Ambition and Destiny

👑 Chapter Thirty👑

Annie listened intently as Felix recounted the events of their past, his voice filled with annoyance. "Orquidia became obsessed with me," he explained. "She couldn't stand the thought of me being close to anyone else, especially other women."

Felix paused, his jaw clenched, as he recalled the incidents that had occurred over the years. "She would attend every event I went to, always watching, always waiting for an opportunity to... harm or bully any other ladies who got close to me," he confessed, his voice trailing off.

Annie's eyes widened. "But why would she do such a thing?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Felix shook his head, his expression troubled. "I don't know, Annie. I don't understand it myself," he admitted, his voice tinged with frustration. "But whatever her reasons, I can't accept the idea of harming you or anyone else."

"Felix," she smiled softly, her voice barely audible over the soft patter of rain. "Thank you for protecting me... But I think things won't be solved unless you tell her, "

He scratched the back of his neck and then waved his hand in surrender. "I tried, but it did not work... She is an explosive person who destroys things when she does not get what she wants."

"Oh," Annie mumbled, glancing at the ground, her mind full of questions. "So...she hates anyone who gets close to you."

He gave a nod of understanding, considering the circumstances that led to her behaviour. It was understandable, given the tragic incident that occurred when she was just a child-losing both of her parents in a devastating waggon accident. However, she was fortunate to have her grandfather, Earl Nicholas, who has taken on the responsibility of raising her as his sole heir.

He cleared his thoughts and said," Let's go back to the mansion! After you take a bath, I will show you the place."

"Alright," she breathed, smiling faintly. "Let's go."

⟪ As we started walking back to the mansion, I couldn't help but wonder about her story. It was tragic and interesting, but what made her that dangerous? I kept the question to myself as I walked silently, listening to the rain hitting the ground with a soothing sound.⟫

As Felix and Annie made their way towards the grand mansion, they were met by Marchioness Sophia, standing at the entrance. Her face displayed a blend of worry and bewilderment as she observed the two of them dashing through the rain, their attire soaked and in disarray.

"Goodness gracious! What on earth happened to you two?" Marchioness Sophia exclaimed, massaging the bridge of her nose.

"Nothing, don't worry," Felix replied with a slight shake of the head.

Sophia sighed and called the maids to take care of the mess before adding, "Miss Orquidia is here. Since you left her in the woodland with her maid alone, I invited her to dinner to make it up. She looked so upset!"

Felix did not comment; instead, he gave her a poker face and climbed the stairs.

"Tsk, tsk, what a naughty boy! He will make me go insane," she murmured to herself and then turned to Annie. "You also, Miss, are not allowed to get out before dinner... Henrik has already accepted it."

Ascending the staircase to the impeccably arranged room, Annie expressed her gratitude to the maids for their hard work in preparing it.

As the corridor became empty, she heard a voice that sounded like the one she had heard back in the woodland.

"Hey, you!" said the voice with a rude tone.

⟪ As I turned around, my eyes met Orquidia, who appeared to be around my age. She had a delicate complexion, and her dark auburn hair was intricately braided and adorned with a shiny silk ribbon. Her piercing, light brown eyes seemed to be filled with accusation, as if I had committed some wrongdoing. Despite her attempts to conceal it, a beauty mark on her neck peeked out from beneath a lacy scarf. ⟫

"That's quite a look you're giving me! It's a bit rude to keep staring," Miss Orquidia said casually. "You might not realise, but I come from a well-respected family."

She kept blabbing about how important her family was until she stopped, as if she had been struck by lightning.

"You! You were with Felix just moments ago," Orquidia said, eyeing Annie up and down and glaring at her dress, which had triggered a flashback to the girl running with Felix.

"I looked at her, taken back by her explosive nature."

She grabbed Annie's arm tightly, shaking her like a moneybox, as if it were helpful to make Annie speak, her eyes filled with anger and frustration. "Tell me what you were doing with him." Orquidia stopped mid-sentence, her gaze narrowing slightly. " Were you trying to seduce him, you disgusting person?" Just look at yourself like a homeless person."

Annie snapped, removing her arm from her grasp. "I have no idea what's going on, but don't you dare call me disgusting, and most of all, do not touch me."

Annie felt her anger rise, and it seemed so unfair that the lady could insult her in such a way.

Orquidia's face twisted in annoyance, and she made her voice more threatening.

"Oh? really, then know your place and do not mess with other people's belongings!" Orquidia yelled, jabbing her finger into Annie's chest like a nail, drilling into her skin.

"Whose daughter do you belong to, I wonder? Please enlighten me!" she grinned. "It is evident that you have been raised by a family that has failed to teach you proper manners and respect towards those in authority. Your desperate attempts to seek attention with your pitiful appearance are futile, as you are merely a temporary visitor here." She approached again, poking Annie's forehead. "Remember that you will soon depart from this place, so it would be wise to keep that in mind."

Annie's anger wasn't subsiding, and she was tempted to slap Orquidia or at least insult her the same way she had insulted her as she mentioned the family part, but she wasn't going to lower herself to that level; instead, she kept her composure.

Annie crossed her arms and forced a smile. "You seem to think Felix is 'yours,'" Annie retorted, her voice firm. "To let you know, your possessive behaviour is typical of women! By the way, does Felix know about your claim? He's yours, or are you just lying and trying to believe it?"