Chapter 4: Whispers in Society

A year had passed since Annette's engagement to Shuu, and today she found herself yet again amidst the illustrious ladies of high society at an exquisite tea party. The atmosphere sparkled with elegance, yet it crackled with an undercurrent of ambition and rivalry. Delicate porcelain teacups and silver platters overflowed with dainty pastries, their sweetness contrasting the sharpness of the whispers that swirled around her.

Seated at the center of the long, ornately decorated table, Annette felt both a sense of pride and trepidation. With her family's esteemed reputation and her connection to the powerful Heinz family, she was a coveted topic of discussion, an object of both admiration and scrutiny.

As she delicately sipped her tea, the ladies around her engaged in light conversation, their laughter ringing like chimes. But Annette could sense the subtle shifts in their demeanor, the way their eyes flicked to her when they thought she wasn't looking. It was a dance of manners, each woman calculating her words, vying for the best angle to gain the upper hand.

One lady, with a hawk-like gaze framed by elaborate curls, leaned forward, her voice dripping with faux sweetness. "So, Annette, what are your plans for the wedding? Will it be a grand affair befitting the Heinz name, or will it be more... intimate?"

The question was loaded, a probing spear aimed at her carefully constructed facade. Annette met the woman's inquisitive stare with a composed smile. "The details are still being finalized," she replied, her tone cool and measured. "But I assure you, it will reflect the grandeur of both our families." The lady's eyes momentarily widened in surprise, and Annette felt a small surge of triumph as the surrounding conversations shifted, the woman momentarily silenced.

Internally, however, a tempest brewed within Annette. Despite the year spent in her engagement, her understanding of the Heinz family remained frustratingly incomplete. Her visits to the imposing Heinz castle had been sporadic and often solitary. Each time, she had hoped for deeper connection with Shuu, but his tendency to disappear left her feeling like a ghost haunting the halls of their future.

Then there were his brothers, she vaguely recalled their names because they mostly ignored her when they ran into each other. At first she was perplexed at their coldness, but later she attributed it to family dynamics. Having many siblings meant many of them were vying for the spot of Family head, of course they viewed her as a threat…. Except Laito. 

That man had absolutely no shame, she was appalled at his lack of decency and shameless flirting. Initially she brushed off his comments as politely as she could intent on maintaining a sense of decorum but his actions grew bolder and bolder leaving her no choice but to reject him harshly. Her sharp words didn't seem to faze him at all, in fact it encouraged him to push her buttons further. She tried her best to avoid it at all times.

But, most of her interactions had been with Beatrix, whose gentle presence was both a comfort and a mystery. Beatrix had taken her under her wing, sharing stories of the family and its complexities. 

Yet it felt as if she had only scratched the surface of Heinz family mystery. Shuu remained an enigma, his indifference both intriguing and disheartening. She wasn't sure if it was an act of rebellion or he just hated socialising. While she found his distant attitude an inconvenience, she felt once they got married they would have plenty of time to get to know each other and eventually he would have to accept her, so it wasn't a big issue for now…

As the conversation flowed around her—Annette's thoughts drifted to a particularly unsettling encounter with Cordelia just days prior. Cordelia had confronted her with a fierce intensity that left Annette reeling.

"Beatrix is the one who stole my husband and reduced my chances of becoming the mother of the next family head," Cordelia had stated, her voice sharp and accusatory. Annette had felt her breath catch, taken aback by the boldness of the claim. "But I will make Ayato the next family head. You don't matter in the grand scheme of things." With those words, Cordelia had swept out of the room, leaving a chill in the air.

Beatrix, on the other hand, had remained seated, her composure visibly shaken. Annette remembered the way Beatrix's hands trembled slightly, the delicate porcelain cup rattling against the saucer. It was a fleeting moment that had revealed the vulnerability hidden beneath her motherly demeanor, making Annette acutely aware of the power struggles at play within the family.

Annette shook her head slightly, trying to dismiss the memory that still sent ripples of unease through her. It was very rare– men in their society did have multiple wives due to fertility issues, yet the notion of sharing a home with Cordelia—who had made her intentions clear—while also navigating her relationship with Beatrix was daunting. The idea that she would be living under the same roof as the other women vying for a place in the Heinz legacy was both unsettling and oppressive.

The clinking of teacups snapped her back to the present. Annette smiled politely as the ladies around her continued to chatter, their voices blending into a symphony of ambition and pretense. Despite her outward confidence, she couldn't shake the feeling that her place in this family—and in this society—was still precarious.

Annette caught snippets of conversation from the ladies around her, each eager to share the latest gossip. One spoke of a recent scandal involving a nobleman's indiscretion, while another recounted a tale of a lady who had been publicly shamed at a ball. Each story seemed to sharpen the air, creating a palpable tension that made Annette acutely aware of the precariousness of her own status.

