The sound of heels clicked against the steps. I reflexively turned around and saw Olivia coming downstairs.
She looked over from Thomas then glared vehemently at me. When Thomas turned around to her, she tried to hide her expression.
I didn't spare Olivia any of my time and moved out of the room, strutting towards the garden.
'Everybody just wants my attention....I need a drink'
***
"Hi, sir Thomas"
Since Olivia was Thomas Farret's fiancé she had the right to call him informally. He didn't reply immediately because he had turned around and was gazing at Adrianna's exiting figure.
"Sir Thomas!" Olivia once again called his attention. A hint of irritation laced in her voice.
Thomas Farret then turned around to face her.
"Hello Lady Olivia" His voice held only mannerism and no affection of any sort. His greeting even seemed curt and a bit harsh.
It was because he had been waiting for Olivia for a very long time. Seeing her heavy appearance of frills, jewels and makeup he now knew why she took so long.
"Sir Thomas, is anything wrong?" Olivia asked innocently.
Olivia thought that his unkind tone was a result of talking to Adrianna! Maybe she had said something about her.
"Oh, no nothing. I just came to tell you that I'll be busy this afternoon. In fact, I need to be in a meeting in the next twenty minutes"
"W-what?"
"I apologize. But maybe I would have been able to finish the meeting early if you have come down to meet me earlier"
Olivia clenched her fists in anger. Her body was shaking. But she still struggled to keep up the innocent facade.
"Alright"
With that, Thomas Farret began to leave. Olivia showed him out and watched his carriage leave.
While seeing the carriage drive away, her nails dug into her palms, almost enough to make them bleed.
Olivia stomped up the stairs then went back to her room.
"How was it lady?"
The maids wanted to nurture Olivia's bright mood. Whenever she spoke about her time with Count Farret she tended to be bearable.
Olivia sharply turned to the maid who asked her the question then raised her hand to deliver a painful slap.
Twak!
All the other maids recoiled seeing their lady turn into her abusive self.
"Ahhhh!" Olivia shouted like a mad woman and pushed down all the jewelery on her dresser.
She flung around everything that got into her hold. Pouncing on a maid, she scratched the girls face while laughing.
"How was it? Well it wasn't fine! That b*tch Adrianna made my dear Thomas to leave!"
After causing enough damage to the maids she picked up her hairbrush and flung it at the mirror.
The mirror cracked and some shards flew unto the ground.
She saw her tattered reflection in the cracked mirror. Tears ran down her face, ruining the carefully put on mascara.
Standing in front of the mirror, touching the cracked glass, she felt anger. She didn't see fault in her actions that made Thomas Farret it wait, but instead blamed Adrianna for it all
She had made a plan with Paisley, to embarrass Adrianna today at lunch, but with the absence of Thomas Farret it would not work out.
'But very soon Adrianna, I'll destroy you!'
Why did Olivia hate Adrianna so much?
Well it was all because of the past.
This burning hatred had been ignited right from a tender age.
Recalling a not so distant memory, Olivia but her lip in anger.
***
That morning went on normally for me then afternoon came. It was time for the lunch prepared for the guests.
Olivia did not come down and sent a servant to explain that she was sick. I doubted that to be the truth since it was only after Thomas Farret left that she became so, but then I realized that maybe she was talking about lovesickness.
Anyways, mother was out and would not attend the lunch. I of course knew she did it on purpose, but who was going to point that out?
Certainly not Paisley who was overjoyed and excited for Ronald's first formal visit to the Deor mansion. Well his first formal visit as her lover.
I stood by my window and saw the carriage — bearing the symbol of the Belv family, wheel into the parking area.
The moment the person stepped out, I saw Paisley run up to him, in a hug.
'Tsk, showing off your love so shamelessly when you're a and a second woman that received lots of help from me. But they both think nothing of me. They don't see me as a threat at all'
If I had not raised Paisley and taken care of her, I wouldn't have really cared if she snatched Ronald away.
If I had not helped Ronald with advice for business and other areas, which he used to the fullest, I wouldn't have really cared.
It takes some time to pass some qualifications, before you can make me care about something.
First of all, betray me. Secondly, take what belongs to me rudely. Third, don't apologize. And fourth, be an annoying person.
Ronald and Paisley pass all the necessary qualifications to make me care or rather, make me angry.
I smirked as I watched the two walking into the mansion.
"Harper, Henry, I hope what I asked for was prepared"
"Yep!"
"Lady Paisley didn't seem to notice"
"Very well"
One last time before leaving, I looked at my reflection in the mirror. A black lace gown without much designs. My hair done into an updo. The makeup I wore had a dark theme.
