Chapter 15. The Father and Daughter

The entrance hall of Clorance Manor buzzed with anticipation as every member of the staff gathered, standing in a neat line to welcome the safe return of Count Steven to the Main Manor. It had been nearly six months since his last visit, as his duties often kept him occupied in the second manor situated near the Imperial Palace where his business affairs demanded his attention

The Count's steadfast butler, who himself was the son of Steven's late father's loyal servant, opened the carriage door with utmost reverence. As Count Steven descended from the carriage, he turned to face the Manor where he had been born and raised. Mixed emotions stirred within him, for within its walls resided both painful memories and the cherished moments he had shared with the woman he adored - the late Countess Dahlia.

"We greet the esteemed Lord of Clorance. Welcome back, my lord," the chorus of Manor Staff resonated, their heads respectfully bowed in unison.

"I offer my greetings to you, my lord, Count Stevenson Clorance, on your safe return," the voice of Gillian Pinonua, the eldest son of Baron Pinonua, reached Steven's ears.

"It has indeed been a considerable time. How have you been managing the affairs of Clorance Manor?" Steven reciprocated the greeting, acknowledging the young assistant butler, Gillian, whose hazel hair stood out amidst the staff. With a nod, Steven silently conveyed his expectation of Gillian's response.

"It has been manageable, my lord," the young man replied.

Steven's lips curled into a slight smile, his confidence affirmed. Seems like I made the right choice in hiring him for the role, he thought, recognizing Gillian's competence and reliability.

The attention of the gathered staff was abruptly interrupted by the Head Maid, Aiko, who also happened to be the Count's former nanny.

"The young lady of Clorance, Cassia Clorance, is now making her entrance," Aiko announced.

All eyes turned towards the staircase as Cassia descended, even the Count himself, who hadn't seen her for half a year, found himself captivated by her appearance. He couldn't help but be taken aback, as her outfit differed from what he had anticipated.

Wasn't she fond of dresses adorned with intricate jewelry designs? The Count can't help but questioned silently in the back of his head.

As Cassia's eyes were half closed as she makes her way down the stairs, the Count realized how huge the resemblance of his daughter and his beloved wife.

Cassia's eyes, half-closed as she gracefully descended the stairs, further emphasized the striking resemblance she bore to her departed mother. The simplicity of her dress evoked memories of the very outfit his wife had worn when they first met at the town square, near the central fountain.

However, as their gazes met, the Count instinctively averted his eyes. This time, it was not because of the similarity of Cassia's red eyes to his mother, but rather because it triggered recollections of scenes he had encountered in his dreams, no rather it's a nightmare.

❛ ━━･❪ 🌹 ❫ ･━━ ❜

"I told you, Mira, I'm not wearing that dress. It's just too much, too extravagant. I don't like it!" I exclaimed, my voice filled with determination.

Kanina pa kasi pinagpipilitan ni Mira na isuot ko iyong dress na napili nila - claiming that it perfectly suited my style and that I often wore similar dresses when meeting my father, the Count.

Clearly, I have never been fond of such styles. Even in the past, I never had the inclination to wear expensive dresses. I rarely left my room, whether it was at the dorm or when I lived alone in my condo. So why should I bother buying unnecessary things?

If you're curious about the dress, let me give you a quick review.

It's an elegant light blue dress with ruffle designs adorning the bottom and upper part. The sleeves are slightly puffy, adding to its pleasant aesthetic.

Mukhang simple lang naman sya 'no? So bakit ako nagd-drama ng ganito, you ask?

Well, that's because I just discovered from Rosette that the designs incorporated into this dress, such as the sparkling glittering rocks adorning the chest area, and the stones attached to the hemline, are actually genuine gemstones! They are tanzanite gemstones!

Just how much was this dress even bought?! Oh, on second thought, I won't even bother asking.

But good heavens! Seriously? A tanzanite gemstone? Oh my goodness! With just a single piece of that gem, you could easily support an entire orphanage. That's how valuable and precious tanzanite gemstones are!

