Tear Her Veil
Chapter 1 - Lady Celine De Vellíere
Morning
At the House of De Vellìere
Thirell, Caelithen Kingdom
Celine De Velliere
Isabella!
Celine De Velliere
Isabella!
Celine De Velliere
Where are you?
Celine De Velliere
Where is my dress?
Isabella
I've been informed that it shall be delivered this afternoon.
Celine De Velliere
I need that dress for tonight. I thought it was supposed to arrive this morning.
Isabella
My apologies, Lady Celine.
Isabella
There seemed to have been a delay with transporting your dress from the boutique, yesterday.
Celine De Velliere
Please, tell them to make haste. I shall take a good look at the dress before wearing it.
Celine De Velliere
Is father home?
Isabella
He has not arrived yet.
Isabella
Madame Mirella is making her way to the dining room. Perhaps, you plan to join her for a meal this morning?
Celine De Velliere
I won't be joining her for breakfast. Please ask the cook to bring up my meal to my room.
Isabella
*hesitant*
Lady Celine... are you sure? What should I tell your mother?
Celine De Velliere
I'm not having breakfast with her. *sternly*
Isabella
As you wish, m'lady. *curtsy*
I will be making my leave now.
I'm the one and only daughter of the House of De Velliere.
My name is Celine De Velliere. I'm the daughter of a Marquess.
Marquess Lucien De Velliere is my father.
My mother is Marchioness Mirella De Velliere.
I do have an older brother, but it has been years since I last saw him.
Since my brother's leave, my mother has been giving me the cold shoulder. She must still blame me for what happened.
The House of De Velliere is renowned for my father's skilled diplomacy and influence in court.
My father is currently serving as a royal advisor in the Royal Council.
He is the High Steward who manages the royal household and estates, from finances to food.
Trusted with the kingdom's daily internal workings, my father is rarely home these days.
The House of De Velliere's estate has long stood in Thirelle.
Father always has to travel to Elvaris. Luckily, Elvaris is our neighbouring Capital.
Mother
Where is she?! *slams her hand on the table*
Isabella
Forgive me, Madame Mirella. I tried to bring her downstairs, but she refused to come down.
Mother
How dare she defy an order?!
Mother
Tell the cook to throw her meal. She will not have her breakfast.
Isabella
A-are you sure, Madame?
Mother
If she wishes to confine herself in her room, then so be it. Let her starve to death, if it has to come to that.
Isabella
My lady, I think you're being unreasonable. She merely wishes to eat her breakfast in her room this morning. I'm sure she will come down for lunch. *shaking*
Mother
You dare defy my orders too?! *grim face*
Isabella
*scared* Of course not, m'lady.
I will instruct the cook now to throw her meal. *cursty*
Celine De Velliere
Where is my breakfast? *mutters*
Isabella
*knocks* Lady Celine, are you still in there?
Celine De Velliere
Finally!
Celine De Velliere
Come in.
Isabella
*enters the room and curtsy*
Isabella
I have been instructed by your mother to prohibit any meals to be served in your room.
Isabella
M'lady, you must come down to the dining room.
Isabella
Please, do not starve yourself.
Celine De Velliere
That's fine. If that's what she wants to do, then so be it.
Celine De Velliere
I'll just starve myself.
Isabella
Please, just listen to Madame Mirella.
Celine De Velliere
Isabella...
Celine De Velliere
Please leave my room.
Isabella
As you wish, m'lady. *curtsy*
Celine De Velliere
I don't want to face her...
A month from now, I will be making my debut into high society.
Until then, I always needed my mother to chaperone me in social gatherings.
However, due to the recent change in my mother's demeanour, I haven't been able to accept any invitations to any gatherings.
There were times where I had my Governess chaperone me, but she's not always available.
Tonight, however, I am to make my presence in Lady Vivienne Lafaye's salon.
As it is a private gathering, I need not a chaperone.
I consider Lady Vivienne as one of my closest friends.
She has recently made her debut into high society.
Tonight is her first time hosting her very own salon.
Yet, the dress that I've been planning on to wear is still not here.
Afternoon
At the House of De Velliere.
Thirell, Caelithen Kingdom
Celine De Velliere
Isabella! Has there been news regarding the delivery of my dress?
Not only am I starving but I still don't have my dress. What a day.
Julius
An package has arrived for Lady Celine De Velliere.
Celine De Velliere
*gleams* MY DRESS?
