ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ ２： ＡＣＴ ＩＩ
𝑯𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒍

After hearing the news in the frontier, the chaos in the capital's bustling streets is much worse than in Van Saussure's Estate. From the boutiques to the famous pasty shops and social gatherings—everyone was holding a piece of paper print written by a renowned writer who identified as Phantom.

"How unfortunate is she? Thrown in the frontier at an early age, even her parents don't want anything to do with her. She grew up with no one to teach her the proper manners and etiquette of a woman. Her only chance of marrying a good man is to gain merits by defending the empire." The Duke's daughter, Darcie Hesperia, proudly raised her pinky finger while drinking tea.

Two of her friends laughed with her. "Now she lost the ability to fight. What will become of her? A useless brute beast in the wild who doesn't know how to behave like a lady. I pity the man she will marry," Flava Cresswell snickered with a hint of malice as she slowly raised her fan at the level of her face—hiding her malicious mouth.

"But I heard she will be betrothed to the third prince." With Astrid's statement, Darcie forcedly placed the teacup on the table. Flava cleared her throat to warn Astrid to be careful with her words.

"Lady Astrid, you must have forgotten that Lady Darcie and the third Prince Noir are childhood sweethearts. They share a deep bond, and many noble ladies are jealous of their relationship. If there is someone meant to marry the third prince, that would be her ladyship Darcie Hesperia." Despite Flava's explanation, Astrid remained confused.

"Her Ladyship is born noble while the third prince is an illegitimate child born from a lowly maid. He's not worthy to stand with you, my lady." In a rage, Darcie splashed tea on Astrid's clothes. It was followed by a loud slap on her face that shocked Flava.

"Lady Darcie, please calm down!" Apila ni Flava bago tumayo upang lapitan si Astrid.

"Please forgive my dear cousin for her words! She seldom socializes in high society and doesn't know how to conduct herself or choose the right words to say!" She continued to plead.

The steam from the hot tea wafted through the air, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating from Darcie's glare.

Poor Astrid, her skin had likely been scalded. For them, this intolerant behavior from the Duke's daughter is only because she is arrogant and spoiled. But for those who know her, it was only a fiery reminder of the words that should have never escaped her lips.

"If I hear you slander the third prince in front of me again, I will have your tongue cut off!" Padabog itong tumayo at naniningkit matang nilingon ang magpinsan na si Astrid at Flava.

"This tea party is over!" Flava immediately pulled Astrid's hair as soon as Darcie left the garden.

"What did I tell you? If you can't say nice words, keep your mouth shut!" She frustratedly grabbed the collar of her dress before glaring at her. "I am trying my best to have a close relationship with the Duke's daughter, but you come along and ruin it!" She spat.

Flava Cresswell is the count's daughter, and these past few months, she's been boot-licking Darcie—following her requests and accompanying her in every tea party and social gathering.

Her cousin, Astrid Octavia, was only a baron's daughter—who mostly lived reading books and collecting butterflies in her garden. She never made her socialite debut and would rather talk to animals than have a conversation with noble ladies in the capital.

"If I had another cousin, I would never invite you!" Flava stormed out of the garden and left Astrid fixing her hair as she tried to wipe the tea stain on her chest.

In a paper print by that anonymous writer Phantom, she read that Darcie Hesperia topped the ranking of the most beautiful and desirable lady in the capital. She was said to be reasonable and justified, well-mannered and well-thought. But after seeing her today, she doubts it. 

***

Meanwhile, in Van Saussure's Estate,  the madame of the house—Clare Van Saussure, tore the paper print she was holding after reading a full page of content about the incident that happened to her daughter.

Considering the Emperor is pushing through her marriage with the third prince, there is a big possibility she will be ordered to return to the capital. Anger surged in her mind at the thought that she would see that ungrateful child once again.

In the depths of her heart, she was blaming that child. It was difficult to shake the thought that fate might have been different if it had not been for her. If not for her, she could have cradled her son, and her husband would have showered her with love and affection.

But because of that incident, her husband became cold. The grief of losing his son made him look for mistresses who could bear him an heir. But to his disappointment, all of them were born as daughters.

As a wife, it was difficult for her to bear—raising the daughters of her husband's fruitful results of adultery. But she can't complain because she knew it was partly her fault.

That's why she couldn't forgive that child—Coeur Van Saussure. She is to be blamed for all these misfortunes.

"You should have stayed in the frontier until you died!" Madiin nitong wika habang kagat-kagat ang ibabang labi. Pakiramdam niya'y kapag bumalik ang batang iyon sa poder niya ay mamalasin na naman siya.

Knowing that child's rude and proud personality, a slight insult could quickly get on her nerves. And once she does something audacious to get criticized by high society, she will be ridiculed. It won't be hard for her to realize she doesn't belong here.

"Lana!" She called her maidservant and started whispering about what she wanted her to do.

And that is just how Coeur Van Saussure is hated by all without even stepping a foot in the capital.