「 The day of the tea party 」

"Lady Holly, I'm so glad you could make it," as the serene afternoon sun warmed them with its presence, the guests began to arrive.

"Lady Ophelia, I am very thankful for your invitation," her kind smile alongside her beautiful long, curly blonde hair and her blue eyes mimicked a saintess.

"Oh please, don't be so formal with me. I am truly happy to be able to finally meet you," as Holly heard the cursed child's words she finally understood what Patricia meant on their last encounter.

'What a silly little sheep...' she couldn't help but consider Ophelia as a weak being, ready to be used and abused at her hands, 'She's more stupid than I thought...'

"Then Ophelia, please call me Holly too!" she smiles warmly.

'I've got you now Statton,' Ophelia thought as her emotions were being covered by a kind smile, hiding her deepest desires within.

"I'm sure you have many guests to greet so I won't disturb you any further! Lady Patricia...!" Holly walks towards Patricia before starting a conversation.

Ophelia takes a look around. The garden was beautifully organized, the several tables were covered in gorgeous white pieces of cloth with several snacks that gave it some color. The servants were extremely well dressed making this seem like an event organized by a Duke or someone of very high standing.

'Not like I was expecting anything less from those two,' Ophelia thinks as her eyes meet Jade's. He was between some trees and bushes, keeping her under his watch from afar.

She knew that the most deadly threat was the silent one and so, she needed to have the upper hand. Part of her already knew that this party would become memorable for months, filled with rumors, gossips, and hidden truths.

"Milady, your ribbon is falling off. Should I tie it for you?" Ivy politely asks.

Ophelia nods and her maid quickly removes the silky purple bow from her head, redoing her braid in an instant.

Everyone present knew how important it was to maintain the best appearance today. While Holly had a beautiful light pink gown, appealing to her pure side, Patricia had a pale orange dress that highlighted her brown hair. On the other hand, Ophelia was wearing a gorgeous long dark purple dress, with black flowery embroidery at its end while her corset was simple with a big amethyst jewell right at its center. Her hands were covered by black gloves made of lace while her ears were adorned by two medium-sized dark purple earrings.

'It can't be helped...' Ophelia never wanted to spend so much money on a dress but she needed to become the center of attention, even if meant that her funds would become scarcer.

"Earl Hillgarden, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Ophelia greets Patricia's father once he arrives on his carriage. His appearance was a lot older than what she had previously expected: his brown eyes looked tired while his short hair was starting to lose its color, embracing the whites and greys.

"You flatter me, Lady Ophelia, I am the one who is honored for being able to help someone as marvelous as yourself," the Earl replied politely after bowing, clearly licking the Duke's daughter boots.

'So this is Ophelia... She looks smart and polite but something doesn't seem right...' even if Ophelia had no trouble catching Patricia and Holly, the same couldn't be said by the Earl. He was suspicious of her.

Everyone knew how Ophelia Criswell had been treated. A fifteen-year-old girl that was nothing but naive was what everyone believes her to be but, as the Earl watched the girl, graceful as the wind and kind like a flower, he felt something was a miss. She was born in the Criswell's mansion and, according to the rumors circulating within the high-class she never participated in any events except Lady Catherine's ball. It is also floating around that she was locked in her house, like a caged beast, ever since she was born.

The Earl was extremely well informed and, after his daughter notified him of Ophelia's visit he conducted an extensive background check, contacting several former employees from Criswell's family. He discovered that the young girl was deprived of learning since she was never assigned a teacher and as if that wasn't enough, the Duke didn't assign her a lady-in-waiting.

In the majority of kingdoms, it is normal for royalty to have a large group of ladies-in-waiting, consisting of several noble ladies from different families, however, in Ashen, if you belong to the family of a Duke, you can have up to two ladies-in-waiting from lower ranks, specially vassals from their duchy. Of course, this process usually takes place right after the coming of age ceremony or when the lady of the family moves to another estate, in order to live with her fiancé.

'This might be more interesting than I thought...' the Earl kept on glaring down at her, observing her carefully.

'I wasn't expecting you to be easy...' Ophelia understood how careful the man in front of her was, 'You might become rather useful, Earl...'

Devlin Hillgarden, a man who was born a commoner but managed to become an Earl through heavy monetary contributions to the Kingdom. The majority of the high-class despised him since he was not born with noble blood but he didn't care.