Isabella
I shall bring it up to you, m'lady. *curtsy*
Celine De Velliere
Yes, please.
Julius
This is a package for Lady Celine.
Mother
I'll accept it on her behalf, thank you.
Julius
I'm afraid, the instructions were that only the Lady Celine herself is to accept this package.
Mother
I'm her mother. Surely, she wouldn't mind if I were to accept it on her behalf.
Julius
*hesitant*
Uh... I believe so.
Mother
Thank you, Julius. You may take your leave now.
Julius
Have a good evening, m'lady.
Isabella
*shock* Madame Mirella?
Mother
Has Lady Celine ordered another dress?
Isabella
*hesitant* (This was supposed to be a secret.)
Mother
What is it for? *stern*
Mother
Speak when I ask you a question!
Isabella
Lady Celine intends to attend Lady Vivienne's salon tonight. *guilt*
Mother
Without asking for my permission?
Mother
She's forbidden to attend this salon. Yet, forbid her to leave her room.
Celine De Velliere
Where's the dress?
Isabella
Forgive me, my lady.
Isabella
Your mother had it sent back to the boutique.
Celine De Velliere
What did you do?
Isabella
Madame Mirella was the one who accepted your package.
Celine De Velliere
But there were specific instructions.
Celine De Velliere
That is, only I shall have the right to accept this package.
Celine De Velliere
What. did. you. tell. my. mother?
Isabella
I told her about the salon.
Isabella
Forgive me, Lady Celine.
Isabella
I couldn't afford to be fired by your mother.
Celine De Velliere
What else did she say?
Isabella
You're forbidden to leave your room. You cannot attend the salon tonight.
Celine De Velliere
Right...
Celine De Velliere
Please leave my room.
I need to be in that salon tonight. It's my one and only chance to make a few new friends or acquaintances before my debut.
I'll just wear something from my wardrobe. Ugh! I spent every penny I had for that dress.
I put on a midnight blue velvet gown with delicate ivy-like patterns of silver embroidery which traced the hem and bodice in swirling. The neckline is modestly squared, framed by soft folds of chiffon that gathered at the shoulders and cascaded down into sweeping, off-the-shoulder sleeves. It's a dress that whispered elegance, designed not to dazzle, but to enchant.
However, this is nothing compared to the dress I purchased that is now making its way back to the boutique.
Celine De Velliere
This should do.
Now, how to sneak my way out of this house?
I decided to use my window as my exit.
How did I make my way out? That's for your imagination.
Evening
At Lady Vivienne's Salon.
Chapter 2 - Lady Vivienne La'Faye
Celine De Velliere
*curtsy*
Celine De Velliere
Thank you for inviting me, Lady Vivienne.
Celine De Velliere
*smiles*
Vivienne Lafaye
Oh, Lady Celine. Please, it's an honour to have you attend my salon.
Vivienne Lafaye
And please, shall we skip the formalities? You may call me Vivienne.
Vivienne Lafaye
After all, are we not good friends?
Celine De Velliere
*laughs*
Celine De Velliere
You're certainly right, Vivienne.
Vivienne Lafaye
That's more like it
Vivienne Lafaye
Well, you arrived late. I shall introduce you to everyone else.
Vivienne Lafaye
Please, come inside.
Celine De Velliere
*follows Vivienne.*
Vivienne Lafaye
Ladies, here is my good friend, Lady Celine De Velliere.
Everyone
The Lady Celine? *in awe*
Everyone
Nice to meet you, Lady Celine.
Amara Loriese
It's such a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Lady Celine.
Celine De Velliere
No, the honour is mine, Lady Amara.
Amara Loriese
You're aware of my identity?
Celine De Velliere
Of course.
Celine De Velliere
Just looking at your necklace, I do believe it only belongs to the House of Loriese.
Celine De Velliere
I heard you're the only daughter of Duke Loriese. So, I had the boldness to assume that you are indeed, the Lady Amara Loriese.
Amara Loriese
How amusing!
Amara Loriese
For someone who haven't made her debut yet, you're very observant.
Everyone
I heard that this is Lady Celine's first time to make her appearance in a social gathering since the incident in their household.
Why are they bringing that up now?
Vivienne Lafaye
I'm honoured to be the first host to have Lady Celine attend their salon.
Vivienne Lafaye
Shall we all sit down?
Celine De Velliere
Of course. *smiles*
The night went on. I seem to have made a few friends. But I definitely did not expect to make an acquaintance with a duke's daughter, let alone the Lady Amara herself.
