Margaret changed the water in the vase that held the bouquet Suzen had gifted her on the night of the betrothal. After carefully arranging the flowers, she left her room and walked toward the garden. Her face showed no emotion, and her steps were so light they made no sound.
In the garden, her mother sat sipping expensive tea while reading a newspaper page filled with noble gossip.
"Good morning, Mother. You called?" Margaret asked softly, bowing her head a little.
"Oh my Lord! Good morning, child. I didn't hear you come," Elenora said in surprise, motioning for her to sit.
"What can I do for you, Mother?" Margaret asked as she took the empty seat.
Elenora set the newspaper on the table. "It's been five days since your betrothal, yet I haven't heard anything from your fiancé. I wondered if he might have sent a letter or a gift to you through someone at the academy?"
With a calm face, Margaret replied, "No, Mother. I haven't received any word or gift from the lord."
"I see…" Elenora sighed. "Listen, my child. Sir Julian is seven years older than you, so you may not seem like a real woman to him yet, but that will change after marriage. You may not be as perfect as your elder sister or Suzen, but you do have a little charm of your own."
Margaret stayed quiet, used to hearing such comparisons.
Elenora took another sip of tea before continuing. "Once you become part of the Fairbourne family, you must think about what benefits your family the most. After marriage, you'll be responsible for both the Aurenhart and Fairbourne reputations." She paused, then added, "After you, it will be Suzen's turn."
Margaret straightened a little. "Why?" she asked quickly.
"She's seventeen too. It's time she had a fiancé. If not, people will start talking—how we arranged our own daughter's betrothal but not the one we took in. Your father and I were just discussing it. Suzen will be taking the position of Prince Avaric's first concubine. We've heard he's quite fond of her. It's a good match—for her and for our family."
"Does her wish matter? Tell me, Mother—if she refuses to marry Prince Avaric, will she be forced? Or will you let her go?" asked Margaret she tried to sound not so desperate.
Elenora looked straight into Margaret's eyes. Her expression stilled for a moment as her gaze traced her daughter's face. Then she scoffed.
"Does she even have the right to wish for anything? She knows very well that she's an outcast in her own family. If it weren't for us, who would have ever taken her in?"
Her tone hadn't changed much, yet it carried a new edge—less caring and gentle, more cruel and mocking. Elenora is a woman who only cares about her husband, son and the family reputation. A narrow minded woman who doesn't support the idea of giving opportunities to women.
"I see, Mother. If you're done with me, may I leave? I have some urgent matters to attend to," said Margaret, rising to her feet and bowing slightly.
She could feel her mother's eyes still fixed on her, but she chose not to provoke her any further.
---
In the kitchen of the mansion:
"Hmm… if we sprinkle sugar powder on the cupcakes, they'll look like they're covered in snow," said Suzen cheerfully, coating the cupcakes with powdered sugar as the chef and maids watched.
"At this rate, you'll get diabetes," said Margaret as she entered the kitchen.
All the servants bowed to her, and she returned the gesture politely. They all took their leave in presence of Margaret.
"Sweet things can never harm me—I've got sugar in my blood!" Suzen laughed, offering a cupcake to Margaret.
"That explains your endless energy. You're always high on sugar," teased Margaret, gently wiping Suzen's cheek with her handkerchief.
Both of them giggled.
---
Later, in their room:
Margaret sat at her desk, focused on writing a letter, while Suzen read a book beside her. When Margaret finished, she quietly looked over at Suzen.
After a moment of silence, she asked, "Has my mother reached out to you… and talked about your betrothal?"
"Huh? Oh, no, nothing like that," Suzen replied without looking up from her book. "Your marriage will be held in twenty days—your parents must be busy with all the arrangements. And how could they plan one for me when Sister-in-law's preganancy date is due? After you leave, Aunt and I will be the only one here, so I don't think it's possible."
"Right… I just thought they might have started searching for a suitable man for you now that they're done with me."
Margaret stood, picked up her letter, and said, "I'll be back in a while."
"Okay~," Suzen replied, still absorbed in her book.
---
Margaret stepped out of her room, deep in thought.
They're planning to make her Avaric's concubine. And no one becomes a concubine before a wife is chosen. The royal family isn't arranging any marriages right now—or at least, none that I know of. He's the fourth prince out of eight siblings. He isn't sharp enough to inherit the throne, so it's possible he won't marry a princess but a duke's daughter instead... Maybe I really should take Suzen as my lady-in-waiting after my marriage.
Lost in thought, Margaret approached a butler and handed him the letter. "Please deliver this as quickly as possible." she said softly.
Margaret received a reply to her letter six days later. She stood beside her bed while Julian looked around her room.
"You read quite heavy books. So, you're not just someone who looks smart—you truly are," he said, glancing at the shelves. "Oh! And this painting of flowers—did you make it? It's beautiful, just like the artist."
"It was made by Suzen," Margaret replied with a straight face.
Julian coughed awkwardly. "Ah, I see… well, it's decent. The competition among artists these days is quite tough; she needs to work harder on her skill—"
"She's great at whatever she does," Margaret interrupted, her tone firm but proud. "She didn't even put much effort into this painting, yet it turned out wonderful. All our professors admire her."
"I see…" Julian said quietly, taken aback by how much Suzen meant to Margaret.
"So, what was it that you wanted to discuss that you could not in your letter?" he asked after a pause.
"I… needed a favor," Margaret said. "I want you to convince my parents to let me bring Suzen with me. I want her by my side—she's not safe here."
Julian frowned slightly. "Does she even want to come with you?"
"Yes," Margaret replied without hesitation.
"I will have to see what I can do in my power."He said with a not so committed tone.
"My Lord she means a lot to me. I need her!" Margaret Plead.
Julian took a look at Margaret and said "…I'll do my best," after a moment pause. "That's all I can promise in this matter."