The sound of the rapid water drops drowned my thoughts, I could only rely on the sound to prevent myself from going back to that experience. Little did I know, I would be throwing myself under because of what I was doing, all for the sake of what? "saving myself".
I saw a reflection of myself on the water, at first, I didn't recognize it at all. I knew that it was not me—that could never be me. But this was the reality I chose for myself, whether I liked it or not, I had to get over it and deal with it.
For once, I was thankful with the maid's interference in my day. Had it not been for the sound of urgent knocking, I would have drowned to death. The maid was Anna, the sheepish one. She looked very concerned, her complexion pale as if she just saw a ghost.
"Anna," I called out.
"Yes, Madame" With cloth on her hands, she gently caressed the wet strands. Her voice sounded meek, yet her expression showed the opposite.
"You are quite an oddball," I said, relaxing my nerves. I stared into her reflection on the mirror, she was really just serious about her job. After hearing my words, she paused.
"I apologize if I had offended you," She said apologetically. Did it mean that way to her?
"No, no.. that's...not it." I turned my head to look her way, only to see her staring down the ground. Now I realized, I was always misunderstood.
"I'm sorry.." I muttered. It has always been like this, noone in this earth would hear what I had to say. So I never got to explain myself–even if I didn't have to.
When I saw the maid still didn't raise her head, I withdrew from my attempt for a conversation. "Just leave, please." I am tired.
---
"Juliette," The grand duchess called out, motioning the young lady to come her way.
"Yes, Madame?" She carried herself with grace, and bowed the perfect angle. Everyone who saw this sight was awestruck, at the top of their heads, they were comparing her with the duchess.
Next to Juliette Faviana, the current duchess was nothing but weed next to a flowering plant. They described her as the "swan of the lake" whereas Selene was branded "the ugly duckling in a pond" . They couldn't understand why the Duke of Lancaster took in a peasant as his wife—not a concubine, but a consort.
The day would never come when they will come to understand him.
"I heard the Favianas are launching a new product, would you mind telling us more about it?" The grand duchess smiled, to which Juilette returned an even bigger grin.
"I am honored," She turned to the other guests and gestured a servant to bring in the said product. Then she continued, "You may not be familiar with this yet, and that is because it is invented by my family." Juliette smiled hearing the guests murmuring with eyes full of curiosity.
"To be precise, It was I that invented such thing." She announced proudly, displaying a look of pride. This shocked the guests even more, and they were anticipating for the item to be revealed.
"Everyone, I have decided to name such— the 'embroidery machine' !" with one swift wave of her hand, she removed the cloth from the huge machinery.
Some people lost interest with the item after hearing its name; some others reacted as if it was something life changing. The room was then divided based on the reactions of the guests. "Good! How did you think of creating such thing?" A lady from the baron faction exclaimed. Hearing this, Juliette was thrilled as this was the question she was waiting for.
"Us ladies care for our hands deeply, and embroidery is our past time. Our family owns clothing shops, and many have come to me, complaning that some ladies risk their hands over the prick of a needle. That is why I made such innovation, and with this—you are maximizing your time to double the quantity of your masterpieces." She declared proudly.
Everyone felt moved and clapped loud enough to echo in the halls.
"You are thoughtful indeed!" A husband exclaimed. He was a merchant, who owned a fabric business in the south.
This meeting was held by the grand duchess to gather all sorts of entrepreneurs of diversity to create a network of connections for the Lancasters. Ofcourse, Selene wasn't invited, nor was she aware.
The merchant then stood up and continued, saying: "If you were the duchess of Lancaster, I fear that the ducal family would be as prosperous as the Royal Family!" He laughed. Yet, everyone in the room fell silent.
"Count," the grand duchess spoke,
"I suggest you stop there. You might not know the gravity of your words could affect three generations of your family." She uttered coldly. The atmosphere turned gloom at once.
It was preposterous to say that one's wealth would be on par—or even outweigh the Royal Family's. You would be asking for death. Although it is true that the Lancasters were raking in money from different directions; it was an already known fact, yet noone dared to compare the Lancasters to the Royals. The count was ignorant, and everyone's disdain befell him.
"Now then, I shall conclude the event with a light heart. I do not wish for any rumors to surface, however, I sincerely hope that the Favianas will continue to prosper." The grand duchess stood with a friendly smile,with just those words, she shutdown the count's reputation in high society, and announced a relationship with Faviana. This event summed up the power that she holds.
After the meeting, Juliette was requested to stay. Despite her busy schedule, she ought to stay as she had just established her standing in the business world, she could not afford to offend the Duchess.
"Juliette, I heard your studies are going well."
Sipping the warm tea, she upheld her image with elegance. "Yes, My father wants me to inherit the family. That is why I do my best in every way possible." Juliette spoke with resolve. She had to choose her words carefully, treading on thin ice.
"You have yet to come of age, correct?" She raised her brows. "Yes madame–" before she could finish, the duchess interrupted her. "Then you are not named heir yet." Juliette instantly knew where this conversation was going, the duchess was trying to make her a second mistress!
"Not yet, but I will be, soon." Juliette composed herself.
"There has never been a case of a woman leading the family in all my years of living, and throughout history," The duchess did not falter, she was determined to hear a yes from the the lady of Faviana.
"Then I will be the first." Juliette was firm, just was her opponent was determined, she was desperate to dodge it any way possible.
being a wife was the last on her list of to do's, what more about becoming a Lancaster.
"You carry too much pride, that is dangerous if you don't know your limits Lady Faviana." The duchess raised her hand to take another sip, she was growing more and more impatient.
"With all due respect, I believe I have somewhere to be. If you want to talk about marriage—I suggest you talk to my father."
Juliette stood with no hesittation, she knew her father would not agree anyway. She may have offended the Grand duchess, but she decided to give up such connection if it meant sacrificing herself.
----
"–that concludes that happened today, duchess." Anna recited to her mistress.
Selene had just grasped her situation, and ordered Anna to be her eyes and ears outside the annex. This was her leap of faith towards her plan.