed expression plastered on his face, his hand held out before him so he could receive the letter. Once the letter was placed into his hand, he slowly turned away so he could read it in - peace? Apparently so, he wouldn't let you or Marius see the contents of that letter.
You would usually care less about his business but seeing as today was certainly important, the curiosity tugged at you. You watched him carefully, looking up at him through your eyelashes as you picked your food up with your fork. You wanted to see if his movements could give off any sign of anxiety or excitement.
After waiting a few agonizing minutes, he turned and gave you his full attention. He closed and folded the letter in his palm, his knuckles turning white from how hard his grasp was. You were slightly amused at how frustrated he seemed to be. He opened his mouth as if he was about to express his discontentment. Yet again, you averted your gaze and the corners of your lips twitched downward.
He let out an exaggerated sigh however, not saying a single word, which irked you a bit as you were sure that letter had something to do with your father.
You didn't press however and finished your food without speaking a single word before Marius spoke up, breaking the deafening silence, his hands formally placed behind his back. "Your carriage has arrived, the driver is waiting just outside." He announced to the both of you.
You placed down your eating utensils hurriedly before wiping your mouth clean with the napkin provided, scooting your chair out and walking towards the main entrance. You didn't care if Nicolae was accompanying you or not - you had a place to be. Your father may not have been the best man but you still felt that he didn't deserve for this day to become anymore tainted than Nicolae was making it.
As you approached the door, Andreea walked up behind you with your coat, gloves and black hat with thin lace material draping down the front, down to your chin to show you were in mourning. You complied as Andreea assisted with your coat before you slipped your fingers into your gloves. It was quite bleak outdoors as there were clouds slowly starting the hide the sun behind their dark grey silhouette. Marius had the hook of the umbrella's handle safely placed onto his forearm, in case it rained, as he opened the doors. Andreea gently takes your hand as you make your way to the carriage.
You glanced towards your husband as he too seemed to be making his way as well, he was probably only going as it would make him look bad to not attend. This man really cared more about his image than the feelings of his own wife. Pathetic - how much of a pity it would be if they all saw who he really was. The driver opened the carriage door for you, allowing you to enter first. As Nicolae took his seat beside you, you happened to look over and notice as he stuffed the letter that he had received into his coat pocket. You narrowed your eyes at the man before turning your attention towards the window at your left. What could have been in that letter? You chewed nervously onto your inner cheek. You needed to find out what that telegram contained and you would.
The fire crackled as a well dressed Lady Alcina Dimitrescu walked through her chambers, the heat from the fire place making the room rather toasty as she gathered her gloves. The Countess and her husband, Lord Stefan Dimitrescu, were to attend the funeral of a family friend this day. Of course the Countess had no feelings towards the man who had died as she has never personally come in acquaintance with the man but she was obligated to attend either way as her father requested. This man appeared to have been close friends with her father, apparently business partners as well.
Stefan walked into her chambers, which were separate from his, clearing his throat and standing by the door, watching her grab her gloves. Lady Dimitrescu preferred to keep separate chambers as she couldn't tolerate being around her husband, let alone sleep in the same room. "The last of our bags have been brought in from the carriage." He simply informed her, keeping his sentence short as he knew she was tired from travelling to this new town and she already had more obligations, due to her father ordering her to. Of course her father lived back in a small village making and transporting the family wine, the last few months the Countess and her husband had travelled to supply many people with their best wine and make them even wealthier than they were, which was completely unnecessary considering how they were by definition, extremely rich and wealthy.
As the Countess heard her husbands voice, she stood up straight, stiffening her jaw in frustration.
"I do not understand how attending the funeral of a man whom I have no knowledge of is going to do the family business any good." She snapped before turning to look at the Count who had his arms crossed, his eyebrow raised.
"You know very well we are going to meet people, make new customers. Not everything has to be complicated." He leaned against the door way, raising an eyebrow at her, thinking she was simply just being ridiculous.
