ghosted...

The next morning, Vienna felt much more cheerful, but even this did not improve her mood after the news that she would have to visit a not-so-desirable family.

All this happened as follows.

---

"VIENNA!

"Yes, mother...

"You have no idea who I received the letter from!

_Oh, no, not this, usually she is so happy only about grandiose events that expand her circle of connections in society, she wouldn't  talk about some insignificant meeting so excitedly_

"Um, from whom?

"I received a reply letter from the Duchess of Levendel! And we will soon go to their estate for dinner.

"Will  father be present too?

"Of course, this is a dinner between future relatives, your father simply can't help but come.

----

Now, let's find out more from the so-called Levendel family:

The 'family members of the Duchy of Levendel' are people who are used to living in a world of luxury and privilege, but their lives are far from idyllic.

Outwardly, they are distinguished by elegance and nobility.

Father - Duke Rudolf Levendel:

Duke Rudolf is a tall and slender man with a proud bearing and a majestic look at the age of 50.  He has dark hair and deep blue eyes.  His face is decorated with a beard and mustache, which gives him severity and impressiveness.

His facial features reflect strength and power, but there is also a certain melancholy and bitterness in them.

  He has an upright posture and a strong physique, which speaks of his strength and masculinity.  His gaze is calm and tenacious, as if he is always in a state of efficiency and punctuality.

The Duke is the conservative and cold-blooded head of the family.  He always keeps himself in control and strives to preserve the reputation and dignity of the Levendels. He doesn't look at the experiences and emotions of his children as something important.  Instead, he tends to follow only the path of inherited traditions and values.

His wife, Duchess Caroline Levendel, looks like a real queen.

A forty-two year old beautiful woman with long, silky blonde hair and gray eyes that sparkle with confidence and cunning.

She has a graceful face with high cheekbones, a sharp chin and features culminating in a thin nose.  Her skin is snow-white and flawless, which makes her appearance even more sophisticated.

She is charming and graceful, always dressed in outfits made from the most expensive fabrics and decorations,

in luxurious attire of the nobility, emphasizing her status and attractiveness.

  However, her gaze is often hidden behind a veil of cold indifference, and beneath the surface the torture of the thorny path is clear.

Caroline is a strict and vulgar symbol of power and superiority.  She always stands high among the nobility and uses her influence to maintain her position.  This snake, personifying cunning and subtlety in wit, is always on top of events and is able to put pressure on those who stand in its way.

The family of the Duchy of Levendel is an example of the harsh reality of the aristocracy, where external illusory grace hides deep pain and suffering inside, and every step is accompanied by battles and conflicts to maintain privileges and power.

The heir and eldest son, Reinhard, is an attractive young man with ginger hair and bright blue eyes.  His facial features are neat, but they often express icy coldness and indifference.  He has a slender and graceful physique, which makes his appearance even more attractive.  He has a high human attractiveness that can win the hearts of many women.

  Reinhard always tries to look strong and unshakable, but his mental wounds no longer heal, and the burden of responsibility for preserving the duchy and dynasty weighs on him.

The youngest son, Liam, is a young man in his 20s with black curly hair and bright gray eyes, full of energy and resourcefulness.  His face is adorned with high cheekbones and fair skin, making his appearance attractive and youthful.  He has an athletic build, which speaks of his activity and strength.

Daughter, Josephine is a beautiful young 18 year old girl with thick dark hair and deep dark brown eyes.  Her face is decorated with high cheekbones, a straight nose and sensual lips, giving her mystery and sensuality.  Josephine has a slender and graceful physique, which adds grace and femininity to her.  She prefers to wear elegant and fashionable clothes that highlight her elegance and attractiveness.

Reinhard and Liam are on very bad terms, which often leads to confrontation and struggle for the right to inherit the family.  Both brothers are ambitious and want to become the heir to the Duke's title.  Liam believes that he should own everything associated with the Levendel family, including the title and wealth.  At the same time, Reinhard, as the eldest son, isn't going to just sit back and is ready to compete fiercely with his blood.

Josephine, although perceived as a bitch and a cheat, is an important player in this family confrontation.  She has cunning and charm, which she uses for her own purposes.  She not only tries to intervene in the fight between the two brothers, but also seeks ways to influence her parents to ensure the best conditions for herself.

Frequent quarrels and attempted murders became the rule rather than the exception in this fragmented and distinctly conflicted family.  The brothers strive to eliminate each other in order to become the sole heirs to the family wealth, and Josephine uses every means possible to achieve her desires and achieve her goal.  Caroline is on the alert, controlling the situation and looking for a profitable solution for herself and her family, while Duke Rudolf watches and does everything to maintain his stateliness and leave an inheritance for his heirs.

----

"Vienna!

"I'm ready, mother.

"go greet  your father, he's in his office.

"Fine.

----

Vienna walked up the steep steps of the stairs, feeling her heart quicken with excitement.

Walking along the corridor she saw two new paintings hanging on the wall.

Her gaze immediately went to the first one, hanging like an imposing and menacing presence on the white wall.  She felt her blood freeze in her veins.

