1 Chapter 1: Agatha Williams

Greed.

Obsession.

Those were the sins Agatha has committed her whole life. It was also probably because of those, that her life was sad and short lived. She has realized that the moment you know that your time is up, you will feel regretful because you did not do so much when you still have it.

'I should have kissed my family when I am seeing them off.'

Agatha remembered the day when her parents and brothers got into an accident on their way to their vacation. She did not joined them as she used the excuse of not feeling well just so she could follow Enoch without their restraint.

Even Agatha, herself, thinks that she was not sane either.

'That's why I'll be doing this to pay for my sins and what you think we stole from your family.'

"Butler..." A weak whisper called up the man in his 50's, who immediately tended to the person lying in the wide bed.

Butler Gin was always dressed in the typical black suit of butlers and often wore a rather gentle expression when talking and facing the only master of the house he serves. However, the butler that was currently kneeling beside the bed of his lady, was indeed wearing his usual uniform, but, disheveled as he also wore a tired and sad expression.

Agatha smiled gently to assure the old man, but what was shown was a weak smile. She tried lifting her hand to reach him, but gone limp in the middle of it, that was why Butler Gin immediately moved to catch it.

"I am sorry." She said in a voice that was almost like a whisper.

"No, do not say that, Your Highness.."

"Please call me the title you used to call me when I was little." She saw thick tears filled his eyes and were threatening to fall.

"Little... Lady."

"Yes, Butler Gin." Agatha replied softly.

"Little lady..." He called me again in a shaky voice that made her unconsciously smile bitterly.

"I am sorry for always causing headaches and heartaches to you adults." The butler only held her hand as if his life depends on it and cried quietly like that.

Agatha felt sorry for the butler, who was like a father to her. When the other nobles tried to steal the title and wealth that was left by her parents, he was the first one to take action and protected the inheritance bravely for the young 12-year old her, who was born a girl to the discriminatory era they were in.

"Please pass the title to 'him'."

"Your Highness, please do not say that!" He unconsciously called her again with the title she's been carrying for 12 years now.

"Let him.... decide whether to... change the name of the dukedom... or not."

"You shouldn't say that."

"You should... immediately..." She knew her butler got what she was talking about, that was why he closed his eyes in resignation. Agatha felt a little bit regret about the truth that her time is fast approaching.

"..."

"Butler Gin, this is my body, hence, I know when it is already at its limit."

A sob escaped again from the old butler who still cannot accept the fate of the master he took care of and watched as she grow up.

"Enoch... He... Did you have any news about his situation?"

'Did he send any letter?' Agatha wanted to ask that too, but her capability to breathe gets restricted when she talks a lot. The butler kept silent for a minute before shaking his head left and right.

"I am sorry, Your Highness..."

"I... see."

'As I thought.'

Agatha loosened her hold to his hand as a sign that she wanted to be left alone already. The competent butler already knew it that's why he stood up and respectfully bowed to her before leaving.

"Butler..." She called the old butler again who stopped immediately at her call.

"Thank you." ...for being a parent to me.

"Thank you... so much." ...for working in our family without asking anything in return.

Agatha did not turn her head after saying her heartfelt appreciation and gratefulness towards the loyal butler because she know it would be more heart breaking than it should.

When finally left alone, she fiddled with the ring that was on her little finger. It was given by Enoch on her 15th birthday. It was the first and last birthday present she got from him as he was busy avoiding her and she was too busy dealing with her classes prior to her accession as a duchess to chase him.

'Of course he hates me... He hates my family.'

Agatha would only get a glimpse of Enoch at the banquets hosted by the Imperial family, as he was too, a noble and it was a requirement for them to attend. However, whenever she would try to talk to him, he would talk to any random girl who blatantly stares at him in an inappropriate manner and asks them for a dance.

It was very rude for Agatha who was obviously trying to approach him but she understand why was he acting that way. Enoch was too traumatized by the feeling of love as he first experienced the tragedy of it from his parents. He was very bad at receiving those feeling, thus, he tries his best to avoid it.

'No, I was only creating the reason for him. I am that obsessed.'

'But still, I should not have confessed,' she thought regretfully before closing her eyes.

'Please do not let me die without letting me be with him,' she attempted to make a wish before she fell asleep. It was an ambiguous wish that can be interpreted in many ways but she has no energy to think of any explanation since she thought no one would hear her anyway.

However, Agatha got startled when someone, sparkling white to see the face, showed up in her dreams.

"Your wish is my command!"

That night, the 16th Duchess of Williams, Agatha Williams, died of heart attack in her sleep.