SWNOVELS Chapter 11
Chapter 11
HENRIETTA
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The house was busy as it always was since my father died. Myrna and Yvette made sure to have tea parties now. and then mainly to show the other ladies their wealth and their capabilities now they thought they are the head of the house. It was the fastest way to spread the news as the ladies would then tell others about what they’d
seen or heard.
They’d see Myrna and Yvette sniffing once and they go around telling the whole town how miserable they are after my father’s death. It was strategic. Pathetic.
Niana gently combed my hair. From the vanity, I could see her stealing glances in my direction. I know she has. something she wants to ask so I sighed and said, “What is it?”
She jolted, surprised I asked. She smiled at me through the mirror. “You suddenly disappeared, my lady. I was worried. But I was relieved to see you safe and with…Sir Andreas.”
Her hands continued to fumble through my hair, clearly thinking of what to ask next.
“I couldn’t stand them here so I went with Sir Andreas. We had to talk about something too.”
Her mouth curved into a smile before she nodded. She did not say another word and started putting things on
my
hair. The dress that I had taken from Andreas’ home was stashed inside my closet. Wearing a bold red dress with a decent neckline this time, I stood in front of the mirror, admiring my reflection. I asked Niana to make the colors on my face subtle. Today, I ought to go to town. Staying in this house would just be too suffocating.
“You did great, Niana. Thank you.”
She bowed. “You’re already beautiful, Miss. I did not do a lot.”
I smiled at her from the mirror. She bowed once again before walking out of my room. The moment my door opened, I saw Yvette standing behind it. Niana was surprised to see Yvette but she bowed and looked at me, silently asking if I wanted to be left alone. I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.
“I will call for you again later, Niana. Thank you,” I said and Niana glanced in Yvette’s direction once again before finally leaving.
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Yvette flashed her usual bright smile. “Are you going somewhere, Henny?”
I faced the mirror once again and fixed my dress.
“I have not seen you wear this dress before. Did Sir Andreas get this for you?”
“It’s been in my closet a long time ago but it’s just today that I felt like wearing it.”
She nodded and made herself comfortable in the settee near the window. “Sir Andreas may not be so bad.”
“Who said he is?” I looked at her from the mirror and the surprise was visible on her face, clearly not expecting
me to say those words.
She let out a dry smile. “You know what the people say. He’s ruthless. He’s a violent man–”
“Are those the things you talk about in one of your tea parties? It’s not exactly a topic fit for that kind of event, don’t you agree?” I faced her and she blinked. Not expecting me to be so straightforward. They have been used. to me being quiet. But that was only because I chose to be quiet.
“As for Sir Andreas, he is actually a decent man. If you’re worried, there is no need for that. Perhaps you should focus more on your upcoming wedding.”
I
The smile returned to her face that boastful smile. “Philip already has everything arranged. He said I just need
to relax while waiting for the wedding.”
I forced out a bright smile before I said, “Then, congratulations.”
She was about to say something else when a knock came on my door, Niana opened it from the outside and I almost thanked the go ds when I saw Aiden standing there. I have no idea why he was here but I was thankful for
his arrival. He looked at me and bowed.
“Sir Andreas is waiting at the Pal az zo Dining.”
I blinked. “Pala zzo Dining?”
Aiden nodded. “If you are ready, let me escort you to the dining venue–”
“Hold on,” Yvette stood and walked towards the door. She smiled at Aiden before she went on, “Did you say
Pala zzo Dining?”
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Aiden looked like he did not want to be there any second longer but he said, “Yes.”
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“It’s the most high-end gourmet establishment here in Veridia. How can Sir Andreas–” she cut herself off, cleared her throat, and looked at me. I knew what she was about to say. “Is there anything special today for Sir Andreas to be taking you to such a fancy place?”
I let out a relaxed shrug before I walked to where Aiden was standing. “Do we need something special to go to such a fancy place, Yvette? I guess he’s capable of doing so.”
Before she could even say another word, I nodded at Aiden and we immediately went to where the carriage was waiting. But before we got out of the house, I saw Myrna standing by the sitting room, preparing for another tea, party. She did not say anything as I walked out.
The carriage was quiet as I was alone there but I focused my attention to the surroundings as Aiden brought me to the establishment where Andreas was waiting. I was planning to only go on a walk today since Andreas was called to investigate the dead body found at the back of the palace. I suppose he has solved it now. I couldn’t help but get curious as to who the dead body belonged to and how it died.
For whatever reason he called me to Pal a zzo Dining, I couldn’t care less. As long as it’s not inside my own house, anywhere is fine.
The trip only took fifteen minutes. Aiden helped me get out of the carriage and I instantly regretted the dress! was wearing. I was too overdressed for a casual lunch. But then Aiden was already guiding me to the way inside the gourmet venue and I couldn’t do anything but follow. Whatever this is, this calls for another acting as if me and Andreas are getting along well. As Aiden escorted me inside, the sunlight filtered through the ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the path. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of foreboding, wondering what awaited me at this unusual meeting place.
