All the guards rushed towards the gate, and even Mother momentarily set aside her usual poise, shouting at the maids to get into formation.
"Move faster!"
"You're all lazy!"
My sisters, Seraphina and Lysara, were already descending the stairs—Seraphina flew down, while Lysara took her time, each step careful and deliberate. The sleek black cars emblazoned with the moon claw symbol left no doubt about our 'special guest.'
"Arinelle!" my mother called from behind me. "Go prepare yourself; your fiancé is on his way. Now!"
"Yes, Mother." I quickly made my way past my sisters, who were still resentful that I was married off before them.
According to Lysara, I was mocking her beauty.
According to Seraphina, I was mocking her intelligence.
According to me, I didn't want to get married at all.
The maids formed neat rows, ready to greet the guest, making the entire scene feel like a rehearsed performance.
The black cars pulled up, and from the third car emerged Adrien, dressed in his signature grey suit. His slick platinum hair resembled Lysara's, and his sharply defined jawline seemed capable of cutting glass. His ash-colored eyes glimmered with mischief, and his smirk always made me feel uneasy.
"Welcome, Master Adrien of House Mireen. It is an honor to host you today," the maids intoned in unison, bowing deeply. I almost felt sorry for them—if they bent any lower, they might never stand up again.
"Surely, their backs weren't made for such devotion," Seraphina remarked with a smirk that dripped with feigned sympathy. Honestly, her character was becoming utterly revolting.
Adrien glided into the room, a sly grin on his face. Mother stepped forward, distancing herself from the maids, and offered a small bow, a gesture of respect rather than of humility.
"I appreciate your greetings," he remarked, scanning the room before locking eyes with me. "But do better next time."
My mother's expression shifted as anger flared within her, yet she managed to maintain a forced smile.
"Thank you for your thoughtful feedback; it will be noted," she replied, her tone chilly. The maids, already aware of the consequences, began to scurry back to their stations.
"Please, come in," Mother said, gesturing toward the living room.
After some time spent on introductions, we settled down—Mother faced Seraphina while I sat across from Lysara, with Adrien at the head of the dining table. The maids served us quickly, retreating after a piercing glance from my mother.
For several moments, the only sound was the clattering of cutlery until Adrien finally spoke. "Such a lovely meal," he said, carefully wiping his mouth with a serviette and placing it in his glass plate.
Once we finished eating, a maid was dispatched to clear our plates.
"We are honored to host you today, Lord Adrien. What brings you to our home?" Mother asked, her voice soft yet firm—softer than when she reprimanded the maids but firmer than how she spoke to Father or us.
"I came for the marriage arrangement," he replied, his tone steady and deep. My sisters exchanged glances, confusion etched on their faces.
"Excuse me, but I thought you were engaged to our sister Arinelle?" Seraphina interjected, her voice sharp and betraying her annoyance.
"Yes," he began, his lips parting into a smirk, "but I am no longer interested in marrying her."
"WHAT?!" Their voices combined, loud enough to crack the windows and rattle the chandeliers.
"What do you mean?"
"What did she do?"
"What went wrong?"
"What happened?"
As questions erupted, I could hear the maids murmuring in hushed tones, their voices shaky, aware of the consequences of their curiosity. Yet I caught snippets of their conversation:
"Sweet Lord, what did Miss Arinelle do to make Master Adrien cancel their engagement?" one maid whispered, her voice barely audible.
Honestly, I was at a loss for what to think. When I heard that he was considering breaking off our engagement, I wasn't completely surprised. It was shocking, yes, but I had sensed that something was off for a while.
Around me, I could hear my family asking questions, their voices mixing into a blur of worry. They were concerned, but to me, it felt a bit unnecessary.
I was the one who should have been upset about the news, yet I didn't feel as devastated as my sisters seemed to be. They were visibly angry, and I could sense some underlying resentment directed at me.
I found myself drifting through my own thoughts, almost disconnected from the reality of the situation.
I didn't fully grasp how heavy the atmosphere was or how many questions my family had. Everything felt overwhelming. It was as if a storm of emotions surrounded me, and I was stuck, trying to navigate my way through it all without any clear direction.
"Arinelle!"....
[AUTHOR'S NOTE]
Hey everyone! I just wanted to share my very first story that takes place in a cool world filled with noble houses. I know it might not be my best work, but I really put my heart into it. I would love to get your thoughts on it, so please leave your comments and reviews. Your feedback would really mean a lot to me and will help me grow as a writer. Thanks so much for taking the time to read it!