H olly nervously wringed her cold palms while three set of hands were busy fixing her gown, two others doing her make- up and hair. She's standing in front a large mirror that probably cost more than she could imagine, in the center of a large expensive room decorated for nobility. No sound can be heard aside from the rustling of the flawless fabric of her gown and probably the loud beatings of her heart.

She closed her eyes, remembering how her breath hitched as she entered the threshold of her husband's Roman mansion. But she thought castle is a more appropriate term to describe the exquisite grandness of the vast manor which exudes classical beauty. It sits in the midst of a wealthy expanse of land rich with lush vegetation. One cannot simply walk from the front main gate to the main house without a transport. Part of the land was planted with the highest quality of grapes and other parts were orchards for all sorts of fruits and vegetables. She cannot help but marvel at the clean lake they passed by while traveling towards the main house. Kalish has his own golf course inside his estate! And now that she's surrounded with her husband's obvious wealth, with literal gold and historical artifacts displayed around, like she can never feel comfortable walking thinking the marbled floor she'd step on was even more expensive than her grandparents' mansion, her self- doubts started to surface again. Aside from her love, what could she offer someone who obviously has everything? How can a commoner like her prove herself in front Kalish's family of nobility? How can she convince them to accept her when even her own family has a problem doing that?

Dark thoughts started to swim further in her mind that she open her eyes to escape it only to be surprised with the unfamiliar woman staring at her in the mirror. Even without her glasses, she could clearly see the fear etched in those pair of electric blue eyes. Despite how sophisticatedly they braided her golden blonde hair, she couldn't see the beauty in there... not without Kalish whispering assurances. Not without him holding her in his warmth. She swallowed a painful lump in her throat.

"I- Is Kalish around?" She ended asking one of the servants instead of asking them to bring her to her husband. She was in pins and needles she wanted to demand Kalish in same room but given her nature, how can she demand anything?

"The lord was summoned in the main estate." She turned upon hearing Mr. Albus, same man in his 70s who welcomed Kalish and her when they arrived in the manor. Apparently, Mr. Albus was the one in- charged of running Kalish's manor while Mr. Russo was her husband's personal butler. "Greetings, signorina." The old man bowed from his head.

She anxiously fiddled her ring, "M- Main estate?" She echoed in her shaky voice. But she thought this was the main estate. And she felt more anxious thinking this was the first time Kalish went out without telling her.

"This manor is just a part of the whole Russet estate, my lady." He explained in his thick Roman accent. "And the lord has to come to the Palazzo to greet the Consiglio.

Her chest tightened even more with the mention of the Consiglio her knees started to buckle, thanks to one of the lady servants she hadn't fallen to the floor.

"Apology if I'm too forward but it would be best if you try to be extra careful, signorina. We would not want you scraping yourself." Mr. Albus reminded making her freeze in cold anxiety her hands automatically reached for the medallion around her neck-the same family heirloom Kalish gave her before they got married. And yeah, she remembers everything about it...

"Afterall, we still need to prove you worthy of the Russet heirloom... Lord Kalish Russet's bride."

And from that title he called her, Holly knew that she wasn't really welcomed to be the lady of the house.

No matter how spacious the room was, Holly was still suffocated. After almost a ten- minute drive in a Bentley, they were able to reach the main house thrice the size of the gigantic mansion of her husband. Ten people lined on opposite sides were there to welcome her and at the center is a man older, more intimidating than Mr. Albius.

"Greetings to the new Russet bride, signorina." The old man bowed from the head, his accent thick like of Mr. Albus. "I am Mr. Jovian, the family's head servant."

Although shaking, Holly finally found her tongue and bowed to show respect to the elder, "My pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jovian. I am Holly-"

"You are not to bow or curtsy to anyone except this family's elders, signorina." The old man cut her off and her body stiffened. "And of course, especially to the Consiglio."

"I- I'm sorry-"

"And never apologize."

She felt her knees weakened. She was expecting strict protocols but nothing like this. She swallowed and lifted her head with the little courage left of her. She needed to be with her hisband before it all runs out.

"C- can you take me to my husband, please?" She was fighting back her tears but her fear and frustration was getting the best of her. How can she face Kalish's family with that dwindling self confidence she has right now? After Kalish tucked her to sleep last night, she has never seen her in the morning. She woke up in a cold bed without her husband to keep her warm. He only left a note on the bedside table telling her he loves her.

There was no time to prepare herself for the Consiglio. Kalish's grandma had already people to fetch them. Turned out they never left his mansion in Dasma village because his grandma has the confidence of his grandson coming back to face her. Kalish never asked of her to act to speak a certain way to please his elders. He never mentioned any protocols to follow. He just kept on reassuring her that everything will be alright and that they'd hold their wedding in Rome at his 25th birthday which will be a week from now. He trusted her husband but her courage wasn't enough when he's not with her.

Mr. Jovian brought her in the sitting room. The large floor to ceiling glass windows adorned with heavy drapes felt more like huge iron bars enclosing her inside. The large fireplace was not enough to warm her. She felt cold, alone and fearful. Longing for her husband who she has no idea when she'll see again.

She really doesn't know what to expect since Mr. Jovian didn't say anything but to wait there. Unawarely clawing the fabric of her dress in her lap, she closed her eyes and tried to calm the heavy beating of her heart and remembered what the book of Psalm said. She murmured an affirmation to steady herself.

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?"

"I'm certain I can do something to you."

Holly opened her eyes in shock, standing in no time as Martina entered the room.