I didn't expect for Vivienne to be good friends with Amara.
They must have developed a friendship since Vivienne's debut.
I still can't believe I missed out.
Vivienne Lafaye
Well, it certainly was a pleasure to have you all here.
Vivienne Lafaye
We should gather around again like this some other time.
Amara Loriese
Perhaps, I shall make plans for our next gathering.
Amara Loriese
It shall be at my father's villa.
Everyone
*Her father's villa? The one he had gifted to her?*
Vivienne Lafaye
We shall wait for your invitation, Lady Amara.
Amara Loriese
Please, call me Amara.
Amara Loriese
I believe we are close enough to address each other by first names.
Vivienne Lafaye
I'm honoured, Amara.
Amara Loriese
I'll be taking my leave now.
Amara Loriese
Lady Celine?
Amara Loriese
It was an honour to get to know you this evening.
Amara Loriese
I hope to witness your debut into high society next month.
Celine De Velliere
Thank you, Lady Amara.
Celine De Velliere
You shall receive an invitation.
Amara Loriese
*makes her way out*
Vivienne Lafaye
Please, see to it that Lady Amara is escorted into her carriage.
Celine De Velliere
Well, it's time for me to go home as well.
Celine De Velliere
Thank you for having me, Vivienne.
Vivienne Lafaye
It was a pleasure to have you here.
Celine De Velliere
Thanks to you, I've made a few new friends.
Celine De Velliere
Everyone seems kind and thoughtful.
Vivienne Lafaye
Of course, I only surround myself the good people.
Celine De Velliere
*smiles*
Vivienne Lafaye
Is your carriage here yet?
Celine De Velliere
That's alright. I'll be walking home.
Vivienne Lafaye
Alone? Around town?
Vivienne Lafaye
Are you sure, Celine?
Vivienne Lafaye
How did you manage to get here earlier?
Celine De Velliere
*smiles* I walked.
Vivienne Lafaye
Celine! That is very unladylike.
Vivienne Lafaye
A single Lady, and one who is yet to debut cannot be wandering around town in public by herself.
Celine De Velliere
Need not to worry, Vivienne.
Celine De Velliere
I know a pathway where I can undetectable.
Vivienne Lafaye
No. This won't do.
Vivienne Lafaye
I will have Mario prepare a carriage for you.
Celine De Velliere
That is really unnecessary, Vivienne.
Celine De Velliere
Please. As my friend, you will allow this to slip just this once.
Vivienne Lafaye
*hesitant*
Vivienne Lafaye
But, what if someone catches you? Or yet, what if someone with bad intentions do something you?
Celine De Velliere
That is for my own to concern.
Vivienne Lafaye
Please, send me a letter once you get home tk knkw that you've safely arrived.
Celine De Velliere
Of course. I shall send you a letter.
Celine De Velliere
Thank you for this lovely evening. I had a great time.
Celine De Velliere
Have a good rest of your evening, Vivienne.
Vivienne Lafaye
Please be safe on your walk.
Celine De Velliere
And please. Don't tell anyone about tonight.
Vivienne Lafaye
Of course.
Vivienne Lafaye
I shall see you at your debut.
Celine De Velliere
*smiles*
I started walking back home
Chapter 3 - The Marquess' Household
Morning
At the De Velliere Estate
Isabella
*knocks* Lady Celine?
Isabella
Perhaps, you'd like to come down and have breakfast?
Celine De Velliere
*dead on the bed*
Who knew having to keep up with appearances at a social gathering could be so exhausting.
Celine De Velliere
Isabella...
Celine De Velliere
Do you have to be so loud in the morning?
Celine De Velliere
My head is spinning like crazy!
Isabella
I was worried for a second that maybe you've passed in your sleep. Forgive me, my lady.
Celine De Velliere
If you were to find me dead, it'd be somewhere else, not on my own comfort bed.
Isabella
Now, will you be making your way down?
Isabella
Lord Lucien is home.
Celine De Velliere
Father's home?!
Isabella
I shall make preparations to get you dressed.
Isabella
*notices a dress is missing from her wardrobe*
Celine De Velliere
Isabella?
Celine De Velliere
Is something wrong?
Isabella
It's nothing, my lady.
Isabella
Let's get you properly dressed so you can see your father.
Celine De Velliere
Of course.
Isabella
And, my lady, if I may...
