VI. Fiesta
The capital was crowded than ever. Nobles are visiting one store to another, buying expensive souvenirs and jewelries to boast when the time comes. Commoners took this opportunity as a chance to sell their handmade products. Their children are out of sight, busy running errands for the higher ranks. Women, noble or not, are on their best dresses and behaviors. On their preferred seats, they await for their ‘prince charming on a white horse’ to take their hand. With all the grand decorations and the presence of the royalties, this is not bad for the day of fiesta.
Cassey Timmerhaus rode on her horse, a swift and elegant black mare. Cassey is wearing an equestrian uniform in light pink color. Her mother chose that color for her. Her silky black hair was tied on a clean bun, exposing her sharp jaws. Noblewomen who prejudiced her for having black hair and eyes were infatuated to her sword- cut features, and often compare her side profile with their l
Today, I woke up in tears. Mother and I had a quarrel early in the morning that rooted from a mistake I made in the finances. In the end, she finished the work and I fled to my uncle’s house.“It was your fault, Sica,” Grandmother said while knitting the yarn. I pouted. Although I don’t expect her to take my side, I somehow wished she would see things in my perspective.“You shouldn’t have answered her like that, Sica. After all, she’s your mother. If you want to badmouth someone, then why don’t you hit that Count? He’s useless, so...”“Does my maternal grandmother really think things are as simple as hitting someone, like how Maharlikas do to their child? If I really did that, I must have been sentenced to death now. Knowing mother, she would surely take his husband’s side.”Nothing has really changed. Maternal grandmother still hates the Count. She was so opposed with the marr
The loud crows of a rooster awoken me. In just a month, my mother is getting married to the Duke of Morelli. I immediately went to the bathroom to take a bath. Upon arriving at the bath, I was surprised at the number of red petals on the tub. I may not be able to smell it but I felt the liquid streaming down my cheeks. There’s only one person in the house who could do such detailed work.“Lola… it was you,” I said with much certainty.My grandmother peeked from the shower curtain. It’s nice to see her being energetic and beaming.“I don’t regret making such an arrangement. I will certainly make you the most beautiful, even more beautiful than your mother.”Maternal grandmother washed my hair fondly. However, I am not delighted even in the slightest. Even if I wear the brightest jewels of the empire, it may not be able to hide my dull appearance.“It’s a shame, Lola.”“T
Cassey’s head was squeezed by a nutcracker. It wasn’t exaggeration; it definitely feels like being squeezed.“Lady Cassey, are you alright?”Lady Lieughan asked in a worried tone. Cassey shrugged and sat down when her mother finally reaches the elevated stage.“This thing should end sooner.”Cassey’s face throughout the ceremony was crumpled and distorted. Her mother would crease her brows every time she catches the sight of her daughter’s displeasing facial expression. Lady Lieughan held Cassey’s trembling hands and occasionally fans her when other’s are busy applauding for the new couple.“And on this moment, with the presence of the dignified ladies and gentlemen, I shall pronounce you, husband and wife.”The crowd gave them a round of applause. The new duchess, Liracynthia, bowed happ
The smell of roses reached Cassey’s stuffy nose.“I heard you had a nosebleed.”Her mother’s words broke the silence. The proud Ashanti was sitting beside her mother, intentionally displaying her close relations with her. Cassey stared at them, as they sat comfortably on the soft cushions. She tapped the table to create melody and rocked her wooden chair.“The doctor said it was out of fatigue.”Cassey’s answer infuriated her mother. The tapping never ceased.“So what do you imply? Everybody knows I never left a job for you. You should be living well now!”Liracynthia raised her voice. Ashanti hurt her ears from the loud sound. She shoot glares at Cassey, thinking that her mother’s rage was caused by her sister’s stupidity.“Sister, you should have told me that you were exhausted. I could take some of your work.”Ashanti’s concerns were a mask t
It was a story of a brilliant woman who chose to leave her beloved home to test her luck at the neighboring empire, in hopes of saving her bloodline from the danger of being extinct.My mother once told me about her sacrifices for the Maharlikas. Due to unfortunate events and the consequences of their rage, the Maharlikas has faced a threatening crisis – poverty. Because of that, my first aunt was forced to work as a maid of an old baron in the empire. Her skills were recognized by the queen and took her as a lady-in-waiting. The second aunt never gave up the farmlands and worked as a farmer of another baron. She never attracted a member of the imperial family like her older sister, but she cared for her sickly mother, who cried all her joy because of her husband’s sudden death. My mother, Lira Maharlika, studied hard and gathered all the scholarships she could pass to sustain living in the expensive state of Larunduquez, while having me. She suffered from discrim
Cassey was getting ready for work.A sunny side up egg, baked bacon that looked like the frills of a noble lady’s dress, and cooked rice shaped like the crescent moon. It was her usual meal to give her the strength and motivation to work.“Working again, Sica?”Akoi looked at her dear cousin. Cassey was sleep deprived, and her eyes are drooping low.“I think it is better to have more sleep first.”Cassey shook her head aggressively to disagree.“I have plans on the weekend.”Akoi gasped and put her hands near the heart, as if she is having an attack.“Y-you… you’re still my cousin, right?”Cassey weakly nodded, that made Akoi react excessively, falling on the floor with her head low.“Sica, perhaps… have you gone nuts?”Cassey sat on the table and quietly chewed her food. She failed to hear what her overreacting cousin sai
Even under the dim light, I could see how disappointed my mother looks at me.Just a moment ago, my dinner date with Cai was interrupted by blue-collar men.“Lady Cassey Timmerhaus. The blue collar needs your cooperation.”I held my rage and answered politely.“For what cause, Sir?”I nervously stared at the officer’s eyes, an attempt to read the situation. But all I could sense is a vague danger.“Lady Cassey, you are mandated to cooperate in the investigation of the corruption and embezzlement within the County of Timmerhaus.”I burst.“Is the officer suggesting that I am suspected of embezzlement?”“Any attempt of retaliation is prohibited, hence, we request you to behave and cooperate silently, like your life is on the line.”The blue-collar men chained my hands behind and locked it with a golden padlock.I looked back at Cai one la
Maybe it was fear. Maybe it was contempt. Maybe it was grudge.No matter what the reason is, it is clearer than the day that I never wanted to see her.“Ashanti.”With a smirk on her face, she sat on the table in front of me.“It’s fresh to hear you calling my name, wearing the shackles. I thought it was removed already. What have you caused again?”I never did anything. I was handcuffed because the duchess of Morelli told the officers I am especially sneaky at night.“There’s one thing I can be sure of, Ashanti. People are easily threatened even when I simply exist and do nothing. This unusual phenomenon has become the cause of my social demise.”“Are you saying I am insecure of you? What a retarded mentality! Anyway, I am here to clear my name to you and to tell you that it wasn’t me. It was your stupid instinct of trusting people that made you this miserable.”