The moment I stepped inside the venue, a practiced smile curved my lips. My back straightened and my delicate and graceful steps echoed across the whole space.
It wasn’t hard to spot Andreas. His black hair–as dark as the night–shone under the warm glow of the lights gracing the immaculate ceiling and over the marble floor. His piercing blue gaze met mine as he lifted his glass and drank from it, staring at me from over the rim of his glass.
Suddenly, I was pinned on my spot. What does he need for us to do this time that he had to call me here? I was thankful for his timing but I couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted to talk about this time.
As I neared, I realized he was talking with another man. It was a much older man, his hair was a mixture of grey
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and black, and it was enough to tell me how old the man was. He stood and bowed at Andreas before facing me. His eye smiled with his mouth when he met my stare.
“Henrietta, this is Arthur,” Andreas said, waving a graceful hand in the old man’s direction.
“It’s a pleasure to meet the Lady Silvana but I am afraid I won’t stay long as I have another business to attend to. Please enjoy your lunch.”
Before I could even say anything, the old man walked away, leaving me, Aiden, and Andreas. It was also then that I realized there was no one else inside the venue.
Sensing my question, Andreas said, “We got the whole place for ourselves.” He stood and pulled out a chair for me to sit on. He gestured on it when he saw me hesitating. I took his offer and sat, still looking at him questioningly.
“How was the case? Who was that dead body?”
He looked at me with raised brows. “I was not expecting a lady to be so curious of such hideous things. It’s not a topic worth discussing over food.”
I stopped the urge to grimace. Clearly, he does not want to disclose any information he gleaned from the case. I decided to switch the topic.
‘Renting the whole gourmet venue? And not just any ordinary venue but the fanciest one in this Kingdom? Is this where you will propose to me? Shouldn’t there be any spectators to at least bear witness?”
He folded his hands and rested his chin over them. The way his arms flexed at the movement made me see just how magnificent he was under that fabric. The dark inks peeking on his neck tell me enough story of the rest of the inks drawn down to his arms and his stomach. The image formed vividly inside my head and I could feel my cheeks burn. Thankfully, he did not seem to notice my flushed cheeks.
“We’ll get there soon. For now, I have something else I want to talk with you about.”
The imagination I had earlier vanished. I narrowed my eyes at him. He’s not going to make another insane suggestion, is he?
I sighed. “What is it?”
Andreas nodded in Aiden’s direction and it was the latter’s signal to walk away and stay somewhere far. I don’t
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think he did not want Aiden to hear it. I think he just wanted Aiden to keep watch.
“The Ritual is proceeding in a few days. I came here to tell you to prepare.”
My jaw dropped. “What? Our wedding date has not been discussed yet.”
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“I talked to Father and he told me to have it as soon as possible. It’s a necessary ceremony and besides, the full moon is coming. It wouldn’t make sense for us to wait for another one.”
I blinked. My mouth went dry. Once the Ritual is done, the wedding will follow soon. I know I am engaged and I am set to marry Andreas but this is just too fast. I realized I had not truly prepared myself for this at all.
As if sensing my emotions, Andreas said, “Like I said, I can give you time to make this decision. You can use me however you want to exact your revenge. In return, I shall do the same to you to exact mine. If you need more time to think about it, I can give it to you–
“No,” I said, shaking my head. “It’s now or never. I will marry you.”
He leaned back on his seat and crossed his arms, his muscles flexing underneath the fabric.
A smirk played on his lips as he said, “I haven’t even proposed yet.”
I rolled my eyes, “Oh, please.”
But to my surprise, he took something out of his pocket and pushed it in my direction. He reached to open it and
I almost gasped at the sight.
“I had a witch make that one. It’s a spelled ring and the wearer shall be protected at all times.”
My eyes were wide as I looked at him. “Is this…”
“That’s our engagement ring. You were talking about proposing. Here it is.”
My throat went dry as I looked at him and the ring. I was about to say something when suddenly, the door opened, and in came Philip and Yvette. Aiden was quick to stand in front of them.
“Sir Andreas had the place rented out, Your Highness,” Aiden said but Philip scoffed.
“Oh, please. He’s my brother.”
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I was about to stand when suddenly, Andreas grabbed my wrist, making me stop. He took the ring from the box and with one fluid motion, he kneeled on one knee, looking up at me.
My heart ratcheted into a thunderous beat as he said, “Lady Henrietta Silvana, would you bestow upon me the honor of becoming your husband?”
I stared at him, still unable to grasp the whole situation. I felt him squeeze my hand and that’s when I realized what he was doing.
Of course! The charade! We were supposed to be acting in front of everyone. I was too stunned that I almost forgot.
With my practiced smile and somewhat exaggerated gasp, I extended my hand to Andreas. I made sure my voice was loud enough as I said, “Yes. I will marry you, Andreas.”
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Chapter 12