Among all the empires in the Greeze Continent, it's highly unlikely for the Lucrenze Empire to have tanzanite gemstone mines. Even if they did, it would be an exceptionally rare occurrence. If we were to estimate the likelihood, it would be around two out of a hundred percent.

Although in another empire, the mining of tanzanite gemstones might have a higher rating compared to Lucrenze, the cost of such gemstones wouldn't be significantly lower.

If my memory serves me right in the story, there was a part when Mikhail, accompanied by his two partners - the son of Duke Winchester and my own brother - stumbled upon a cave in the forest. Driven by curiosity, Mikhail decided to explore the cave. To their surprise, as they ventured deeper, they stumbled upon a vast chamber where countless tanzanite gemstones were scattered.

Hmm, should I use this information to my advantage and try to locate that forest? But wait... Argh! I can't seem to recall which forest they mentioned. Damn it!

Anyway, let's get back to the dress we were discussing earlier. I let out a yelp when Mira handed it to me, surprised by its weight. It was quite heavy, and I couldn't help but grunt a bit.

That's when Rosette decided to reveal the true nature of the dress and its design.

I know I shouldn't be surprised by these things anymore, but I just can't get accustomed to it. I'm not the type of person who enjoys wearing such extravagant outfits. I'd much rather choose an oversized shirt and shorts, lounging in bed doing absolutely nothing.

"But, my lady-"

"No way. You can't make me wear that dress, Mira," I firmly refused her once again.

I even lost track of the time. Ganoon ko talaga pinagpipilitan na huwag isuot ang dress na iyon and choose my own preferred dress. Mamaya baka kapag iyang dress na iyan ang sinuot ko, at nakita ako ng maraming tao, I couldn't help but imagine thoughts of someone attempting to steal my dress or, even worse, kidnapping me. The mere idea sent shivers down my spine.

Luckily, in the end, Mira gave up upon me wearing that elegant tanzanite dress and just let me choose which dress that I want to wear.

Rosette and Camille guided me to Cassia's walk-in closet where her collection of dresses was stored. I braced myself for what I was about to see, but nothing could have prepared me for the sight that unfolded before my eyes.

To say it exceeded my imagination would be an understatement. The array of dresses was breathtaking, a testament to Cassia's privileged upbringing despite being abandoned by Count Clorance. Financially, she lacked nothing.

As we stepped into the walk-in closet, I scanned the racks, searching for a dress that would accentuate Cassia Clorance's beauty. It would be a shame to hide such radiance from the world.

Bakit ko pinili itong dress na 'to? The answer was simple, it's because extravagance was never my cup of tea. That tanzanite dress, in all its excessive glory, was simply too much for my taste.

There were also a lot of dresses here that were made of gemstone designs such as emerald, sapphire, etc.

Indeed, the Clorance family was renowned for their vast business ventures in the Lucrenze Empire, making them one of the wealthiest families in the region. Their fortune even rivaled that of the Imperial Family itself.

As I scanned the area, my eyes fell upon a particular dress that instantly captivated me. A smile formed on my lips as I approached the rack and retrieved the dress from its place.

"I will be wearing this dress," I declared, looking at Rosette and Camille.

The two exchanged glances, sighing softly before turning back to me and bowing respectfully.

"Yes, my lady," they replied in unison.

It took another half an hour for us to perfect my outfit and hairstyle, ensuring they complemented the dress I had chosen. And as I stood before the full-length mirror in my chamber, adorned in a simple yet exquisite purple dress, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.

"Is this really me?" I whispered in disbelief.

The reflection before me boasted a stunning beauty. At the age of fourteen, Cassia already possessed a face that radiated charm and allure. I wondered how much more captivating this body would become as I matured.

Now, we were making our way down the hallway toward the first floor, where the entrance hall awaited. Rosette informed me that the entire staff of the Clorance Manor had already gathered there, likely in anticipation of the Count's arrival.

