Concubine Rose Beaten

Arabella took a sip of the tea served by Orchidia's maid, the second concubine.

"I'm sure you want to talk about something important until you come directly to my private room, Lady Arabella," Orchidia said with a warm smile.

Arabella's nod made her smile widen, "I'm here because there's something important. But, didn't you call me 'Dear' before?" asked Arabella.

Orchidia froze for a moment, " can I do that, Lady Arabella?"

"Yes. Absolutely. You don't need to use formal language with me, Concubine Orchidia. You can call my name or call me Dear anytime. Just think.. I'm like your daughter. Can you?" Arabella asked. Even though Arabella did intend to cooperate with Orchidia, she was serious about this. Arabella sincerely wanted to think of Orchidia as such.

"Alright. Then, I'll talk casually only when it's the two of us. And, what do you want to talk about,

Arabella?" asked Orchidia.

Arabella put down her teacup, "You can get pregnant, there is nothing wrong with your uterus. Concubine Rose gave you and Concubine Vivian a medicine that prevents pregnancy," said Arabella in a calm tone.

" What?" Orchidia froze. She tightens her lips. The ethics of a noblewoman, no matter how angry she must be calm and graceful. Raging and screaming were not good manners for a noblewoman.

"You're very calm, I guess," Arabella muttered.

Arabella's pale gray eyes glanced around Orchidia's room, "I will help you and Concubine Vivian to have a child. So can you listen to my explanation first?" Arabella asked. Her demeanor is still the same, stay calm. Rushing and being too emotional when telling this to Orchidia would only make her untrustworthy.

"Okay. But before that, may I know where you got this information from?" asked Orchidia.

"I can't tell you, for now, let's just say that I know enough about everything that is and will happen. All I can tell you so you can believe and hear what I have to say is, every week, the three concubines always drink tea together in Concubine Rose's room, right? There, she always puts medicine in your teapots. It was easy for Concubine Rose to do this because you and Concubine Vivian like the same tea, Jasmine tea. Concubine Rose likes Darjeeling tea. Am I right, Concubine Orchidia?" Arabella said in a confident tone.

Orchidia covered her mouth in disbelief, everything Arabella said was exactly what happened.

"Right.. so, please tell me what you know again, Arabella" Orchidia whispered.

Arabella's thin rosy lips pulled into a lopsided smile, "You should be suspicious, how come Concubine Rose can have three children when you and Concubine Vivian can't at all. Concubine Rose is afraid that you or Concubine Vivian could give birth to a son who might become the successor to the Marquess family. That's why she's been using this cunning way since the first time you came to this residence. She wants to get rid of all of us, Concubine Orchidia. That woman, ah... " Arabella almost cursed Rose in front of Orchidia.

"I mean, Concubine Rose had planned all kinds from the beginning. The two concubines she gave medicine, while I was the official heir he always tried to get rid of to the village," continued Arabella, who had regained control.

Orchidia looked at Arabella with a concerned expression, "You don't need to hold back in front of me, Arabella. I know how much you suffered because of Rose. Your mother, your house, and your father were all in Rose's hands from the start. Moreover, I heard..." Orchidia hung up because hesitant.

"My mother was poisoned by the maid on the orders of Concubine Rose? That's right" continued Arabella who had guessed Orchidia's intention.

"Gosh.." Orchidia whispered. His eyes moved to and fro because he didn't want to look at Arabella with a concerned look.

"You know where all that came from, Arabella? How can you... you who are still this young have to suffer like that."

"I'll tell you how I know it when this is all over, so I hope you can accompany me until we are free, Consort Orchidia" Arabella said ambiguously.

To be honest, Orchidia wanted to ask further but she understood it seemed like Arabella couldn't tell her right now.

" Alright, Arabella. I will wait for that moment while continuing to support you " said Orchidia with a sincere facial expression.

They continued to talk about the trivial things that were happening in the capital at this time, Arabella felt very comfortable talking to Orchidia. Since the first, his father's second concubine always treated Arabella well and often helped Arabella.

" MOTHER!!!"

" Concubine Rose!"

Some people screamed at the same time. As soon as Arabella and Orchidia stepped out of the door to find out what was going on, the name Rose was called intrigued them.

"THE LOWEST WOMAN LIKE YOU DARE TO SHAME ME, HUH?! Even though Arabella was right when she said that I would look arrogant and plebeian with two brooches, you denied it and said you know more about high-class social trends. What do you know, bitch?! " Vivaldi cursed while pulling Rose's hair to drag the woman into the mansion.

Rose's tears and sobs invited pity from some, but not from Arabella. In the past, he was treated much more than that. Over and over again, over the years.

' This is only the beginning, Rose. There are many other surprises for you, ' Arabella thought.

Rose continued to scream and denied that she was deliberately embarrassing Vivaldi.

"What's not?! I was made to be a joke, called like a villager, showing off my wealth, even my origins as a Baron's son were brought up!" snapped Vivaldi. He kept grabbing Rose's red hair and slapping her several times. Rose's face reddened.

Ah, it's time for Arabella to step in. With graceful steps and an innocent face, Arabella descended the stairs. Meanwhile, Rose's children were still watching from the second floor with their maids.

"Father..sorry to interrupt, but what is this?" asked Arabella in a gentle voice.

Vivaldi turned to his daughter who was still standing on the stairs, "You're right, Arabella. Rose embarrassed me because of those two Brooches that I was made a joke of by other family heads. Shi*t! And, the Grand Duke was also present at the meeting, I'm embarrassed " Vivaldi growled.

Arabella covered her mouth as if in surprise, but her eyes glanced at Rose with a slightly… condescending look. Rose, who was sensitive, glared, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN TO LOOK AT ME WITH tHAT EYES, ARABELLA?!" Rose screamed disapprovingly.

'Got you, Rose,' Arabella thought, shrieking happily.

Again Vivaldi landed a hard slap on Rose's face until her first concubine fell a little further away from the starting point, "Idiot! It has embarrassed me, you still dare to be rude to Arabella? You even forgot your basic etiquette!"

Arabella laughed inwardly, looking cruel. But what else she can do? What Rose felt was nothing compared to the life that Arabella had lived, tormented her, caused by Rose, her children, and Vivaldi until Arabella die.

"Father. Consort Rose must be in pain," Arabella's eyes filled with tears as if she was sad to see Rose, "I beg your pardon to Consort Rose, Father. From now on, let me take care of your clothes and accessories if you have an important meeting. Can you believe in me?" Arabella pleaded.

"My Lord, don't! Let me-"

"Let you take care of my preparations and then embarrass me again like today, Rose? You can't. I will entrust Arabella to take care of my preparations next time. You know me right?" can never again entrust that to him."

"Once someone has wronged me, I will never be able to entrust to them again," said Arabella in her heart. He had memorized Vivaldi's words because in his previous life Vivaldi always said the same thing every time he tortured and punished Arabella for the mistakes that Rose and her children had planned.

' Father hasn't changed, so keep it up, Father. Let me, your daughter.. avenge all my father's mistakes this time ' Arabella thought. Her hand holding the fan and the skirt clenched, venting his emotional feelings.