Ashley, Paisley's mother, had formerly been a commoner without any last name.
After father's affair with her had blown up, he decided to finally be an honourable man, so he officially wedded her. Hence, making her the official mistress of the Marquis, Ashley Deor.
She looked exactly as one would picture a seductress in their head. Red full lips. Slanted eyes. A voluptuous figure. Her beauty was bold and could easily capture the attention of any man. But above all, the way she carried herself could easily bring a man to worship at her feet. Father had been one of her victims. Well, at least for some time.
As expected, with time, he got bored of her and cast her aside to the mansion's annex. He did still provide for her financial needs. But the the attention and desire he had expressed for her, had dwindled away with time. As they say, love is like a candle's light. It can glow brightly but easily be put off by the slightest wind.
That is why I don't plan to keep my position as Empress just with the help of Nathan's love. Who knows when his heart could change? I had plans to secure my status.
"I have to say, congratulations on your wedding"
Ashley's words made me halt my thoughts. I studied her expression closely and searched for signs of sarcasm.
"Thank you, for your well wishes"
Deciding to be friendly for now, I responded with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.
Living in this world, I had become successful with one simple rule; There is no permanent friend nor permanent enemy — only permanent interest. Unless necessary, there was no need to make whimsical enemies.
I had no animosity towards Ashley who was my father's mistress. Her fight was against my mother, and I believed mother was a capable Marchioness, able to fend off any threat the mistress posed.
My fight was with higher forces. Nevertheless, I would always keep my guard up against Ashley who talked and acted like a cunning snake by nature.
"I wonder what you've been up to these ladies"
Quickly, I shifted the conversation to topics concerning her. I was truly curious about her activities in the annex.
"Nothing really. I've just been resting. An awful sickness had overcome me" She said.
"That's horrible. I had no idea. But why didn't you summon any doctors?"
The sickness she spoke about was probably a lie, so my question made it evident to her that she was being watched and I was aware of her dishonesty.
Henry closely monitored her and no illness was discovered. Our maids watching her, had instead reported that she was constantly locking herself up in her room. It was just recently that we discovered she was exchanging letters and giving donations to a guild of magic. This was what had piqued my interest in what story she'd relay.
"I took some natural herbs. I didn't want to bother the household by bringing in doctors"
She responded to my question with a smile that would make you think she was so good natured. Keeping up an innocent facade was my act.....tsk, what a copycat. Who was this ill-tempered woman, trying to fool?
With an innocent tilt of my head, I spoke sarcastically. "The household has been providing for your luxuries, so how could the health of the Madam be a bother?"
Patiently, I waited for her act to crack. For I had seen her slip up several times in the past. Even if she did appear more dignified than when we last met, one's inherent nature couldn't be changed in a measly six months.
It was then that I saw her eyes bend in displeasure. The smile that had played on her lips become small. From her lap, she picked up her yellow fan then opened it, covering the lower half of her face.
"Haha. I can see you are a really caring person, Lady Adrianna. You seem to care for me more than how you concern yourself with Jessica" She faked a laugh, fluttering the fan slowly. "Even Paisley didn't ask about my health with such fervor. The child seemed a bit indifferent to me as of late"
"Oh don't mind Paisley. She was just probably experiencing the fierceness of love. You above all people should know how exciting an affair can be...."
My words trailed off, accompanied by a chuckle and a smile that didn't extend beyond my lips, my eyes conveying a mocking narrative.
Never would I allow someone else have the last witty remark. If I were with a fan, I too would have covered my face slyly. Then again, it was nice intimidating an opponent with a proud smirk.
We intensely stared down at each other. As if it were a contest, we both waited for the other to flicker in their gaze.
As expected, she was the first person to falter, and with a flick of her fan over her face, she smoothly changed the subject.
"Jessica must be delighted to have her daughter marry the Duke of the South. If only Paisley was able to catch the eye of such a fine suitor"
From her words you'd think she was talking about me with envy, but her tone displayed a different emotion. She seemed rather pleased.
'Strange...'
I spoke, with my arms now crossed. "She's already done it before, so I'm sure it won't be a challenge again. Although this time, I hope it isn't someone else's fiance"
I wanted to rid the sound of glee in her voice. Her intentions were not clear, so I wanted to make them so.
Twap. With force, she reeled her fan shut and set it down on her lap. A small frown appeared on her face. But she tried to control her expression, continuing the banter-like conversation.
"Enough of Paisley. Let's talk about you"
I rose an eyebrow, questioning. "What is there to discuss, concerning me?"
"Quite a lot. But first...." She flashed me a professional smile, raising her head high. "I'd like to express how helpful I'll be to you, with your future plans"
"What plans?"
"Oh my we've arrived"
An answer wasn't given to my question, as the carriage had stopped moving and was opened by the coachman. I gave Ashley one final look over my shoulder as I exited the carriage. She only smiled at me, amusement dancing in her eyes.
Turning forward, I realized the carriage had just stopped in front of the entrance of a huge white structure. It looked somewhat like an opera house because of the big blue pillars supporting the building. But I knew all the big opera houses in the South and I was not familiar with this location.
The guards, who I recognized as Deor knights, followed me from a distance. I moved quickly so I'd lose them in the reception area.
Wedding music was already being played by an orchestra. The venue was packed with guests dressed up for a wedding. Being a socialite, I could recognize a lot the faces of majority of Southern nobles. All eyes turned to me as I passed the entrance and stepped into the hall.
