"Adelheid took a step back, shaking her head in disbelief. A nervous laugh escaped her lips.
"You must be joking." She said, though her voice wavered. "My father would not borrow money from you!"
A year ago, her stepfather and Vivianne's father, Lord Gerald Langston, had built a brewing business. At first, it thrived, but when the debts piled up, disaster struck. Rather than ruin himself, Lord Langston had done something unthinkable.
He had quickly transferred the entire business to her stepfather's name, leaving him to deal with the massive debt.
So why would he turn to them for money now?
Vivienne's smile widened. "Oh? He didn't?"
She puckered her lips before tilting her head slightly.
"Well, seeing as your dear father wasn't in any hurry to pay us back.. we had to get creative." She sighed dramatically, tapping her fingers against the edge of her jaw. "At first, I told my parents, 'Why don't we just send some men to beat him up?' you know, to give him a little motivation."
She gave a small shrug. "But then I thought.. why stop there? What if he got beaten to death? Then what? No money, no fun."
She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowering as if sharing a delightful secret.
"So, I had a better idea.. Why not use you and your little brother as collateral?" She smirked, watching Adelheid's face contort in disgust.
"Tsk." Vivienne clicked her tongue. "And do you know the best part? Your shameless stepfather didn't even hesitate, no begging. He hadn't even let the words roll off my tongue before agreeing."
Adelheid's eyes blazed with intense fury. Immense anger fueled in her that she hadn't even known when the words had left her mouth.
"You're nothing but a slithering leech—no, a WITCH!"
Vivianne's smirk instantly dropped. Her expression darkened and her nostrils flared.
"Hold her!"
For a moment, Adelheid was confused. Hold her? What—
Before she could react, two noblewomen suddenly seized her arms, yanking her backward. Their grips were like iron. "Unhand me!" Adelheid struggled, jerking against their hold, but their grips were firm.
Vivianne sauntered forward, picking up her goblet of wine with an amused smirk.
Adelheid's glare sharpened as she wrestled against the noblewoman clasping her hand. "What are y—!"
Before the words could fully leave her lips, Vivianne's hand shot out and clamped over the latter's mouth, shutting her.
Then, in one swift motion, she tipped the goblet forward.
Warm liquid cascaded down Adelheid's head, soaking into her hair, before spilling down her face in rivulets. The sticky liquid trailed down her neck—then trickled into her dress, further down her breasts, her stomach, and down her thighs.
Laughter rippled though the room.
Adelheid tightly clenched her fists. She could feel her eyes sting, but she did not let a single tear fall. Not in front of them.
"Lady Adelheid!" Beatrice's voice rang with horror as she shot to her feet, dashing towards her lady.
Adelheid's chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, but she didn't lower her head. Even as droplets trickled down her thighs onto the floor, she held Vivianne's gaze.
Vivianne retreated her hand and smirked. "Oh dear." She smiled mockingly. "That wasn't very ladylike of me, was it?"
Adelheid's nostrils flared. "You—!!"
But before she could say anything, Vivianne harshly shoved her away.
The latter stumbled backwards before her legs gave out beneath her and she hit the floor hard, pain shooting up her elbow as the skin scraped against the marble floor.
Beatrice gasped louder this time as she finally crouched down beside her. "My lady!"
Vivianne merely scoffed. "You dare think you belong here? You're nothing but a desperate little gutter rat playing dress up in borrowed silk!"
Laughter erupted from the other noblewomen.
One of them snickered. "She's so pathetic!"
Another muttered, shaking her head. "Even the dirt beneath our shoes has more worth!"
Adelheid's fists curled, shaking as she pressed her scraped elbow against her side. The laughter made her ears hurt.
Beatrice's worried eyes suddenly shifted downwards and her lips parted in shock. "My lady, you're bleeding!"
Adelheid didn't respond. The humiliation was suffocating.
Beatrice huffed, her eyes blazing with fury. She stood to her feet sharply, shooting the noblewomen a glare. "You insuffera—!"
Adelheid's hand immediately shot out, gripping her wrist. "No."
Beatrice stiffened. "But my la—"
"There are too many of them." Adelheid voice was steady, but her fingers trembled against Beatrice's wrist. "We gain nothing from rising to their bait, unless being beaten to pulps, if not to death."
Beatrice's jaw tightened. She understood, but that didn't make it any easier to accept.
Vivianne chuckled from the other side. "Oh dear, did we hurt your fragile little feelings?" She turned to one of her lackeys with puckered lips. "Lisette, fetch her a rag to sob into this instant!"
Laughter flared up again.
Adelheid inhaled sharply, steadying herself as she pushed herself up. Her wet hair stuck to her face, her body ached badly and her elbow stung, but she ignored the pain.
She let Beatrice take her arm and guide her toward the exit.
As they walked, Adelheid turned her head slightly, taking one last look at the laughing noblewomen.
Then, her gaze settled on Vivianne.
The latter had already moved on, lazily pouring herself another drink, as if she had not just humiliated her.
Adelheid's lips curled into a small smile, but it barely reached her eyes.
Then, without another word, she let Beatrice lead her away.
‡‡
The carriage rattled over the cobblestone streets.
Adelheid sat stiffly, fingers gripping the napkin Beatrice had pressed into her hand to clean herself, but the scent of wine still invaded her nostrils.
Beatrice huffed, shaking her head as she pulled her cloak tighter around her. "The audacity!" She muttered. "When we arrive, I shall draw a warm bath to rid you of Lady Vivienne's stench!"
Adelheid hummed, but her mind was elsewhere.
If she had one desire now, it was to make them pay for the humiliation they'd caused her.
Every last one of them.
Her gaze drifted to the window, the passing scenery of beautiful vine covered trees were gape worthy, and yet, none caught her attention.
She was thinking.
Her fingers curled around the napkin.
Then, slowly, she lowered her gaze to her gown, to the multiple red stains scattered across her dress from the wine.
She sighed, finally coming to a decision.
~
When they reached The Montclair's Manor, Adelheid stepped out without hesitation, her gaze sweeping the courtyard. She did not wait for the servants to open the door and instantly headed inside herself.
She needed to see her mother.
But she barely made it past the living area when Lady Evelyn's voice rang through the hall.
"I have prepared everything for yo—"
Lady Evelyn stopped mid-step as her eyes landed on her daughter's disheveled state. Red stains, tangled hair and a drenched clothe.
Her lips parted, her brows furrowing.
"What on earth—"
But then, just as quickly, she waved a hand, dismissing whatever question had formed. "No. I do not wish to hear it."
Adelheid's jaw tensed.
Lady Evelyn turned, motioning for a servant to fetch something, but before she could speak, Adelheid's voice rang in the living area.
"I am ready to head to the palace, mother."