Chapter 4: Entangled in The Wrong Web

Chapter 4

Anthony sat at his desk, taking care of the work that seemed to pile up over the course f the week. No matter how much he took care of it wouldn't lessen. Sighing he leaned back in his chair his mind wandering as the wind blew in from the curtain. Looking up at the blue sky he couldn't help but think about Anita.

What wasn't perfect about her? She was everything a man wanted in a woman. But she was sly. That much he knew. Becoming Duke made him realize that much. But she was a good partner he needed by his side. Winter on the other hand…

'Winter…'

He thought to himself as a small smile played on his lips. She was indeed beautiful. The beauty she held was more than that of her sister, and if she had to stand in ranking with the most beautiful women in the empire, she wouldn't fall short in any way. He had only taken a liking to Anita because she would prove to be more beneficial in helping him uphold his social standing.

Winter was a woman with a treacherous background. If only she was not born as a bastard child, he wouldn't mind taking her as his wife. But his reputation needed to be immaculate. He didn't need her to dirty it simply because she was by his side.

Loving her was a mistake on his side. He should have looked more into her before involving himself with her. But that could be corrected now. Marquis Monroe was a well-known figure in the empire and having him in allegiance by the marriage of his daughter was going to give Anthony as a Duke a better standing than the Duke of Leviton.

He was not expecting his weak cousin to return from the war victorious and unscathed. But he did. And all Anthony could do was hope to hold hands with him, unless old grudges still resurfaced. This was all bringing n a headache.

"Caleb," Anthony called out as his aide heeded to his call, attending to him.

"You called, my lord?"

"Ask one of the maids to bring in some coffee."

"Of course, my lord."

He needed to work one step at a time. First was trying to get winter out of his hair.

*

Three days later…

"…dy! My Lady!" Susan shouted getting my attention.

I snapped out of my daze. Now that the ball was actually here, I was quite nervous. What if things didn't go my way? Was I going to play in the hands of this cruel fate? No way! I couldn't let that happen.

"My lady, are you listening?" Susan questioned.

"Oh, I'm sorry, what is it you were saying?"

"Oh, dear me, I said that I prepared carriage at the back entrance like you requested. I still don't understand why we need to do that. Why do you not ride in the carriage with your family instead?"

I looked at Susan with a sad smile. If only that were possible, I wouldn't need to go through such lengths.

"There's no need for you to wreck your brains thinking about it. Rather let us prepare, it's going to take us a while to prepare." I ushered her.

Susan suddenly became armed as she helped me undress and soak into the bathtub. I just hoped tonight might work well and in my favour. Sighing I let myself relax.

time passed by as I dressed and sat for Susan to do my hair and lightly apply my makeup. All was going to work out. And it was going to work out well.

Time was running on the shorter end as I finally finished walking outside my bedroom, only for one of the maids to inform me that my so-called family had already departed.

'Did they really think leaving me behind would hinder my appearance at the ball? Well sorry, I had meticulously planned everything. Nothing was going to stop me from attending this ball.'

Walking past the maid, I headed towards the entrance, as Susan quickly rushed to get the carriage to pick me up at the entrance. Walking to the carriage, the coachmen opened the door, allowing me to enter. Sitting down, Susan came in sitting opposite me. The door closed before Susan began to explode.

"HOW COULD THEY DO THAT TO YOU?!"

She began as I huffed looking out the window. I knew they were going to do this. They wanted their perfect family image top to be portrayed at the ball. Me being there, would just evoke gossip and tarnish their so-called precious name.

"My lady, how can you be so calm?"

"Susan, as time passes you will have to learn that sometimes an attack that is unexpected is better than one that is expected." I smiled slyly.

Susan looking confused, simply tried decoding my words but found no vail, and let it go. I watched the trees pass by as the banquet hall lights came into view. We had reached, the coachmen slightly knocked on the carriage door.

"My lady, we have arrived." He said as he opened the door.

Taking his hand, I got off the carriage and walked top the entrance. Showing my invitation, I entered without a hassle. The banquet hall seemed lively as people chattered away and laughed. I caught sight of Anthony and Anita, standing side by side, speaking to people that came their way.

'yeah laugh it up.'

I rolled my eyes, walking down the stairs to the floor. I seemed to catch attention., freezing towards the end, as the hall slowly became silent. Was I attracting too much attention? Why? If looks could kill, I'd be dead, and my body would be shipped off to a far-off land. Anita looked as though I had walked into a place that was not welcoming me. Someone had approached me with a smile. The serpent crest on his clothing had caught my attention. The ducal house of Leviton.

"My lady, you seemed to have the attention of many, would you do me the honour of letting me know who you are?"

Ah, that was it. I had not attended many events growing up, so my appearance was still unknown to many.

"Winter Azalea Vera Le Monroe, and you good sir?" I questioned politely.

He seemed taken back by my reply. I bet no one was expecting to see the bastard daughter of house Monroe.

"Robin Skylar Leviton. A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Indeed. Well please excuse my rudeness. I'll have to move away from you towards my family." I said trying to get myself away from making cheap banter.

Moving towards my dear father and mother, Anna pulled out her fan, over her face with a displeased look.

'Well we both don't like each other woman, get over it.'

"Father, Mother." I greeted.

"Winter, stay out of sight," Father warned with a deadly glare.

How unsightly. Like I would do that. I came to change my fate and that was what I was going to do. I made eye contact with Susan who was standing to the side with the other maids. Satisfied I moved away from them slowly walking towards the table filled with champagne glasses.

"His majesty the sun of the empire and her majesty the moon of the empire has entered."

To say the imperial family was beautiful would be an understatement. What did they drink to have them look so beautiful? Was it a royal thing? Their beauty really blinded people. Everyone bowed as they walked towards the golden throne positioned on the higher end of the hall.

"You may all rise." The emperor said.

Everyone raised up as they turned attentively to the imperial family the emperor continued his speech.

"Tonight, we celebrate the return of the crown prince who had brought victory to the empire. Please come in Prince Zachary Alexis Sora Cassian."

His footsteps echoed in the silent hall, as his deadly aura followed him. As soon as he entered, I could not help but almost let out a curse. There before me, stood the man that had nearly trampled on me with his damn horse. Our eyes locked as though he was looking for me in the crowd and time froze almost like a blaspheme romance scenario. But instead, it was as though, the predator was looking at its prey. His face was expressionless and cold. I could not help but shrink back slightly. Crown prince or not, I feel like I got myself entangled in a web I should not have.