The night of next few days were packed filled with balls and parties and the excitement was all over the Mansion, well most especially since everyone had already found their perfect match everyone except her.
That night, Diana sat at the far end of the ballroom, watching the various beautiful people dancing in twos to the sound of the instruments. She could clearly see her sister waltzing away happily with Herald but she had decided to let them be.
"Que Sera Sera" she muttered.
"Whatever will be will be?" She heard a voice behind her and turned around to see Dutchess Vivian standing behind her.
She was smiling sweetly as usual, dressed in a dazzling diamond dripped blue dress and those charming look of hers, She didn't look like a thirty five year old. More like twenty five.
"Oh m'lady," Diana got up as a sign of respect
"No need darling have your seat. Que sera sera?" She asked with a smile. "Sweetheart always know that the future lies in your own hands, and what should not happen could happen because of one's timidity and ignorance. You see, it's like a ship you get to steer in your own direction along the big endless ocean and if you steer in the right direction day and night though it might be tiresome but at last you'll get to see shore."
They were both seated opposite each other now.
"Thank you M'lady , I understand you perfectly."
"How are you enjoying the party?"
"This should be the fifth one this week." Diana shrugged
"I'm so sorry B&S WAGER didn't work out for you my dear." Lady Vivian said sadly, genuinely feeling sorry for the young woman.
Diana smiled wearily. "It's not your fault M'lady. Sure I might not have found my match here but that only shows he's out there somewhere else."
"I like your spirit but you're fast approaching twenty six how do you intend to deal with how people would treat you when you got to that age and still unmarried?"
Diana didn't know what to say but she managed. "I'll do just fine."
"Well, if the pressure ever gets too much..."
Vivian handed her a brown envelope "....you can always call me."
"But...why?"
"You might have heard I'm not always here in Netherland well, my husband stays in Russia and that's where I spend most of the year, I'm only here for this event."
"I see...thank you so very much My Lady."Diana was so excited
"Please call me Vivian, we're friends now I would like to believe."
"It would be an honor to be called your friend Vivian." Diana said finally letting out a genuine smile that she hadn't been able to for the past three weeks. Vivian really helped lighten the mood.
The days passed and soon it was the night before they could all finally leave the Mansion. Diana had just finished packing her bags when a sober Annabelle came into her bedroom.
"What do you want?" Diana asked.
Anna sniffed. "I've come to say that I regret all I've ever done to you Diana."
"Ofcourse you do." Diana scoffed turning away but Anna held onto her nightdress as she went on her knees crying.
"You don't believe me? You think this is one of my schemes? Well it's not! I really want your forgiveness, I've truly realized that I've only been acting foolish and how would it look to Grandpa if we return back home as foes."
Diana was touched as she helped her crying sister back up on her feet.
"If you want," Anna sniffed, "I could make things right between you and Herald."
"There's no need, you can have him." Diana hurriedly said.
"Well, do I have your forgiveness?"
"I forgive you Anna," Diana smiled before hugging her. It had been ages since they hugged.
"I'm so glad you're back!" Diana said, sobbing.
"Me too."
Their chauffeur had come to pick them in a Rolls Royce. Diana did well to wave goodbye to Duchess Vivian and settle all ties with Herald.
"It's ok, I'm more than glad to have you as a brother in law and I hope you treat my sister right, welcome to the Osborn family."She had said before they both shared a hug.
Herald had insisted He went with them to pay homage and make his intentions known to the Master of the house- Humphrey Osborn.
That afternoon as they drove through the gates after three months, Diana could hear the servants scream excitedly and she smiled within herself but also a little sad because she knew most of the excitement was not for her coming back but to see her with a fiancé.
As she, Herald and Annabelle alighted from the car all the excitement died down and all that could be heard were whispers and murmurs. Annabelle and Herald were both hand in hand, leaving her out as the obvious odd one.
Veronica had come out of the Mansion to welcome them but the look in her eyes were no different from the servants. The look of surprise and disappointment perfectly wrapped with a smile but Diana could see it and it broke her.
"Where's Grandpa?" She asked
"He should be down in a minute. You all can wait in the living room."
Getting into the living room, Humphrey had just come down the stairs with a black walking stick in hand. Diana rushed excitedly to him and gave him a big hug.
"Careful Diana...."Vee cautioned
"I've missed you Grandpa." She said, tears clouded in her eyes.
"And I, you my dear." He said
"A walking stick?" Diana noticed. "But Pa...your legs are fine!"
"Well, I just think it completes my outfit and besides all my friends has one."
Diana laughed. "But you know they need it as a support but anyways I'm glad you need one as an accessory not because your legs hurt. I was worried for a moment!"
Just then his eyes went over to the blonde lady standing with a young man beside her. Was that his second granddaughter glowing like a celestial being?
"Annabelle?" He asked, surprised.
She smiled at him. "Hello Grandfather!"
Annabelle approached her Grandfather and gave him a warm hug.
"It's been forever." She said before pulling away.
"Well...?" Humphrey asked "...aren't you going to run behind your sister and whisper all sorts of bad stuff about me?"
Both Diana and Anna exchanged knowing glances and burst out laughing.
"Grandpa!" Diana chuckled.
"You mean you used to hear all we said?" Anna asked feeling embarrassed.
"Oh you think I didn't?" Well, all thanks to the loud noises you make, you both call that whispering?"
Diana wiped a tear off her cheeks.
"That was a long time ago. I'm glad we're still together after such a long time."
Just then Humphrey shifted his attention to Herald still standing.
"And who is this fine young lad?"
"Good day Sir," Herald bowed. "I'm of the Nottinghams, Herald Nottingham."
"Oh wow! How is your Father doing?"Humphrey asked It's been awhile I heard from him.
"He's quite alright sir." Herald smiled.
"Please have a seat." Humphrey said.
"Thank you, sir."
"And which of my Granddaughters are you here for?"
"Annabelle, sir." He said
"Yes Grandpa, I would love you to approve of our union." Anna said, smiling.
"This is good news indeed. I'm more than in support of you both coming together as one and who could have thought, The Osborns and The Nottinghams, united someday in Marriage. You may wish to kneel before me ." He said and they both did as He blessed them in the name of the trinity.
That Evening after Herald was long gone, Annabelle was in her room, daydreaming about her new home with Herald. All her dreams were falling in perfect places.
Don't worry mom, cuz when I grow up I'm gonna get married to an Earl and a very rich one, then all our troubles will be gone and you wouldn't have to work so hard anymore."flashbacks"
"Hey Mother!" Anna shed tears as she stared into the starry skies that night.
"I'm finally getting married, and guess what? He's far far richer than an Earl!"
YOU ARE READING
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Romance"Then Be My Slut I Don't Care!" Luther said, frustratedly. Pulling her to himself and kissing her as some sort of plea and she understood but still.... "Luther..."she said. "I'm sorry, we've both had...our passionate love story but honestly we knew...
