Chapter 2- The meal
In today's breakfast, I immediately went to my designated seat- the last corner in the table opposite my father. When everyone is seated, an announcement came.
"The Grand Duke of the North is coming. The Emperor already issued a statement that Mafila will marry him." Father said.
"But dear!" My stepmother called him.
"Father!" At the same time Mafila also stood up abruptly, unable to accept this kind of conclusion.
"I do not want to marry such monster. It disgusts me to think of what I will see behind his mask."
Father looked at my sister sharply which resulted for her to grit her teeth and scrumpled her face, nevertheless went back to her sit. However, she doesn't give up easily.
"Why can't I refuse? What about Safira, she's been obssessed with him since before. She should be the one marrying him."
Now, that's the suggestion I never liked. I wnat to leave this household but not in this way. Maybe if I am the old Safira I will be ecstatic but the current me is protesting fervently inside.
"Yes, our sister should marry better than that Grand Duke." Ranz chime pertaining to Mafila.
"Of course brother, sister only deserves the best." This time it was Finera.
There's a great tension between Duke Somelian and Grand Duke Xeirous Regalus. This is because the former is jealous of the latter and wanted his power, too. Yes, again with the cliche story of the Grand Duke having military power which is both a threat and protection to the royal family. I sigh internally. They do not know that freedom tasted more sweet than their greed for power. What is power anyway when the imperial family puts you in leash?
In addition, Ranz is envious of the Grand Duke as he already has his own territory and was able to subjugate monsters which shows the consistency of his military might. These are the features out of my brother's reach. Although he will eventually be the heir but that should be three years from now. He wants to prove to his friends that he is equal with the Grand Duke as he always claim to them. Therefore he needs something to back-up his adventurous tales.
She remembers why the previous owner of this body became obssessed with the Grand Duke. He was able to repel the maid harassing her when the Emperor asked him to visit their home. Starting that day, she has been stalking him not minding if he is scary through his mask, not minding of how others gossip about him, or her in particular with her not-so-subtle activities.
However, she felt vindictive when she heard a maid saying he has sent flowers to her sister, Mafila, attracting his attention. When her sister found out about it, she always brags it to her and said he will never see Safira even as a person. Safira's low self-esteem plummet more. That time, I just really want to hug this character and be a friend for all the things she endured yet still trying to seek her family's acceptance and love.
Although Mafila find the Grand Duke abhorrent with his scary aura but to make her frustrated and angry beyond a point, she started boasting about the rumor. Her sister feeding her ego which made this character obsessive to things she wants to get. She was not taught kindness and most importantly love.
She kinds of understand why the previous Safira feels attachment and hatred leading to her demise. Well, she has different plans anyway and ignoring Mafila's taunting is one of them.