Guide: `Enerson
Bright light struck the eyes. Veronica's sleep was buried in a blanket.
"Damn, what time is it?" She muttered annoyingly.
"Early, you can still sleep."
The girl looked out of her blanket, looking at the source of an unusual sound. Leon stood in front of the mirror and buttoned his black shirt. It had completely slipped her mind. She's married, but the pleasant pain in the lower abdomen was coming back to reality.
"How are you? Everything's okay?"
Veronica didn't understand his concern, preferring to ignore. She burrowed back under the blanket and rolled over when there was a knock on the door.
"Milady, this is Deya. Are you awake? The church doctors have arrived."
The girl cursed under the blanket. The guy frowned, but moved toward the door.
"Should I let them in or do you need to get dressed?"
"Don't care." She knew it would happen, but it still pissed her off. "Let them come in."
Behind the door was Veronica's maid in her usual black long closed dress, with two clerics behind her in white robes. One girl is younger, and the other is an old woman.
"Good morning, Lord Kir-Erdey. We apologize for disturbing you so early, but we must make sure of the health of Madam Veronica." When she had bowed, the woman of age began to speak monotonously.
"Good morning. Thank you for coming this way early in the morning. You can come in. Shall I go out?"
"We well be very grateful if it doesn't bother you, Lord."
Leon stayed behind the door.
"Good morning, Madam Veronica. You were aware of the purpose of our visit?"
"Sure." Finally she showed her face from under the blankets. "But do you really check every girl from great families?" With a note of mistrust and a sneer, she said.
"That is our duty, Madam. So we apologize in advance for the discomfort caused. Bend your legs and spread out of the width, please. "
Dressed in one of her favorite dresses, Veronica took a leisurely walk through the halls of the estate. It was much smaller than the Rosenblatt family demesne, but much more homely. Warm walls, pleasant paintings, vibrant flowers. The pleasant sunlight penetrated through the polished windows, leaving a strip of light on the stone floor. It was led to the dining room. The first time she had eaten in a group of people. Veronica always ate in her room alone. Food never seemed to be anything special. From the tasteless and homogeneous mixture that was brought to her from the kitchen, she turned.
"Ah... What will surprise her Kir-Erdey family?" Veronica thought and finally entered the spacious light room.
She was the last person waiting for dinner. Three people sat at a long table. The main seat and the right were empty. On the left side, in a dress with a black lace and a straight back, sat a woman. She looked so young that she could easily be the eldest daughter of this family. The woman gave Veronica a cold, fleeting look. Next to her is Leon, and opposite a young smiling girl who looks no older than Veronica. Her reddish-red hair was flat on her back, glistening into the light. She smiled widely as she greeted the new family member.
"Good morning, Madam Veronica! Have you slept well in your new place?"
"Good morning. Call me milady, please. I'm a little uncomfortable being called Madam. There are very soft beds here. Thank you for your concern, lady...?" She curled her eyebrow, asking questions, as she came to her place beside the man
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't introduce myself! " Girl jumped up and bowed. "Bella Kir-Erdey, wife of the eldest son of this family, Denis Kir-Erdey. I'm the second daughter of a small Enerson family from the west.
"Enerson?" - The girl descended next to the guy, giving him a light smile. "I think I heard about your family. Do you not supply medicinal herbs and spices for the Aristophan family?"
"Gosh!" - she said, her mouth covered with surprise. "You are well informed! It's an honor for me. "
Veronica smiled softly at her. A nice girl. Plates of food appeared before them. On the silver round saucer was a red fish with bean sprouts and salad. In the glass of the maid poured ordinary water. When the other brought red meat with crispy crust and fragrant sauce, she was facing the same familiar fish. The girl would not be surprised if the fish was completely unseasoned.
"Your family's chef kindly informed us about the milady's diet." Calmly, but with notes of gloating the woman said that she sat on the other side from Leon. "No heavy, fat and spicy food. Also alcohol and flour." Laughter. "It looks like you're sick, milady."
The atmosphere at the table has changed. Leon, who was sitting in between, focused on the plate, making out to be completely absorbed by the food.
"Mother was so worried about me, thanks. I lead a healthy lifestyle, so I prefer such food."
"Really?" She shuddered with disgust when she heard "mother". "Then enjoy your meal, milady."
"Milady, do you have plans?" Bella asked after a while of uncomfortable silence when it was time for tea.
"Mmm..." She said thoughtfully, holding a fragrant cup to her mouth. "I want to have a tea party soon. It would be nice to meet all the ladies in the area. If your mother, of course, allows. "
"Ha...? Meet? Oh, right! I know you've never been to a social event. What's the reason? I don't think it's just your character or emotional state." The woman was not afraid to speak with a snarky expression. "
"Ha? She's funny!" Thought Veronica of the woman's behavior. With every word she expressed her displeasure and dislike for Veronica.
"There is no one more caring than Mother. I'm so touched! Take care of me in the future, mother."
"What...?" A woman gave a displeased grin, and flashed out. "You may be from one of the great family, but I have no wish to lead for you! And stop calling me mother!" She jumped up, barely restraining her anger. "What insolence and rudeness! Shouldn't you be kind to us? We have taken into our family a disobedient and rude girl like you. Were you raised by animals? Although..." On her face appeared a sneer grin. "If no one is involved in raising, then it's hard to become a normal person, right?"
"Mother." Said Leon calmly. "How can you say that? It's not the time to be allowed to say such things. Moreover, Veronica is now part of our family."
"All right." Veronica put in her word without a bit of anger. "Old minds find it hard to accept change in society, so let mother tell me right now, rather than slander behind my back. "
The woman was even more red with anger. She threw off her chair and left the dining room.
Pure victory.
"Don't you think you were a little bit harsh? I'm not condoning the mother's behavior, but neither should you. "
"Do your business, dear." She continued to enjoy her tea while not a drop of tea has yet been in anyone's throat.
The boy sighed. He ran his hair and stood up, tightening his jacket.
"You can organize a tea party. Bella will help you." He left the dinner room after giving the girl a fleeting glance.
"Will you help me organize the tea party? I don't know much about this sort of thing." She asked the girl opposite.
Her eyes immediately shone. A light blush appeared on her cheeks.
"Of course!"
Interesting fact unrelated to story: Veronica had an extraordinary mind, so she learned to read quite early, at the age of 3. By the age of 15, she had read the entire library on the estate, which contained about 3,000 copies. (up to 5 books per week)