As we approached the towering double doors, the final barrier separating us from the Entrance Hall, I noticed the figure of Aiko, the head maid, stationed there. It was evident that she had been patiently waiting for my arrival.

"The young lady of Clorance, Cassia Clorance, is now making her entrance."

With Aiko's introduction, the grand double doors swung open, revealing the expanse of the Entrance Hall. Mira, Rosette, and Camille remained with Aiko, while I prepared myself to descend the staircase alone, as Mira had informed me earlier.

As I took my first step down the staircase, I could feel the weight of everyone's gaze upon me. It was undeniably awkward, reminiscent of a scene from a Disney movie - perhaps Cinderella at the ball. I couldn't help but wonder if this was how she felt during her grand entrance.

Attempting to quell my nerves, I kept my eyes half-closed, as if to shield myself from the intensity of the moment. Opening them fully felt like it would unleash a torrent of nervousness. Moreover, I didn't want to risk tripping on the stairs, as that would surely be a humiliating experience. If that were to happen, mas gugustuhin ko pang magpalamon na lamang sa lupa.

Amidst the collective stares, there was one gaze that stood out. It was different from the curious but warm glances of the staff. There was an indescribable quality to this particular gaze that piqued my interest.

Curiosity getting the better of me, I allowed my eyes to roam, searching for the source of that intriguing stare. And then, our eyes met. It was none other than the Count himself. However, he quickly averted his gaze, causing my brow to raise in confusion.

I understand that he harbors disdain for Cassia, but did he have to divert his eyes so abruptly? Kailangan ba talaga nyang ipamukha iyon ng harap-harapan to the point na magtama lang ang mata namin ay iiwas na siya? Now that's too much.

Nang tuluyan na akong makababa ng hagdan, some other staff looked at me and praised my looks. Some staff from the kitchen even had their eyes sparkling and shining while looking at me, and kept on repeating words of praise to my appearance.

"My lady, you are truly beautiful."

"Indeed, that is to be expected of our esteemed lady."

"Your dress exudes elegance, complementing the radiance of your beauty, my lady."

"Our lady possesses a remarkable youthfulness and charm. Imagine her magnificence when she reaches maturity."

"As time unfolds, our lady will transcend into a divine goddess, Shannon. That is the answer to your inquiry."

"I wholeheartedly concur."

Napangiti at bahagyang natawa na lamang ako sa mga naririnig na side comments nila. Nakakatuwa talaga 'tong mga 'to.

As I sensed a presence approaching me, my once-pleasant smile faded into nothingness. There was no mistaking who it was. I closed my eyes and lowered my head, bracing myself for the encounter.

"Cassia Clorance greets the Lord of the Clorance, Count Stevenson Clorance," I uttered in a cold, distant tone.

Raising my head to meet his gaze, I observed an indescribable expression etched upon his face. What is he...?

"Cassia..."

His voice calling my name made me flinch. It didn't sit well with me. Anger surged within me as memories of the cruel treatment inflicted upon Cassia flooded my mind. The Count had never addressed Cassia by her name before. That's how much he despised her. The fury within me intensified.

Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I lowered my head once more. "I see that you have returned safely to the Manor, and I'm glad to see you in good health. However, if you'll excuse me, I'm not feeling well today, so I shall take my leave."

Hindi ko na siya hinintay pang sumagot at naglakad na pabalik sa taas patungo sa aking chambers.

I needed to calm myself and clear my mind. Even if I do want to confront the Count right now, I can't do that. Because no matter what I do, he is still Cassia's father.

And I wouldn't dare risk it, paano na lang kung dahil sa pagsagot ng gawin ko sa kaniya ay palayasin niya ako? I promised the real Cassia Clorance that as I'll live my life as Cassia Clorance, I have to end up having a happy ending. That I will change this character's fate. I won't let myself die.

And in order to accomplish that, I must not be in the bad side of the Count. It would even be better if the two of us wouldn't see each other.

To be Continued...