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Castle Of Thorns [Mature]
The Duke's Daughter
[Verzyne Duchy - Marxstein Castle]
Teen Serafina (FL)
So, when I woke up this morning, my maid, Carolla, told me that my father had summoned me for breakfast.
Carolla, the maid, was carefully brushing Serafina's hair.
Teen Serafina (FL)
So, mother has been summoned too?
Carolla (Maid)
Yes, Miss. I heard Butler Langley told the servants to also prepare food for the Duchess. She's allergic to peanuts, so they have to make sure the food are all safe.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Wow. I don't think the three of us have ever dined together before. Please make sure I dressed appropriately, Carolla.
Carolla (Maid)
Don't worry, Miss. You always look lovely.
Serafina checked her appearance in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Excellent work, Carolla. Thank you.
Carolla (Maid)
You're welcome, Miss.
Serafina made her way to the dining hall, accompanied by Carolla.
[Marxstein Castle - Private Dining Hall]
When they arrived, her parents were already seated at the table.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother. I apologize for my tardiness.
Serafina curtsied in greeting.
Duke Ricardo Marxstein
No worries. We have just arrived.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
......
Serafina felt nervous at her mother's cold expression. Even with the Duke present, she still didn't bother to reply to her greeting.
Duke Ricardo Marxstein
How was your night, child?
Teen Serafina (FL)
I slept very well, Father. I trust that you had your rest as well?
Ricardo just smirked at her question.
Duke Ricardo Marxstein
Oh I had some rest, indeed.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
......
Serafina could feel the tension between her parents. She wondered if they had a fight the night before.
Serafina was very glad when the servants came and served the food. At least, they would not be required to converse during meal time.
The three nobles ate in silence. It was so suffocating; she was barely able to swallow her food, let alone finished the meal in front of her.
After a while, Ricardo finally finished his meal.
Duke Ricardo Marxstein
I am required somewhere else. You two may stay and continue your conversation.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
......
Teen Serafina (FL)
Certainly, Father. I hope you have a pleasant day ahead.
He rouse from his seat and proceeded to leave the dining hall, all without exchanging a single word with his wife.
After Ricardo exited the room, Sylvia also set aside her silverware.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Have you finished your meal as well, Mother?
Serafina tried her best to start a conversation with her mother.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
I have no appetite.
Serafina felt awkward. She didn't know what to say.
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
Serafina Marxstein...
Her mother suddenly called out her name.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Yes, Mother?
Duchess Sylvia Marxstein
Stay away from the castle as much as you can. Refrain yourself from disturbing the Duke.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Yes, Mother.
She knew it was foolish to expect the Duchess to treat her differently than usual. Still, she couldn't help feeling a bit disappointed by the indifference from the woman she looked up to so much.
[End of Serafina's memories]
Teen Serafina (FL)
Seriously, it was the longest, most suffocating breakfast ever.
Teen Raven (ML)
The Duchess... She still continues to ignore you after all these years?
Teen Serafina (FL)
Yes! That's why I always tell you, she hates me!
Raven doesn't know how to reply. Although the Duchess no longer screams and cries whenever she sees Serafina, she has been treating her with a cold shoulder in the past few years.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Anyway, I will definitely decline if Father invites me again for a meal. It will only give me indigestion.
Raven can't help but pity the girl.
Teen Raven (ML)
Alright. Don't be sad. Let's hope she will change for the better one day.
He says as he strokes her head gently.
Serafina revels in his touch. She feels heat in her cheeks, and her heart seems to beat a little faster than usual.
Teen Raven (ML)
Anyway, I'm here to tell you that I accepted the offer.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Wow. So fast?
Teen Raven (ML)
Yeah. Last night, Dion told me that he's getting married in autumn. I figure it is time for me to move out.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Why? He didn't tell you to leave, right?
Raven groans at her naivety.
Teen Raven (ML)
Little girl, do you think I can share a room with a newlywed couple?
Teen Serafina (FL)
Why not?
Teen Raven (ML)
You... Haven't you been reading a lot of romance novellas?
Teen Serafina (FL)
Yes. So?
Teen Raven (ML)
What kind of things do the couples do in those stories?
Teen Serafina (FL)
Well, they hug and hold hands. Some books have the male leads kiss the girls and profess their love to them.
Teen Raven (ML)
Ah, so they're those kinds of books.
Teen Serafina (FL)
You mean there's more?
Her eyes are burning with curiosity.
Raven feels a headache coming.
Teen Raven (ML)
I'm not having this conversation with you.
Teen Serafina (FL)
Hey, you brought up this topic first!
Teen Raven (ML)
Anyway, I just want to tell you that I'm moving in tomorrow. There. Happy now?
Teen Serafina (FL)
Of course I'm happy!
She throws herself at him and hugs him playfully.
Used to such behaviour, Raven instinctively circle his arms around her body.
They embrace for a while, but when their eyes meet, he can feel something that's different from usual.
Jared Bartholett
So who is it?
He suddenly recalls Jared's question.
Well, it seems like he has developed a certain feeling toward his 'lady friend', the one and only daughter of the Duke.
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