𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐭 - 𝐓𝐞𝐰𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐲 𝐱 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

𝐢.

𝐀𝐜𝐭 𝐈

Ever since I have known, my family, the Alderidge's, and the Basilwether's have been in a feud. It has always been like that. I don't find the feud necessary or helpful, so I just ignore the Basilwether's.

I know that the family only has one son who is the heir of the family. I do not know his name, nor do I care to know.

My family has taught me to grow up "hating" the Basilwethers. More specifically my father and brother, Wyatt. They've never allowed me near the Basilwether property, and if I ever did go there I'd be in serious trouble.

My best friend is Enola Holmes. My eldest and only brother, Wyatt, had befriended Sherlock Holmes when they were in secondary school. He tells me that Sherlock didn't like to have many friends but kept Wyatt around. My family had invited Sherlock and his younger sister Enola, who was my age, to spend the summer at our house. I quickly befriended her and we've never been apart since.

I've never been fond of her other brother, Mycroft. He seems annoying, but on the other hand, I loved her mother. Eudoria was different from my mother in some ways. They both believed that women should have the right to learn, so my parents gave me a governess.

My mother was one for knowledge but also very feminine and dainty and loved dresses. Eudoria, on the other hand, taught Enola and me many sports including martial arts, Enola is better but I don't mind.

My sixteenth birthday is around the corner and my mother is throwing an extravagant birthday party. I'm not one for parties but she insisted. The theme is a masquerade ball. I thought that everyone would quite enjoy it.

I was on my way to meet with Enola. We had planned to meet outside in the gardens and then head for the markets. I was walking down the hall until I heard two people talking. The door was slightly opened and I stood near it.

"My lord, what do you think of my request?" I heard a boy say. I know that voice belonged to Mateo Lohengrin. He was also one of my closest friends since I was young.

"I'll repeat what I had just told you," I heard my father speak up. "My daughter is still so young, she is only turning sixteen in a few weeks. Wait two more years."

"There are girls her age that are happily married," Mateo claimed.

"Yes but even then they are also damaged being so young," My father went on. "Y/N is one of the only two surviving children I have. Now, if you want to court her, you must win her over Mateo. The most important factor in this is her consent. If she does agree and takes to your liking, then I will agree."

My father was always thoughtful of me and Wyatt, as we were his only two surviving children. My parents tried but many of their children died from a young age.

"Look, Y/N's mother is throwing her a ball for her birthday. It is in two weeks, you are welcome to join us for dinner before the ball. Maybe then you can get closer to her." I heard my father go on.

I didn't listen any longer, deciding not to keep Enola waiting any longer. I soon arrived at the gardens and there sat Enola reading a newspaper article.

"Y/N, you're here," Enola said looking up from the article. "I didn't think you would arrive." She said folding up the article and placing it down beside her.

"Well, I'm here now," I smiled, sitting next to her. "Anything new?" I asked her in general.

"There was a fight this morning." She replied. My eyes widened hearing the news.

"What? Whatever for?" I asked her.

"Apparently two servants from Alderidge had started a fight against two Basilwether servants as well," Enola explained.

"Why am I not surprised?" I shook my head. It wasn't unheard of servants or family members of the Alderidge and Basilwether's fought.

"That's not even half of it, then other people started joining until the prince had to interfere. He threatened to execute anyone who was fighting again." Enola stated.

"Was anyone hurt?" I asked her.

"No, not from what I've heard. Although, your father was there. And before you ask, no he did not fight." She said as I opened my mouth to speak.

"That's all I wanted to know. Honestly, how long does this stupid feud have to go on for? There's no meaning behind it." I told her tiredly. This feud has been going on for decades and there is no point to it.

I wanted to talk about the conversation I overheard with Mateo and my father. I didn't trust anyone but Enola.

"I overheard a conversation between my father and Mateo Lohengrin." I brought it up.

"What about?" She asked, raising an eyebrow up.

"I think he was asking permission for my hand in marriage," I explained.

"He's just some overrated rich noble. He'll be like any man," Enola said. "He'll end up using you for your money and to produce heirs, and that's it. He's only doing it to fulfill his duty." Enola explained.

"I think he genuinely fancies me," I told her. "Ever since we were twelve or so, I've noticed subtle signs that he's liked me."

"Do you want to marry him?" She asked. No. I didn't want to marry anyone yet.

"He's a kind person, he's not a bad choice," I told her.

"But would you want to marry him? Would you love him the same way he does?"

"I don't think I'm ready to marry anyone just yet, but he would do anything for me. I don't know if I could ever learn to love him the same way as he does. So, no. I don't think I would want to marry him, I want to marry someone I love, I don't care who they are." I explained to her.

"Would your parents force you to marry him?"

"I highly doubt it. My father didn't necessarily agree. He said it was up to me. Mateo has to "woo" me over. Even then I think I would do it for my family if they asked me to." I said to her.

I saw my mother's maid come towards us. "Your mother would like to have a word with you." She bowed before leaving me and Enola.

"I'll be there in a moment, thank you." I smiled at her before turning back to Enola.  "I'm sure this is about Mateo." She nodded in agreement.

"Meet me at the markets after!" She shouted after me as I left to go and meet my mother.

author:
my dumb @ss thought
today was thursday
and forgot to post