Chapter 3: Anticipation

The soft glow of the afternoon sun had dimmed, casting warm amber hues across the room. Rosellene sat in front of a grand piano, her slender fingers gliding effortlessly over the keys.

The haunting melody she played filled the air, resonating through the spacious room.

Rosellene remained still, watching the sun dip lower through the window.

The faint sound of the melody filled the air, broken only by the sound of Elenor's light, cheerful footsteps approaching.

Elenor entered with a radiant smile, her soft curls bouncing as she moved toward her sister.

"Rosellene," Elenor called out sweetly as she stepped into the room, her delicate features glowing with contentment.

"You wouldn't believe what happened today!" she exclaimed, settling onto a nearby chaise lounge as if she had returned victorious from a battle.

Rosellene turned slightly on the piano bench, her fingers stilled on the keys, letting the final note linger before fading into silence. Her sharp eyes flicked up to meet Elenor's.

"Oh? What happened?" Her tone was calm, devoid of curiosity, but laced with subtle undertones that only Elenor would miss.

Elenor's eyes lit up as she weave her tale.

"Lady Anabelle absolutely adored the necklace I was wearing. She couldn't stop talking about how exquisite it was! You know how fond she is of fine jewellery." she said, her voice as light as air with a self-satisfied smile.

"And, well, as a Valentine, I couldn't possibly refuse her admiration, don't you think so?"

Rosellene tilted her head faintly, with an obscure expression. She let the silence stretch, watching as Elenor shifted slightly under her gaze. Finally, she spoke, her words slow and deliberate.

"How thoughtful of you," she remarked, her voice low and measured, almost too quiet to be polite.

"Generosity, after all, costs nothing when it isn't yours to give."

Elenor blinked, her smile faltering slightly, but she recovered quickly, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"Well, I couldn't possibly refuse her," she insisted with a delicate laugh.

At this moment, Lady Valentine's voice rang out from the doorway. "Elenor, my darling!"

She swept into the room, her elegant gown trailing behind her as she approached.

Her smile was warm as her eyes landed on Elenor, entirely bypassing Rosellene. "I heard about your tale today, your aunt was effusive in her praise for you!"

Elenor naturally beamed under their mother's praise. "I only wanted to help, Mother," she said with a modest tone, though her eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"So lovely and demure," Lady Valentine continued, brushing a hand over Elenor's shoulder with affection.

"It's indeed the qualities befitting of my daughter." she added almost as an afterthought, "How fortunate I am to be your mother!"

Rosellene smiled faintly, her lips curving into an elegant but cold expression.

Elenor laughed lightly, basking in the approval. "The feeling is mutual, Mother. We're truly blessed to have you," she said delightfully.

Rosellene said nothing further, her gaze drifting and turning back to the piano. She placed her hands on the keys, letting a slow, melancholic melody fill the room once again.

Her fingers moved with precision, but her mind wandered elsewhere, reflecting on the predictable nature of it all.

When Elenor and their mother left the room, their laughter echoing faintly down the corridor, Rosellene let her hands fall still.

Her lips curved into a barely perceptible smirk, the weight of resignation settling in her chest.

This result had been preordained, a thread in the tapestry of predictable betrayals.

There was no need to feel anything more.

"My dear sister," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible above the faint hum of the fading notes, "I hope you don't disappoint me."

---

The entire city was abuzz with anticipation for the upcoming grand ball celebrating the 60th birthday of the Grand Duchess of Caldermere.

Her influence stretched far beyond her title, and her soirées were as much about solidifying alliances as were about celebration, an event no noble dared to miss.

Every household was immersed in preparations, from selecting the finest gifts to polishing their manners for the banquet.

The Valentine mansion, too, was no exception.

In every corner, maids and footmen scurried through the halls, their arms laden with luxurious fabrics, velvet-lined boxes, and trays of glittering jewellery ensuring the family's gifts were packed to perfection.

The sprawling estate seemed to hum with purpose.

The air was thick with the aroma of flowers being arranged for the carriages, mingled with the hushed whispers of maids and the sharp commands of Lady Valentine.

Lady Valentine stood near a display table filled with intricately wrapped boxes, her discerning eye inspecting each gift.

Elenor hovered nearby, holding up a string of pearls against her neck, her expression one of delight.

