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Chapter_2
The atmosphere shifted into an uncomfortable silence in an instant.
Beatrice, unable to hide her shock, jumped to her feet. “Wait, what? Percival’s fiancée?” she exclaimed, her voice laced with disbelief. “No, no! It’s Vivienne who is engaged to the Ellingtons, not you. Now that Vivienne is back, there’s no need for you to marry Percival.”
Richard had always been incredibly fond of Percival, particularly after the young man saved him two years ago, despite his own injuries. Percival’s act of bravery had earned him even more of Richard’s affection, which had only grown over time. However, this newfound closeness had led Percival down a reckless path, squandering Richard’s wealth without a second thought.
But then, unexpectedly, the Ellington family had sent someone over, claiming that the Hawthorn lady had been engaged to Percival and that the engagement had to be honored. At that time, Vivienne was still absent, and it was Arabella who was considered the Hawthorn lady.
Beatrice was now visibly flustered. Although the Ellingtons held immense power and status, she had always viewed Arabella as her carefully crafted protege. Arabella was someone Beatrice had groomed to marry someone who could truly elevate the Hawthorn family’s position. While Percival was indeed favored within his family, he had no substantial power of his own. Most of the wealth he wielded was provided by his parents and Richard, and Beatrice understood that such wealth could easily deplete. If Percival were to lose his financial backing, he could soon become dependent on Arabella’s wealth.
This reality was unacceptable to Beatrice, and she wouldn’t allow Arabella to marry him. Yet, the engagement with the Ellingtons posed a dilemma. Beatrice couldn’t outright call off the engagement, so she had been scheming to find a way to dissolve it without facing repercussions.
But now that Vivienne had returned, there was no need to break the engagement anymore. Vivienne was, after all, just a country girl who would make a perfect match for the disabled Percival. Marrying Vivienne to him could even strengthen the bond between the Hawthorns and the Ellingtons, making it a win-win situation for everyone involved.
With this thought in mind, Beatrice quickly said, “I have no objection to Vivienne’s return, but you must understand that she is now engaged to Percival. The engagement will take place in a month, and we can’t have her embarrassing the Hawthorn family at the engagement party. Teach her some manners before then.”
Dorian and Cordelia exchanged a look of disbelief, still trying to process the shock of Arabella’s earlier words.
Dorian lifted his head, a questioning look on his face. “Wait… What engagement party? Isn’t Arabella the one engaged to Percival?”
Beatrice’s response was swift and unyielding. “Once Vivienne is back, she is the eldest daughter of the Hawthorn family. She will be the one engaged to Percival. We must honor this engagement.”
At this declaration, Cordelia’s expression darkened slightly as she glanced at Vivienne, feeling a twinge of sympathy. Beatrice’s ulterior motives were glaringly obvious. Percival was disabled, and everyone knew it. Yet, Beatrice had no qualms about forcing Vivienne into this engagement, using her as a pawn to maintain the family’s power and standing.
Dorian, now visibly upset, growled, “No! Arabella is the one engaged to Percival. Not Vivienne.”
“And so what?” Beatrice snapped, her voice cold and cutting. “We can’t afford to upset the Ellingtons. Your feelings don’t matter here, Dorian.”
Dorian’s face turned red with anger. “You’re unbelievable, Mother!”
Beatrice didn’t flinch at his outburst. Her gaze locked with Vivienne’s, an icy smile curling on her lips. “If you truly want to return to the Hawthorn family, Vivienne, you will have to get engaged to Percival.”
Vivienne met Beatrice’s steely eyes, her gaze unflinching. After a pause, she spoke with quiet resolve. “Fine. I agree.”
She had her reasons for agreeing to this arrangement. Her primary objective was to re-enter the Hawthorn family, no matter the cost. As for the engagement, Vivienne had her own plan—she would eventually find a way to break it off on her terms.
After the tense encounter at the Hawthorn Mansion, Vivienne returned to her father and stepmother’s home. The apartment was small and tucked away on the outskirts of town, a far cry from the grandeur of the Hawthorn Mansion. Dorian and Cordelia had been ousted from the Hawthorn estate years ago and now lived in a modest three-bedroom apartment at Prominent Estates. The building had clearly seen better days, with peeling walls and aging infrastructure.
Vivienne greeted her father, and after a brief exchange, she retreated to her room. Her luggage, still unpacked from her recent return, was scattered across the floor. But before she could settle, a knock came at the door.
She opened it to find Dorian and Cordelia standing outside, clearly wanting to talk.
“Come in,” Vivienne said, stepping aside to let them enter.
Dorian hesitated for a moment, unsure how to begin. “There’s something we need to discuss,” he finally said, his voice tinged with concern.
Vivienne raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”
Cordelia, walking over, gently sat Vivienne down on the bed. She spoke softly, “Your father wants to help you call off the engagement to Percival.”
Vivienne looked up in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the offer.
Dorian cleared his throat and continued, “Percival’s condition… it’s not fair to you, Vivienne. He’s disabled, and you would be taking care of him for the rest of your life. I want you to marry someone who will truly love you and treat you right. But the engagement… it was set by your mother. We need your opinion before we do anything.”
Cordelia’s voice softened, tinged with empathy. “I know we haven’t spent much time together, but we care about you. You deserve better than a life of sacrifice.”
Vivienne considered this, then nodded with a faint smile. “Yes, I’m planning to call off the engagement.”
Dorian’s face lit up with relief. “That’s a relief! I’ll contact the Ellington family right away and start the process.”
Meanwhile, deep in the forest on Emerald Mountain, three figures stood by an unmarked monument. The youngest, Leopold Sterling from Rivenwood, looked at the man beside him, Percival Ellington, with growing impatience.
“Mr. Ellington, we’ve been waiting here for two days. If she hasn’t shown up yet, maybe it’s time to give up,” Leopold said, a hint of frustration in his tone.
Percival, however, remained calm. His cold eyes were fixed on the monument as he responded, “We’ll wait a bit longer.”
Leopold scoffed. “Your engagement to Miss Hawthorn has been arranged since childhood, and your grandfather has stressed how important this is. Why do you care so much about this girl?”
Percival’s expression darkened. “The Hawthorn family hasn’t made any moves yet, have they? They won’t break off the engagement.”
“Even if you’re disabled?” Leopold pressed.
“Even if I’m disabled,” Percival replied, his voice low. “It’s a matter of honor for both families.”
As they continued to discuss their plans, Percival’s thoughts returned to Vivienne. She had saved him, but now he had his own battle to fight—to get his fiancée to call off their engagement.
Leopold continued to talk, shifting the topic. “Let’s leave now. Once we find the Mystic Mistress, she’ll be able to cure Isolde.”
“Your Mystic Mistress?” Percival raised an eyebrow. “You really believe she exists?”
Leopold’s face reddened in frustration. “Of course she does! She’s real—beautiful, kind-hearted, and can cure any illness!”
The conversation became a blur as Percival turned his focus back to the monument, bowing before it in a moment of solemn reflection. “Let’s go. It’s time to go to Havenwood and make sure this engagement is called off.”
