Once & Never

1 ; Like A Doll

🦋: Hey guys! Vivi Hime speaking! I finally posted chapter 1 of "Once & Never". This Story takes place 3 months later after Roséanne De Devenmore and Felix Castiello's engagement. I'm really excited about this one since I have been working on it even before "will this marriage last?" was realesed. So again, I hope you guys are doing great! Stay safe and healthy as always!💗💗

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I woke up to the sound of maids putting my belongings into multiple suitcases. I got up from bed and questioned my personal maid, Leah, why this is all happening. "leah, what's going on?" I ask with a stern look on my face. Leah looked at me, hesitating to answer my question. "Count De Feymann sold you off to Sir Linden Kardinell." she says in a anxious tone. No way. I'm getting sold off to Sir Linden Kardinell? The Heir if the Kardinell household and the personal knight of Princess Consort Roséanne De Devenmore? I can't let my reputation to get ruined! "Why would father sell me off leah? Have I not been of good use?" I ask while holding back my tears. "No that's not it my lady. Rather, the count is selling you off so that he can pay the debt the Feymann Household has to the Emperial Family." Leah says while avoiding eye contact. Right, I forgot. I'm just an illegitimate child of the Count that they use like a doll to erase their problems, and no matter how you look at it, im just a toy that the Count will dispose anyway. "how much time do I have left leah?" I ask while trying to compose myself. Leah looked at me with her honey brown eyes before telling me that I have only until this afternoon before I depart from the Feymann Manor. I somehow feel relieved that I will be able to escape this cruel place. Both the count and countess treated me like a doll and gave me no respect. All of the maids treated me like I was a maid myself—only because I was the daughter of a maid that the Count had an affair with. And even so, I looked very much like the maid that the count had and affair with—the same midnight dark hair and rosy pink eyes were given to me, and I inhereted no physical traits that the count has.
I decided that I will write a letter to my sister Elise, who is currently studying in the Esmeray academy at the West.

The afternoon sky covered the horizon as I set foot in the carriage. Surprisingly, the count went to see me off, but it was no pleasant goodbye. I heard his cold voice whisper to my ears as he says "don't mess up.". He looked at me with eyes filled with hatred.

Time flew by fast as I've already arrived at the capital. The carriage stopped so I decided to roam around the market to stretch my legs a bit. The warm summer breeze and the busy people chattering around, it gave the capital a lively feeling.
It has been a while since I've felt this feeling of warmth and excitement. Suddenly, something caught my eyes. A beautiful yet simple brooch was displayed in front of a jewelry shop. It looked quite expensive and I decided that I will sell the red sapphire necklace that my father gave me on my 15th birthday. "at least illl be able to let go of my past now." I snickered as I looked at the brooch that shined prettily.

Once again, I rode the carriage that will take me to the Grand Duke's mansion. The warm spring wind carresed my cheeks softly as I gazed at the white Camillias that bloomed in the setting sun's sunlight. What a serene sight. I thought to myself as i wake myself up from the humid atmosphere.
Not from the distance, I could see the Kardinell mansion standing proudly as the jewel of the east.

The carriage stopped meaning that we have arrived at the Grand Duke's Mansion. I set foot on the Manor grounds to be greeted by a number of servants and the Head butler. I wonder where the Duke is. It is basic etiquette to greet your guest as the master of the house. I thought to myself as I walk towards the entrance. "Greetings from the house of Feymann I am Auriella De Feymann, the eldest daughter of Count De Feymann. It is truly a pleasure to be in your care." I say as I curtsy with my head down. The maids reacted quite shocked about my introduction. Of course, who wouldn't be? The eldest daughter of the count has no resemblance of either the Count or the Countess. This is it. I will live my life the way I want it. I thought to myself as I enter the mansion's grand door way.

The atmosphere here in the Grand Duke's mansion is quite pleasing. Everyone is quite friendly, unlike the servants at the house of Feymann. Though it's been three days since my arrival, the Duke has still not arrived yet. Curiosity cam to my mind and I decided to aks the head butler, Jeremy, on why the Duke is still not here yet. Jeremy looked at me, with a rather surprised expression. "the Duke still has to finish his Emperial duties. But he will return by today." he says with a soft look on his face. The Duke will return today? How will it turn out?

I lay on my bed with a sigh of relief thinking that the Duke will not arrive today. The moonshine quite brightly tonight which made me gaze at it for a moment. And without noticing my eyes were already closed as I was  about to fall asleep. Suddenly, I heard a faint voice. It sounded soft yet warm at the same time. "she really is like an exquisite doll". That's what I heard before I fell asleep.

My eyes opened as the beautiful roses danced with the soft morning rain. I got up from bed and immediately dressed up to have a short yet subtle walk in the garden.
I stranded on the terrace as I admired the beautiful rain gently bathing each flower. Suddenly I heard a small giggle. "papa can't find me here" the small voice said. I looked to where the voice came from. Then I noticed ebony black hair behind the plant pot. I decided to take a small peek to find a child that resembled the Grand Duke. "Shhh" it said while making a mischievous smile. How cute, it's probably the Grand Duke's son who playing hide n seek with his father. The Duke is finally here I guess. We might as well meet sooner or later.

The sun setted and the moon was once again awake, shining brightly as it outshines the other stars. "Miss Feymann, the Grand Duke has requested a dinner with you." the maid says while closing the door. As i anxiously put on my corset, I thought to myself. Why is the Grand Duke requesting a dinner with me?

I stepped out of my room to be greeted once again by the Grand Duke's child, or so I thought. I ask the child on what was their name. The child looked at me with its sun gold eyes. "my name is Aiden Leonette, and I am papa's student!"
He says proudly. We both headed towards the dining area sharing both smiles and laughter. Before I could enter the room, a cold yet soft voice spoke at the back of my back. "what are you doing Aiden?" it said as I turned my back around to find Sir Kardinell looking at me with a surprised expression. "Greetings fron the house of Feymann. I am Auriella De Feymann, eldest daughter of Count Do Feymann. It is an honour to meet you, Sir Kardinell." I says with my head low.

The dinner was quite enjoyable. Sir Kardinell was more talkative than I thought he would be.

The dinner ended quite shortly, and Linden offered to escorts me to my room. The time that I spent with him as I walked through the halls was quite comfortable at some point. Before he left, I asked him a question that had been stuck on my mind ever since I set foot here. "why are you treating me so nicely? Aren't I a peseant in your eyes?" I ask looking anxious. Linden tured around with a dumbfounded looked and smirked at me. "Isn't it obvious? You were sold off by your father when you did nothing wrong. It's only natural for me to take care someone like you." he says as he kisses my hand before leaving me in my room. My heart fluttered leaving me amused. I smiled as I thought to myself. This is the first time someone didn't treat me like a doll.

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Hellow guys! This marks the end of chapter 1! I hope you all enjoyed this story, and I hope you all are liking forward to the next chapter. Stay safe and healthy!!!
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