Long, black, wavy hair that goes until the hips. A pair of blue eyes and fair skin shone radiantly in the sunlight with anticipation while wearing an emerald green dress with an embroidered bodice and skirt. Elizabeth Harriston stood in front of the mansion, waiting for the carriage of Count Percival Harriston, her father, to arrive.
"Welcome home, Father," Elizabeth greeted as a black-haired man in his fifties, who had the same pair of blue eyes as her, stepped out of the carriage.
He is wearing a black frock coat with an inner printed shirt, a bow tie, and white trousers. At his head is a top hat that he removed upon seeing his daughter.
"My Elizabeth. How have you been?" He said as he hugged her.
"I have been doing fine." They went inside the mansion, where the Countess waited for them.
"Welcome home, dear." She greeted her husband, to which he responded with a nod and looked back again at Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, I know this may be an abrupt question, but is there a man that holds your heart?"
Confused, Elizabeth looked at him and asked, "Why is my father asking something about that?"
The Count smiled and said, "What do you think of Owen Lottway?"
"The young Lord Lottway? I think he is a fine man." Elizabeth replied plainly.
"I see. I see." The Count nodded.
Then the Countess interrupted, "Our dinner is ready."
"Great timing. I'm famished right now, so let's eat. Then we'll talk about this over dinner." And they headed to the dining room.
In the dining room, Count Harriston talked about his business and his journey together with the son of Count Lottway.
"How about marrying him? You are already at a marriageable age, aren't you?" The Count said with a happy smile.
Elizabeth stopped eating while the Countess answered the Count. "Yes, that is a good idea. She is already eighteen. When she debuted at the Imperial Ball, her suitors doubled. Yet she still hasn't chosen anyone."
"They all just admire my beauty, not myself. And father, I already have a man in my heart." Elizabeth stated. The Countess was shocked while the Count looked at her with anticipation.
"Oh! Really? Who is he?" The Count asked with a smile and a heavy tone.
The room fell into silence.
"Who is he?" The Count asked again with an impatient tone. His blazing blue eyes kept on staring at Elizabeth.
"It is you, Father. Didn't I say I would only have you, Father, in my heart?" Elizabeth declared it sweetly. She hid her nervousness with a sweet smile.
The Count laughed with happiness. "My daughter, you scared me there."
"Oh my! She is still saying that after all these years." The Countess faked her laugh.
The room is filled with laughter again. "I know that I always have your heart. But my daughter, you still need to find a man to marry. So, what do you think about Lottway's son?"
Elizabeth smiled and answered, "If it would make you happy, I should meet this fine man you have been talking about first."
The Count's face became delighted upon hearing it as he finished his food.
The Countess glanced over at Elizabeth as she spoke. "Well, how about we invite him sometime so you can meet him?"
Count Harriston nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll write a letter to Count Lottway's son after dinner."
When the dinner ended, the Count wished good night to her daughter and resumed work in his office. Elizabeth goes back to her room with a dark expression.
"Welcome back, My Lady." Her maid greeted her upon entering her room.
"Mia, I need to send a letter to Oliver," Elizabeth said, then the maid rushed to get the quill, envelope, and paper.
After scribbling, she folded the letter, put it on the envelope, and sealed it with wax.
"Deliver this to Oliver as fast as possible. And never tell this to anyone." She said.
The maid nodded and rushed out of the room. Elizabeth was left alone in the room. She walked back and forth while biting her fingernails.
"I don't need that guy. All I need is Oliver." She mumbled as she walked back and forth.
After that dinner, the maids talk about the topic of Lady Elizabeth and Count Lottway's son. The rumors spread like wildfire in the mansion.
"It seems like Lady Elizabeth will get married to the House of Lottway," Mary said while brushing Ashley's hair.
Ashley stayed silent and kept on looking outside the window.
"You don't seem to care, huh? Well, I think it's good that she will get married so that at least your enemies will be lessened by one." Mary said.
Ashley snorted at what Mary said. "As if they will decrease. I bet her children will also treat me like their toy."