As I was about to attempt to lose the guards trailing behind me, I heard my name being called out hurriedly.
"Adria! My goodness!"
Frantically running to me, was my own mother who I hadn't seen for two days now. For a moment, something inside me felt at ease. At the back of my mind, I had been worried about my people who mysteriously disappeared. Seeing my mother rush towards me gave me a sense of comfort. Hopefully, no one was hurt.
Her red hair fluttered as she practically ran towards me, with Hazel following closely behind her.
No matter the situation, as Marchioness, mother had to uphold an image of elegance and I reminded her of it, in our frenzied reunion.
"Mother, the nobles are watching"
Coming close to mother I realized she looked haggard and much leaner than I had last seen her. It was only on few occasions that I saw my headstrong mother look so pallid.
She reached out, and cupped my cheeks gently.
"Oh my. Adria, you're safe" She breathed a sigh of relief and looked at me carefully. "Where did you go? Ah, this is not the time. Come with me"
Quickly, she pulled me along with her, and a few moments later, we were away from the noble's and guards in the hall and moving towards a private room. It was then that I recognized the venue at which we were at.
'The old Southern temple....'
When I was younger, I had ventured here a few times as plot from the novel had led me to believe it had an importance. In the end, it all turned out to be a ruse. The old temple didn't look as dilapidated as it did in the past, so it had made me not to recognize the place.
On my wrist, secretly, the blue magic stone was tied with a chain. I felt the gem radiate and begin to vibrate for a brief moment.
"...!"
Then it stopped.
Alarmed, I clutched my wrist subconsciously. The heat from the stone wasn't just my imagination, the area was so hot as if almost burning.
Though I tried to manage my expression, mother, who had just pulled me into a room, asked with concern. "Are you alright? You look so shaken"
"I'm quite alright. You should know your daughter isn't weak"
I decided to focus on my plan today. The bottle of poison laid in a pocket I had crafted out in my gown, waiting to be used. I figured a wedding couldn't be held when there was no groom. However, seeing mother, I realized the wedding could be cancelled without much risks.
Until married, noble ladies were still considered subject to their family's orders. As my second guardian, according to the law, if mother doesn't give her assent to the marriage, I could refuse the union with more ease. No longer could I be forced to say 'I do' when I didn't wish to. Only when both guardians agreed to their daughter's marriage, could a priest join a woman to a man, without the lady's agreement.
Even if a lady were to run away, the wedding service could be conducted in her absence. Thus, becoming someone's legal wife even if she were to elope with her beloved knight. This goes to show, no matter how much the Empire's policies aimed to be undiscriminating against gender, all the laws were yet to accommodate the female's unlimited rights.
"Mother, I need your help to cancel this wedding"
I finally opened my mouth after deciding. Mother sat down on the peach colored chair, opposite to me, as Hazel entered and closed the door behind her.
"I didn't know what I'd do if he didn't keep his word"
Mother muttered, still recollecting herself.
Hazel tapped her on the shoulder and beckoned that she listened to me. She smiled weakly and asked for my understanding.
"Where are Harper and Henry?"
I asked Hazel, about her children who I hadn't seen either.
With a loud sigh, she shook her head tiredly then said. "Truly, I have not a single clue. They both disappeared after the chaotic breakfast yesterday"
"What exactly happened?" I asked because I didn't have a single clue about what had initiated the sudden turn of events.
"That bastard happened" This time, mother answered. Finally, she was looking straight at me with the ferocious intensity that I was familiar with. "I'm just glad he kept his word"
"Who?"
"Your father"
I paused. Music from the nearby hall began to play. Mother had to put together a document to show the priests, in order to prevent the wedding from taking place.
"Kept his word for what?"
Mother also paused for a moment, listening to the gentle music from the closed door.
"It's a long story. Let's say it's a devil's deal"
"Okay. I understand. I'll listen later. Right now, our first priority is cancelling this wedding"
"But Adri-
It was time for us to act fast. I turned to Hazel who stood near the door.
"Hazel, please could you bring ink and parchment?"
"The thing is-
Preventing the wedding like this, was better than to risk getting into a scandal or even getting caught.
"Mother, do you happen to have the Marchioness' seal on you? That would be great"
"Adria!"
Mother banged her hand against the table, calling out to me loudly. It was then I turned back to her and saw how exasperated she was. I had thought she was merely feeling anxious from not comprehending the sudden situation.
But that wasn't it.
"Yes mother? Do you have any other way to stop this wedding?"
Maybe that was it. Maybe she had another plan. Of course she did. My mother was Jessica Deor, a former fearless knight who had now a relentless, scheming and caring parent. She would always benefit from what was in my best interest.
Then why did she look guilty?
Only after a heavy silence settled in the room for a moment, mother closed her eyes, then opened them with a sigh.
"I've been trying to say the wedding can't be cancelled"
"What? Why?"
The fire which I had said burned intensely in my mother's eyes, was suddenly extinguished. It seemed the fearless mother who I respected, had vanished within a mere day. No longer could she look me in the eye.
"You see....I...
"You what, mother?"
My tone now had an edge to it, as the suspense became unbearable. And the ominous feeling I had, didn't help in quelling my rising annoyance.
I could feel a tremble in my fingers as mother examined my expression, before finally saying.
"I'm sorry Adria...I already gave my official agreement to your wedding to Ronald"