Brightness

Brightness (1)

Once upon a time, there lived a young nobleman by the name of Edmond de Castellane.

He was the sole heir of the De Castellane house. However, he was also the black sheep of the family tree. For he was not like the others in his family. Having been trained and monitored by the family head...everyone respected him. For he would become the next head of the De Castellane Household.

The family branch members pitied him, the burden of being the next head of the De Castellane Household was something everyone in the family wanted. But in truth, Edmond despised the glorified role he would soon be taking. Many of his cousins would attempt to act all friendly with him. Just to get on his supposed good side.

It made Edmond uncomfortable.

Due to this, Edmond had lack of trust to those that tried getting close to him.

Yet among society...people described him as like a prince out of fairy tale book. You couldn't believe the words mentioned about. Quote on quote...this was what women have stated about the way he looked.

His eyes had been compared to sparking emeralds by gossiping, swooning noblewomen traveling through the province.

'My eyes are like mother's gemstones?' He won't deny his unique traits, but being compared to jewelry didn't sound quite right to him.

He was pure, innocent of heart, paid no heed to their flirtatious wiles. Unlike his cousins who picked up and discarded women as if they were no more than hats.

Or so his cousins remarked about the rumors regarding him.  

'Pure and innocent? Or maybe all of you have the strangest imagination on who I am?'

Edmond would laugh to himself and say all of those words were nothing but lies.

His kindness was practically a weapon among society.

'That kindness you see is nothing but a gentleman's courtesy.' Without it he'd probably would be as silent as a mouse.

No one would dare approach him for something, unless it was the family head or relatives. That was until the day a flower was held out to him.

"Would you care for a flower?" Stupefied by the sudden appearance of a flower before him. Edmond blinked in surprise at the woman standing by him.

She held a small earnest smile toward the said noble. Despite her dress being covered in dirt and her brown hair tied in a messy bun. In her left arm was a basket full of common flowers seen from the forests outside of town.

Edmond didn't really know what to say. The sudden action caught him off guard. He didn't want to say no to the young lady holding out a flower. If he had noticed her from the beginning, he would've done a polite no. However this woman had done the unexpected. At this point, it would've been impolite to not accept the flower she was handing him.

He made a decision.

The hand that was once on his side reached out to take the very flower she offered.

A purple violet.

The flower that represents simplicity.

Yet...this meeting was anything but simple.

By all means it was enough to surprise the dark brown haired noble out of his calm facade.

Giving a smile in return, he told the young lady. "Thank you."

This was the day Edmond de Castellane met Violette Laurent.