High Societies. A war behind smiles and flowery words exchanged between nobles, ladies and lords alike. Like a knife to the heart of the victim. Words that sound like those wishing for goodwill, but the true meaning behind is completely opposite. Rumours that starts from the mouths of unknown sources spread in high societies. Although some are used for the ruin of a certain lady or lord, some are also misunderstandings and unknown facts. Although most high societies in the world are like this, it is a bit different in the country of Grazie. Nobles of Grazie, specifically, founding families of the country, are known to be very different to other typical nobles from other countries. You see, not only do they organize their high society, but they have groups of societies. The Tremenos, The Agapi, and The Paidia. Tremenos are those member of the society who are married and has spouses. Agapi are those yet to be married, members of the society who are looking for spouses. Lastly, Paidia are members of the society that are from ages eight to sixteen young children who are yet to know the cruel reality of the world. You may be wondering why I say they are "very different to other typical nobles". Well you see, when I was very young, I was born in Avida, north-east of Grazie. My mother died a few days after giving birth to me. My grandfather took care of me and raised me. All those fifteen years of my life, I could only feel eyes watching me, judging my every move, sinister laugh hiding behind those big and fancy fans. I was a descendant of the Earl of Saludana, one of the most powerful military families in Avida's history so I thought it was only natural for nobles to watch my every move.

"She looks just like her mother"

"It is no doubt that she's a Saludana"

"But those greenish dark eyes--"

"How dreadful. They're the opposite of those with Saludana's blood"

"If only she could always close her eyes, then she'd be an honor to the Earl"

Everytime I hear those words, my cousin, Moni, would cover my ears and glare at those mean nobles. Even though she covers my ears, I could still hear the muffled sounds of arguments and shouts from my cousin and the nobles.

"Nina, don't ever listen to them, you understand?" she would say. But I would only look at her bright emerald green eyes and beautiful features. If I do not answer her, tears would fall down her cheeks and she would hug me so tightly.

"Oh Nina, if only you could have meet Tia, then she would give you even a little bit of comfort" my cousin doesn't even realize that just being by my side, she is giving me enough comfort. I would hug her back and I would whisper to her "I'm okay, Moni, please don't cry" then she would cry even more.

My grandfather, although he raised me, was too busy with work that we can only spend less time with each other. I spend most of my time playing with my cousins, Moni and Russel. Moni is six years older than me, Russel is three years older than Moni. The three of us were so close because we grew up together. Russel would always teach me things about swordsmanship and combat fighting. Whenever Moni saw me and Russel practicing combat fighting or swordsmanship, she would then scold Russel.

"Ermano! How many times must I tell you, Nina is too young for swords and combat training! Look at her, she's five, and her face is so dirty" Moni would then wipe my face with her handkerchief, Russel would just silently hide behind me even though he is much taller than I am. Although Russel is much older, he is more scared of Moni than he is of grandfather.

"B-but Moni, she really wanted to learn, don't you, Nina?" Russel would then look at me and slightly bump my shoulders. I would just stare at him and laugh at his dumbfounded face.

"I'll tell Papa and Nonno about this" Moni would say

"A-alright alright! I'll stop teaching Nina" Russel would say, but then the next day, he would just teach me again. We would walk in the mansion's garden during morning after breakfast, then we would pick flowers and make each other flower crowns. We would sometimes race towards the biggest apple tree inside the mansion and whoever loses would grant the other two winner's wishes.

This lifestyle had become a normal occurence to me. I was contented and happy. But one day, when I was seven, something terrible happened to Tio, Moni and Russel's father.

"How could this be?!" I heard Nonno crying in the drawing room when the servant delivered the news to him

"It is said, my lord, that his travels were affected by the rain. The road was too slippery and then--" Nonno's cries got louder. I watched him as I peeked in the doorway.

"My daughter... and now, my son" he sadly say. As Nonno was crying, his eyes met mine. I looked at him innocently and he looked at me filled with grief. He opened his arms as he was crying and I ran to him. Maybe because I was young and I didn't know any better, but when he hugged me as he was crying, I started crying also. We hugged each other as the both of us were crying. That was the very first time I ever seen my grandfather cry so loudly.

During Tio's funeral, I was at Moni's and Russel's side. The weather was gloomy but it didn't rain. We were all wearing black. I held their hands, on my right was Moni and on my left was Russel. Moni was crying as Tio's coffin was slowly getting buried, but when I looked at Russel, there were no tears coming out from his eyes. He was just staring blankly at the coffin. I gripped his hands more tightly than I did with Moni. He looked at me and then he looked at Moni. His green eyes were blank as if light has disappeared. As a young child, my imaginations were a bit wild, and so when I noticed the darkness in Russel's eyes, I thought that Russel's emotions were also being taken away, so I hugged him so tightly.

