Engagement Plan

"Which letter?" Richard asked.

"I wrote a letter to you three days ago," she stated.

He furrowed his brow, his mind preoccupied with the fact that he and this woman had barely exchanged a few words during their solitary encounter. What could have possibly compelled her to send him a letter? Moreover, the servant hadn't brought him any letters from the Marquis's residence, because any letter was customarily directed to his father, who would have perused its contents.

Richard experienced a pang of unease. His father's abrupt command to accompany him had caught him off guard. As they arrived at the estate of his betrothed, he couldn't shake the fear that his father intended to dissolve the engagement.

"I am finding it super hard to befriend Barbara that's why I wrote to you. I thought you as her fiancé would help me to ease the tension between us," she explained.

Richard snapped from his thoughts as she listened to her explanation. He stared at her, seeing her brown eyes seemed not lying; he heaved a sigh of relief.

"You are right. Barbara seemed cold and distant, but she had a kind heart. She isn't used to socializing with people she doesn't know. You only need some time, and she will get adapted. When we were young, she often spent her playing time watching other kids play. I got closer to her and invited her to play; I still remember the surprised look on her face. The sparkle in her green eyes when she nodded and the smile on her face," he narrated, remembering their first meeting.

She was just six years old, a little girl wearing pink dress. Her long, fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her bangs gently brushed over her large, emerald-green eyes. It was as if her gaze held a universe of wonderment and innocence. From the moment he laid eyes on her, she captivated him. Amid his dark world, she was the sole beacon of light, the ray of hope, and his refuge from despair.

Meanwhile, Aurora clenched her hands. A surge of envy swelled in her heart. The way he talked about her sister and the glowing of his eyes whenever he mentioned her name was seen clearly. She forced a smile and nodded.

"She appeared distant but when you treat her honestly, she will melt. She didn't know how to express her feelings and might scold you, but she only did that to the one who she cared about. Irrelevant people will never receive a glance from her," he added.

"I understand," Aurora replied, nodding in agreement. "Can I write to you when something goes wrong with my sister? I mean if she didn't accept me?" she asked.

Richard pondered for a while. "I didn't see any reason Barbara would do that," he stated.

"In reality, whenever I face my sister, I will be afraid. I always think that she detested me for ruining her life," she said, tears swelling in her eyes.

"I see. You can contact me at my workplace instead of the Count's house. I will help you as much as I can even if it doesn't work," he said to ensure the letters would arrive at him.

"Something else, can you keep it a secret? I am afraid sister will be more upset," she requested.

Richard nodded. "I will not inform Barbara, rest assured."

"What are you two doing?"

Both Richard and Aurora shifted their gazes to Barbara who stood not far from them. She crossed her hands over her chest and glared at them.

Richard rushed to her side. "Barbara," he called, and then Aurora followed, greeting her then retreating.

"Answer my question," she said coldly.

Richard's lips curved upward. "My father orders her to bring me to the garden since it's boring inside," he reasoned.

"That's all?" Barbara asked, and Richard nodded and then smiled happily. "Why are grinning like a fool?"

"Are you jealous?" he asked.

"No," she yelled, turning around.

Seeing her little actions that didn't differ from her childhood behaviours, he chuckled. His fiancé seemed like a stone to others who knew nothing but to follow orders but she was so simple from the inside like a little girl.

"Don't talk to her again," she ordered, with a firm tone.

"Yes," he replied, but remembering his conversation with Aurora, his smile fluttered. Pondering about telling Barbara about it but giving it another thought, he declined since it was an unimportant matter.

***

Back to the room. Earlier that day, Susie watched as her daughter accompanied Barbara's fiancé with doubt. Her daughter seemed happy meeting the young man made her worried, hoping that her doubts would be wrong.

She shifted her gaze to Count Clarkson and said, "You must have something to say that the children should not hear."

"The Madam is right, I want to talk about the engagement between my son and your daughter," he stated.

Susie's heart shook. She prepared herself for this day to come since she knew Barbara wasn't her real daughter. Although she and Bernat still treated Barbara as their child, the reality was revealed to the whole kingdom. Having her engagement break would damage her reputation. The Count's son was a promising noble man it was hard to marry another one of the same status as him.

"What about the engagement?" she asked, acting ignorant, but her heart trembled with anxiety.

"I know that Lady Barbara is smart, hardworking and good-looking, but she lacks noble blood. I apologize for describing her like this, but I kept thinking about the matter for days and I refuse to marry my son to a woman with unknown origins. What if one day, her family turned out to be outlaws?" he explained.

Susie pressed her lips displeasingly. "Didn't you witness how we raise our daughter?" she retorted.

The two families were close, so they met a lot. Their children were friends, so they spent more time in each other's houses. Telling her rubbish reasons to justify the cancellation was absurd.

"I have seen it through the years, but I cannot endanger my son if his future in-laws were bad people. I have to study all the possibilities. However, I do wish for the engagement to continue, but with— with Aurora instead of Barbara."