"Lady Martina, temo che non le sia permesso entrare in questa stanza in questo momento." With head bowed down, Mr. Jovian calmly told the seething woman calmly that she wasn't allowed in the room at the moment making her more furious.

"And who is allowed here, Jovian? A woman of her kind, low and filthy?" Martina made sure to speak in English so Holly could take her insults.

"Ti chiedo umilmente di lasciare questa stanza davanti al Signore e appare la sua Grazia, mia signora Martina." The old man never backed down even from the vehement Martina, asking of her to vacate the place before Kalish's parents appear.

Martina apparently heard nothing and totally entered the room, facing Holly whose wringing her shaky hands in apprehension. She leered acidly seeing the medallion on Holly's neck.

"And you really took the liberty of sullying Russet's chaste heirloom by wearing it on your body adulterated by scars?"

"What scars are we talking about here, Lady Martina?" Both woman gasped hearing the female voice coming from someone who just entered the room.

"Greetings, My apologies, my Lady. I wasn't able to-" The woman, who in spite of age remained a beauty, raised her hand in authority to stop what Mr. Jovian was about to say. She stepped inside the room, carrying herself in regal grace, throwing aristocratic glances towards the two younger ladies.

"Lady Martina," the regal woman addressed Martina in a cold imposing voice that Holly felt chills in her spine despite her not the one directed by it, "Our families have been in good graces over a century. But I don't think My Liege would be so accepting of the vulgarities obviously spouted by your mouth just now. You should be grateful he's not here."

Holly saw how Martina shied away from the older woman's gaze. Who could possibly make the proud Martina Gevera cower?

"We'll see each other soon, Lady Martina. Escort her out for now, Jovian." Without words but hate in her eyes, Martina left with Mr. Jovian without a word leaving Holly alone with the obviously domineering woman.

"You should learn to deal with the likes of that woman if you really want to be with my son." Holly's eyes widened realizing the implication of what the woman said. "I am Amaris Russet. Kalish's mother."

Holly remembered Mr. Jovian's statement about respect to the family elders, so she bowed her head to pay her respect, " I am Holly Gayle Innocencio, ma'am." She winced. In agitation her voice ended sounded like a squeak. "I'm your son's wi-"

"It must be the Council's Head instruction... seeing there's no single attendant to attend to you." The Lady cut her off, looking around the place then on the coffee table where her tea had already gone cold. "Kalish will be livid." The lady looked at her again, "Sit down."

Holly fretfully sat down in haste. The Lady took the seat across her just then they heard a knock on door and two attendants came in to assist them with their tea. One of them poured her another cup and its mild aroma diffused in the room. The Lady gestured her to take it and she obliged.

"It's Gyokuro tea from Japan. It's Kalish's favorite. You might have drinked it together before."

Holly's cup stopped midway her lips. She never knew that this was her husband's favorite tea. He never mentioned it. And with how simple they lived in the mountains for the past month, there was no need to.

"He loves listening to Chopin's Nocturne in E Flat Major while sipping this, watching the sun set in his room balcony. He would like to eat steak once in a while but he prefers thyme rather than rosemary to go with it. He was home schooled when he was in grade school because he's sensitive with crowds and noises. You won't really see him socializing unless his position asked of him, too. He's little difficult. But he's a good man." The Lady has a fond smile on her face until she asked her the question, "Tell me, what do you know about my son, Miss Innocencio?"

Holly brought down her cup. If not, it would spill against her trembling hands.

"Aside from knowing his body. What more do you know about him?" That straightforward question brought her shame, the sides of her eyes prickled with tears.

She has been alone with Kalish for a month but it wasn't the Count Kalish she has been with but her husband Kalish. She has no idea what this Count Kalish likes, or have any idea how he lives. She only knew that he was not a regular man. And that's it.

"Your scars are least of my concerns. My son has chosen you and I have fate of his verdicts. But wearing that heirloom, do you really have the strength to keep up with this kind of life 'til the end?" Holly looked at the woman, her tears now generously flowing down her cheeks. "If not, it's not too late to back down and go back to the Philippines."

Holly deliberately shook her head, "P- Please... please give me a chance to prove myself-"

"How are you going to prove yourself if all you've done since we met is to look scared and to cry?" The Lady comfronted making her freeze in her seat. "Do you think your naivety will make this life easy? You think the Consiglio will change hearts for you just because you cried in front of them? You are in Rome now, Miss Inocencio. And the rules that applied to you in the Philippines no longer works here. Do you think Kalish can do anything once the Consiglio proves you unworthy of the only heir? Unless you want him to give his life up just so he can compromise being with you?"

"N- No..." Holly sobbed. Every word uttered by the Lady was a needle to her heart. Not because she's lying but everything that's been said was real. The only thing she'd done so far since she married Kalish was to be scared, to cry, and to depend on him. What did she do for her husband? Nothing-nothing at all.

"Do you understand what I just had said, Miss Inocencio? Have you really thought about the weight in my words?" The Lady demanded in her grueling voice. "And why the fact that everyone in the estate is calling you Signorina despite being wedded to the lord of the house? Or the fact that I'm still calling you by your maiden name?"

The thought hit Holly like a large boulder in her gut. Her shaky hand fiddled the ring on her left hand as if to gain support from something she believed was a proof her union with Kalish.

"W- What... What do you mean?" She whispers unsteadily.

The hardness on the beautiful woman's face somehow softened as she looked at Holly with a hint of sympathy in her eyes that reminded her of Kalish.

"Your marriage with Kalish in the Philippines does not apply here, Miss Innocencio. In the eyes of the Consiglio, Kalish is still eligible of marriage to a lady of their standards. And in this moment...that wouldn't be you."