Chapter One

Caroline had heard many rumors about the Count prior to arriving at the estate. But she wasn't one to listen to that dribble, especially if it was about her husband, to be. Caroline was a daddy's girl and had complete trust that her father would find her a good husband.

It was already the week before she left, she began to question that. Her father had begun to act very strangely, he seemed nervous and would bring up a new topic every time she had asked a question about the count.

In the end, she had decided that this was normal behavior for a father, who was about to marry off his daughter, after all her father had loved her very much.

This conclusion was Caroline's first mistake and the begging of her untimely undoing.

"Did you hear what I said?"

The count's voice snaps Caroline, from her thoughts.

"No, I didn't quite catch that."

"I said that the wedding will proceed as planned. For now, you will be staying in the white lily wing."

"Oh, yes, of course."

"And I know that your father's final situation is complicated, to say the least."

She tenses up in her seat.

"So I've hired a tutor to help prepare you for the wedding. She'll be arriving next Wednesday."

"Oh, thank you-"

"Sadly, I will not be there to greet her, I'm leaving for a business meeting tomorrow evening."

Caroline had heard that the Count was a cold man, but she had never imagined that he would leave only a day after she had arrived at the estate.

"But I've only just arrived."

"It will only be a few weeks, I'm sure you can manage."

"I-"

He shoots her a cold icy glare as if to say, "be happy I'm telling you," which sends a shiver down her spine.

"Yes, of course."

"Good. Now if you don't need anything, I have work to do."

"Oh, actually-"

He interrupts her by pulling the bell, at his desk, alerting the staff that he’s ready for her to leave. Before she has the chance to say anything, the door abruptly opens, to reveal a maid a few years younger than Caroline, with two bright red pigtails.

“Ms.” The young maid squeaks nervously, “are you ready?”

“Yes,” Caroline says hesitantly, getting up from her chair.

She walks to the end of the room, before stopping, and turning back to her fiance.

“I’ll see you at dinner?” She asks hopefully.

He doesn't respond or bothers to even look up. She lets out a sigh, knowing that he’s already lost in his own world and that he can no longer hear a thing she says. She turns on her heel and walks out of the room, defeated.