"Veronica, how many times should I remind you that you don't have to call me with such formality? We are friends, just call me by name."
"It's hard to do that, I have gotten used to it. But I will try to get used to calling you by your name, Sylvia." Countess Holmes's attentions now focus on me. The last time I saw her, which is in the past, she has a look of hatred and disgust toward me. I can't blame her for having such feelings toward me, I did ruin her daughter. Her only child. However, don't worry Countess, I will not make the same decision again.
Begging for forgiveness is impossible now, but I will show through my actions that everything is not going to be the same as before.
"It's nice to finally meet you, Lady Andrea." She gave me a warm smile. It's quite awkward to receive such a smile when I'm the only one who remembers my sin.
"It's nice to finally meet you too, Countess." I introduced myself formally. Thankfully, I still remember how to show formal etiquette. The countess even smiled brightly at how gracefully showed her my etiquette.
"Oh my, you resemble your mother more than I thought. Have you been taking lessons already?" She asked.
"I have not, but I am trying to learn on my own." Soon, there will be someone who will be assigned to teach me and when that time comes and with my knowledge of the past, it's going to be smooth sailing for me.
"Your daughter is quite impressive, Sylvia."
"Tell me about it, sometimes she is too mature for her age. It worries me. I want her to be a child for as long as she can be."
Mother, I understand what you mean, but it's hard to act like a child when I'm mentally not.
"I understand, my daughter, all she does is want to learn how to read. Ever since we had someone to teach her how to read, she could not take her eyes off the books." Both my mother and the countess are shaking theirs. For some reason, this seems to be their biggest problem.
"Oh well, speaking of your daughter, where is she?" My mother asked.
"She's at the garden where everyone is, and we should probably head there now. We've been talking to her for a while. Everyone's waiting for us."
When we arrived at the garden, my mother told me to go to where the other children are and make friends with them. I have no intention of making friends with anyone here. The only reason that I came is that I want to prevent that incident to happen.
Seeing that Valerie is not around, I know exactly where she is right now. As I get nearer to where is, I heard two other girls saying such insulting words.
"Hmph! Just because you are the Countess' daughter that does not mean you're better than us!"
"To think my mother wants me to be friends with you, I don't wanna be friends with someone like you!"
I know the reason they say that. Valarie is the type who only focuses on books and she does not pay much attention to her surroundings. When she is currently reading a book, she does not intentionally ignore those who are talking to her. If she knew, she, of course, pays attention to them, but Valeries is going to be Valerie. Only pays attention to the book in front of her.
"She is better than you guys," I said. Both of these children jumped. Seems likes I startled them. "Her noble standing is higher than both of you combined."
These two are daughters of a baron. They should feel lucky enough that their mother brought them along to the Countess' tea party. For them to act like this in the estate that they don't belong is a disrespect to the Countess, especially towards Valerie.
"Who are you?" One of them asked. Ah, I forgot. They have not been taught what family should be wary of. For now, I will let it slide that they don't know me, but I should probably teach them a lesson for disrespecting Valerie on her estate.
"I am someone you don't deserve to know. A child of a baron doesn't have the luxury to get to know me." Acting like this once in a while can be advantageous for me, especially in this kind of situation. "Come on, Valerie, let's go somewhere else."
I reached out for her hands and dragged her away from those two. The first part of the crisis is over.
Back then, in that scenario, I joined those two against Valerie. In my eyes, Valerie was an easy target and the right target to show off how powerful my standing is as the Duke's daughter. Back then, no one dragged Valerie away like how I'm doing right now, instead, she ran away from us crying.
Once we arrived where everyone else is gathered. Valeries said to me, "Thank you…"
I stared at her. She is such a shy girl, no wonder I saw her as an easy target back then. Oh well, it will be different this time. I will not let you step on that same path again.
"You're welcome. But you should really learn how to defend yourself from them, especially since you are part of the Holmes family. The Count and Countess Holmes are well-respected in our society. You must show them that your name is not just on paper."
"Where can I even learn that?" She looks like a lost puppy staring right at me.
"No one will be able to teach you that. You need to learn how to be confident in yourself on your own." To some, I guess the first step to having confidence must be hard. Personally, I think the first step to building self-confidence is the intention of wanting it to begin with.
Valerie stared at me and said nothing. Looking at her face this close, I just realize how her tiny little face makes her look so cute. No wonder the older ladies that came here adore her.
A few minutes later, the two girls earlier finally showed themselves. If my memory serves me right one of them will pick up the teapot on the table. Although I don't remember who exactly picked up that teapot, I knew I was the one who personally poured that scalding tea into Valerie's face.
Valerie has very sensitive skin, which is why she is very well protected by her household. In the past, when I poured that tea on her face, it left a mark. It healed over the years, and slowly faded away, but before it can be fully healed, she took her own life. The insults, people making fun of her, and those negative things took enough damage in her heart that she may have thought to end her life so that she don't have to hear more of it.
Those two girls were the ones who suggested to me to pour the on Valerie to teach her a lesson. They wanted to do it themselves, but I said that I should be the one to teach Valerie. At that time, I wanted to show dominance and that no one can ever cross paths with me and get away.