"I just don't see the point. I am sure there are rich families around here who hold extravagant parties. A funeral is dull." She stated as a matter of fact before pulling her gloves over her slender fingers, pinching at the fabric until the gloves fit perfectly. She then reached down onto the lounge chair and grabbed, no, snatched her black sunhat. "and do not speak to me as if I am simply being ridiculous, I am not. I see no true value to this town." She snapped a bit.
"You are my wife, or have you forgotten, I shall speak to you in anyway I see fit." He told her, uncrossing his arms, straightening his posture now.
The Countess couldn't help the laugh that forced itself through her crimson lips, her pearly white teeth shown as she exaggeratively mocked her husband. Her demeaner changed instantly into a straight and cold expression. "You humor me, you are no husband." She quirked up an eyebrow as she placed the hat onto her head with disinterest before moving past Stefan, bumping into his shoulder as she forced herself past. She didn't get far however as he reached out, grabbing her forearm and pulled her towards him forcefully, almost knocking off her hat, earning a sudden gasp and glare from the other woman, the maids at the end of the hall were startled as the newly weds seemed to be going through yet another quarrel. They definitely didn't get along. Everyone knew that The Countess had a temper but so did The Count. This was going to result in a very loathsome marriage.
"You will respect me, Alcina." He told her sternly, his voice full of animosity.
Her stomach turned as she heard her name coming from his ungrateful mouth. "You will do your best to keep my name off your tongue. You will call me Madame when addressing me or nothing else." She then glanced down at her arm in which he still had in his grasp. She pulled her arm away and she stepped closer to him, a mere few inches from his face. "If you ever again touch me without my consent I will make sure that is the last time you touch anything." She threatened him in a low and raspy tone. He would not lay his hands on her, she would not permit it. She was of noble blood and she would be treated as such - with respect. She turned away from him before she fixed her composure, running her hands down the front of her dress to smoothen out the fabric, finally allowing herself to move down the hall, the maids followed her down the stairs towards the main hall. She grabbed her large coat that reached the floor, placed it gently and loosely over her shoulders before being escorted out to their carriage. Their bags from travelling were placed on the floor, set to the side so they were not in the way.
As she approached the carriage, Lady Dimitrescu turned to one of the butlers. "Have the rest of my bags brought to my chambers." She ordered to the man, who nodded and began to do just as he was asked.
Stefan followed after a few moments of composing himself. The last thing either of them needed was to attend with funeral, meeting new people, while in an foul mood. That would certainly make for a stressful situation. Once he got into the carriage after her, he noticed how the Countess scooted away from him. She crossed her legs, refusing to make any amount of conversation as they rode off towards their destination.
You placed your hand gently in the driver's gloved-hand as he helped you out of the carriage, you had just arrived at the grave yard where the ceremony was to take place. You looked around as you stepped out, the water starting to puddle on the ground, thankfully, the driver had the umbrella opened and ready for you. You glanced around, seeing as there were quite a bit of people arriving - not surprising. Petru had many 'friends' and business partners. The driver follows in suit, keeping you dry, small rumbles of thunder echoing through the sky. You followed Nicolae, making your way towards the plot where your father was to be buried. You could see in the distance how his black coffin was already in the hole but had yet to be covered in the dirt. Many people approached you and offered you their condolences. You gave them all a false smile, just wanting to get this ceremony over with. You knew the majority of the people who arrived were all corrupt and you were sure they never cared for your father in the first place, just his status and money.
As you were shaking hands with an older gentleman, you noticed another carriage arriving. The carriage had come to a halt, gaining your full attention as you watched a man, dressed in black, a black coat and top hat climbing out of the carriage, soon followed by a woman also dressed in black, clearly a couple who had come to attend. The woman's face hidden by the shade, casted by her large black sunhat. She stood beneath an umbrella which was held by a second man, most likely her driver. The woman seemed tall, nearly the same height as the well-dressed man, she would certainly be taller than you. You observed the woman carefully. You noticed how she walked with such poise. You had never seen the man in your life, most likely never before have seen the woman either, but for all you knew, your father could have done business with these people in past.
The woman's hidden features drew your interest. You were so preoccupied staring at the woman, you didn't notice as Nicolae slowly approached you from behind, seeing as you stared at what he assumed was the other man. He cleared his throat which immediately caught your attention, you turned to look at him from over your shoulder. "Is there something I can help you with?" You asked him with a hint of distain in your voice.