"This one, Mother," Elenor said, twirling slightly so the pearls caught the sunlight. "Don't you think it complements my complexion?"

Lady Valentine looked up, her lips curling into a pleased smile. "It does, my darling. Pearls suit you so well, rare and beautiful. We'll set that aside for you to wear to the ball."

"You must look your best...after all, It is whispered that His Highness, Sir Azriel Louis of Eryndor, will personally grace the occasion with his presence"

Elenor's cheeks flushed at the mention of the Duke. "Truly? I've heard he rarely attends such events!"

"Exactly," Lady Valentine said with a meaningful look.

"It's a rare opportunity and one that should not be wasted. So, we must leave a lasting impression."

Rosellene paused her embroidery, her gaze flicked up watching her mother and sister with quiet amusement.

She sat by the window as she worked on an embroidery hoop. Her slender fingers moved gracefully, weaving a delicate rose pattern into the fabric.

The sunlight streaming through the window cast a golden glow on her.

Setting the embroidery aside, she rose gracefully and approached the table where Lady Valentine was inspecting another box.

"And what impression should I leave, Mother?" Rosellene asked with a soft smile.

Lady Valentine glanced at her eldest daughter, her lips curved slightly as she selected an ornate diamond choker from the chest.

"You are always our pride, I want nothing but perfection for you, Rosellene," Lady Valentine said, her tone firm but with an underlying warmth.

"You are the culmination of years of effort...my effort. When you walk into that ballroom, You will surely captivate and impress all who witness you."

Rosellene's lips curled into a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of something sharper. "Certainly."

She placed a brooch back on the table and turned to her mother. "Have you decided on a gift for the Grand Duchess, Mother?"

"Yes," Lady Valentine said, motioning to a large, ornately wrapped box. "An antique music box from the collection. It's exquisite and rare, something worthy of the Grand Duchess' taste."

Elenor, who had been lounging on a nearby chaise, perked up at her mother's words. She glanced at the jewellery chest and then at Rosellene.

"Mother, perhaps I could wear the sapphire necklace tonight? It would match the blue gown you've picked for me."

Lady Valentine barely looked at her youngest daughter. "You'll wear the pearls, my dear. They're more suited to your age and demeanour. The sapphires are not a fit for this occasion."

Elenor pouted but didn't argue further, knowing that her mother's decisions were final.

She grumbled lightly and sank back into the chaise, muttering something under her breath.

Lady Valentine interjected, her tone crisp. "Enough, Elenor. Focus on your preparations. You'll have plenty of other opportunities to wear it."

At that moment, Millie entered the room, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits.

She moved with quiet efficiency, setting the tray down on a nearby table before addressing Rosellene.

"Milady, the seamstress has arrived for the final adjustments to your gown. Shall I escort her in?"

"Yes, Millie," Rosellene said with a slight nod. "Send her in."

Millie curtsied and left the room.

As the seamstress worked on Rosellene's gown, Lady Valentine stood back, her hands clasped in front of her as she observed every detail. "This gown must be flawless," she said, her voice low but commanding.

"The fabric, the embroidery and stitches, it must all be perfect. Rosellene, you are not just my daughter; you will represent the Valentine's tonight."

"I understand, Mother."

Rosellene glanced at her mother through the mirror, her expression unreadable, as she tilted her head, her smile remaining intact.

The seamstress finished her adjustments and stepped back, admiring her handiwork.

Rosellene stood, the pale gold gown flowing around her like liquid sunlight. She turned to face her mother, who nodded in approval.

"Wonderful," Lady Valentine nodded. "Surely, you will undoubtedly be the star of the evening."

"Rosellene, you'll be so dazzling that no one will even notice the rest of us," Elenor said with a laugh. "Perhaps I should just stay home and spare myself the comparison."

Rosellene turned to her sister, her smile as sharp as glass. "Don't be silly, Elenor. Every star needs a sky to shine against."

Elenor blinked, unsure whether her sister's words were a compliment or an insult. Lady Valentine, however, said nothing, her attention already shifting to another matter.

As the evening wore on and the Valentine mansion continued its preparations, Rosellene remained seated, her mind drifting to the night ahead.

At last, it was inevitable that she would see him again.