"Don't take Russel's feelings!" I shouted, and it was a bit too late for me to realize that I was also crying, the same way Moni was crying. I did not see the other people's reaction as I was clinging to Russel's hips. I heard Moni's crying stopped. Then I looked at Russel's face as he was looking at mine.

"Ermano" Moni has stopped crying but her eyes were red, and her voice was shaky "It's okay" she says. Russel looked at her. Moni walked closer to us, then she also hugged Russel. The three of us were hugging each other. I continued crying. I thought that if I cry enough, Russel and Moni wouldn't need to cry anymore. So I cried and cried, until I fell asleep.

Many days have passed, and the lifestyle that I once knew changed. Russel spend less time with Moni and I. Soon, grandfather commanded Russel to go the academy, where all noble heirs were to be taught how to manage their households, becomes leaders and excell in the things they are good at. The day that Russel were to go, Moni and I stood outside the mansion, sending Russel off in the family carriage.

"Where's grandfather?"

"You know he's too busy, Nina" Russel replied

"But still, he should be present in sending you to the academy" I replied. Russel smiled at me, then he looked at Moni

"I'll be back, sooner than later"

"I know you will" Moni replied, smiling.

"Take care of Nina for me, alright?"

"Even without you asking, I will" Moni stated as she held my shoulders.

"Have a safe trip, Ermano" I said and we hugged. I looked back at Moni who was just standing behind.

"Come here, Moni" Russel said, then she slowly came closer and joined the hug. Russel stepped into the carriage

"Take care of yourself, alright!" Moni shouted

"I will, don't worry" Russel assured us.

Before Russel could close the carriage door, somebody was shouting behind us.

"Wait!"

We all looked behind and found grandfather running towards us. Russel did not close the carriage door, he stepped down from the cubicle and stood with us. Grandfather, although he's advancing in age, still looks healthy because he ran so fast that in a few seconds he arrived at where we were standing then hugged Russel very tight.

"N-nonno" Russel said, gasping for air. Grandfather, who noticed, immediately let go and chuckled.

"I apologize" Nonno stated

"I thought you wouldn't see me off" Russel said

"How could I not? My eldest grandson is going away for a long time and I dare not to see him off. How can I call myself your Nonno?" Grandfather replied. Russel smiled at him then he hugged him first.

"Wait for me, Nonno. I'll make you proud" Russel finally stepped into the carriage and close the door. The horseman started driving and as the carriage was moving away from us, I frantically waved at him, even though I am sure that he wouldn't see me.

After Russel's departure, grandfather became extremely busy. Moni was with me most of the time, but it was not long that she would need to learn proper etiquette that was intended for all Avidan ladies.

"I'll play with you after I'm done with my homework, is that alright with you, Nina?" Moni would say.

"It's alright, Sorella. I understand. We'll just play next time" I would smile at her

"I am very sorry, Nina." she would hug me and then kiss my forehead. She would then go to her etiquette lessons.

Since I have nobody to spend my time anymore, I would pick a stick and practice what Russel had taught me. I would run around the front yard of the mansion to exercise. My clean dress that I wore in the morning would become very dirty in the afternoon. I continued this habit everyday since I have nothing to do. Moni would sometimes check how I was doing and she would share what she learned with me, but it was always within a short time, because her lessons were hectic. When I was thirteen, grandfather fell ill. He suddenly collapsed during working in his office. Moni was away due to a tea party event, and Russel was yet to come back home. I helped nursing Nonno together with the maids and manservants.

"Nina" grandfather called as I was nursing him in his bed

"Yes, Nonno?"

"Why did you never asked about your birth father?" his voice was hoarse and weak and yet his eyes were still glowing, like a green jewel. It took me quite a while to answer him because I got distracted by his eyes.

"I never really had any memories of my Mama. And besides, I was happy just by being with you and Moni and Russel. Why would I trouble myself finding someone who might not be searching for me?" When I looked at Nonno, his eyes were wide, as if what I just said was not suitable for a thirteen year old. Then he smiled and laughed a bit.

"You are so much like my dear Arabelle" he said

"Is that my mother's name?" I asked, then he smiled and nod.

"I'm sorry, Nina, that it took me a long time to tell you about your mother. It just pains me, the memory of her just pains me"

"Nonno? May I ask a question?"

"Go ahead, child"

"Does my father hate me?"

There was silence in the room. I thought I asked something I shouldn't have so I stopped wiping his arm with the towel and moved the basin to the table from my lap. Grandfather forced himself to sit up straight so I helped him as he sat. Then he looked at me.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Come closer Nina" he said, so I did and sat beside his bed.

