James and his women

"My lord, we have received a letter from one of our men stationed in the east.", the count's faithful butler reported before delivering the letter to Count James who immediately tore it open.

The count's expression contoured as he read the letter.

"Simon, prepare a carriage for me and inform Sebastian about my departure", he ordered as he took his coat from the rack.

"But where are you headed my lord", the butler asked, clearly confused.

"The head maid and a few other maids in Hower castle have died due to a strange disease and it seems like my daughter also got infected. I am going to fetch her so that she may receive proper treatment," he explained rushing out the door. Simon went on to prepare a carriage while the count ordered some of the maids to pack some clothes for him.

"Papa, where are you going?" Melisa, one of the count's daughters asked as she saw her father packing his belongings.

The count only glared at the girl before instructing the butler to prepare a room for Lilith who will be moving in.

"Mother, mother", Melisa rushed through the mansion's corridor searching for her mother. The news she just heard from the count were quite shocking if not terrifying. She and her older sister Willow were the count's stepchildren, and having James' youngest and favorite daughter move in with them would remove them from the count's good graces.

"What is it now child, you're such a bother", a woman with chestnut brown hair and eyes of the same colour answered as she appeared from the door leading to the library.

"Mother, father has just left for the east. And he also asked the butler to prepare a room for the bastard staying in the east", she frantically explained causing her mother to narrow her eyes at her.

The count was well aware of the countess's dislike for his bastard and yet he still thinks he can just bring her into their home.

"And who are you calling a bastard, Melisa", a young man whose silver hair and blue eyes resembled those of the count asked. Sebastian Scarrow, the count's first son, and successor. He is considered to be a genius amongst his peers and one of the most talented knights in the kingdom.

"Oh nothing brother, really", Melisa assured before hurrying to her room.

The count has had a total of three women in his life. The first is Baron Helian's daughter, Diana Helian. She was Sabastion's mother and the count's first wife. Their marriage had been arranged by their parents and was rather peaceful. James and Diana had a total of three children together, Sebastian and the twins, Isaac and Inez. The countess, unfortunately, passed away from an illness when the twins were ten.

The second was never formally married to the count, meaning their child was considered to be illegitimate. Lillian was an adventurer and the love of James' life. The birth of their daughter was a bittersweet moment for James. As he was welcoming his daughter into the world he also had to say goodbye to his love, as Lillian died during childbirth.

His final wife is the wicked Rosalie Amber, the marquess' sister, and James' current and least favorite wife. He married her due to receiving pressure from her brother and the king. Rosalie already had children from a previous marriage, this didn't mean much to James. What bothered him was the woman's personality and her strange dislike toward Lilith.

Even if the current countess disliked his daughter, he was still bringing her home and he will cherish her like how he cherished his Lillian.