Chapter 21

Victoria walked behind Aurelia with confidence, she's finally meeting the family, but her confidence seemed to evaporate into thin air when she stood in front of them.

"announcing lady Aurelia and...miss Victoria." the butler announced .

The Duke glanced at the duchess as if reminding her to be courteous, to which she closed her eyes and slowly opened them in agreement, nodding or giving him more attention would only hurt her pride.

Two girls walked in, one walking gracefully in a sky blue dress with jasmine embroidery on the sleeves and skirt, and the other in a simple pink dress with a white ribbon around the waist.

The first made a curtsy in greeting, while the other one stood stiffly in place, and she still stood there under the scrutinizing gaze of everyone after the other girl took a seat next to her mother.

"ahm." the Duke cleared his throat. "everyone, this is Victoria. Victoria, I am the Duke of Veritas household, you may call me 'father'. "

"your grace, the girl is a bit shy, let her have a chance to feel comfortable." she stopped him before he could go further. "Victoria was it? Have a seat."

Walking to the place she's asked to sit in, her body seemed a bit heavier than a moment ago, and her destination seemed far in the spacious room.

"I am dutchess Verena, refer to me as 'your grace'." She smiled out of courtesy. "these are my daughters, lady Aurelia and lady Ilaria. My eldest is away studying, but my youngest son, Vincente, is here. He is asleep, excuse him for not being able to properly welcome you."

Although her words seemed polite enough, she said 'my daughters', not 'your sisters', stressing the point that they'll never be family, and she will never accept her as a daughter.

She also apologized for the baby not greeting her, but in fact, she meant Victoria is not welcome here. Mocking her for her lowly position, and admitting they're only doing this because the Duke asked them to.

"well, don't just sit there, have some tea." she gestured for Aurelia to pour the tea.

Aurelia gave each one a cup and sat to enjoy the tea.

"your skills in brewing tea has improved." the Duke praised to ease the tension.

"her manners and tea etiquette did as well." the duchess smiled.

Victoria felt like all the eyes were on her, although all the servants stayed outside. Whenever she made eye contact with the duchess, she smiled, but she couldn't shake off the piercing gaze of disappointment, disapproval, and displeasure.

She wasn't wrong, the duchess was truly disappointed in her husband and displeased at having to drink tea with the illegitimate daughter of her husband.

Furthermore, it seems she doesn't have any manners. Even five years old Ilaria knew to greet those older than her or of a higher status, and to not lift her pinky when holding a cup of tea! And she was five!

But of course, all her children are raised to excel in each way, she can't expect others to compare to her upbringing. Comparing her children to that uneducated daughter of a ***** is ridiculous!

Like comparing heaven to earth, or a pearl to fish eye, or, or...comparing a precious gem to feces! Yes, that's more accurate.

She smiled at that thought despite being ashamed of herself for thinking that.

However, she expected her to at least have common manners. Oh, well. She hoped she at least knows how to behave. She isn't asking her to be like Aurelia, gentle, obedient, and bright. Even if she stirred trouble like cheerful Ilaria, but listened to orders would be sufficient.

Unlike other households, Duke Veritas mansion didn't hire nannies or a governess, only a nurse to take care of the baby, and a tutor once they are old enough.

Due to duchess Verena's own terrible experience with her strict governess, she didn't like for her children to repeat her experience, so she educates them herself, sneaking educational moments when she spends time with them, or invite them for tea.

–'Viktor, honey, hold your fork like I do.'

–'Aria, Ilaria, hold your tea cup like this. Alright, sweetheart?'

–'Lia , sweetie, curtsy like how mommy does.'

–'Aria, do you like mommy's dress? I will buy you one just like it when you no longer get your dresses dirty with food. Do we have a pinky promise?'

But it seems she will have to go through the trouble of finding a governess for this little piece of.... ahm, excuse me, for this little...girl.

Maybe someday she will learn to live with her as a family, but for now, it would be enough if she could finish her cup of tea without feeling nauseous every time she remembered her husband's betrayal, and that little human being sitting there as solid proof of his acts.

"daddy, why didn't you go to work today?" Ilaria swallowed one of the refreshments with tea, oblivious to the tense mood in the room.

"eat slowly or you might choke" he chuckled. "I wanted to spend more time with you and Vincente."

"then, can you spend time with us every day like this?" she looked up at him smiling widely.

"maybe not." he wiped jam from her lips with a handkerchief. "I heard you learned count?"

"yes!" she stood up and bowed like a showman and started counting with her fingers proudly. "one, two, three, four, five, six...."

"that's nice, how about you Aurelia? Anything new?"

"yes," she nodded, her smile growing from ear to ear. "actually, the royal princess Angelina invited me to a garden tea party! It's for young girls to get to know each other. I was planning on performing something but I'm not sure... Father, can you please help me?"

"of course." he agreed. "why don't you take Victoria with you?"

"um... " she fiddled with her spoon and avoided his gaze.

"your grace, that wouldn't be very appropriate." the duchess came to her rescue.

"I think it would be nice to make new friends." Victoria spoke softly.

The duchess was shocked!

She didn't list out the reasons why she couldn't attend to save her face, but she actually dared to talk back at her. How audacious!