He looked down at you, glaring as he was clearly jealous. "We are here to mourn your father. Not stare at other clearly married men." He said sternly. Little did he know that it was that man's wife who you were so focused on. what would he care anyways? He didn't care about you. You looked away from him immediately with an apparent frown on your lips, watching as this unfamiliar couple approached you. You couldn't help but be humored as he just assumed it was the man who you were so interested in. As the couple grew closer, Nicolae positioned himself ahead of you so he could introduce himself first.
The man approaching looked at Nicolae and he gave a polite smile "Good morning, I am Lord Stefan Dimitrescu, but please, call me Stefan." The man spoke to your husband, shaking his hand firmly. He then looked over towards the woman beside him who gently held out her hand for Nicolae to greet her. You couldn't see her face as she was facing the men, the angle of her hat blocking the view. Your eyes glanced down at the woman's glove-covered hand as your husband grabbed hers, bringing it to his lips, placing a kiss upon her glove. You happened to notice as the woman held the collar of her coat shut with her other hand. She seemed to have such a delicate touch, and had excellent style, you could not deny. You saw in your husband's eyes as she seemed to be quite breathtaking, only making you want to see her for yourself even more. "This is my wife, Lady Alcina Dimitrescu." Right after this woman's husband spoke, she seemed disinterested as she nonchalantly recoiled her hand. Why did she appear to be so bothered by her husband?
Nicolae gestured to himself first, introducing himself before turning to you. "I am Lord Nicolae Varon and this is my wife, Lady Y/N Varon." He replied. You watched as the other woman turned to finally place her eyes upon you. Her hat moving in a way that allowed her face to graze your sight, the little sun that shines, giving her a sort of glow. You were not at all disappointed in what you saw. This woman made you breathless. Your lips parted slightly in awe, your eyes quickly scanned over the woman's features, your eyes landing on the woman's lips, which apparently didn't go unnoticed as you watched her strict and firm demeanor change slightly, her lips twitching into a nonchalant smirk, the woman's eyes however still narrowed. Her stare pierced your soul, before also looking over your features - you felt a sudden panic. You both looked away towards the woman's husband as he held out his hand to introduce himself to you.
"Lovely to meet you" Stefan told you with a smile. You gave him a gentle nod, placing your hand in his, you tried to be polite and keep your eyes on him as you spoke but you couldn't help but glance at Lady Dimitrescu, seeing as she didn't take her eyes off you once.
"I apologize that we could not have met in better circumstances." You spoke softly.
Stefan looked at his Lady Dimitrescu, who broke attention towards you to returned his. "Yes, It is quite the unusual way to meet someone, we just arrived in town other wise I'm sure we would have met before. How do you know Petru Floarescu?"
"Indeed... Petru was my father." You said simply. You watched as the mans smile slowly faded and his posture straightened.
"Forgive me, I was unaware. I had only assumed his daughter kept his name" He said to her in a bit of a shocked tone.
You nodded your head gently. "I took my husband's last name after we were wed." You informed. You could see in the corner of your eyes as the smirk that was once on Lady Dimitrescu's face had left and her lips tugged downwards after you spoke. "No need to apologize." You simply spoke before you glanced back at the other woman, her demeanor appearing tense. You let out a soft sigh as you averted eye contact. "Excuse me." You spoke to the man and woman, letting them know that you were making an exit from the conversation, turning and walking away - a small frown growing on your face as you thought about your father. As much as you would love to have a conversation with the other woman, you had a funeral to attend. You carefully looked over all the people's faces who had come and taken their seats, seeing now as Lord and Lady Dimitrescu also took their seats. You took your seat at the front of the crowd, Nicolae taking a seat beside you as the ceremony went on. It may have been your father's funeral but for some reason, your mind was persistent on making you think about Lady Dimitrescu. Her beautiful blue eyes, the smoothness of her skin, her crimson - plump lips, This woman appeared to have no imperfections. Her beauty was something that proceeded to tug at your attention for the rest of the ceremony.