"Long ago, I thought that your mother, Arabelle, would never get married. She was the kind of girl who would shun all men that would try to woo her, men who were only entranced by her beauty and not her character. I was proud of your mother, because she knows what she was doing. But one day, she suddenly talked about wanting to marry a man. At first, I did not agree, because how can I let my sweet Arabelle, my precious child who look exactly like her mother, go. But when I saw how your father really loved my daughter, and how she loved him back, I gave her the permission and the blessing she needed to get married, and they did. However, when your mother was pregnant, when you were in her womb, her husband had to go back to where he belonged, because if he wouldn't, your mother's life and yours would be in danger. He will come back for you, I know because your mother trusted him, and I will, too. Your father does not hate you, it is the exact opposite"

Just as grandfather finished what he was saying, Moni entered the room, still wearing a fancy dress because of the tea party. She hurriedly sat beside me who sat beside Nonno's bed. She held his hand and tears started falling down her cheeks.

"Look at your cousin, still a crybaby, just like her father" Nonno laughed

"Do you know how worried I was when I heard you collapsed? I rode the fastest horse in the country just so I could come home immediately" Moni said, sounding as if she's scolding a child and yet at the same time was crying. Grandfather pat her hand.

"Mon, I'm alright. Nina is here and I don't feel any pain"

I hugged Moni to reassure her that everything's alright.

"That's it!" Moni suddenly shouted which surprised Nonno and me. "I'm calling Russel back home, so that you'll have to rest"

"Mon, I told you I am--"

"Nonno, I agree with Sorella this time" I said. Immediately, Moni took a pen and a piece of paper, wrote down something hurriedly, used grandfather's stamp then took the fastest messenger bird and let it flew. Moni was so fast that I don't think it took her five minutes to finish what she was doing.

"You rest, Nonno. You too, Nina. I'll be with Nonno this time so please, change your clothes Nina, you're dress is full of dirt from all the running you've done today" Moni said. I hugged her again and she kissed my forehead, then I went back to my room and changed my clothes.

In just two days, Russel arrived at the mansion, with only one baggage and a big chest. He hurriedly went inside grandfather's bedroom first, and when he saw grandfather, bedridden, he cling to him and hugged him.

"Just like his father, I tell you" grandfather jokingly remarked as Russel was hugging Nonno.

"Before I left, I already finished all the courses that an heir is supposed to take" Russel informed us "So all you need to do now is to rest, Nonno, I'll handle everything from now on"

"That is great to hear" grandfather stated with such content and rested his head to his pillow. But as soon as he rested his head, he suddenly jumped back up and said "Your ceremony! We need to celebrate your rise as an Earl"

A lot of preparations were planned, and guessed who did the organizing, grandfather. After Nonno stepped down from becoming the Earl, he seemed to become happier and less busy, spending more time with his grandchildren. I learned a lot of things about grandfather than when I was younger. His favorite fruit was strawberry. His favorite thing to do in the afternoons was to sit beside the fountain in the back of the mansion. He would sometimes stare at the flower garden in front of the fountain. He enthusiastically encourage me in my swordsmanship training and would sometimes teach me himself. He would gladly help out Moni in her dance lessons, and when Russel was having a hard time in some paperworks, he would help him.

After a month of preparations, the day of Russel's ceremony arrived. Grandfather and Moni also suggested that we make this my official debut to high society. In Avida, children who are thirteen to fifteen years would be introduced to other nobles, for them to be able to judge the child's character. Grandfather and Moni were my escort, although Russel wanted to be one too, he was not allowed because he was supposed to arrive alone in the event, to properly introduce him as the new Earl of Saludana. It did not occur to me that in ceremonial events, people were to dance in the open space and chat with each other. I thought that after announcing Russel as the Earl, people would then eat and go home.

"My lord, Viscount Viz has asked for an audience" a manservant said to grandfather, and off he went to another group of lords in the south side of the ballroom.

"My, what a lovely dress, Miss Saludana"

"I appreciate your compliment, Lady Presio" Moni would reply blandly without smiling

"And who might this be?" another noble would say

"This is our youngest cousin, Daniana Saludana"

"A pleasure to meet you" I would say, then I curtsied. The basic etiquette greeting.

"How lovely. Since blood won't lie, she will probably become like her mother when she grows up" then the noble who said that would snicker behind a fan. Moni gripped my hand tightly and glared at the noble who talked.

