The following day. The Ventburg Mansion
The sun shone brightly above the buildings while chirping bird were flying in the sky. The sound of the maids and butlers setting the delicious delicacy for breakfast on the big long dining table. During the preparation, the duchess and the daughters of the Ventburg family were getting appropriately dressed and went on their way to the dining hall.
On their way the sisters met each other. Verity saw them as they were coming from the west side on the second floor of the Ventburg's grand mansion, where their chambers resided. Apparently she was the only person on the third floor.
Charlotte, who wore a sad expression, because nobody talked to her, changed her whole mood when she spotted that her first sister were coming their way.
Meanwhile both sisters talked with each other about the social gathering that took place later after lunch.
'Good morning, sister Verity.'
Verity, who heard the cute voice, responded back.
'Good morning, Charlotte. Good morning Clarissa and Adella.'
'Good morning, Verity.'
Solely Clarissa replied back while Adella didn't gave her a greeting and continued to go downstairs to the dining hall.
'Uhm …..Had you a good sleep, sister Verity?'
Charlotte asked with a hesitated voice as she grab on Verity's dress to get her attention. Verity looked down at her and watched how shyly she glanced at her.
'I had a good sleep. Thank you for asking, Charlotte. It makes me happy that you think about me.'
She was overjoyed to hear that and smiled happily.
I had a good sleep too, you know. Why don't you ask me that too. Oh, I have answered that already. You can forget what I have said hehe.'
Both, Verity and Clarissa couldn't hold back their laughter when they watch her blabbering. At the same time their eyes met each other, in that moment they felt like sisters, who could understand each other.
Charlotte, who was laughed at, pouted, puffed up her face and wore an angrily facial expression on. However she still looked very cute with her behavior, others who saw that couldn't stop from pinching her cheeks.
The both of them tried to regain their composure. When they did it, Verity bend down and stroked her small head lightly.
'I'm sorry, if we have offended you. We didn't mean to laugh at you. We just found you so cute, so that we couldn't hold back our laughs. Right, Clarissa?'
'Yes, absolutely. So don't be angry at us anymore, alright?'
She stared at them as if to see if their apologies were sincere enough, while the corner of her lips curled up.
'Let's see….. both of you have to give me a present then I will forgive you two.'
Both agreeably nodded.
'We have to hurry now, otherwise mother will scold us for being late.'
Verity and Charlotte had the same opinion, so they began to move hastily in fear that their mother could witness them for being late.
Once they arrived at the dining hall, they saw that the table were full with delicious food and that Adella was the only one that sat bored at the table waiting for them to come. Hence they were relieved to see that. As Adella's view landed on the somehow three tiredly sisters. She watched them suspiciously and asked annoyedly.
'Finally, why did it take so long for you three to come?'
The three looked at each other and tactfully agreed to ignore her question.
Each of them went to their own seats and fix their attires. Since they all didn't give Adella a response, she stared at them all angrily, which the sisters didn't cared at all for they were already accustomed to it.
'Say, Clarissa, what happened earlier that you all seems ...to get along with each other?'
When she was about to answer her, the duchess of Ventburg arrived at the dining hall entrance at this very moment with her gorgeous red dress. There was no flaw to her attire, even her red hair were neatly made. The near-standing servants curtsied at her arrival as the daughters of the duchess stood up from their seats in greeting.
'Good morning, mother.'
'Good morning. Now, let's take a seat so that we can start our breakfast.'
The duchess headed towards her seat in an elegantly manner. Meanwhile the sisters waited politely until their mother started to pick up the cutlery on the table next to the plate in front of her to start eating. Afterwards they also picked up their cutlery and ate their breakfast.
After some time Adella spoke with the duchess about the social gathering which she will attend later on. Occasionally Clarissa would give some of her opinion to what Adella could wear for the meeting, Charlotte, who never attend to such a kind of event, listen attentively to them talking. Only Verity didn't feel interested to the topic of conversation, therefore she thought of her distant cold father, Luke Dylan von Ventburg, the duke of Ventburg of the Firia Empire, who always took the main seat at the table.
<< I guess father is still not back home again. Apparently he still has a lot of work to do in the palace. He has to fulfill his duties as the prime minister of the Empire so he should be very busy with the other aristocrats.
I haven't seen him for a long time already. I wish I could spend some time with him. But I think he wouldn't spend some of his time with me. Every time when he is at home, he mostly stayed in his office. Nearly nobody would notice that he was in the mansion. How could I improve my relationship with my father. >>
Out of her thoughts, Verity realized that their conversation were still on the same topic, so she wanted to excuse herself. Before she tried to stand up, her beautiful eyes met Charlotte's large lovely eyes, which observed her worryingly.
Big sister Verity, are you okay. Is the food today not to your liking, you haven't touched anything yet.'
Because of her remark all presents at the dining table were now looking at her.
She took a sip of her tea and responded accordantly while smiling at her.
'I'm fine, you don't need to worry. I just don't have an appetite this morning. Therefore mother, I would like to return to my chamber.'
'You are excused.'
<< She didn't even turn her head to look at me. I guess me sitting here with them at the table or not, doesn't matter to her. >>
After her mother's confirmation, Verity stood up and was going to leave the hall without looking back.
'Well, then I will not disturb your conversation anymore. I will be going now.
Seeing that she was leaving the duchess resumed her talk with Adella and Clarissa again.
'Take care, big sister Verity.'
A cute brightly voice said after her. Verity turn her head and thanked her.
<< Only Charlotte wants to interact with me. I should find some nice presents for her soon to surprise her. >>
Out of the dining hall Verity has notice that Anna, her maid didn't come to attend to her.
<< Weird. Since yesterday afternoon Anna haven't come to serve her, I hope nothing happened to her. >>
'I haven't see Anna lately, do you know where she is?'
'I was told that Anna took a sick leave this morning, my lady.'
'I understand. You can return to your duties.'
'Yes, if you want something, please ask, my lady. I shall excused myself.'