•••4. Thê Engâgêmênt part 2•••

Isa Ranold was a compatible partner to Duke Fredrick Liberine in every way. Be it from her looks, to her family background or her status—in no way she was lesser than the Liberines. So the Ranolds thought of selling off their daughter, the beautiful Isa to the house of Liberine as the former was suffering from a bit of setback in business.

At that time, the Liberines were booming with success though they couldn't get a strong foothold at the society because of their foreign lineage. Liberines needed status while Ranolds required money. It was best for both the families to unite and receive what they were aiming for. Yet the marriage life of Isa and Fredrick wasn't exactly of flowers and rainbows. Isleen was not a result of their love but of duty. Had Isleen been a man, she wouldn't have faced the same fate as her mother...

But Isa never regretted of having Isleen..

Lady Isa sighed as several old thoughts made their presence known in her mind. Just like her, her daughter is going to get sold off too. The Liberines, this time, is facing a setback in their business and is in dire need of financial help and of all the affluent nobles, Count Heathenne was the best option. That's why she desperately wished for a son. If Isleen were a son, she might have had a right to say to this arrangement, or maybe he could've married someone of his own choice. The birds chirped happily without any care of the world and the sun kept shinning happily. Sometimes Isa felt trapped. She feels as if her time has stopped permanently and the world outside this mansion has undergone a time skip.

So much has changed! How long has it been ever since she went out of this mansion without any aide and carriage? When she was unmarried she at least used to visit the new year's festival with her maids, and now she's not allowed outside unless it is of importance, she's not allowed without a carriage and guards. Sometimes she misses the old days...

"Mother." The said woman turned her head to the direction from which the voice came from.

"Ah you are here. Come. Take a seat." The elderly woman replied without even looking up from her swirling tea, knowing fully well who it was.

The two women sat together in silence. Each of them sipping their tea occasionally. The tension in the air was so thick that if there were any servants, they'd have been fidgeting in their place by now.

Isleen was bored. She wondered if her submissive, aloof mother had asked her only to sip tea right after the breakfast. She thought that she'll be going to get an earful again from her mother for being so 'unlady-like'. She was surprised when there was none.

"Isleen.."

'About time you started speaking...' Isleen thought but put up her best attentive face.

"..the reason why I called you here is because of your engagement.."

"I am sorry, what? Could you please repeat again mother? I am not sure if I heard you correctly or not."

"I called you up here to talk about your engagement Isleen." Isa concealed her annoyed reaction for being interrupted rudely by her daughter but nevertheless didn't say anything as she clearly spoke with a horrified expression etched on her daughter's face.. "And before you interrupt me again.."She glanced sternly. "..which is extremely un-lady like, I want you to hear me out first."

Silence greeted the older woman from the other side.

A while later a chair in the backyard was scraped loudly, almost falling down on the soft, trimmed grass but the poor chair regained its balance thanks to the Duchess' exclusive maid, Lola. Lola has neither seen the ever calm,cold young mistress to behave in such a barbaric manner nor she has seen her mistress having such a happy yet surprised expression on her face. She wondered what had exactly passed between those two.

Duchess Isa on the other hand, couldn't help but feel happy and surprised inwardly as this was the first time that her stoic daughter has shown her some expression! Though it wasn't a positive one, yet it was something other than her usual blank face!

In a moment or two, the woman concealed her expressions of the emotions which were still playing around in her heart. Upon noticing her exclusive maid nearby, she beckoned her and gave her certain instructions.

She has already set the trap, now its only a matter of time that the prey falls in it. However, what she's going to do, will it increase the distance between her and her daughter?....even though this was meant for her best interest. It is the only way by which the wild wind can be tamed.

A while later angry footsteps echoed in the hallways of the second floor. Even the carpet failed to conceal the footsteps which showed that the owner of the fuss was really angry.

Mary was startled as she was putting fresh flowers in the vase due to the sudden opening of the door of the room. Thinking it to be some mindless servant, she was about to give the intruder a earful, but she shut her mouth when she saw who it was.

"Go. Mother is calling you." was the only words which the intruder said to her. However, the intruder didn't even realise that she has deliberately pushed the prey into a trap that'll change her life forever.

Isleen sat on her bed as her thoughts ran amass of what her mother had told her few minutes ago. She took deep breaths. Unfortunately, that didn't work this time to calm her down. She can't believe that she's going to be sold. Yes, it is true that unlike the other noble ladies of the society, she didn't fawn over the handsome noble bachelors. In fact, she doesn't believe in the institution of marriage.It feels frustrating to her that how the society dictates the ultimate goal of women is to get married to rich, affluent family. Their desires, wishes and dreams are always looked down, made fun of. They are nothing but simple side accessories of men to boast about and continue the lineage.

She looked out of the window of her room and decided to head to the place of her solace to clear her head.