Music Recommendation: Violin Concerto No. 2 - Antonio Vivaldi
Rosetta now stood in front of the entrance of the Moriarty mansion with her two trunks on the ground next to her. Next to her stood her mother, who held a pleased expression with how she had cornered Vincent Moriarty. There was no way for him to get out of it.
"Don't forget what I have told you, Rosetta," Lady Aurora warned her daughter, "All you have to do is stay in the mansion and wait for the days to pass until your marriage to Vincent. After that, we'll join you."
"What is wrong with our mansion up in the North?" Rosetta questioned before she started, "Mother, I don't want to marry Vincent—"
"Don't. Even. Think. About. It." Lady Aurora turned to look at Rosetta and glared at her. "If you don't want me or your father to be angry with you, listen to what we are saying. Vincent is handsome, wealthy, a pureblooded vampire who will push your name to the top position in high society. If you so much as mention a word of refusal, don't think I will spare your dear friend."
Rosetta softly gulped and clenched her hand, "You hurt her aunt…"
Lady Aurora smiled, "It isn't something you haven't seen us do before. You have done it too. Throwing things at the servants, or breaking glasses, where the servants would step on the glass pieces. There's no need to behave like an angel. I will accept you the way you are, but others won't. Not to forget, they killed your aunt."
"Then why are you and father getting me married into this family? Don't you two love me anymore?" Rosetta sadly asked in desperation.
"It is because we love you, which is why we have taken such great measures so that you can have a great future and so shall we. Do you think you will be able to find a better man than Vincent by yourself to settle with? Don't be upset now," Lady Aurora said when she noticed the Moriarty's butler appear at the entrance.
Alfie offered a bow to the two women, "Welcome to the Moriarty mansion, Lady Aurora and Lady Rosetta. Let me ask the servant to carry the trunks and have them placed in the room assigned to Lady Rosetta."
"You will need to make the arrangement to accommodate Rosetta's personal maid," Lady Aurora stated in a proud tone. Right on time, a maid entered the gates and walked towards them. The maid served the Marchioness and was here to keep an eye on her mistress's order. Not on Rosetta, but on the human governess so that Rosetta's future husband wouldn't be trying to spend his time with the human.
"Pardon me, but we have enough maids and Master Vincent will appoint the best one for Lady Rosett—"
"I don't remember asking for your suggestion here," Lady Aurora spoke sharply to Alfie, who offered her another bow. She turned to her daughter and said, "Blythe will take good care of you and help you with anything you need."
For a moment, Rosetta thought of running away from here. Though she was old enough to look after herself, she was scared of what her mother could do. She knew her mother was ruthless and was leaving her hawk maid with her. She nervously smiled and said,
"You might need her, mother. It would be very selfish of me to keep her with me."
Lady Aurora stepped towards her daughter and kissed her head before whispering, "She will report to me about everything that happens with you and related to you. Don't disappoint me."
Rosetta gulped, while feeling the subtle warning her mother passed for her in those words. She pleaded in a whisper, "Mother, please. Reconsider it!"
"You won't understand it now, but one day in the future, you will appreciate our decision. I am after all older and wiser than you, unless my daughter thinks otherwise," Lady Aurora stepped away from Rosetta.
Alfie heard only half of the conversations, but behaved as if he wasn't paying attention. Once Lady Aurora turned to look at him, he asked permission, "Allow me to call the servant." He looked around before calling, "Eugene."
On hearing Eugene's name, Rosetta turned in the direction where the butler was looking, and her eyes fell on the man who had rejected her this morning. He was on one side of the garden, pouring water on the plants.
Eugene wiped his hands against his pants and went to where they stood. Alfie ordered, "Take Lady Rosetta's trunks inside and have them placed in her room."
"Isn't this man the lowly human's servant?" Lady Aurora noted with a hum as her eyes zeroed on Eugene. Rosetta couldn't stop staring at Eugene. It felt like it was only a minute ago she had confessed to him, and her heart still hurt. When Eugene picked up her trunks, she heard her mother comment, "This is how a low life lives. Obeying others commands to make money and scrubbing the floor for days or months before they can earn a single coin. I don't think you are ready to lead such a life, are you, Rose?"
Alfie turned confused wondering what Lady Aurora's words meant, while on the other hand, Eugene, who heard the remark, came to believe that Rosetta had told her mother about her feelings for him. He only hoped the Marchioness wouldn't take severe action against him.
"That isn't too bad though, is it, mother? It is an honest way of earning a livelihood," Rosetta retorted without holding back her tongue. This resulted in her receiving a glare from her mother.
"True. This is the reason why I have taken away all the money and precious jewels that have been in your procession. I am sure the Moriartys will look after you, and if you need anything, your father and I are only a few minutes away," Lady Aurora kissed Rosetta's cheek and said, "I will come back to meet you later. Take care until then."
Lady Aurora left in the carriage, while Rosetta stood in front of the mansion. She noticed her mother's maid smiling at her. Rosetta did not like this maid.
"Let me lead you to your room, Lady Rosetta," Alfie politely said, and once he started to walk, Eugene followed behind him, and then Rosetta and her mother's maid. The maid carried a trunk of her own, and when they reached the stairs, Rosetta paused and haughtily demanded,
"You don't plan to sleep in my room, do you now?" She turned to the butler and said, "Why don't you show her to the servants quarters, while this man can take me to my room."
Alfie offered, "In that case, let me take the trun—"
"Now. I am not in the mood to say everything," Rosetta tipped her chin with a small glare, and it was apparent that she wasn't in a good mood.
Seeing how the young lady didn't listen, Alfie said to Eugene, "The room is in the East wing and fourth room." Eugene only nodded, and he started to climb the stairs to be followed by the young vampiress.
