chapter 1

"She leaves for the Royal Academy at Kent by early spring." Sir James Drummond said leaning against the polished table in his study.

"Surely, you planned to tell her and not whisk her away to some Royal Academy without her knowledge." It was a statement not a question. Jade Drummond set a pair of bright blue eyes on her husband, eyes that sparkled every time she was genuinely happy.

"Of course, but you know how Lorreina can be sometimes .sometimes I think she gets that defiant and standoffish attitude from you". James said .

" Of course she got that defiant attitude from me ,but I won't be so sure of the standoffish part ."Lady Jade concluded with a smile on her face.

" A pair of Jade-green eyes withdrew from the opening of the door and blinked .

Since her father had become count of straffen it had fell upon her shoulders to carry the obligations of being the future countess.Reina strode back to her room and stopped dead ,glancing at the image was supossed to be her.

Endorsed with a height of five feet,eight inches and a face that would be looked at a lot in public, Reina really looked at herself and thought if she would be able to pull it off at the Academy.

She'd inherited her Jade-green eyes ,long prominent nose and auburn tresses from her father. She was White in colouring almost pale just like her mother .with one last satisfactory glance she darted for her door.

Just as she collided nose to chest with her father and doubled backward.

"Lorreina u have something urgent to discuss with you ." her father began

Like she didn't already know what it is "Okay ,dad what is it?."

"I think you might want to sit down first." James said, his eyes filled with concern for his only daughter.

Reina strode forward and plopped atop her four poster bed .she glanced at her father and what she saw in the depth of his eyes, well was quite a lot : pain,fear ,anxiety. All at once she asked

"Dad is something wrong?".

" No not at all ".James said finally releasing the door and taking long strides to sit on the chair opposite his daughter's bed.

" Lorreina ,you will be leaving the manor by early spring and set to go to the Royal Academy at Kent. "Just like her father. Never one to beat around the bush.

" I'm guessing you're worried for a whole host of other reasons ."Reina said.

Surprised flickered through Hus eyes but only for a second before he began "l don't know if you would be able to cope being your first time ,I just want you to be safe ." James said in a rush.

Reina placed her hand on top of her father's whose own were already strained with tension.

"It's alright dad I'll be fine no need to worry if it's anything you and mom taught me ,it's that Drummond's never give up ." she said with finality .

"But are you sure you can handle it ?That you'll be alright?." He asked.

Reina just smiled and tightened her hand on his own "Don't worry ,I'll be fine ". She said releasing his hand " I'll be more than fine." Only God knew how much of those words were true