According to the words floating in the wind, the Earl was born on a small farm in the Evans Dukedom and after having a lucky investment he had enough money to buy his way into the "blue bloods". Another theory is that he sucked up some high nobleman to help him invest and that's how he managed to get the money. From then on, the rumors surrounding the Earl became deeper and darker, going from being murdered and blackmail, to being sent by the Devil himself to disrupt the order of the world.

Of course, these were nothing but rumors but it is common knowledge that where there is fire, there is fuel.

The Earl was now an icon for the commoners who aspired to become like him. His family was greatly favored by the lower classes since the highest a commoner born in the suburbs had ever gotten was the small title of Baron. Ophelia was aware that this was not a man to treat blindly since he could become important in the upcoming future.

In fact, his influence ran so deep that one word from him could ostracize a man and, in the worst case, their business.

"Father!" Patricia runs as she sighs the Earl and quickly hugs him, " I'm so glad you could make it!"

"Of course my dear, I wouldn't miss this for the world," he kindly smiles at his daughter but soon turns his attention to his servants, "Make sure you work diligently and don't stain our family's name."

"The guests have arrived," a young butler declares interrupting the conversation.

"I shall take my leave then, Patricia, Holly," Ophelia smiles politely right before turning her feet and walking towards the big entrance, followed by Earl Hillgarden. They both stop in front of the thick gates while a long line of several carriages awaited patiently.

'Well then, let the games begin,' she thinks as a grin is portraited on her lips.

✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽

「 One week and a half before 」

"Are you new here?" Bradley watched Ophelia's figure slip through the door, just to see her eyes focus on a simple butler. He understood he had been ignored and that made his anger grow.

The man kept on being impertinent, forcefully disrespecting Ophelia, almost as if he didn't want to bring himself to be polite. His words echoed through the room as her eyes glared down at him, cold as ice. Bradley's feelings became unsteady, his annoyance was becoming stronger as he prevented his soul from opening up.

Once again, the moment he was about to speak. Ophelia intervenes, making him dumbfounded.

"Someone bring me a wooden plank," her harsh words made him grin so largely he had to hide it. Bradley had seen several sides of Ophelia but this was the first time he had seen her act so ruthlessly. Her eyes were cold, filled with hatred and disdain, eating away anyone who would stare deeply into them, eyes just like his.

"Do you think that's how you punish someone?!" Bradley's annoyance turned into anger as he saw the weak beating the servant was taking. He was well aware that this was not the butler's fault, once one becomes as old as that man was, the strength was for sure enable to stay in the body but, even then, this rat needed to know his place. Bradley had seen how he had treated Ophelia and he hated to disregard such matters.

"Then how would you deal with this situation my lord?" Ophelia's words were as sweet as candy, luring Bradley into doing something he would never attempt to do but, with all the accumulated anger and disgust from the creature on the ground, he didn't think straight. He thought she was allowing him to show some dominance, to let him help her, like a knight in shining armor that saves the damsel in distress.

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"Aiden, beat this man ten times for his impertinence. Rats should know their place," his servant walks forward and takes the large wooden plank from the old servant. The poor man quickly backed away, joining with the others that stood around, watching the show unfold as if they were in a circus of torture.

"Milady, please have mercy...!" the servant begged loudly making Ophelia's disgusted expression turn darker.

"A man should bear the consequences of his actions, wouldn't you agree?" her voice was so cold and unattached that the servant's body trembled. He had realized she was not as naive and kind as he originally thought.

Bradley's heart began beating faster as he saw her standing beside him, so confident, so dignified. Her cold eyes were glaring down at the man as if he was nothing but a cockroach that needed to be exterminated. Seeing her like this, made his own desire speak languages he couldn't begin to understand.

He wanted to grab her and place her against the wall while his hands would caress her cheeks. He wished to touch her body, every piece of it, from her pearly white breasts to her thin thighs. Bradley wanted everything but, most importantly, he wanted to ruin her so deep that she would lose her sense of self. He wanted her to look like she had lost it all while he was her everything.

"Please milady! I beg of you!" the servant grabs Ophelia's skirt making her step back immediately, however, Bradley notices her body stumble and quickly grabs her waist, pulling him closer to him. Even though he felt the warmness of her body, his anger didn't lower, in fact, the lust he once had was now lost to unsatiable anger, only appeased by blood.

