October 27, 1879
PERCHED UPON the third story of the stately manor of the distinguished House of Van Deloney, a young lady sat beside the elegant window, busily engaged in the art of sketching. Enraptured by the breathtaking spectacle of the picturesque landscape, she often lost herself in a world of dreams, as her skillful brush created beautiful images that reflected the beauty of the countryside.
Unlike her brother and sister, who preferred outdoors, the fair maiden always took delight in the comforts and pleasures of indoor pursuits, particularly in the artistic sphere. However, despite the sparkling beauty that adorned her features, which exceeded those of her sister, the young lady from the esteemed Van Deloney family was to be chosen to be the bride of the Prince of Luxtonia. Though this was something that most girls would dream of, it was not the same for this damsel.
Her heart was filled with a yearning for the creative arts, particularly in the domain of sketching, and she had always hoped to make this her profession.
Alas, her dreams were dashed when her parents did not approve her rejection of the marriage proposal, causing her to shed tears upon her sketches.
As the maiden sat in the corner of her chamber, mourning her unfortunate predicament, she was summoned by a knock at the door.
* Knock! Knock! *
"Mí lady Charlotte, the breakfast is ready," a servant girl uttered, as she responded with a hollow "Come in." With tears still stinging her eyes, she tried to wipe them away, but the heart-wrenching thoughts of having to part with her dreams of becoming an artist had her tears flowing like a river.
Charlotte proceeds to do her sketches, as the young maidservant entered the room, bearing a silver cart overflowing with breakfast treats. "Mademoiselle, your Croque Monsieur is served, accompanied with a combination of Darjeeling tea," the maid confidently announced, as she prepared the breakfast table with fine silverware and delicate porcelain.
As the young maidservant was preparing the breakfast with her silver cart and setting the table, Charlotte, having put down her sketchbook, turned towards her with a wistful look. "Helena," she asked, "Have you ever considered fleeing from one's chains, even if it would break the heart of others?" She inquired, her brows furrowing and her emotions stirring, as she wondered about the what-if scenario of her future aspirations being hindered due to the pressure and weight of her royal status.
Helena, the young maid, was caught off-guard by the question posed by Charlotte, and could only manage a rather simple response. "Well, mí lady," she relayed, as she served the breakfast to Charlotte.
"All I can say is if you truly desire to pursue the path your heart leads, you must take that journey, no matter if it leads to regret or not." She continued with her reply, as she placed the breakfast on the small breakfast table.
Charlotte let out a deep sigh, seemingly full of desperation and sorrow, Helena, the wise young maidservant, suddenly shifted the topic to something unrelated. "By the way mí lady," Charlotte heard her voice calling her attention, "Have you heard about the latest happening in the Grenswood?" she remarked, a curious look on her face as she regarded Charlotte.
"The Grenswood incident?" Charlotte echoed in response to Helena's question, her curiosity piqued by the news. "Yes, my lady," Helena explained with an air of excitement as she stood next to Charlotte who was devouring her breakfast.
"The whole news of the Grenswood incident had already spread not only in the countryside of Albiana but even here in Normaine." She continued; her voice tinged with fervor as her thoughts turned to the recent events in the Grenswood.
"But that seems like a world-shaking news to me," Charlotte remarked, her curiosity still strong within her as she tried to learn more details about the recent Grenswood incident. "Do they already have an idea of who the victim is? Because if the news spreads to other countries, there's a possibility that it may involve some well-known person." She continued, a look of intense curiosity on her face as she questioned Helena, the maidservant, further.
"That is quite shocking, in truth, because the Grenswood incident involved a carriage. I've heard that the coach had been shot down by a person and that someone was inside it, as the Marsheries informed. But what is more interesting...." Helena paused for a moment; her voice filled with intrigue as she recalled the details about the Grenswood incident.
Upon hearing Helena's words, Charlotte also stopped from munching her breakfast as she listened to the intriguing details. Helena, the maidservant, continued to elaborate "To make the matter more mysterious, the victim inside the carriage was missing. That's the question mark." She said, before adding on "And speaking of which, the carriage I saw in the photograph appeared to have fallen off a cliff." As a wave of suspense and uncertainty loomed in the air, Charlotte eagerly listened on.