The canvas depicted a wasteland, saturated with gloom and horror.  Ominous clouds hung over the gloomy land, making the atmosphere oppressive and threatening.  It was clear that the sky had just rained heavily, leaving painfully bright reflections on the wet grass and strangely stained trees.

The old house stood alone, like a forbidden secret of ancient times.  Its painted wooden walls bore the marks of time and destruction, and its cracked windows glowed dimly like a ghostly calling.  At first, Vienna didn't notice that skulls were scattered all over the canvas, as if the Ursulas were whispering about the other world and unconsciously hinting at the sorrowful destinies of the past.

But the second picture is the opposite, it not only emanated the opposite aura, but was also smaller in size.

The painting depicts a wide landscape greeting the sunset.  In the center of the picture one can see a powerful tree with branched branches, where the sun has just risen.  Its golden rays painted everything around in bright shades of orange and red.  The rays penetrating through the foliage created a special atmosphere of warmth and grace.  Against the background of the sun, the sky was white and blue, and a few soft clouds complemented the illusion of calm and harmony.

A shadow is visible under the tree, and in it you can see the silhouette of a person.  This created the feeling that an unknown lover of beauty was enjoying the sunset, inheriting its tranquility and beauty.  Flowers in shades of crimson and white also created their part of the picture, being a symbol of life and transitory beauty.

The picture certainly contained a deep and philosophical meaning.  Thin gold patterns were applied along the frame, which gave it some majesty and luxury.

Having carefully examined the details, she continued on her way.

Opening the office door, she felt an unpleasant aroma and white smoke came out of the room.

"Kha..Kha.. father, you are smoking again with the windows closed..

"Ah, Vienna, you came...ha...

"Welcome back father, how have you been?

"Move that vase here.

_Am I a servant? He didn't even respond to my greeting, how humiliating._

"Yes, father..

mm..Father..what are these paintings that you brought with you from distant countries!

"Oh, these, I saw them at an auction, and the seller said that if you hang these two opposites side by side, then... it will ward off misfortune.

"But ..what does that gloomy picture mean?

"No one knew what exactly the mysterious artist captured on the canvas, but just the rumors about the painting gave me goosebumps.

"Mm.. The painter had an impeccable talent to convey suffering. It seemed that the canvas emanated evil and bitterness. Understanding that this is exactly what everyone experiences in their own personal hell. Emptiness and despair, capturing the soul, penetrated into the depths of the human essence, opening unknown boundaries  suffering and sorrow.

This is what I saw when I looked at her...

"What did you see in the second one?

"I saw not just a landscape, but a symbol of the cyclical nature of life, its brightness and brevity, and I feel harmony in this process.

"I see the literature lessons weren't in vain..ha..when I finish, we will go to dinner, get ready..

Passing by that mysterious painting, Vienna couldn't take her eyes off these gloomy images of the paintings.  She was left alone with herself, somehow realizing that she had found her own incomprehensible tragedy with her gaze.

----

The Levendel estate, located on the outskirts of the capital, gave off a gloomy and menacing impression.  Enchanting gardens dotted with flowers and luxurious fountains were stretched across the facade of the indifference and cold felt inside the estate.  Vienna Edingberg, heiress of the Marquis, arrived with her cold and distant parents looking as refined and graceful as possible.

She froze for a moment in front of the majestic gates of the Levendel estate.  She looked at her parents, feeling their cold and distant gaze.

"Don't let them notice your fears," she screamed inside herself.

"Welcome, great Edingberg family," said the confident voice of Duke Levendel, opening the doors of the estate.

"We are pleased to welcome you within our humble walls.

Upon entering, Vienna's parents immediately sensed a threat in the air.  Marquis Maximilian Edingberg and his wife Leila greeted their hosts with relaxed smiles, but their eyes betrayed distrust.

"What a beautiful estate you have here,

Leila remarked, trying to hide her tension.

"We look forward with great interest in getting to know your family and your time that you organized for us for this family party.

"Of course, you and your beautiful daughter deserve only the best,

answered the Duke of Levendel, smiling charmingly.

"Everything has already been arranged, and we are ready to receive you at the table tonight.

Suddenly, a beautiful young woman, distinguished by her grace and composure, came out onto the veranda of the estate.  It was Reinhard's sister, Josephine.  She looked at Vienna with contempt, as if she were an obstacle in her path.

"And here is our Vienna,

  Caroline hissed, her melodious voice hitting the Edingbergs' nerves.

  "You will feel very uncomfortable in our estate, believe me.

"Sister, please keep your comments decent,

  Reinhard said, appearing from behind.

 "I apologize for her disrespect, our families haven't been close for too long.

Vienna opened her mouth in an attempt to answer, but her words were lost in space.  She felt the urge to drown herself in the bitterness and hatred that enveloped the smell of the old manor.

Reinhard Levendel, the Duke's son, was distinguished by the gift of attraction and charm, but his family instilled in him severity and indifference.  He was surrounded by strict and cold-blooded parents who tried to feign affection for Vienna, but in fact treated this union solely as a political deal.  Reinhard's snake-like sister and hostile brother created an even more oppressive atmosphere in the Levendel estate.

