Just a little distance away from them, Damien Torden sat in Estelle's mansion, his handsome face looking bored.
A bunch of ladies tried to strike a conversation with him, but he did not seem to be in the mood. Eventually, his cousin Estelle made her way to him and he got up to greet her.
She was a beautiful and successful actress, very well known for her scandals. Her first husband had died leaving his fortune to her. Her second husband had divorced her after two years of tolerating her affairs.
Today was the eve of her third wedding and she was greeting her guests one by one and talking to them animatedly.
"To think you are the last person to arrive among all my family," she complained to Damien.
"Then I shall apologize with this," Damien said handing over the gift that he had brought.
Estelle pushed it away. "You have given me enough for my last two weddings. Do you know what I need as a gift tomorrow?"
She motioned towards the Grand piano that lay in the hall unattended.
Damien sighed. He never performed in public.
" If my lady so wishes, then I shall play something tomorrow," he said after a pause.
" That would be wonderful." Estelle clapped her hands with glee.
After she made him sit back in his place with a glass of wine, she went away to greet the other guests.
Damien looked at the luxurious arrangements and the guests lined up in their best clothes. Such extravagance was nothing new to him who was from the main line of the Torden family. At least that's how everybody treated him, like a legitimate Torden...
But Damien knew well the rumors surrounding him, that he was not born from his father but from his mother's lover....
And yet Lord Torden had brought him up as his own son. Was it because he had no other children? Or was it because he felt guilty for killing off his mother?
When Lord Torden died, the rest of his family recognized Damien as the new Lord without question. His father's will also confirmed his title.
The Tordens were a corrupt lot, and he knew he was different from them. He never touched the sword. He never made dirty money.
Damien knew that everyone saw him as his father's bastard son.He was the man who was living the title of the man who had killed his mother. Yet they spoke carefully to him because of his title and wealth. He hated his family, he hated the Tordens to the bone.
His thoughts were disturbed by, Estelle Torden who had come up to him again. She was doing round two of greeting her guests.
"I have thought of something interesting," she said giggling,
"How about we find a fiancee for you from the ladies who arrive tomorrow?"
"I already have more ladies than I can handle," he said getting up to leave.
" You are leaving already? All my friends would be disappointed." Estelle complained.
"They can see me all day tomorrow. And also, I should be thinking about what I should play for your wedding."
"Then I shall allow you to leave," said Estelle making way for him.