"My goodness, Lady Terris. If everyone is just like their parent, does that mean that your son had taken his habit of taking in mistresses from you? Or is it from your husband?" Moni would say, giving a fake smile to the nobles present. Lady Terris becamse flustered and excused herself from the gathering.

"Pleas do excuse us also, as we would like to greet the new Earl" the other nobles who were gathering with us said, nervously laughing at the same time. Moni looked at me with sympathetic eyes, held my hand and guide me outside the ballroom. The two of us walked in the garden and sat where grandfather usually sits, beside the fountain.

"You know, I always hated gatherings" I looked at Moni and wondered why she still go to tea parties and events even though he hates gathering. It was rare for her to talk to me about what she likes and dislikes. Moni always thought that sharing her feelings would seem selfish so she refrain from doing it.

"Was what that lady said about my mother, bad?" I asked

"When she said that you would become just like your mother, that woman was referring about how you'll marry a man who was not showing up in society, give birth and die without seeing your husband, just like what happened to Tia" I stayed silent.

"The world is cruel, Nina. I cannot always protect you from it. People will judge you, ridicule you of your birth or of the way you wear your clothes, or even the way you speak. But always remember, whatever you did, wherever you go, when you get older, and you feel tired from a long journey, you are always welcome to come back here." Moni stroke my hair and kissed my forehead. It was difficult to truly understand what she was trying to say, as I was only but a thirteen years old. Only did I know what she meant when I turned fifteen.

"My lord!" the butler cried to Russel as the three of us, Moni and I, were having snacks in the garden. "An uninvited guest has arrived"

Russel stood promptly and walked fast towards the entrance of the mansion. Moni and I were exchanging question looks. Soon, the two of us exited the garden and went ahead towards the main gate look at what was happening. A man was stopped by the knights of the house just outside the main gate. Russel was standing in front of the man so we couldn't clearly see his face. As we stepped closer, the man's face slowly came to focus. He had a ruffled dark hair and was wearing fine clothes.

"I wish to see the Earl, I mean the former Earl" the man spoke loudly

"You have no prior schedule to meet an audience with my grandfather" Russel replied

"You do not understand, this is not about formalities. This is a controversial and important discussion I need to have with Pablo Saludana, not as a man with high ranking, but as--"

"Let him in, Russel" the thud sound of a cane was heard in each step. Grandfather walked passed Moni and I and went closer to Russel. Although Russel had doubts, he yield to grandfather's commands and let the knights free the man. The main gate was opened and the man entered the mansion.

"Where is she?" the man said as he held grandfather's hands.

"Please, father, please tell me that Arabelle is still alive" the man's eyes were teary. Grandfather gave a sympathetic look at the man, and he slowly disagrees. The hope in the man's eyes faded and he knelt in despair.

"Stand up" grandfather strongly commanded "How can a Duke like you show weakness in front of a lot of people!" it sounded like grandfather was angry. But the man continued weeping on the ground. We all looked at him in great amazement. A duke? In this earldom?

"It is all my fault. I let her die" the man whispered to himself as he cried. I stepped closer to him. Moni tried to hold my hand, but I let go from her gentle grip. I stood beside grandfather and looked him in the eyes. He stared at mine with honesty and at the same time with sadness. He nod at me, assuring me of the thoughts that I have in my head. About who this man is. I knelt in front of the man, he still doesn't look at me and was continually weeping.

"Father?" with just a single word, the man looked at me immediately, stared at my eyes and my hair. Then he looked at grandfather, then he looked back at me. He gentle touched my face, and then he smiled.

"You look just like Arabelle." I stood up and he did the same.

"I'm sorry. I am very sorry for leaving you behind, Daniana." he said as he wiped his tears away from his face "Please forgive the messed up appearance of this father of yours"

I felt pity and sadness from looking at the man who is my father.

"May I embrace you?" my father asked. I did not hesitate and immediately gave him a warm hug. He must've been very lonely after leaving us behind. Although I still do not know why, he'll probably have every reason why he did. Because Nonno said that he trust him, I will too.

Father was welcomed into the household and he was introduced to the Earl, Russel, and to Moni. He stayed in the mansion for the time being and spend most of his time talking to grandfather in private and also in getting to know me more. Russel was as busy as always and Moni would come and go due to being invited to tea parties. I learned later on that in Avida, when a noble lady would refuse an invitation to a tea party, she would be labeled as a disgrace and ungrateful by those who invited her. So those times, I would spend a lot of time with my father.