"Dear guests, let's take you to our dining room,

  Duke Levendel said, pushing Vienna's parents forward.

"May our dinner be the beginning of a long and wonderful family friendship.

The time spent in this house was of great intrigue for the young girl.

Upon arrival, the Levendels displayed hypocrisy in the face of their guests, greeting them with steely glances and false smiles.  The dinner party began with a magnificent ceremony, where the grandeur of the Levendels was decorated with luxurious treats and impeccable table settings.

the guests were literally amazed by the variety of food and dishes offered on the table.  The menu was based on national dishes from different countries to please even the most demanding gourmets.

The first course was Norendentia's potato's cream  soup with the subtle aroma of perfectly cooked garlic bread.  This was followed by a delicious Mivias salad with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and a layer of soft feta cheese.

Next, to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Vayhes, guests drooled over the sight of the masterpieces of paella - a delicious rice dish cooked with meat, seafood and vegetables.

For main courses, guests enjoyed a sumptuous beef and mushroom roulade served with mustard sauce, as well as exquisite herb-roasted salmon with rice and steamed vegetables.

A whole assortment of different snacks also appeared on the table: Norenden cheeses, Riyolton sausage, Vayhes jamon, as well as aromatic olives and pickled vegetables.

Pastrami (Lendint):  marinated and dried meat, usually beef or lamb.  Making pastrami was a fairly complex process, involving lengthy stages of salting, marinating and aging.

The dessert highlight of the evening was the Norendentia's profiteroles with the most delicate cream and chocolate glaze, as well as the exquisite Riyolton tiramisu.

Honey Web (Vayhes): This complex art took culinary skill to a new level.  Cooks used honey to create very thin and strong spider webs from strands of honey.  After hardening, it was decorated with colored flowers or fruits.

There was also a Beaverdite dish,

Cheese Pie: This dish consists of layers of a sweet or savory crust made from a mixture of flour, butter and water, and a filling of various types of cheese.  Serve hot or cold as a dessert or main course.

But everyone was surprised by the well-known and complex

To prepare Fruit and Meat Pie (Neverdia): Cold meat and fruit pies were very popular.  They consisted of layers of meat, fruit and seasonings placed on top of layers of dough.  Such pies could be sweet or salty, which gave them a unique taste.

The meal was completed with a serving of gourmet coffee and biscuits and a variety of world-famous liqueurs and gins, completely satisfying even the most discerning gourmets.

But behind this spectacle hid heartbreaking anger and indifference.

Vienna was overcome by a feeling of uncertainty and apprehension.  She knew that she had to endure this sea of ​​hypocrisy and role-playing, and only time would tell how long she could withstand this heavy pressure.

She paid attention to Reinhard's every move and word, trying to unravel his true feelings and find at least a drop of sincerity in a sea of ​​hypocrisy.  She experienced a variety of emotions - from fear to the desire to escape from this dark place, where there wasn't only physical, but also moral isolation.

Vienna and Reinhardt toasted their future.  Their words were carefully selected and conveyed only as formalities, carrying no semantic load.  They both realized that their destinies were completely in the hands of their cold-blooded and powerful families, and they themselves were just pawns on a chessboard of political intrigue and power struggles.

The girl was on the verge of tears, but held them back, knowing that weakness is the most inappropriate emotion. She was caught in the network of her status and the political interests of her family, and now there was no turning back.

Pulling herself together, she heard someone's voice, it was Josephine,

"Ahem, of course I know that you won't agree to my request... but could you join the tea party that I will be hosting in 2 days?

Hearing this, Vienna's mother immediately exclaimed,

"Why won't ? She is free, and will only be glad to attend the reception of such a person as you, young Mistress.

Nudged Vienna with her elbow, she added,

"Isn't that right?

"Yes, mother, how can I refuse such a request..

"Oh, how wonderful,

Reinhard's sister said,

"Then expect my letter soon.

"Mm, looking forward to it.

Having finished the meal and saying goodbye, they were about to leave when Vienna heard in her wake,

"Heh, don't forget to dress up.

_ she mocks me only because her family has more political support from the  second prince fraction and emperor.._

"Vienna..,

said Maximilian, looking at her with a stern look,

"I hope you won't disappoint us with your stay there, and...ahem, leave a good impression of yourself and our family, I think you know, ahem, that such places are a den of gossip.

"Yes father,

looking at the floor she replied,

"I will try not to give them a reason to laugh at my vulnerabilities.

"And also Vienna, don't forget that soon we will go to Mina Wyle's debut, so clear your schedule... ahem.

said the mother looking back at her husband, waiting for his support.

"It doesn't matter to me where you both are going, the main thing is don't disgrace my name...You know that the most important thing now is to establish your connection with the Levendel heir...

"Father, I understand this perfectly...but...

"What, but? Are you not happy with something? I raised you and didn't refuse you anything, and now you can't even fulfill such a request? Although no, it's not even a request, it's your responsibility, so be grateful to the merciful fate that he isn't  some old man or alcoholic,

ungrateful..