Isabella
Your midnight blue velvet gown seems to be missing from your wardrobe.
Celine De Velliere
Oh that?
Celine De Velliere
I was playing dress up last night, since I had nothing else to do.
Celine De Velliere
I seem to have ripped it on the hem though.
Celine De Velliere
Please have it delivered to the tailor to have it fixed.
Isabella
Right. Yes, my lady. I shall get on to that later.
What really happened was, my hem got caught in a corner sometime last night. I ended up causing a rip in my dress. My poor dress.
Celine De Velliere
Thank you, Isabella.
Celine De Velliere
And this will do. Please attend to other things you need to do.
Celine De Velliere
I shall make my way to my father's study.
Isabella
At your service, Lady Celine.
Celine De Velliere
Please tell my father I seek an audience with him.
Julius
My lord, the Lady Celine seeks an audience with you.
Father
Well, if it isn't my precious daughter.
Celine De Velliere
Father! *I ran to him and hugged him*
Celine De Velliere
Oh how I've missed you
Celine De Velliere
You haven't been home for the past three days.
Father
There were a few delicate matters I had to resolve in Elvaris.
Father
I'm sorry, my child. For making you wait restlessly.
Celine De Velliere
That's alright, father. It's good to know that you're home safe.
Father
I heard from your mother that you've been disobedient.
Celine De Velliere
Father, I will not lie to you. Indeed, I refused to have a meal with Mother. But don't you think she's being unreasonable?
Celine De Velliere
She's kept me imprisoned in my own room with no food but a cup of water during meal times.
Father
Celine. Be honest with me.
Celine De Velliere
I am. I've been kept as a lonesome prisoner by my mother.
Celine De Velliere
*tears*
Father
Don't cry. I'm here now.
Celine De Velliere
*side eyes mother*
Father
You told me our daughter has been disobedient.
Father
What exactly did you mean by that?
Celine De Velliere
*glances*
Mother
I told you. She refused to eat with me.
Mother
How could a child refuse to eat with their own mother?
Celine De Velliere
*fake tears* but that was because I was afraid to be scolded by mother, again.
Celine De Velliere
I don't want to be punished by mother.
Father
You dare hit our child?!
Celine De Velliere
Father, I only wished to eat in my room yesterday because I was afraid mother was going to hit me again.
Mother
She's spitting out nonsense!
Mother
I don't hit our daughter.
Mother
How could a mother do that to her child?
Right. That's exactly what I've been wondering too. Yet, everything my father is out of town, she's always abusing me.
Father
Then why lock her up in her room?
Celine De Velliere
And starve me... *tears*
Mother
My lord. Forgive me.
Mother
I shall have her ban lifted.
Mother
I just momentarily wished to have a meal with my daughter.
Mother
I know I have been giving her the cold shoulder for these past few years, but she is to make her debut soon
Mother
Shouldn't it be seen to the public that the mother of her child is close to her?
Mother
I only wanted to rekindle our mother-daugther relationship
Mother
And yet she refused to obey me.
Mother
My lord, I only confined her in her room to make her reflect on her actions.
Mother
I was planning on releasing her this morning.
If father didn't come home, I would've still been confined in my room, starving to death.
Father
If that's the case...
Celine De Velliere
Father?
Father
Celine... *sigh* listen to your mother.
Father
She's trying her best.
Father
She may not have been the best mother to you, but you two have to start working it out. You will make your debut in less than a month.
Father
You need to show to everyone that you and your mother have a healthy relationship.
Father is believing my mother's lies
Oh father. If only you know what really goes on in this household when you're not here.
I don't trust mother, and I never will.
Mother
I'd like Celine to have breakfast with me.
Father
I'll be leaving soon. I'm travelling to Averwyn. I've been deployed there for two weeks.
Father
I have matters to attend to in Averwyn. I trust that you two will work this out.
Father
I hope this household will be as lively as it was a few years ago
As if that'll ever happen
Celine De Velliere
*gloomy*
Mother
Please, take care of yourself, my lord.
Mother
We will wait for your arrival back at home.
Celine De Velliere
Yes, father?
Father
Please, be good to your mother.
You should say that to your wife!
Celine De Velliere
Yes, father.
Mother
I had the cook prepare all your favourite dishes.
Celine De Velliere
Thank you, mother.
Mother
Wipe that frown off your face
Mother
If you don't want to be kept confined in your room with no food for the next two weeks, you will start obeying me.
She was planning on keeping me confined in my room.
