Silent Heart

Chapter 6

With the day upon her, Abelia was in a room being groomed by the maids while her mother observed the process. From a proper hairstyle to the only dress she wore, she was going to be handed off to the Marquis of the Northwestern Territory and live what may become the most miserable life she'll have.

After everything was done, they said nothing and prepared her luggage. It was small and she had to carry them herself than let a manor servant carry it for her. She said that she needed the exercise even though she hadn't eaten anything since morning.

Her discomfort from a growling stomach is one thing, but her aching heart tells another.

With the Marquis of the Northwest sending a servant to pick her up, she had to face the harsh reality that her fiance wouldn't be so kind after they met for the very first time.

As she walked down the steps, she spotted her father, and standing next to him was her sister who put on a facade that meant she was looking forward to her impending departure.

When Abelia reached the ground floor, her father said nothing while her sister just walked up to her, "I'll surely miss having you around, Sister Abelia. If there is anything I'd want, it's you staying in this house for a little while longer,"

Her response caused Abelia to avert her gaze from her sister and walk her way out of the manor with her luggage in hand.

After she walked down several steps from the manor, she was then 'escorted' to the gates by her family and servants and awaited the carriage's arrival. Even from a distance, they could all hear the galloping sounds of horses approaching the gate and Abelia firmly grasped the handle of her luggage.

When the horses were seen, the carriage stopped by the gates and the gate guards proceeded to open them as the carriage coach dismounted from his seat and opened the carriage door.

Abelia felt despondent as she gazed upon the open door of the carriage while her Family just waited for the only passenger to step out of the carriage and escort her inside.

But the moment that passenger set foot outside of the carriage, everyone, even the gate guards, began to express what appeared to be dumbfoundedness and Abelia's hold on her luggage had lessened from the shock she was experiencing. Anymore, she would have let her luggage slip from her fingers.

For the person who stepped out of the carriage was not a Servant of the Marquis, but the Young Crawford who had commandeered it himself...

Leo would walk right through the estate, stretched his hand to Abelia, and sincerely state the following, "Lady Abelia, I've arrived to pick you up,"

Even after he spoke, no one has said or done anything as they take their time to process this. Once they did, Gram had something to say in the matter, "Y-Young Master Crawford, What is the meaning of this?"

Leo simply pulls his hand back, straightens his posture, and turns to Marquis De'chaulet, "Oh, that's right. Unlike last time, I came here unannounced and commandeered this carriage meant for a servant of a Marquis up north. In case you want a proper explanation of why I'm here,"

Leo slipped his hand into his coat, and then pulled out what appeared to be a folded letter and handed it to Gram, "This letter holds the answer,"

Gram goes his way to Leo and takes the letter from his hand. After he unfolded it, he carefully read through the contents and was dumbfounded as he gazed upon Crawford Heir, "T-This is!"

"The official agreement between you and the Marquis from the Northwestern Territory, The Nullification of Abelia's engagement with said Marquis, and..." Leo went to Abelia's side and wrapped an arm around her. "My engagement with your daughter, Abelia De'Chaulet,"