'A villainess has to look good while being evil' I thought after I admired my beautiful image.
I walked through the hallways, then downstairs and into the dining room were every one was seated.
Everyone turned to look at me because I was the last person to arrive. I walked towards a chair gently but with lots of confidence.
Ronald seemed surprised by the aura I emitted. He looked over the clothes that I was wearing. Quite different from my usual style.
"Sister! You're late!"
Paisley was the first person to speak up. She spoke to me in some kind of scolding tone.
I raised an eyebrow at her and only said. "Really? I didn't know"
The servants standing by all watched the upcoming drama. Most of them gulped or held their breath.
My next actions seemed to shock everybody. I pulled the chair that was located at the head of the table and sat on it.
The chair at the head of the table had a special decoration and had the sign of the Deor family. This special chair at the head of the table was meant for the head of the Deor family.
In father's absence, mother would sit here for meals, and now in her absence, I sat on the chair meant for the head of the family.
"Serve the food" I ordered.
The servants immediately obeyed my command and sprung into action. Ronald, Paisley and Cardin all looked at their quick movements in slight surprise.
Their expressions seem to say 'why did they obediently follow her command?'
Though Cardin was the acclaimed successor of the Deor family, he wasn't the son of the Marquis and was instead just his nephew. Plus he didn't have any noticeable power inside the house or outside in high society.
But just like I have always said, ever since I became Adrianna I strived to become powerful. Over the years I had captured the servants making them respect me.
It was fairly easy since I had lots of charisma and was the only legitimate child of the Marquis.
Cardin's eyes scanned my image sitting on the chair meant for the head of the family. But he remained silent and only continued looking at me.
He was sitting on my left side, with Paisley next to him, and Ronald next to hher
"Sister! That chair is for father!"
Paisley once again spoke in a scolding tone. As if I was a child she was trying to control.
Instead of a reply, I rolled my eyes in an exaggerated manner then put a hand under my chin and turned to Ronald. I smiled kindly
"Welcome Lord Belv. The Deor family look forward to the development of your relationship with our dear Paisley" My tone was even. I spoke like Paisley's father but there was an underlying tone of sarcasm.
Ronald frowned. He paused his hand that held a fork. "What kind of joke is this Adrianna?"
I too mimicked his frown, on purpose.
"Do I look like I'm joking, Lord Belv? Or is it that, your relationship with Lady Paisley is a joke? And even if your relationship is so, I don't appreciate your act of disrespect. Calling me by first name — as if we are close"
Ronald's frown seemed to deepen. He pushed his chair backward and stood up from the table.
"Adrianna, I'd like to talk to you privately" Ronald said.
I could see the color on Paisley's face drain. She held his hand and exclaimed. "Ronald? You're supposed to talk about our marriage!"
Ronald sharply redrew his hand from her hold and turned to shout. "Leave me! I need to talk about an important matter in private with Adrianna"
Paisley had already turned into a mess of tears. She looked confused and scared.
"Our marriage isn't important?" Paisley asked as she held desperately unto his shirt. She bowed her head in dejection or maybe embarrassment.
I couldn't help but yawn at the conflict between the lovers. Standing up from my chair, I interrupted their little show as I spoke up. "Do you want to speak with me or not, Lord Belv?"
Ronald immediately shook of Paisley who held unto his clothes and ran towards me.
"Y-yes? Yes!"
I walked outside and he followed behind. I was truly intrigued by what the scumbag wanted to say in private.
When I stopped walking, he too halted.
"So?"
"Adrianna why are you behaving like this?"
"Like how?"
"Oh I get it! You're trying to act all rebellious in order to gain my attention. Don't worry, after I thought about it, I realized your really pretty. Maybe even prettier than Paisley. But I'll only keep that in between us"
He whispered the last parts and continued to ramble on, while I only looked at him silently.
He seemed so confident and proud of everything he said.
"I've decided that I'll announce you as my fiance once again. You're better to be the official wife while Paisley can be my mistress. She'll do all the work in bed while you can please me from time to time.
To be truthful I like you a bit, but I like Paisley a whole lot more. But that might change once I know how good you are in bed. I know you're happy and don't know how to thank me.
After all, I'm making you a Duchess that doesn't need to do much work. As a favor, you can advertise my new business. You can start advertising from me from tomorrow. I know, you're honoured"
He then stopped talking and became silent, allowing me to reply.
"Ronald...." My eyes looking at him were gentle. He looked at me in anticipation of my next words.
In a split second my gentle eyes looked at him with disgust. "...Are you crazy?"