Surprise guests arrived for dinner. Veronica was never at such a noisy table.In addition to the head of the Enerson family, Grayson, and Bella and Christian, who were already familiar to her, other members of the Enerson family also arrived for dinner. Bella's twin brother - Theodore and Madam Hannah-Jay.
Veronica saw the twins for the first time in her life. They had absolutely identical features, which for a while was very confusing. This amazed Veronica. Seeing such a funny reaction, Bella laughed and explained that they were identical twins. As a child, the girl loved short hairstyles and others often confused them. Naughty child took advantage of this and made fun of not only the servants, but also the parents.
Their mother, Hannah-Jay was a very calm woman, and it seemed like she didn't fit in with the noisy company. Her children had inherited their father's character entirely, but with an incredible appearance: red hair, tiny noses and big eyes with thick eyebrows, they definitely took after her.
"My wife has informed me that her son and his wife have decided to visit you, so they stopped by on their way. I hope our presence won't burden you too much."
The handsome man took off his black coat and greeted the house owner with a light smile. He shook hands with Grayson and, after putting his glasses back on, he exchanging a few more formal phrases with him. They headed for the lunchroom.
The little boy who was holding his mother's skirt, seeing a young man who arrived with the head of the Kir-Erdey family, Hadid Kir-Erdey, only more strongly hid behind the woman. The usual smile and paint evaporated from Bella's radiant face. She looked down and bowed.
"Long time no see, my husband. How was your trip?"
"It's a little worn out, but it was worth it." He didn't look at the girl squatting in front of the baby. "Won't you say hello to your dad?"
"Hello, father." The boy mumbled with slight hesitations.
With a disappointed sigh, he stood up and finally looked at Bella.
"He's already five years old, and he still hasn't learned how to talk? Is he being raised here? Aren't you responsible as a mother?"
"He's afraid of you." She frowned and retorted in a burst of courage. "First, start acting like a father, and then demand appropriate behavior. "
Taking the boy by the small hand, she turned right in front of him and also went into the dining room.
***
Already in the hallway, Veronica caught lively conversations. The legs stopped on their own. She couldn't even take a step.
"My lady, will you go back to the room? I will inform the Viscount that you aren't feeling well." Deya's voice came from the right.
Veronica really wasn't feeling very well. For a long time she lay senseless in bed with her face buried in the pillow, and then soaked in a cool bath. She didn't even understand why the words of this guy, whom she had known for at least two weeks, hurt her so much.
"Milady, I have prepared the dress." Deya said from behind the bathroom screen.
"Good." Her voice sounded strangled and tired.
Splash!
A slightly thin body rose from the water. Her wet long hair covered the scar on her right side a little. She wrapped herself in a towel and sat down in front of the mirror. Deya began drying her hair. His empty gaze was fixed on the small piece of hideous scar that peeked out from under the towel between her breasts.
"Do you think my father recognized me, the child of a woman from a dirty family, just because his blood flows in me?" Veronica asked out of the blue, looking up at Deya through the mirror.
The girl was silent. She continued to calmly brush her lady's black hair. Even Veronica knew there was nothing to answer that. And, to be honest, she didn't expect an answer.
"Are you worried about the lord's words?"
She was as perceptive as ever.
"Didn't you say that you would be completely indifferent to his actions and words as long as you receive benefits? Don't go back on your words, remember your purpose, milady. You are stronger than you think and you can handle it. Even if this man brings a child into the house, you shouldn't lower your head. You are the daughter of a great family of the Empire and nothing should break you. Keep the crown on the guillotine, milady."
Veronica listened in silence. Too straightforward, a little cruel, but very sobering.
***
"Who cares about my well-being? I'm doing what I have to do. "
And with her head held high, she entered the dining room, flooded with light. The conversations stopped immediately and all eyes turned to her.
"Father!" The girl exclaimed joyfully, heading towards the man with glasses. "It's nice to finally meet you. It's so unfortunate that you couldn't attend the wedding."
As a sign of respect, she curtsied.
"Likewise, Veronica. You are much more beautiful than I imagined. It's amazing how my uncouth son, who only knows the service, dug up such gold. "
"Thank you for your kind words. " She looked at the younger guy. "Viscount Denis Kir-Erdey, nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from Madame Bella.
"Oh, really?" He drawled without interest, propping his cheek with his hand.
An awkward silence filled the dining room.
"I ask everyone to sit at the table." Grayson said with a light laugh.
Finally, everyone sat down at the table, and the place next to Veronica continued to be empty.
"And where is your husband?" Haddid asked coolly, shifting responsibility for every action of Leon, his own son, to a girl completely unknown to him.
His eldest son didn't hide his grin. Bella definitely felt uncomfortable, so she completely concentrated all her attention on the child.
