Beatrice's POV
Reality presses so tightly around my neck that it feels hard to breathe. I know I cannot escape it. The fear of what lies ahead follows me like a shadow. It has been only a few hours since I left the Countess, but it feels as if days have passed.
This marriage feels wrong in every way. Living with the Count and Countess already felt like a prison, but now it seems I am walking into a battlefield, where my survival depends entirely on how I behave.
"Lady Beatrice, we must see if the dress truly suits you…" a maid said, pulling me sharply out of my thoughts.
From her expression, I knew she wanted me to stand so she could inspect my appearance for the evening. The Count and Countess decided to host a ball to clear my name and announce my marriage to the Duke.
I stood quickly to avoid upsetting her, but instead of irritation, she smiled at me. Smiled. At me? someone they usually treated as lower than a maid.
Only now do I realise how much has changed since the Countess told me I would marry the Duke. The maids' behaviour has softened.
Not to what it should be but enough to make me feel like a person.
After approving my dress, they escorted me to join the Count and Countess so we could attend the ball, which had already started.
As we walked through the halls, my thoughts raced. What role was I expected to play tonight? A loving daughter? A forced bride? A proud noble offended by rumours?
At first, I thought they were leading me to the Count and Countess's office so we could all walk down together. But when they guided me straight into the ballroom, I understood the truth.
Even for appearance's sake, they would not walk with me.
"My dear, we were just speaking about you," the Countess said as soon as I entered. The sudden sound startled me, though I hid it behind a calm face. She spoke just loudly enough to draw attention from those nearby.
I approached her, offered a small curtsy, and then greeted the ladies in her circle from the highest rank to the lowest.
A rule that must always be followed.
Elena already stood at her mother's side, so I took my place beside her, waiting for a signal waiting to know which version of their "daughter" I must be tonight.
The Countess began almost immediately.
"These rumours are truly baseless. My poor daughter has been ill for days… it broke my heart to ask her to prepare for tonight, but duty must come first," she said gently.
"Red light district… honestly. For a girl who could barely rise from bed. But I believe everything shall be cleared tonight," she finished, hinting at the marriage announcement. Her concern was not for me, but for their family's name and for Elena's reputation.
Words of comfort poured in at once. Some warm, some false, some spoken only to gain favour. But I had no room to worry about who was sincere.
I had a part to play.
"The truth…" I began softly, pausing as if seeking strength from the Countess's eyes.
"Always reveals itself."
Elena's hand suddenly took mine. I looked up to find her watching me with an emotion I refused to acknowledge. I only gave a small smile and squeezed her hand before sinking back into my role.
I have played roles for so long that it feels easy natural, even.
"Attention, please. May I have everyone's attention," the Count said, tapping his glass.
The room quieted, eyes turning toward him.
"I know many of you have heard the rumours, but I assure you, none of my children were raised in such a manner," he said firmly.
He paused, letting the words settle.
"But tonight is not about rumours. Tonight, we celebrate a marriage alliance between our house and the House of Duke Edward of Fairmont." He sent a look my way after he was done the message was loud and clear
Gasps and whispers spread at once, but many nobles quickly adjusted, stepping forward with congratulations and quiet attempts to form new connections with me now that my future title meant something valuable to them.
The air felt heavy and tight. Perhaps because I knew they cared only for their own benefit, or because I knew they were no different from the Count and Countess. If they ever learned who I truly was, they would treat me the same.
But I smiled. I spoke gently. I laughed when needed.
None of them cared. I knew that.
At last, I slipped away to the balcony to breathe. I stood near the glass door, staring at the chair outside, but I could not sit. If the Count or Countess came looking, I did not want them to find me resting.
So I stood there, fighting my thoughts, wishing just once to escape everything.
"I do not believe the chair bites," a stern voice said from the shadows.
A figure stepped into the light one I had only ever seen from afar. The man whose power could challenge the throne. The man whose presence turned my prison into something far worse.
"Duke Edward," I said, startled.