8 Chapter Seven

The Viscountess' full name was Viscountess Vivan Anne Blackborrow. Most just referred to her as the Viscountess as she was the only Viscountess in the whole continent. People often described her as an intimidating woman; those people would be correct. She had a strong demeanor, a sharp gaze, and a commanding voice that bombed through the halls of the estate as she quickly took over. Before breakfast even began, she flipped the residence over, and it was quickly in her command. Edmond, the head butler, and the person who previously seemed to be in charge did not seem pleased with her rule. Despite this, he served breakfast as normal.

Breakfast included tea, poached eggs, asparagus, bread, and some kind of red berry that Caroline had never seen before and found quite bitter. She had heard it was to the Viscountess' liking. She had perfect posture and ate quite formally to match with her thick brown hair fashioned in a tight bun; not a strand was out of place. She dressed in all black, signaling that she was widowed, and had wrinkled, olive skin. Yet she appeared to be barely middle-aged - this was most likely a toll from the difficult life she had lived thus far. Despite all this, the Viscountess was still very beautiful; in her prime, she would have been the “belle of the ball.”

The air in the dining hall was tense. Caroline had barely touched her plate, feeling the Viscountess' piercing gaze every time she took a bite, clearly analyzing her level of etiquette.“How long have you known the Count?” Caroline asks in a desperate attempt to clear the air and make conversation.

“Since he was a child. I was well acquainted with the late Countess.”

Caroline picks up one of the strange red berries and plops it into her mouth. She picks up another. “Ah, what was she like?-” She is quickly interrupted by the Viscountess.

“Has no one taught you proper etiquette? Use your fork.” She snorts.

“Ah yes, Viscountess.”

Caroline sets down the berry and picks up her fork. Not another word was spoken; breakfast was quite an awkward affair, and both parties had clearly left a bad impression.