Elysia paced back and forth within the vast room,while unconsciously bitting her nails.
suddenly,The door swung open with a loud bang,it was her Father...Fredrick Meagher. The Earl of dyre.The capital city of Castile.
Ellie shook slightly because of the shock.
"How many times have I told you to stop that horrendous habit?".He asked with a tinge of annoyance.
Ellie lowered her eyes to stare at the polished floor.she couldn't face this man.Throughout her stay with the Meagher family,she had always feared and tried to stay away from her father because of how strict he was with her, always ready to find fault in her.
she finally answered him.
"I...I am sorry".she stuttered.
she closed her eyes in fear,she knew how much her father hated it, even more than the nail biting.
"Again with this nonsense,I have to arrange a speech therapy for you!".
she flinched at his harsh tone.
she couldn't say a word in fear of the stutter.It usually didn't happen,only when she was really nervous and it had become apart of her while growing with this family.
"what's the issue again,dear?".It was the lady of the house,the wife of Fredrick Meagher.Dinah Meagher.
"I thought I spoke to you about the speech therapist earlier this week".
"oh dear,seems I forgot.I'm very sorry dear,it's the upcoming ball that got me distracted".With those words she sent a lowly glance towards Ellie and said."the one Clarie is going for".
The Earl settled at the sound of his daughter.
"Alright".He looked at his other daughter.
"You may leave".
Offering a slight bow, Ellie rushed out.
Walking up the stairs,she met a familiar face at the side of the corridor upstairs.
Her glassy blue eyes brightened up. It was her half brother .Aston Meagher.
The one person that made her living better in this mansion.
"Aston".She called.
He paused in his steps and turned to face her.
"Ellie".he acknowledged her with a smile that reached his eyes.
she walked up closer to him.
"Are you done with your work?".She asked. because lately he had been busy with work as the upcoming Earl as he was the eldest child and only son.
"Been busy for hours,but yes".
His sharp brown eyes stared at her for a while before saying."There's a ball tonight....at the Royal castle".
Her eyes lowered.
"I heard".
"I'm invited...Clarie too,you'll come right?".
"I...I'm not sure I can".
He tilted his head."why".
Before she could answer,an arrogant voice spoke.
"she can't, mother wants I to go so i can find a suitor... preferably the king".
Aston rolled his eyes at his haughty sister's big dreams.
Where did she even appear from?
"so,what does it have to do with her?".He questioned his sister knowing exactly why.
But Clarice would never admit that it was because Ellie was more beautiful than her and they didn't want her to steal the attention from clarice.
"You should ask mother".She finally answered knowing her mother would take care of it.
His eyes narrowed at his sister's words.
"I'm taking her with me".He declared in a tone that left no room for arguments.
Clarice humphed and walked away.
Turning to Ellie,he gave her a bright smile.
"Get ready Ellie.Tonight,we are going for the king's ball".
She just gave a simple nod .Wondering why he always defended her. Admist the truth,he never cared.
He always treated her like a blood sister.
The truth was that Dinah wasn't her mother.
she was an illegitimate daughter born outside marriage to another lady whom was dead now.
Ellie had remembered being with her mother during her early childhood,till she was found dead one late evening.
Her father who never had knowledge of her was informed about the lady the day if her death and had found the child.
He couldn't have left her homeless.She was still his blood and he decided to take her in. Dinah and Clarice had always been hostile towards her.But right from the start, Aston had cared for her as an elder brother should.
As a child, loosing her mother was hard for her, having no one in her life except him that always stood for her,it brought a small smile to her lips.
"Thank you".She whispered.