"You may have learned to speak up in your father's house, but here... is the Empire, silver-haired are behind their husband's shadow, I suggest you do that too, so sit down you're embarrassing me," he said, darting his eyes away from me.
I let out a gasp at his reply.
"It seems you have a lot to learn, Lady Sylvia," Dalton said, smirking in satisfaction.
My eyes landed on him and the other men who stared at me including the silver-haireds, but Danette gave me a look of pity and worry.
I turned back to Cedric giving him a harsh look, I was about to form the words to come back at him but the door barge opened and a woman walked in.
She was elderly, but with some young features to her look, her silver hair packed wonderfully in waves and let down at the back, she wore all back clothing and then it struck me.
"Cedric honey," she said walking to his seat.
"I suppose the banquet should be over by now," she said smiling at the guests but then her eyes landed on me standing and wondered why everywhere was tense.
"Of course Mrs. Hartford, Cedric has a wedding night to pay attention to," James said amused.
Her eyes avert away from me.
"Courtesy James," Lawrence said, elbowing him.
The men rose to their feet, along with their wives.
"Congratulations once again to your wedding, Cedric," Lawrence said, he eyed me a bit as they left one by one.
Danette came to me.
"Congratulations Lady Sylvia, peace to your home," she said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I figured this was traditional. She left.
Camille came forth, she reached for my cheeks.
"I hope you last long enough," she said, kissing my cheek, I shivered as she pulled away. What was her deal? It was like she had something against me when we were both silver-haired, but then I figured that moment, not all silver-haired get along.
"Lady Sylvia".
My eyes drift to Cedric's mother, I couldn't tell if she liked me or not, it was still a mystery, her look was not something I was pleased with, but she was silver-haired like me, why the non-reading expression. Until I thought back to Camille. Oh great!
"Let the servants prepare you for this evening" the moment she said those words, the doors barged open and two maids walked in and stood behind me ready to lead me out.
"Mrs. Hartford" I began but she cut me off.
"Oh no dear you're my daughter-in-law, mother is the right phrase you use" she questioned.
My mouth shut. It felt odd, I never knew what it meant to have a mother, let alone call one and now I was given one I never knew. I bit my lip slightly.
"Now don't protest and do as you're told. Off you go dear, you will be called later" she said.
I hesitated a bit before turning as the maids led me out. I turned a bit eyeing Cedric who was still seated calmly, I tore my eyes away in anger.
☆☆☆
Within the Castle was enormous and broad that I could get lost just by exploring. My eyes lingered everywhere inside, it was breathtaking, I was actually in a castle, I never thought I would have the luxury of being in one, this was all too new to me, this was my life now, I wondered when I would ever get used to it. Until I remembered tonight, I gulped.
I will be sharing a room with that man, not just that, the bed also, that thought made me shiver. I just followed the maids blindly as they led me to a large door and opened it. All the doors in this castle were insanely tall, another thing to get used to.
My eyes lands on another maid inside like she was waiting for me, the other maids went outside and shut the door, she turned, it was the same girl who held flowers for me, that told me I had to move, she was dressed in a yellow straight gown, her hair packed in two buns with a yellow ribbon making her look cute, I noticed the design and color of her gown were different from the other maids that lead me here, hers were a lemon yellow well ironed and printed, the others were flaxen yellow, I figured the color has to do with rank too.
"My name is Olivia Neville, starting today I will be your personal maid," she said, going on her knees as she bowed.
"No no no, you don't have to do that," I said, placing a hand on her shoulder, using the other to help her up. I didn't like the idea of her bowing to me, yet alone kneeling. Looking at her she seemed nice and I knew we would be friends, it was just a gut feeling.
"But my Lady" she began, hanging her head down.
"You're my personal maid right," I said.
She nods.
"So I say no need for courtesy" I add.
Her head shot up to meet my gaze.
"But it's against the rules"
"Then don't when it's just us" I urged.
She opened her mouth to protest.
"It's good to have someone," I said softly as my face was saddened instantly about the thought of being alone.
"I will always be here for you my Lady" she assured me.
I smiled at her comfort words, although I knew it was her duty, I also kinda felt it was from her heart.
"Thank you, Olivia," I said turning to face the window, the wind came in as the curtains danced around.
The idea of the wedding night came to me once again, I couldn't bear it any longer.
"I can't go through with this wedding night," I said shakily.
"You have to my lady you can't defile the house you're married into," Olivia said, scared of the outcome.
"He's so cold, unspoken, distant, he's more of a wall than a person, he dared insult my Papa," I said as anger boiled in me once again.
I turned to her.
"There's no way I'm giving my innocence to that hell of a man" I spat.
Olivia gasped and held my hand.
"Please my Lady, you have to follow the rules or you will be punished".
"To hell with the rules" I looked away.
"You're in the Empire now, the silver-haired are kept like a possession in the household, nothing you say will ever matter," she said.
A tear fell from my eyes, I sobbed as they kept falling.
"I'm sorry my Lady, all I can do is get you ready," Olivia said sadly.
I face her with bloodshot eyes.
☆☆☆
In the bathwater, there were rose petals that gave a wonderful fragrance, the bathing platform was a circle in shape and wide. Other servants poured some warm water inside. I was just in the bath like a statue, my whole body was paralyzed, I was both scared and angry. Olivia came behind me, holding a jar.
"My Lady," she said but I didn't say a word. She knew how I was feeling. Her face dropped as she poured the water from the jar on my head to wash my hair.