'You can't touch what's mine you filthy thing...!' Bradley's mind was in a completely dark place, 'You dared...!'

"Aiden... Make it fifteen," his feet push the servant back, making his body fall on the floor. The man's eyes were clouded by despair as he heard Bradley's words.

'I should just...' his mind kept on turning to several ways of getting rid of this impertinent thing who dared to touch his belongings, however, no death was good enough, 'Maybe I can cut all his limbs so that he can never touch her again... No that's too easy...'

Aiden, Bradley's servant, kept on swinging the plank up and down, several times. A smile was soon portraited on his face and, unconsciously, in his master face was well.

'I know... I'll cut out his tongue so he can never stain her with his impertinence...' Bradley kept on thinking about several scenarios as the floor became tainted with blood. He was so consumed by the hatred of the man standing before him that he didn't notice the Duke's arrival.

"What is with all this racket!?" Duke Wharton questions and as his eyes wander through the events in front of him. Bradley realized he was in a tough situation and quickly removes his hand from Ophelia's waist. Aiden also moves to his master's side quietly, "Bradley Trace! Why was your servant beating up my butler?"

"This young butler was rude towards Lady Ophelia and at her request, I punished him, your grace," Bradley knew that the only way out of this situation was leaning on her. There was no other way out, no matter how hard he thought.

"Is that true Ophelia?" slowly, the Duke approaches Ophelia. Bradley's eyes connect with hers, begging her to cooperate.

"The butler was indeed disrespectful to me, however, I didn't ask anything of our beloved guest," her polite smile made Bradley grit his teeth in frustration. He finally realized he had been played again and this time, there was no one else to blame for his foolishness.

'She never asked me to do it... This girl...' he clenches his fists while trying to contain his anger as he heard the Duke's remark.

"I apologize for my rudeness Duke, thank you for having me," Bradley quietly leaves as he glances over at Ophelia. Her cold light blue eyes were covered in happiness as her lips carried a wicked smile. She was showing off her win, pridefully, as if she had won the most important medal in the world.

'This won't end like this Ophelia...' as Bradley walks he begins wondering about what had happened. He couldn't quite understand if this had been planned by her or if it was nothing but mere luck.

"Master, should I get rid of her?" Aiden questions as they both enter the carriage, however, much to his surprise, after hearing his words, Bradley's expression darkness in a way the servant had never seen.

"If you touch as much as of a hair of her head I will kill you myself," Bradley was completely blinded by his emotions. The servant feels a shiver run down his spine.

'Why...?' Aiden couldn't understand this change. He used to be a mercenary and so, making these problems disappear was a simple task. He had done it several times at Bradley's command for a lot less.

"As you wish milord," Aiden grows quiet. He was scared of this side, this unknown facade he had never seen. He knew how bad Bradley's personality was but this obsession, this lust, and this desire for Ophelia were nowhere near anything he had witnessed in all the years he had been with the Trace's.

「 A couple of days ago 」

"Another letter? I already told you to throw all of them out," Bradley was resting on the couch while a book covered his face, hiding it from the sun.

"It's from Lady Ophelia master," Aiden states just to see his body immediately get up.

"Is that so... Give it to me," his voice tried to contain his excitement. His emerald eyes sparkled as he reads the words written on the rose-scented paper.

'Why did she invite me?' even though his heart was thrilled, his mind was still suspicious. Bradley was well aware that Ophelia was not on his side and that she didn't like him but, even then, he couldn't help himself but chase her down, 'Is she challenging me...?'

"Send a letter to my tailor, we have a party to attend," he grins while Aiden takes his leave.

'This time you will play my game, Ophelia... I won't let you win,' his mind was set on having his sweet revenge on that little girl, 'Wolfs don't last long against lions...' he laughs deeply at this thought.

Bradley had seen several sides of her, and by now, he knew she was not a frail bunny waiting to become prey, in fact, she was a wolf, waiting for others to fall into her trap. Until now, all she had gone against were small fry and he knew she wouldn't be prepared to handle the real deal, the lions of the Ashen.

Even then, he was unconcerned. He knew that it was only a matter of time before Ophelia became his and so, because of it, he thought this futile power display she was having, was nothing more than pitiful entertainment.

✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽ ✼ ✽

「 Back to the present 」

"Lady Ophelia, you look beautiful," Bradley is the first one to leave his carriage.

