' Scarlet , please open the door ' Charlotte said hoping to settle things with her sister , Scarlet had been eyeing the duke for a while and she was confident in herself that her looks would win him over but she never expected that while she had her eyes set on the duke , he had his on her sister instead.
' You always take everything from me Charlotte , Father favours you more , you are always praised by the people in this town and me... am always left behind just living in your shadow ... ' Scarlet complained as tears clouded her vision .
' Scarlet you know that's not true at all , Father loves us both equally and you know that everyone always praises you more than...me , please understand I really like Henry and he does too so please ' Charlotte tried to convince her sister to give her blessings but to no avail .
' You like him ? ' she asked disbelief etched on her beautiful face as she opened the door and faced her sister, ' Why are you so selfish ,don't you want to see me happy Charlotte ' Scarlet said as she took hold of Charlotte's hand .
All her life Charlotte was the one who had been living in her sister's shadow , who was more beautiful and cherished than her , she got everything she wanted and everything Charlotte wanted .
' Charlotte don't be selfish , let your sister have that dress . It looks better on her than you anyway ' their mother scolded lazily sipping her coffee , she remembered when they were younger .
' But Mother I saw it first and if really looks pretty on me ' Charlotte tried to protest as she held the dress tightly in her small hands hoping her Mother would understand her .
' Give it to your sister and that's final , pick another dress ' Charlotte stood their shocked clutching the dress tightly .
' Give it to me , you can choose another dress . ' Scarlet said as she took the dress from her sister's hands .
' Why does she always have to get everything I like Mother ? ' Charlotte turned to her Mother with tears threatening to fall from her eyes .
' Oh sweetie.... ' the woman stood up and took graceful steps towards her daughter with a sweet smile . She crouched a little and whispered close to her ear for only her to hear , ' Because she is just better than you , you are nothing like her . Now wipe those tears away before people start gossiping about our family ' Charlotte was shocked at how her own Mother could say that to her .
Coming back to the present day , Charlotte stared at her sister who had always taken everything she liked and she let her but this time it's going to change .
' You will not marry him and you'll let me be with him right ? ' Scarlet asked with her voice laced in soft in honey .
'....I won't ' Charlotte replied and made Scarlet smile but not after she heard what sharlotte said next .
' I won't let you have him because this time I want to fight for him and I will get married to him ' she added .
Scarlet let go of her sister's hand and frowned , ' what did you just say to me ' she asked with a glare .
' Henry and I like each other and I won't give him up for anything or.... anyone ' she said before she turned on her heel and left her sister who couldn't believe that Charlotte had denied her request.
' You will never be happy with him , I won't let you have him ! ' Scarlet screamed at her sister's retreating back but Charlotte was having none of it .
Charlotte stepped into her room and as she closed her door , all the emotions she had bottled up in heart over the years exploded .
She sat in front of her dressing table in silent tears as she stared at her reflection . Charlotte was beautiful she had long golden blonde hair with crystal blue eyes, high cheekbones ,plump lips , her face had a soft and reserved complexion, there was a small black dot below her right eye and on her lower lip but even with all the unique features she held her sister was more attractive and striking than her but the duke had noticed her and had proposed to her .
' This time I choose to be happy and I won't give it up ' Charlotte said to herself with determination and hope .
Scarlet cried all night contemplating how she had failed to seduce Henry all this time , she failed to understand what her sister had and she didn't though they were sisters .
Something dangerous and sinister was planted in her mind unknowingly towards her sister , she was jealous of her ever since they were young and always masked it well with a sweet smile and calculated words .
That night Charlotte was the happiest girl in Woodville , her childhood best friend who she had developed feelings for was going to marry her soon , dreams do come true after all . Charlotte thought in her mind as she prepared herself for sleep .
When morning arrived the Alvarez family settled in the dinning hall to have their breakfast . ' Edward did you know about Henry's proposal beforehand ' asked lady Magreth who was his mother .
' I did but he asked me to keep it a secret , Charlotte can now be with someone who will love and cherish her too ' Mr Eduard said as he looked at his daughter across the table who was smiling to herself with her eyes lowered and warm cheeks.
Scarlet almost rolled her eyes but a sharp glance from her mother stopped her in he , 'Dear but isn't it too early for our little Charlotte to be engaged let alone married ' Lady Lucy started .
I think Scarlet is the better choice here if you talk to the Duke himself , he might reconsider and make his son marry Scarlet instead ' . Lady Lucy added and the smile that had been on Charlotte's face turned bitter .
' That's foolish of you to say , Charlotte and Henry like each other that's why he proposed to her . Scarlet is beautiful enough to find someone for herself ' said an old woman as the food was being served .
' Mother is right sister-in-law , I don't think the duke is so blind that he didn't see your precious Scarlet , let Charlotte be happy . said another woman at the table who was Eduard's sister , Debbie .
Unless you are not happy for her ..as a real mother should ' added Aunt Debbie as she sipped her coffee carefully .
' it's not like you would know anything about motherhood , since you aren't..one yourself ' Lady Lucy commented with sarcasm .
Lady Debbie's smile wavered as her hold on the teacup tightened , she had been married for ten years without any luck of being a mother too , her husband was a rich merchant who often travelled a lot .
' For once can't we just sit together and have our breakfast as a normal family would , you two always have to bicker about something or another . Charlotte will marry the duke and that's my final say ' . Mr Alvarez said as he got up from his seat and left the dinning hall grimmly .
Charlotte excused herself and followed her father who was at the entrance about to go to the council .
' Father , are you happy that am getting married soon? ' Charlotte asked as she gave her father his hat .
' Of course I am dear , there's nothing I would love more than seeing you and your sister happy . I know Henry is a good boy and he will make you happy too ' Mr Alvarez said as he wore his hat .
' I know he will too , have a safe trip to the council father ' she said as he left .
A while later Henry stopped by the Alvarez mansion and went out with Charlotte , Scarlet glared at her sister from the entrance as she got into the carriage with Henry .
' Enjoy it while it lasts sister dear , cause one way or another Henry will be mine ' .