With every laugh and every whispered secret, Annette felt the weight of their expectations press down upon her.

As the conversation continued to swirl around her, Annette felt the familiar pang of isolation wash over her. Despite the year after the engagement, she had the bare-minimum knowledge of Heinz family. She longed for connection, for a glimpse into her to-be family—one that remained shrouded in mystery and silence.

_____

The morning sunlight streamed through the dining room windows, casting a warm glow on the breakfast table. Annette picked heartily ate her breakfast. As she absentmindedly sipped her tea, her father's voice broke the calm.

"Annette, I have some news," Richard said, his tone serious. "You'll be heading to Heinz castle next week for your bridal lessons."

Annette paused, her toast hovering in mid-air. "Bridal lessons? Isn't that an old-fashioned tradition?"

Richard nodded, his brow furrowing. "The Heinz family values tradition highly, and this is part of it. They believe it prepares brides for their roles within the family."

"But no one has bridal lessons these days," Annette protested, shaking her head. "Weddings happen directly now. Isn't it more about mutual consent?"

Richard sighed and leaned back in his chair. "You're right. In most families, such lessons are uncommon. They were mainly to prevent brides from getting cold feet—something that was a concern twenty years ago. But given the Heinz family's adherence to tradition, it's not surprising they still practice it."

Annette felt a chill at the thought. She remembered Reji's warnings about the peculiarities of the Heinz family and their old-world customs. A sense of unease settled in her stomach.

"Is it really necessary?" she asked softly, hoping to find some way out of this obligation.

"In their eyes, yes," Richard replied. "You'll need to navigate their world, and understanding their customs will be essential."

"I understand that. But I want to spend time with Liam before I go," she added. "I should also visit mother's grave." She said quietly.

"It seems abrupt, but we need to adhere to their timeline." He paused, his expression turning a touch wistful. "I had hoped to take you hunting one last time tomorrow—just us, as a final father-daughter activity." Annette smiled at the thought, appreciating the gesture. But she still felt downcast. 

"I know it's hard, but you'll adjust. I expect no less of my little fighter" Richard replied, his tone softening. Suddenly he planted a kiss on her forehead.

"Father?!" Annette looked surprised. 

"My baby bird is finally leaving the nest…Of course I would find an impeccable match for my Precious daughter. They may live old-fashionedly but my little lady is quite resilient, yes?" He said in a watery tone

"Of Course, I'd do my best for my family" Annette said consolingly to her father.

"No, its not for Me or Liam, it the best I could do for you Annette. After all, my daughter deserves the best always."

As Annette absorbed this, the weight of her departure began to feel heavier and lighter at the same time. Of course her father loved her and gave her the best - whether it was jewelry or marriage Proposal. Now She had to do her best.

He paused, his expression turning a touch wistful. "I had hoped to take you hunting one last time tomorrow—just us"

"Of course, father! I gift you a fine Fox pelt this time!"

"Of course you will" Her father laughed

Soon after breakfast, she sought out Liam, her introverted younger brother. They often found comfort in each other's company, sharing a love for stories and quiet moments.

"Want to read together?" Annette suggested, a smile breaking through her anxiety.

Liam nodded, his eyes lighting up. They settled in the cozy nook of the library, surrounded by towering shelves filled with books. Annette picked a novel filled with adventures, while Liam chose a quieter tale of magic and mystery.

As they read, the world outside faded away. They exchanged whispered thoughts about the characters and plotted imaginary adventures of their own. In these moments, Annette felt a sense of normalcy, a reprieve from the worries about her upcoming departure.

The next evening, she took the time to hunt with Richard, their laughter echoing in the woods as they reminisced about shared adventures. They camped out all night and sang hunting songs her father had taught her while sharing grilled meat.

After a few hours lost in stories, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted when Richard woke her up at dawn to they could return home. Rest of her days were gone for packing all her necssaries and dowry.

On the day of her departure, they all prepared to set off in opposite directions. 

"Remember, I'll always be just a letter away," Liam said, his voice soft but reassuring as he prepared to leave with Richard.

Annette smiled, though her heart felt heavy. "And I'll be waiting to hear all about your lessons," she replied, giving him a warm hug.

Richard stepped forward, placing a hand on Annette's shoulder. "Take care of yourself, and remember what we talked about."

She nodded, feeling the weight of her father's expectations settle on her.

As they departed, Annette took a moment to gather her thoughts, the sounds of their departure echoing in her mind. With a deep breath, she turned toward the future awaiting her at the Heinz castle. The journey felt daunting, but she steeled herself for what lay ahead.

With one last glance at her home, she stepped forward into her new reality, a mixture of anticipation and apprehension swirling within her.