MEMORY
I hastily prepared myself by following Ignotus's instructions on how to dress and behave for the event. I wore an unadorned pale blue dress and only a single brooch that belonged to the Black family-it was left to me. An hour before nine, I arrived at the Peverell Ancestral Manor, and the sight of its magnificent facade took my breath away. The imposing structure stood tall, its weathered stones whispering stories of generations past. Inside, the grand halls exuded an air of both luxury and history, with intricate tapestries adorning the walls and the faint scent of aged wood lingering in the air. With each step I took, the weight of my responsibility as an heiress seemed to reverberate through the marble floors, a constant reminder of the legacy I had to uphold. Each step I took through the grand halls of the ancestral manor was accompanied by an internal struggle to establish myself and escape the shadow created by my stepmother's daughter. From academic achievements to social recognition, she always seemed to effortlessly claim the spotlight. It was a constant battle to prove my worth and claim my rightful place as an heiress, the daughter of the first wife. I tirelessly pursued excellence in my studies, participated in various charitable activities, and actively engaged in social events to showcase my capabilities and distinguish myself from her shadow. Deep down, I always yearned for recognition and validation-a chance to finally outshine her and claim my rightful place. However, that recognition was always snatched away. Susannah is known as the kind sister, whereas they call me the cold one or the snow-hearted and unkind sister. When the bridegroom and his family arrived, I graciously toured them around the house.
The look on my stepmother's face when she realized I had not only arrived on time but also properly executed the responsibilities of an heiress was priceless. She seemed to desire the bridegroom for her daughter, but the parents were all about me. There were two guys and two girls, and it was clear that the lads were related to each other(they look very similar from the eyes to the facial structure) and one of the females was wearing a wedding band that matched one of the men. The wearing of a wedding band by one of the females does not indicate that she is married to one of the men; she could be engaged or wearing a ring for another reason, but I believe that the boy and the girl are wed. One of the girls looked very nervous, and the other tried to comfort her and glared fiercely at me. If looks could kill, I'd be dead and not writing this entry. As I observed the interactions between the two females, it became evident that there was an underlying tension and guardedness. While one of my possible theories could be a forbidden love affair or a complicated relationship, there could be other explanations as well. Perhaps they were childhood friends with a long history of shared secrets, or maybe their connection was purely platonic but enveloped in mystery.
As the tour was completed, my father suggested that I and the groom talk on the balcony. It was a customary tradition for the bride and groom to have a private conversation before the wedding ceremony. This moment allowed us to discuss our expectations, fears and hopes for the future. Little did I know that this conversation would reveal a shocking revelation that would change the course of the evening. One of his companions, the other girl, also came with him. His parents glared at her, yet she still followed him. It was amusing. Curiosity overwhelmed me, and I couldn't resist pondering the nature of the girl's relationship with the groom. Was she just a close friend, or did their connection run deeper? Anyway, she seemed to annoy Susannah, so she's in my good graces.
When we sat on the balcony, he straightforwardly apologized, saying, "I apologized for making you sit here and getting your hopes high for marriage, but I assure you that this marriage will never take place since the one I love is Viviana." wrapping his arms protectively around the girl's waist. As I watched their interaction, it became clear that there was genuine affection between them. The way he held her and the look in his eyes spoke volumes about their connection. It was evident that Viviana held a special place in his heart, and it was refreshing to see such honesty and devotion. I replied," It is not a big problem for me, but I do find myself intrigued by what reason prevents you two from being together." Viviana looked shocked, and Patrick asked me to elaborate on my statement. I explained that their love and affection were undeniable, but sometimes life throws unexpected obstacles in the way of relationships. Regardless of the reason, it was clear that their bond was strong enough to withstand any challenges they might face. I reassured them both that true love always finds a way and encouraged them to communicate openly about their concerns. I reminded them that every relationship has its hurdles, but it is how they navigate through them that truly matters. As long as they are willing to fight for their love, I do not doubt that they will overcome any obstacles standing in their way and eventually be together.