Within the midst of unravelling the mysterious enigma at the Grenswood, the sudden arrival of Madame Cordelia – Charlotte's mother – brought forth a surprise. Despite her advanced age, Madame Cordelia possessed beauty worthy of her lineage, with silk-like black hair, luminous violet eyes that exuded star-like elegance, and red lips that complemented her porcelain skin.
Charlotte was not the only one to inherit her mother's charms, as they caught the eyes of those around them in a captivating and alluring manner.
"Charlotte, the carriage awaits your arrival," In a way that is as striking as it is mysterious, Madame Cordelia's voice and gaze both exuded a certain elegance and revealed that she indeed deserved her reputation as an eminent lady of the high society.
Through her demeanor, Madame Cordelia made it clear that she wished for Helena's departure, so that she and her daughter may speak privately.
As Helena turned and retreated, back to her work at the mansion, Charlotte's kind and cheerful demeanor changed into one of cold indifference. Her facial expressions instantly altered to one without emotion, almost as if she had switched into another person.
This drastic change in demeanor suggested that Charlotte was ready to talk seriously with her mother, and that she may well have a very different face when dealing with Madame Cordelia, in comparison to how she appears when interacting with others.
This difference in mannerism could be due to the complicated dynamics between a mother and daughter, and the desire to keep secrets from outsiders.
"My dear, we shall be going to the city for preparations for your forthcoming 18th birthday. Aren't you filled with excitement and delight?" Madame Cordelia spoke gently, yet encouragingly, to her daughter. The tone in her voice and the look in her eyes both conveyed how much she cherished and looked forward to celebrating Charlotte's milestone birthday.
Yet, despite Madame Cordelia's warm and welcoming sentiments, Charlotte remained unmoved and unresponsive, focusing solely on consuming her meal.
Her indifference bordered on the precipice of disdain, giving off an air of disinterest and apathy. It was as if the impending celebration held no significance to her, as if it were another trivial day in the life of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood.
After a prolonged silence, Charlotte finally broke the quietude that had overtaken the conversation, speaking after consuming her food. Her words dridled with a bitter taste, as she said,
"I have no interest in celebrating the day of my birth, mother."
At the sound of her daughter's voice, Cordelia's facial expression changed from one of contentment to one of displeasure. It seemed that Charlotte's words had upset her mother, who immediately dismissed her daughter's aspirations and dreams while laying down her expectations concerning her future.
"Isn't that because of your pursuit in art? Charlotte, forget about that right now," she replied, her tone turning colder and deeper. Madame Cordelia went on to state: "You're marrying the Prince of Luxtonia no matter what happens. For the sake of our bloodline, do what me and your father wanted."
A look of defiance crossed Charlotte's face when she heard her mother's request, and a frown graced her features. "There's no way I would let you take away my freedom to decide my own future, mother." She boldly and confidently declared, staring her mother squarely in the eye.
Charlotte's conviction and determination were evident in her manner, as she made it clear that she intended to fight for what she believed in.
With that, Charlotte added to her previous statement, saying, "I may have the bloodline of nobility, but that does not mean that I must pursue becoming the bride of the Prince of the Ruthania family." She made it clear that she refused the idea of being married off to the prince simply because of her noble heritage.
She indicated that she desired to choose a path in life that reflected her true desires and ambitions, rather than the expectations of society or her family.
As Charlotte's words struck a nerve, Cordelia's anger rose. However, she managed to hold back her rage, and instead turned away from her daughter, hiding it behind a cold façade. Before she left Charlotte's room, she spoke in a stern and dominant tone: "Whether you refuse or not, you will do as I say!"
These last words spoken by Cordelia made it clear that her decision was final, a decision that pricks her daughter's heart in utter disappointment.
There was no room for negotiation or objection, further highlighting the control and expectations she had over her daughter's future.
Once her mother had left the room, Charlotte brushed through her hair with her fingers, trying to hold back the tears that streamed down her face.
Yet, those tears insist to flow continuously through her soft cheeks.
She was overwhelmed with sadness, realizing that she was powerless to fight for her freedom and the right to choose her own future.
She was forced to accept the reality that her mother's decision was unchangeable. The moment further highlighted Charlotte's struggle and frustration as her aspirations were not being respected and her dreams were seemingly out of reach.
"What should I do? I don't want to marry him..."