Silent Heart

Chapter 4

In three days, Abelia would be sent to the Northwestern Territories and wedded to someone she'd never met. However, the Marquis Servants have become somewhat frantic in their duties as Gram orders everyone to prepare for a special guest.

The Duke's Son was coming and everything must be done before his esteemed arrival...

Normally, Abelia would help the maids in their duties. But due to being the first-born daughter of the Marquis Family, her mother forced her to go out with her and her sister and purchase some dresses for his arrival.

As soon as they entered the tailor shop, her mother would prioritize her second daughter instead of the first. While Coralie lavishes in stylish dresses, Abelia remains seated until her mother provides the only dress that'll fit her size but not her style.

After her sister finishes trying out several dresses, Carine turns to Abelia and dons her usual scorn towards her, "Make sure it fits, Abelia. We wouldn't want you to shame our family name now, would we?"

"Mother, don't be so mean now. It's her first time wearing a dress," Coralie said, "Save it after the Duke's Son has left,"

"Of course, my beloved daughter," Carine said, "And don't forget, this is your chance to shine before the duke's son,"

"I will do my best," Coralie said, and received a lot of pampering words from her mother,

As for Abelia, she just went to the dressing room and tried out the only dress picked by her mother. Regardless of whether she can or can't wear this dress, she had no other choice in the matter.

Minutes later, Abelia leaves the dressing room and her mother and sister gaze at her. The long dress wasn't all that great since it was a green color, made from simple and cheap material, and the only ribbon it had was tied on the center of her chest.

The Mother shares no comment about Abelia's dress, though Coralie has a particular comment in mind, "Wow, that dress certainly fits you. I may even mistake you for a commoner than a noble,"

This was an insult made into a joke, and it was especially cruel when her mother shamelessly showed half of her grin to Coralie's comment. Abelia just breathes and gets over this outing.

After the dresses were properly paid for, they all left in a carriage and Abelia sat on the opposite side of the carriage while her mother and sister were together and near the entrance.

Unbeknownst to the three, the grumpy shopkeeper was close by and puffed smoke from his wooden pipe. Once the carriage was out of sight, he emptied the pipe and went inside the tailor shop to speak with the tailor...

Late Evening

After the outing, Abelia's dress was placed inside another closet than in her room's closet. Her mother stated that such a dress would become waste a of money if it stayed in a dirty place.

Coralie volunteered to keep the dress in her closet, but her mother objected as such a dress doesn't belong to others she rightfully owns. Coralie agreed and gave false sympathy to Abelia after.

Abelia not only knew she was doing this it indirectly belittled her, Coralie would never do such things. If anything, she would have thrown anything that Abelia owns away for her amusement.

Once she retires to her quarters, she ponders about her future after she's sent to the Marquis of the Northwestern Territory. She wondered if she'd become his servant or his mistress. Either way, both of these scenarios bring no comfort and Abelia would have trouble sleeping in for the night...