When The Heart Already Given Up

Chapter 2: Unexpected Announcement

2 years ago.

I have been sick for the past week. So, it's been awhile since I attended a party.

"My Lady, would you like to wear this for today's ball?" said Anna. While excitingly arranging the dresses.

"I'll let Anna decide because I know you would only choose what is best for me." I said while smiling.

Blush.

"Of course my Lady, I would make you the most beautiful woman in the palace today." Anna said giggling happily.

I smile.

Anna, my personal maid. She's been with me since I was 10 years old. I was really grateful for having Anna in my life. She's the only one here in the County whom I called family. My father Horace is a Count in the Krystin Kingdom. I have an older brother whose only purpose in life is to gamble all the family money. My father doesn't seem to care about my brother gambling habits.

My mother died during my birth. For that reason, my father doesn't like me; he sees me as a killer who killed his beloved wife. Father becomes an alcoholic and often spends his time womanising. Sometimes when he came home drunk and he saw me he would always use abusive and hurtful words to me. Same goes with my brother. I felt like I am not even part of this family, even the butler and the maids are indifferent to me. So, I'm really grateful that I have Anna with me.

"You look absolutely beautiful my Lady." Anna said with an amused face.

"It's all thanks to Anna."

Anna, blushed.

"I'm going now. See you later."

"Take care my Lady. Have a great night."

***

"Lady Caecilian, of Nova County." Announcing my arrival.

"Lady Caecilian, I haven't seen you for a while, how have you been?"

"Hello, Lady Grace I 've been sick for the past few days so I'm not able to attend any gathering as of late."

"Anyways, it's nice to see you. Have a great evening."

"Thank you, nice to see you too."

After talking to some of the people at the banquet I decided to head out to the garden.

Sigh!

Muttering to myself, "I'm really not cut out for this party. I better head home."

"In that case, we're the same."

Shock. I look around to see a handsome man, with shiny black hair and a sparkling blue eye. Gasp! This man is so handsome.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't know someone was here." I spoke.

"I'm the one who should be sorry, I'm Reinhart Haze." While extending his hand.

"Oh! My apologies, Duke Haze, I'm Caecilian. Caecilian Nova daughter of Count Horace." Accepting his handshake.

We talked for some time. And I really enjoy his company. It's the first time that I talked to someone, aside from Anna who doesn't look down on me. I didn't know that it was already late, as I feel that my body begun to feel the breeze of the cold wind, I said,

"I better head home, It's nice meeting you, Duke Haze."

"Pleasure is mine, Lady Caecilian. You can call me 'Reinhart'." As he kissed the back of my hand.

Thump.

"Oh! Ummm Duke Ha.. Reinhart, thank you for today. I have a good time." I said, shyly.

He smiled, then waved me goodbye.

My heart skipped a beat with his gesture, I feel like my face is burning. And I turned around as fast as I could and headed to the carriage.

***As I lay on my bed. I can't help but picture Reinhart's handsome face, and the way I feel when I'm with him.

I think it's impossible to feel like this since it's only the first time we've met.

"Is this what people call love?" I said, talking to myself.

"Argh!!!" I scream under my pillow as I feel my face burning up whenever I think of him.

***

"My lady, it's morning."

"Good morning Anna." I smiled.

"My Lady, what accessories would you like to wear today?" Anna asked.

"You choose Anna" I smiled. "I am only meeting my father today."

"I think these ruby's would look good on my Lady hair colour." She said while giggling.

She seems so happy. As I look at myself in the mirror,Wow. The ruby seems to compliment my brown hair and green eyes.

"You look beautiful, my lady."

"Thank you, Anna. I'll be heading to my father's office now."

Knock. Knock.

"Come on in."

"Good morning father and brother Stefan."

"Sit down." Said father.

"As so, you know our family is facing a large debt."

He continued,

"And you're at the right age to marry someone. I am going to let you marry to pay off our debt."

I was shocked as soon as I heard my father say this.

"With this, you can repay us, after all we have taken care of you since you were a child. Even though you're nothing but a useless nuisance in this house. This is going to be your payment to us."

'Take care.' When did you ever care for me? Tears started to fall off my eyes.

"At least you're not that useless at all." My brother said, laughing with my situation.

"But, father. I don't want to get married to someone I don't know. Please reconsider." I pleaded.

Slap.

"You have no right to answer me back, you just need to follow my orders, you useless bitch."

"You're going to meet him tomorrow so you better prepare. Now get out."