Van Deloney: To My Dearest Emma [[BOOK ONE]]

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑽𝑰

THE COUNTESS' VIVID OBSESSION

November 7, 1879

        IN THE House Deloney, the Earl's enraged voice echoed throughout the premises, as he engaged in a contentious discussion with the Marsheries regarding the whereabouts of his missing daughter. "What do you mean that you have failed to locate my daughter?!" he shouted, his words punctuated with a loud crash as the goblet he threw to the ground shattered into pieces. A deep sense of frustration and disappointment engulfed the Earl, as he desperately attempted to locate his missing child.

The Earl's furious voice thundered throughout the premises as he engaged in a heated exchange with the Marsheries during their investigation. "Your Grace, we have been searching for your daughter for almost two weeks," the Marsherie responded, in an attempt to pacify the Earl's rising anger. "Do you expect me to accept that? FIND MY DAUGHTER IMMEDIATELY, OR I'LL PERSONALLY WON'T HESITATE TO SLAUGHTER ALL OF YOU!"

The Marsheries immediately take their leave from the premises, the Earl remained vexed, trying his best to regain his composure in a timely manner. "Charlotte, my precious amethyst, my beloved daughter, where have you gone?" his words were transformed from wrath to sadness as he mourned the absence of his precious daughter, his rage giving way to sorrow over the whereabouts of Charlotte.

Carmelia, perched on the second floor of the lavish manor, observed her father's despondency with a coy smile on her lips. She appeared to have no qualms regarding the fate of her missing sister, rather showing delight at the news, as if her own personal agenda required the disappearance of her sibling.

Meanwhile, within the outskirts of the idyllic village of Hestonia, Charlotte stood amidst a vast field of bud flowers, particularly Calendulas in their budding phase, as the wind rustled through the area, stirring up a gentle breeze that was accompanied by a pristine blue sky. It had been three days since she and her entourage had arrived in the village in order to gather Calendula, including relevant intel, for a purpose that she wished to learn and keep it to herself. Charlotte's focus remined firmly on the task at hand, as she proceeded with the gathering, undeterred by the picturesque surrounding scenery.

"The obsession of Countess Dorothea... A curiosity that has piqued her interest about Viktor Calestinia for almost three decades." Charlotte muttered to herself while taking in the sights of her surroundings, with her interest suddenly piqued when a bud bloomed before her very own eyes. The phenomenon of a flower bud blooming on its own as such a thing was not common and could possibly hold a deeper meaning. Charlotte's attention was drawn to it, and the significance of the event became apparent as she continued to look further.

Charlotte, taken by the beauty of the bloom, smiled as she knelt down in the field of flowers and brought her face closer to the bloom. "What a lovely flower... I haven't sketched a flower in a quite some time," she pondered aloud as she retrieved her sketchbook and a pencil from her luggage. Her actions reflected the fact that she was an avid artist and enjoyed capturing the natural beauty of the world around her through her artistic creations.

While being engrossed in her sketching session, she was suddenly interrupted by Mimi, who appeared and embraced her favorite toy. The young girl's question piqued her attention, and she set down her pencil to engage in a conversation with Mimi. "Miss Charlotte, what are you doing?" Mimi inquired. Charlotte offered a warm smile as she responded, "I am drawing this beautiful flower," as she continued to doodle on the page of her pad, paying attention to the details and intricacies of the unique bloom.