"Good, now straighten your back a bit more" father instructed "and hit as hard as you can"

At first I thought that father would scold me for practicing the sword and combat training, but I was surprised because when he saw me running around the mansion, he joined me and even asked for a race. We ran so much around the gardens that after finishing so many laps, the both of us lay down on the grass and gasped for air together. He noticed that I was wearing a dress even in training and asked for a tailor to come and made me some trousers and shirt. When grandfather and Russel heard of it, they were a bit skeptical about it. Moni, on the other hand, was marvelled by the idea and pleaded with grandfather and Russel to allow it. Women wearing trousers and shirt was very new to Avidans, even to me. And new things always fascinated Moni.

"But my lord, I advise you that trousers for women are unacceptable in the country. I do not wish for your family to be the source of gossip in high society" the tailor said to Russel and grandfather. They looked at each other and was concerned about the fact that would happen once word get out that a lady was wearing trousers.

"Ermano, Nonno, if you're so worried about it, I can just wear the trousers underneath my dress so that people won't be suspicious and I can move even more freely knowing that I have trousers underneat my petticoat" I stated.

"Or she can just wear it inside the mansion and nowhere else" father suggested.

The tailor was looking with worry written all over his face while waiting for the decision of the current and former Earl.

"Do it, make her some trousers and shirt" Nonno stated then he smiled at me.

"B-but my lord..."

"Do as my grandfather commands" Russel stated to the tailor. The tailor heed and called his assistant to take my measurements. After taking my measurements, I immediately went and hugged grandfather and Russel, giving them thanks about their decision. Then I looked at my father and hugged him too.

It was much easier than I thought to get along with my father. I thought that I needed to be someone graceful and silent to gain my father's favor, but all it took was to be myself, because my father and I aren't so different at all. Whenever I read books in the library, he would teach me a different perspectives about the books I just read. He would teach me a thing or two about flowers and herbs whenever I water the plants in the backyard. I would help him in other things, and he would help me too. It wasn't long until we became close and I could finally call him dearly.

"Papa, hurry up! Moni can't make apple pie if there's no apple" I ran towards the apple tree where Moni, Russel and I used to play, carrying a basket. I was already wearing my newly tailored trousers and shirt and a black leather corset above the shirt, which was Moni's way of styling my clothes.

"Nina, slow down!" he would say, also carrying a basket. Once we arrived at the big tree, Papa and I wondered in amazent how big the tree is.

"Oh, we need to hurry, or we won't be able to eat Moni's apple pie before supper" Papa said. He actually became close to Russel and Moni too, although Russel still puts a distance. Grandfather was also quiet happy seeing us being close.

"I'll climb the tree Papa, so make sure to catch me if I fall alright?" father just laughed and approved of what I said. We put down the basket on the ground and I started climbing up the tree to harvest some fresh apples.

"Watch your step, hon!" he said. I slowly stepped on the branches and plucked the apples then just let it fall down the ground. Papa was collecting them on the ground and was putting them in the basket. After collecting enough apples that filled the baskets. I slowly went down from the tree, but having an uncanny mind, I decided to not go down normally.

"Papa!" he looked up "You said you'll catch me right?" he smiled at me and opened his arms widely.

"Of course I will!" I jumped from the apple tree and for a moment, I felt like I was a bird flying, but even if it was only for a moment, I loved the feeling. I safely fell in the arms of my father, who was unbeliveably strong although he already has some white hair.

"Got you" he says as he catched me. He gently put me down and helped me pat some dust down from my hair.

"Let's get going shall we?" I said, lifting one of the basket on my other hand, and holding my father's hand on my right. He gently held mine and we walked towards the mansion.

"Should I carry you on my back?"

"I'm fifteen Pa, I'll probably hurt your back if you carry me" I laughed.

That night, we had a full meal with Moni's delicious apple pie. I really thought that we would be living this carefree life for long. That same night, an unknown stranger introducing himself as father's commander came. With a only a sword and a hood in his belongings. Father, Russel, Grandfather and the commander went into the drawing room to talk privately. Moni waited with me in the living room where we drank hot cocoa. We heard shouts and arguing in the drawing room, but it was not clear what they were talking about. Soon, Russel and Grandfather asked for Moni to come with them to Russel's office. Father sat with me in the living room.

"Nina" he started "I can't stay here for long. I need to do my duties back home"

"Does that mean you're leaving?"

"Well, your grandfather and I talked. He wanted you to stay here and I wanted you to come with me. But in the end, the choice is up to you, it always will be." there was a moment of silence. A moment of realization for me. I realized the meaning of what Moni was telling me in the fountain that night. All my life I stayed in the house because of the fear that I would become a victim of Avida's High Society, but I never really mind that, it was grandfather and my cousins who always mind that, and I know they were trying to protect me but I'm a growing lady. Moni was right, they can never always protect me from the cruelness of the world, so I decided to face the world.

"I'll go with you Papa"