Silent Heart

Chapter 10

After Abelia meets some of Leo's Family, she retires to her quarters for the night and reflects upon her first impression of them.

Leo's Mother stands out from the other two since her positivity and caring nature was quite a change of pace. But Abelia finds it difficult to accept such change, especially when she never felt an ounce of motherly love from her family.

The only thing she remembers of her mother were years of negligence and abuse even before her young sister was born. Esmae's smile and comforting aura were an atmosphere she wasn't accustomed to, nor did it feel comfortable since the Lady of the Crawford Family acts so childish rather than ladylike.

Leo's Father, on the other hand, is exactly what she envisioned as the Patriarch of the Crawford Family. If she compared him and her father, it'd remind her of the strict and authoritative presence. She wouldn't be surprised if he and her father share the same mind in aristocratic matters.

And then, there was Silas. If it hadn't been for that dream and her interactions, he would've ignored her since he seemed unbothered by her presence. Now, he finds his reactions towards every action quite appealing. And when she caught a glimpse of Silas' flustered expression, she found it so amusing that a Crawford would feel jealous at another.

With that aside, Abelia wondered about the rest of the family. Particularly, Leo's Young Sister and First Born Daughter of the Crawford Family...

Maisie Crawford...

Just the term 'sister' is enough to make Abelia shudder since memories of her younger sister have been nothing but pain and tragedy. Having been born with a voice, Coralie was given everything she ever wanted and more while Abelia was given nothing even as she was the eldest in the family.

With that thought in mind, Abelia grew anxious about their impending encounter even as she closed her eyes and rested for the night...

Meanwhile...

Esmae Crawford's shadow returned, though her cheery demeanor still remained as she drank a cup of tea before bed, "What have you learned of my daughter-in-law?"

"Abelia De'Chaulet, Firstborn of the De'Chaulet Family, and fiance of your son, Leo Crawford," Esmae's shadow listed, "Life under her family's household is nothing but pain and misery. Only the secondborn is loved and cherished. All is given for the second while none is left for the first. Even servants treat her with contempt, beyond even the lowest of maids and servants..."

"So her family abused her because of her lack of voice?" Esmae assumed,

"Only The Wife and Second Daughter...  The Marquis has done nothing but ignorance to Abelia," Esmae's shadow clarified, "Nobles will be Nobles..."

"And Many take charge of their duties over family..." Esmae remarked with distaste, "That is all I need to know,"

After she finished her last cup, she stood up from her chair and reflected upon the information she received. Though she wouldn't hold anything against Abelia's mother and sister, she wouldn't forgive them so easily. Especially when Abelia is quite an interesting individual, if her son willingly annulled a noble's engagement just to have her as his bride.

Additionally, a girl like Abelia deserves better and Esmae wouldn't mind taking that role for herself...

Three Days Later...

As Abelia rose from bed, she rubbed her eyes and looked around. She always assumed that everything in this room wasn't a fleeting dream. Once she knows it's all real, she doesn't feel relieved. Just tensed given that everything a young noble girl would dream is in her hands.