"Hey! Stop thinking bad things like that. By the way, I'll have to go to town tomorrow. Is there anything you want me to buy for you?"
Ashley tilted her head as she thought of something. "Then will you buy me something I can eat?"
"You silly girl, there is plenty of food in the kitchen. I shall give you some if you that."
Ashley giggled. "Then will you take me to town too?"
Mary lightened up and then turned to gloom. "You know that we can't do that."
Ashley pouted. "I want to go out too."
Mary hugged Ashley and then patted her back. "You'll be able to go out soon. Don't worry."
The two gazed at the night sky in the small window of the attic room. Another day has passed, and their freedom is still not achieved.
Two days after the dinner, a carriage with the Lottway's double-headed snake crest that tangles in a sword came. A tall, young, tan man with jet-black hair and forest-green eyes stepped out from the carriage.
The Count and Countess welcomed him on the front porch of the mansion.
"Thank you for inviting me today, My Lord, My Lady." He removed his top hat and slightly bowed his head to the Count. Then he turned to the Countess and lightly kissed the back of her hand.
"We're glad you gave us your time even though we know you are busy." The Count said as they walked to the pavilion.
"Of course. I can spare time for you, Lord Harriston. My father wanted to come too. But he can't leave his office right now." The young man responded.
They chatted for a while as the servants served the tea. Moments later, Elizabeth came to the pavilion, wearing an off-shoulder, long sleeve pink dress. Her long, black, wavy hair was tied in a ponytail, revealing her flawless, fair face.
"I'm sorry for being late," Elizabeth apologized when she arrived at the pavilion.
"Elizabeth, my daughter." Called out by the Count.
"Elizabeth, this is Count Fabian Lottway's son, Owen." Introduced by the Count to Elizabeth. She curtsied a little and sat on the chair beside the young Lord.
The Count saw how Owen got dazed when he saw Elizabeth.
"My Elizabeth is too beautiful, I know. But you don't have to gape like that, Owen." The Count laughed while the Countess smiled.
Owen woke up from his daze and turned red due to embarrassment. The chatter and laughter in the pavilion continued until late afternoon.
"Oh my! The sun is setting. Time flies so fast when we are having fun." The Countess said.
"Why don't you join us for dinner?" The Count suggested Owen.
"I want to join you. However, I promised Mother I'd be back for dinner tonight." Owen turns them down politely.
"Oh! What a pity. Then may we invite you for dinner next time?" the Countess asked.
"I'll gladly accept your invitation," Owen answered them with a smile.
As they walked to the carriage porch, Owen keeps glancing at the quiet Elizabeth.
Before ascending his carriage, Owen thanked the Count and Countess again. Then he approached Elizabeth and kissed her hand.
"It was nice meeting you, Lady Elizabeth." He commented after kissing her hand.
She returned a slight smile and replied. "Thank you for coming."
As they eat dinner, the Count and Countess talk about Owen while Elizabeth eats silently. The Count noticed Elizabeth being quiet.
"So, Elizabeth, what do you think about Owen?" he asked.
Elizabeth smiled. "I must say, he is quite a fine man, Father."
The Count nodded happily while the Countess smiled.
Then Elizabeth excused herself. "I am done eating now. I shall take my leave and rest."
"Oh! You must be exhausted. Have a good rest, Elizabeth." The Countess said.
"Good night, Father and Mother." She said with a smile and exited the room.
As soon as she left the dining room, her face turned dark. She immediately goes to her room, where Mia is waiting for her.
"Is there any response from him?" she asked Mia.
The maid shook her head. "It's been two days since I delivered the letter to him, but still no response."
"Did you give it to him directly?" she asked irritably.
"Y-yes, My Lady." The maid stuttered because she was afraid of Elizabeth's temper.
"You can go now." She dismissed Mia.
"B-but..." her maid hesitated.
"I said GO!" she yelled with an angry tone. The maid exited the room while shivering.
Once left alone, Elizabeth sat in her bed and opened the lower drawer on her bedside table. Then she pulled out a necklace with a ring on it.
'Oliver, where the hell are you?' Elizabeth thought to herself.