'How long has he been waiting there to be the first one...?' Ophelia couldn't begin to understand this man's mind.

"Lord Bradley, you look angelical," she smiles politely and, much to her surprise, he quietly takes his leave after giving his regards to the Earl.

'Isn't that a surprise...?' she thought Bradley was just an animal driven by his impulses but, surprisingly, he is able to behave quite politely when it comes down to it.

As the guests keep on entering the garden, Patricia and Holly, guide them towards the main area of the event. Everything was going according to plan.

'Appearing at Catherine's ball was indeed worth it...' she couldn't help but chuckle at this thought. Ophelia knew that after that night, she had become the talk in high-society and so, the party was bound to be full.

"Lady Ophelia, I've heard great things about you...' a sweet voice, like a siren leading sailors into sinking their ships his heard and Ophelia wakes up from her daydreaming.

"Lady Catherine, I'm delighted to finally make your acquaintance," she politely replies, "I've heard great things about you as well my lady."

"I'm sure they were," her sarcastic voice made the Earl cough, as he impatiently waited to intervene, "Wait for your turn old man," Catherine glares at him coldly.

Ophelia's eyes widen with surprise at her comment. Devlin looked unbothered, almost as if he had grown so used to these types of comments that they didn't even matter anymore.

'Nothing but bullshit...' Ophelia knew about the rumors surrounding Catherine but she never thought they were so far-fetched. They stated that she was extremely graceful, expressing her opinions whenever she felt necessary even if they were harsh, 'I thought she would be more restrained...'

"Well, I shouldn't make your other guests waiting my lady..." Catherine places her hand on Ophelia's shoulder and whispers, "Make sure to entertain me, Black Rose."

'...' a shiver ran down her spine after hearing that woman's words. Ophelia thought that she had attracted the attention of someone dangerous.

The guests continued to arrive and, besides Bradley and Catherine, no other high noble dared to show up.

'Of course, it couldn't be that easy...' Ophelia was slightly frustrated since she thought that, with the whole confusion at the ball she would be able to attract some of the other duchies members. She knew they would be harder to catch due to their influence but, even then, nothing was lost.

"Oh my dear sister, I'm so glad you could make it! I missed you dearly...! " Ophelia speaks obnoxiously loudly at the sight of Duke Criswell and Amanda. She approaches them and grabs her sister's hands just to see her face become tainted with disgust, "I'm so glad you were able to quickly recover from your sickness...!"

"Thankfully it was a mere cold..." Amanda replies after removing her hands harshly.

"Please don't strain yourself... This is nothing but a humble party after all...!" a fake happy smile is portraited on Ophelia's lips as her sister places some distance between them.

"Do not worry, I am feeling better and I wouldn't miss this for the world... It is your first party after all...!" her sister smiles warmly, mimicking Ophelia's.

'I will make sure to ruin this little project of yours... It will become so bad you won't be able to show your face publicly again...!' Amanda's true intentions were as clear as day.

'Should I just break her teeth?' Ophelia couldn't stand her sister's fake smile. It disgusted her as much as it annoyed her. As she was considering a wonderful scenario, the Duke speaks.

"Ophelia, it's good to see you, my child," a polite sentence, with a polite tone, alongside a polite smile.

"Of course Duke, I am honored you were able to attend despite your busy schedule," Ophelia grabs the hem of her skirt and bows slightly. She couldn't let her emotions get the best of her.

'Now I am your child...?' hearing those words made her become sick to her stomach, 'Pathetic...'

As the Duke and Amanda greeted the Earl, Ophelia quietly observed them. All the nobles until now had brought their entourage along, however, they had both walked in alone.

She knew that Alvin wanted to kill her and she was sure he was plotting something, otherwise he wouldn't have attended. Even then, she had no leads or clues to what he was thinking on doing. Ophelia needed to be careful since she was walking on a very thin thread.

'Let's see if you can control your greed,' she thought as she watched Patricia take them both into the inner garden reluctantly.

"Shall we head inside then, Earl?" Ophelia smiles politely and, as she was about to walk away, the sound of horses galloping is heard.

'Don't tell me...!' the carriage stops in front of the large gates and her attention shifts to the floor, 'Please...!'

"I hope I'm not too late..." her body becomes stiff as a male's voice is heard, "...Lady Ophelia"