CHAPTER #21:A farewell without a word.

Mother was in a hurry to finish up the supply distribution so I left the orphanage without a word of farewell. Two weeks later I received a letter from the orphanage saying that the child was moved to a branch of the orphanage located on the outskirts of the city.

No doubt about it. I was sure that was the place where the female lead resided as a child in the novel.

But for the time being, I did not want to recall the troublesome matter at this moment. Eirlyn's letter arrived on the same day. As I continued to read the last paragraph of the letter, to my dismay she was forced to go to the Academy under her grandparents' orders.

–"I know we promised to enter the Academy together, ...I sincerely apologize for breaking our promise-"

I saw a part of the word 'promise' fade and was shaped like a fallen teardrop. It was a possibility but it could have been a drop of water too. It made me furious.

But this was not the end. My eyes widened as I read the letter carefully word after word till my jaw lost its potential to keep itself together.

"And I also wanted to apologize to you for not inviting you to my engagement ceremony. Everything was so sudden and it wasn't a fancy one. Uncle and aunt seemed dissatisfied with immediate arrangements. Frederic complained the whole day for it not being fancy..."

-"Frederic?...FREDERIC!!??That bastard is engaged to -?EIRLYN!"I almost choked after reading the last paragraph of the letter.

I recalled that this bastard was the first son born to Eirlyn's uncle. Her mother didn't have any siblings but her father had a younger brother.

-"I remember Eirlyn saying that her uncle was the first to get married, and gained the heirship to succeed the family in her father's stead."

One of the most popular stories that have been circulated in the aristocratic society even today. The heir who left everything for the sake of his beloved.

Eirlyn's father who was originally the heir to house Beauregard fell in love with Lady Althaia who came from the ruined noble household. As he was the heir he had to listen to his stubborn parents who set up his marriage partner without his consent. This lead them to elope together and return to the estate when Eirlyn was to be born that year. A brief marriage ceremony was held in the estate in September. And Eirlyn was born in November.

Her beauty is what mesmerized him to leave everything just to have her hand in marriage. Eirlyn's paternal grandmother reluctantly accepted them back for she wanted her son to marry a girl of her choice.

-"That girl is now Eirlyn's aunt who married the younger brother instead. She is of the same family status as viscounts. And Eirlyn's parents returned after three years of their elopement."I wrote it down in my diary.

And as a result of the deep bond between brothers, the family wealth was equally divided between them except for the position of the heir. This is why Viscount Beauregard kept the family name but broke up with the main family to keep his wife and daughter from harm's way and join the military to gain the Emperor's favor.

-"Sigh! A heart-touching story."

"That's one side but...I still don't know what will happen to her now." I scratched my head anxiously.

"She will depart with her parents within next week. So there is time! I can hold a tea party to ease her mind." I thought up delighted.

"Well done Luna. I knew I was a genius." I boasted to myself.

But there was one major problem.

The preparations were made within two days which included the new dress made from royal blue velvet with silver embroidery and matching accessories.

"Mother, who did you send the invitations again?" I ran to my mother's room where she was dressing up with the help of her maids.

"Only your friends dear. Eirlyn, Lady Abigail of house Baudelaire, Eirlyn's paternal cousin will be with her today and some other families."

-"By others, you mean House Aiden and House Blanchard."I furrowed my brow.

I was quite relieved that the troublesome boys from each of these households, were in the academy by now. So I was relaxed with an all girl's tea party. Of course, fathers were an exception if there were any.

"You must be sad to hear Eirlyn go before you." My mother asked me while she was done with her makeup.

"Well, I don't care about it exactly. Since Eirlyn is a year older than me so it's quite obvious."

I sat on the sofa and started at my mother who was selecting the jewelry to wear.

"Luna dear.Can you do me a favor?" My mother turned to me.

"What is it?" I looked up at her.

"It's not much but could you choose a set appropriate with my dress?" She smiled waving me to come over.

I had no choice but to go over to her.

She was wearing a dress that had different shades of pink starting from darkest from the bodice and white as it reached the floor-length.

"Hmm," I looked at one gorgeous set then the other.

There was a gold chain with a small pendant embedded with white pearls. It had matching pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet.

-"It's like a modern style that was trendy in Korea."I smiled and pointed at it.

"This one." I looked up smiling.

She came closer and looked at it. After a moment she smiled and picked it up to wear it.

"You know Luna. This was a small gift your father gave me on our wedding night. It was like a dream for me." She placed her hand on the pendant across the collarbone.

"Just the necklace?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Yes, just the necklace. The other accessories were made to match it at later date."

-"No wonder the necklace has a different design."I stared at the pendant that shone in the sunlight.

"I hope you will find someone in the future too."

"There you go again, mother. I told you I hate the foolish concept of love and marriage. It only bounds a person in one place and forces one to carry the unnecessary burden on their shoulders."

"Marriage isn't that bad Luna. Once you find a partner who will truly understand you, respect you, and share the same mentality as you do. I am certain you will develop feelings of friendship or love accordingly. Even if it takes some time for some people."

-"I know...I know everything. And yet...I am scared...scared of being betrayed. Scared of being taken for granted."I bit my lower lip as a vile taste filled my mouth.

-"What about Eirlyn?"I wanted to ask my mother.

-"Why does she have to marry someone she doesn't even like? The grown-ups are too cruel. It's her life. She should be the one to choose her marriage partner. Not them.Not this world. Why must she suffer?"I frowned and I could feel my blood boil with anger and frustration.

"This is truly unfair...I will never get married!" I said that aloud and ran out of the master bedroom.

"Luna!"

My mother called after me. But too late. The guests were about to arrive any moment now. And mother will have to receive the guests with father instead.

"Be it this world or the other. The minds are corrupted."