I guess, I'll just have to play along until father comes back home
Mother
Didn't you say you were starving to death?
Mother
There's food in front of you
Mother
Why aren't you eating?
Celine De Velliere
I- don't have the appetite.
Mother
I provide you food, and now you don't have the appetite?
This is our first time having a meal together in a long while.
Of course, I won't have an appetite.
Celine De Velliere
*stays quiet*
Mother
I'm telling you to eat!
Celine De Velliere
It's fine, mother. You can eat. I'll just sit here in silence. *forces a smile*
Mother
I will not tolerate this behaviour!
Celine De Velliere
*in shock*
Celine De Velliere
*trembling*
It's been a while since she hit me
I can't believe after all that facade she put up in front of father, she's just proving that I'm right.
Though, nothing she does, fazes me anymore.
Celine De Velliere
Now, I've definitely lost all my appetite *I mumbled*
Celine De Velliere
*forces a smile* Oh, it's nothing, mother. Like you said, you provided me food. How rude of me to refuse your kindness.
I know I haven't eaten for a day but this is like stuffing food in my mouth, I feel like vomitting it all out
Mother
After breakfast, I have matters to attend to.
Mother
I suggest you sit yourself tight in the drawing room and perhaps, practice your skill on the piano.
Mother
You're still rough on the piano.
Mother
I asked Governess Claudia to come in today after breakfast
Mother
You will continue practicing with her
Mother
Don't forget, you have a recital at your debut
Mother
A Lady should have talent at the pianoforte. Yet, where did we go wrong with you?
Mother
You can't even play the most simple music, a child could play.
Celine De Velliere
Yes, mother
After breakfast
At the drawing room
Isabella
Ms Claudia Therance
Claudia Therance
My lady *curtsy*
Celine De Velliere
Ms Therance *curtsy*
Claudia Therance
It's been a while
Claudia Therance
Oh how you've grown into such a fine lady
Claudia Therance
I heard you will be making your debut next month
Celine De Velliere
Yes, I am
Claudia Therance
But, your mother has presented a concern for your skills in the pianoforte
Celine De Velliere
I do believe I have refined my skills since the last time you taught me
Claudia Therance
We shall see
Claudia Therance
How are you with your other accomplishments?
Celine De Velliere
Thanks to your valuable lessons then, I do believe my accomplishments are on par with society's expectations
Claudia Therance
Let me have a listen to your pianoforte
Claudia Therance
Please, feel free to play whatever song you desire
Celine De Velliere
Of course
Celine De Velliere
Thank you
Now Playing:
Comptine d'un autre été
Claudia Therance
That was beautifully played, my lady!
Celine De Velliere
It's my favourite music to play
Celine De Velliere
It brings me to feel a certain emotion that I am yet to feel, but I can't quite figure out what it is
Claudia Therance
That was beautiful
Celine De Velliere
Thank you
Celine De Velliere
Such praises from you, Ms Claudia, makes me feel worthy of the pianoforte
Claudia Therance
However, how about we start with a more complicated piece?
Celine De Velliere
Of course, which one?
Claudia Therance
Your mother has requested for you to play Fantaisie Impromptu, Op. 66 during your recital
Celine De Velliere
That's one of the most complicated musical pieces to play
Celine De Velliere
Not even the crown princess could perform such an intricate piece
Claudia Therance
I do believe your mother's request is quite unrealistic
I bet she's wanting me to make a laughingstock of myself during my recit
Ms Therance, if I may be so bold to suggest a piece
Claudia Therance
Of course
Claudia Therance
Which one?
Celine De Velliere
I'd like to perform Rêverie, L. 68
Claudia Therance
Why of course
Claudia Therance
I have the sheet right here
Celine De Velliere
Thank you
Isabella
I must say, my lady. That was a beautiful piece you played on the pianoforte.
Isabella
I was enchanted by it
Celine De Velliere
Thank you, Isabella
Celine De Velliere
I don't think my skills are worth of any praise yet
Isabella
Not at all, my lady. Your performance resonated the whole entire house. Even the other servants were amazed.
Isabella
Were you planning on performing that for your recital?
Celine De Velliere
Yes *smile*
Celine De Velliere
I only jest
Celine De Velliere
I wish I could. But, mother wishes me to play another piece.
Isabella
I wish it were the piece you were playing earlier
Celine De Velliere
Yes, so do I...
Download MangaToon APP on App Store and Google Play
