3 Chapter 2: What Goodwill?

Chapter 2

Walking down to reception area I watched as my soon to be 'Fiancé' along with my stepmother, Anna, father and sister, spoke with a joyful air around them. I stood a distance away my heart aching at the scenery before me. Would it have been the same for me if my mother had not abandoned me? Anita seemed to laugh at something (probably lame) Anthony said.

Sighing I walked in as silence befell.

'Wow, way to make it obvious that my presence was not needed.'

"Mother, Father." I greeted bowing slightly.

Anna seemed disturbed as she pulled out her fan over her mouth and nose as she stared me down. What is it that they wanted? It's not like we ever dined together since they only ever regarded me as a steppingstone in their little family. Sighing I made my way to one of the emptier couches.

"Winter can you not even get this right? As a lady of the house being on time is the most important thing. Look at your sister. She's perfect Ike a proper lady. You should learn from her." Father had begun to speak.

"Honey, you cannot expect someone like that to even compare to our lovely daughter," Anna said with a slight mock in her tone.

'yeah keep speaking you bloody brainwashing machine.' I thought to myself grimacing inwardly. How could someone be so manipulating and hateful? This woman was literally the reincarnation of a damn poisonous flower. Beautiful on the outside but harmful.

Anita trying to look humble in front of everyone stood up coming towards me taking a seat, pulling me into a hug. Well, that was new.

"Mother, Father, don't look down on sister like that. Just like everyone else she's trying her hardest to hold her position as the youngest lady oh house Monroe, even if he's the daughter of a lowly maid." She said making me push her away in rage.

"don't speak about my mother that way!" I yelled at her.

What does she know? Does she think even though I was docile the whole time I had been in this house, I'd tolerate her nonsensical blabbering? I glared at him in anger. Being the professional actor she way, she blinked in some tears and held back slightly looking shocked. Anthony ran to her side trying to calm her.

"Do you not think you're taking this too far, Winter? How can you treat your sister's goodwill like this?" Anthony questioned.

"What goodwill? ill speaking of me?" I questioned in anger.

"WINTER!" my father's voice boomed. I flinched at his raised voice. "I apologize, Duke, she seems to have just been a bit heated up. Please forgive her." He said glaring my way with rage.

"You see dear, I told you not to take her in. it seems she's forgotten her place in this house." Anna said making me snap my head towards her.

Anna made her way to me, striking her fan right across my face. I bit in a curse.

"Don't forget your lowly origins Winter Azalea Vera Le Monroe." She spat out my name is bitterness. "You are the daughter of a lowly prostitute maid." She said making me hold back my tears.

I could take any insults hurled my way, but my mother was a different story. Right till the moment before I was left in the mansion of Monroe, my mother was loving, and she would dedicate her everything for me.

"Calm down Anna, there is to need to go that overboard," Father said calming his wife in guilt.

Had he loved my mother even a tiny bit as he loved Anna, I don't think things would play out this way. But then again, this was year 374 of the imperial calendar. Status was what ran this world. Anna turned around returning to her seat. I sat down my eyes down. I could not stand this, yet, I was helpless.

"I had called you all here because of the upcoming ball his majesty the emperor has hosted. The crown prince had returned successfully from the war with victory."

Right, it was around this time the crown prince returned and soon the emperor falls ill. I looked up slightly seeing Anthony's darkened face as a small smile played on my face. Anthony had been certain the crown prince would not return and was ready to secure his place as the only remaining successor of the throne. I wanted to stand up and laugh in his face. That is the smallest amount of revenge I could get on him for what he's done.

"I'm sure the Duke would love to accompany our dear Anita," Anna said with a sly smile.

Was this woman trying to humiliate me? She clearly knew that everyone was aware that Anthony was trying to court me, or in better terms, lure me in just to use me, yet here she was suggesting that he take Anita. I'm sure he'd be more than delighted. I looked up at her with uncaring eyes, as she looked slightly taken back.

'I'm sure you weren't expecting that kind of reaction.'

"No mother, we shouldn't do that, Duke Anthony is Winters partner, he shouldn't be having to choose between me and her," Anita said trying to sound like the devil Saintes she was.

Normally I would have taken the bait and refused to go as I had done in the past, but that wasn't the case now. If she wanted Anthony's to accompany her, I wouldn't mind. But missing this opportunity that might change my life was a whole different issue.

"You're right sister, Duke Anthony shouldn't have to choose," I said and she smiled as though expecting that answer. "…so, he has to go with me, don't you agree?" I questioned her innocently as her eyes widened in surprise.

Looking flustered and shocked, she couldn't form words. Speechless at my response I turned to Anthony with a smile. "don't you think so?" I asked him as he furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"well yes, that is the correct way. But don't you feel bad for your sister? She most probably does not have anyone to accompany her, and I accompany you all the time, so it shouldn't be a problem if I go with her." He said making me do a double-take in my thinking.

Was I really in love with someone like this? What was wrong with me? When they say love makes you blind, it's no joke whatsoever.

"Why should I feel sorry for my sister?" I asked nonchalantly. "Well, if that's what you have decided then I have no choice but to accept your decision. I shall attend on my own then." I smiled.

Everyone looked as though I had grown two heads. But what could I say? I've had enough humiliation for one day. A short moment of silence passed over. Father cleared his throat trying to change the sudden atmosphere.

"Well, since it has been decided. I have nothing against this decision."

'of course, you wouldn't'

I thought as I tried calming my slight anger.

"Father it seems it's getting late; may I be excused?" I asked standing up.

He waved me off with his hand and I slightly bowed as I made my way out of the reception room. Keeping my posture until I was out of view. I sighed slouching a bit, looking up closing my eyes and taking a breath.

I refuse to live like I did. I didn't want to be tied down to a title my mother was being insulted of. I wanted to live, and I wanted to live a long life.

I wanted to be free from the destiny already written for me.