It's a strange and unpleasant feeling. Veronica had just opened her lips a little, ready to answer, when the subject of discussion appeared in the dining room.
"Father? Brother? What are you doing here?"
There was no hint of a pleasant surprise in his words. Leon might be behind her, but Veronica had no difficulty imagining the expression on his face. Resentment, anger and some kind of aversion. He didn't want to see them for as long as possible. It was obvious.
Denis, sitting opposite Veronica, felt the same emotions. The guy cast a fleeting cool glance at his brother and took a sip of some alcohol.
"Have we interrupted your honeymoon?" There was enmity behind the grin. He immediately drained another glass. "We were so eager to see the daughter of the Rosenblatt family, who made such a fuss in high society. I even had to shift the schedule. We are very sorry." They were not sorry, and he was not.
Leon sat down next to Veronica.
The tense atmosphere was slightly softened by the dish that appeared on the table. Formal conversations about nothing began. Grayson asked about the trip, the weather, the kitchen in Coastone - a city under the patronage of the Aristophan, they were in. Haddid answered vividly, shared his impressions with the young viscount and Theodore.
As the three engaged in a lively conversation, Denis was emptying glasses one by one that could barely be filled. Bella tried to slow him down, but she stopped after a second attempt.
Veronica's fork was driving carrot circles around the plate, spreading red sauce. Sometimes she would put a glass of water to her mouth, which had the red lipstick on it. There was no appetite at all.
Leon seemed to be very fond of food, even when talking about Veronica he pretended not to hear the conversation.
"Madame Veronica expressed a desire to participate in the hunt at the autumn festival!" Grayson began out of the blue.
"Pardon?" His face was full of bewilderment.
"There aren't many women among the aristocrats who have touched weapons at all," the man continued enthusiastically, ignoring Haddid's outrage "in my memory, there was only Duchess Cornelia Trisomi Lan! I'm bursting with pride at the thought that Madame Veronica will stand in line with this great woman!"
"She'd rather embarrass us."
Haddid's words echoed through the dining room. The Viscount's ringing laugh turned into a meaningful cough.
"I don't see anything wrong with that, Lord. Moreover, I took the liberty and have already contacted the organizers. Don't judge it so prematurely. Madame can show amazing results!"
"I doubt it very much. For a girl who has lived all her life within the walls of her native home and hasn't held anything heavier than a pen, does life seem like a funny thing? You should follow the example of Madame Bella and learn how to run a household, and not waste time on useless things. "
"That's right, sis." Having missed all possible formalities, Denis supported his father. "Take an example from my beautiful wife. Be a shadow and don't disgrace the name of our family.
"What do you mean?" Veronica immediately asked, barely holding back the fire in her chest.
The guy apparently didn't expect that his words would be followed by an answer. He stared at her blearily for a few seconds, and then let out a nervous laugh.
"Apparently, Duke Rosenblatt didn't even spend money on your education, since you can't understand such a simple thing. It's obvious what kind of mark your existence has left on Rosenblatt's reputation. There has never been a man like you among the great families. "
"A man like me? Which one is it?"
Her eyebrow began to twitch involuntarily. She even thought something had touched her palm, but Veronica was so agitated that she pulled her hand away. This confrontation tickled pleasantly her nerves.
"Crazy?" Denis continued as if nothing had happened. "Doesn't your desire to play with weapons confirm all these rumors?"
"Darling, this is too much." Bella whispered, leaning towards the guy.
He clicked his tongue in displeasure and waved her off like a pesky fly.
"No one gave you permission to speak! Sit down and be quiet!"
A chair creaked back across the tile. Veronica stood up. It was unclear what irritated her terribly. Why is Leon silent? The faint hope that he would say something in her defense, or at least support her, was shattered the second it warmed in her heart.
"Thank you for your honesty, dear brother. Openness in the family is very important. It's better to talk to your face all at once, don't you think? Then let me speak out. "
"Sit down, Veronica. Don't embarrass yourself." Without raising his head from his plate, Viscount Kir-Erdey said calmly.
The girl only smiled tightly and completely ignored him, continued:
"You may think that you have done a good deed by sheltering the scum of a privileged society, but don't forget that even such a madman has a certain power. You should know, Father."
Her smile on duty was cold. She ran her small palm along her throat, mimicking a guillotine. Her eyes flashed red.
"Enjoy your meal. "
After returning the bow, Veronica once again slowly looked around the audience with a kind of triumphant look and left the dining room.
Interesting fact unrelated to story: A wide tree with a dense crown grows in the greenhouse of the Rosenblatt estate. Veronica sometimes sneaked in there to read books. There was a small hollow in the tree, in which the girl hid small sweets.