Astrid's POV

(1867 –Victorian era)

July had come and it was the day of the wedding. I sigh as I was looking at myself in the mirror. The white wedding gown felt like a heavy burden.

Over the last few months Edwin had tried to woo me, but I was not some naive girl. I had already figured out that all he wanted was to get his hands on my father's business and the family fortune.

There was a knock on the door and Matilda quickly entered.

"Milady, I have done as you asked." Matilda quickly said while handing me a pouch.

I open the pouch and take out the oval platinum locket which held a beautiful blue gem in its center. "My mother's locket looks wonderful Matilda. Did the jeweler have any problem with it?"

"No milady." Matilda said and I head to the fireplace and open the secret compartment.

"After today you will be dismissed as my chaperone." I tell Matilda who silently nodded.

"Miss Astrid, know that I will miss you very much." Matilda tells me and then proceeds to hug me.

"As will I Matilda." I tell her returning the hug. "Can I ask you for one more favor?"

"Anything milady." Matilda replies.

I walk to my jewelry box and take out a thick envelope. "Can you make sure that this reaches a particular gentleman?"

"Milady, you are seriously going through with this." Matilda exclaimed.

"Yes I am. I will not leave my father's business in the hands of my uncle and the de la Ranged's. I have seen the books. He is slowly running it into the ground."

"But to hand the deed over to this young man." Matilda stated.

"Matilda, it will be for the best." I tell her and I see Matilda sigh in defeat.

"It is your intuition speaking again, is it not." She asked wearily.

I nod. "I have a feeling that it couldn't be in better hands."

"Your mother was like that. She said she made the right choice in choosing your father and I can't help but agree with her. She had a beautiful, headstrong daughter who doesn't take any nonsense." Matilda stated as she took the envelope. "I'll deliver this personally."

After Matilda left I take one last look at myself in the mirror. "Time to get this over with." I mumble. I would certainly take great pleasure in seeing my uncle's face when he finds out.

(1868 –Victorian era)

I had already been married to Edwin for nearly eight months and I was mostly ignored.

Uncle and the de la Ranged's had been furious when they found out I had given the company away and that I would not tell them to whom. I would take that secret to my grave.

They could not do anything about it either, because for the month before the wedding I had turned 21 and I was in full control of my assets. Any business I conducted during that time was perfectly legal and could in no way be revoked.

Edwin had been coming home late many times and once I had followed him only to find out that he was seducing another woman. I would not let that poor woman fall for the slimy snake in the grass that my husband was. He was only after her fortune if the conversation I had overheard a week ago was accurate.

Last week I was walking through the hallway after spending my time in the library.

As I passed the study a conversation caught my interest. I paused in front of the door and the voices filtered out.

"Everything is proceeding nicely." That voice I had identified as Edwin.

"Yes son, do make haste. You will need to snatch this one up quickly." That could only be Mr. de la Ranged.

"There is still the problem of me being married. We had seriously misjudged the situation. My 'wife' did not have as great a fortune as was estimated."

"It is easily rectified." A female voice this time which I surmised to be Mrs. de la Ranged. "Simply slip the girl some arsenic in her drink and food. It wouldn't be long before she succumbs to an 'illness'."

So they planned to get rid of me. I might not be able to get out of this marriage due to current laws but they have another thing coming if they think I will go quietly.

I hurried to my room where I had kept a very special book that my mother had given me. It was a spellbook that was passed down from mother to daughter. My mother was a magic practitioner and she taught me all she knew. Now it was going to be put to the test.

I paged through the book and found the perfect revenge spell. This entire family was crooked so they would all feel my wrath, but first I needed a fail-safe.

I went to the secret compartment in the fireplace and took out the locket. 'Yes this would be perfect.' I thought as a devious smirk appeared on my face.

It had taken me two weeks to gather all necessary supplies but I finally had them. All the while I was slowly starting to feel weaker. 'They must have already started to poison me.' I think as I coughed up some blood in the washroom.

It only took a hour after Edwin left to cast my fail-safe and I returned the locket to its hiding place.

Over the next week I begin to feel my time drawing near. It was time to cast my curse upon that wretched family.

The de la Ranged's would soon find out that it was not wise to mess with a Hofferson.