Viviana and Patrick exchanged puzzled glances before Viviana finally spoke up, her voice trembling slightly. "It's a complicated situation," she began, her eyes searching for the right words. "You see, Patrick comes from a traditional background, and his family has certain expectations when it comes to marriage." I nodded, sensing the weight of their predicament. It seemed that cultural differences were playing a significant role in their relationship, adding an extra layer of complexity to their love story. Viviana continued, "On the other hand, I come from a more liberal upbringing where individual happiness is prioritized. We both love each other deeply, but finding a compromise that satisfies both our families and our desires has proven to be quite challenging." As I listened, it became clear that navigating these cultural expectations would require open communication, empathy, and a willingness to find common ground amidst their differing backgrounds. I said, Viviana, if I manipulate Patrick's mother into accepting you, will you help me in some way?" Patrick spoke up and asked, "How will you do it?" I paused for a moment, considering Patrick's question. "Well," I began, "I think the first step is to have an honest conversation with Patrick's mother. We need to understand her concerns and address them openly, showing her that your love is genuine and that you two are committed to making this relationship work If she agrees to your relationship, your father can't have a say since you are heir to your mother's family if I am correct." I looked at Viviana, hoping she would agree and offer her thoughts on the matter. Viviana nodded in agreement and added, "I believe it's also important to involve Patrick's mother in your journey. You should invite her to spend time with you, so she can see firsthand how we support and care for each other. By demonstrating our dedication and proving that you are a positive influence in Patrick's life, you can eventually earn her trust and hopefully change her perspective." They shared a glance filled with determination, ready to take on the challenge together and prove that their love was worth fighting for. Viviana then asked," But what if she doesn't accept us? We have been trying for over a year, yet we are unsuccessful. How are you sure that you can convince her?" She asked, her eyes filled with insecurity. Patrick gently placed a hand on Viviana's, reassuring her. "I understand your concerns love, but we have to remain patient and persistent. Change takes time, especially when it comes to shifting someone's perspective. We just have to keep showing her our love and support, and eventually, she may come around." Viviana nodded.
Patrick asked with fear," We have been talking for a while; what if they assume that we agree to this marriage?" "Leave it to me," I said confidently. Viviana asked about my plan, and I confessed to my original plan of rejecting Patrick if he was like those old geezer Lords who have familial wealth and become the new Lady Peverell by dueling my father. Viviana looked at me in surprise, her eyes widening. "You were willing to duel your father?" she asked, a mix of admiration and concern in her voice. I nodded in determination. Viviana's eyes widened in surprise at my confession. "But won't that put our relationship at risk?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. I reassured her, explaining that my plan was merely a backup if Patrick was an old geezer, but now that the occurring circumstances are one that Aphrodite meddled in, I will have to duel Father and become Lady Peverell anyway. We don't have a good relationship.
Viviana nodded, her expression softening with understanding. She had witnessed firsthand the strained interactions between her cousin and his father, and she knew how much it had affected him over the years.
END OF MEMORY
Despite my efforts to please him and gain his approval, he always seemed distant and disinterested in my life. It was as if I were invisible to him, overshadowed by his new wife and their children. But now, as I stood before her, I realized that I no longer needed his validation or acceptance. I had found my strength and determination to forge my path, independent of his influence. The decision to duel him and claim the title of Lady Peverell was not just about proving my worth to him, but about proving it to myself. It was a symbol of breaking free from the chains of his expectations and finding my own identity. I was ready to face him, not out of anger or revenge, but out of a newfound confidence in my abilities and a desire to finally be seen and acknowledged for who I truly am.
MEMORY
After Patrick and his family said their goodbyes, I confidently approached my father and stated that I wanted to cancel this marriage contract, but before fully hearing me out, he angrily started to spew nonsense. I then told him that I wished to duel him, his face turned into a nasty shade of red and he started to tell me how pathetic I am for not accepting the contract and having the gall to speak like this to her father. I stopped him by saying," As the heiress apparent and future Lady, it is well within my rights to duel you for canceling this marriage contract dear father," with a cold expression and voice. He can't forfeit now was the only thing running through my head after all refusing a duel to a lady is shameful and is a display of weakness. Here comes my dear revenge, I swear! I will offer the sword( studded with pretty rubies, one which Nemesis desired) to cousin Nemesis if I the the duel. I can't wait to see his humiliated face if I win, I am pretty sure that I will win since he stopped practicing years ago due to his ego problems and can't get back to his level of mastery in a matter of days.
Authors note - Thank you all for reading this fan fiction, this is by far the longest chapter I've written with the estimation of 2000 words. Constructive criticism is always welcome.