As William walks through the path of the mansion of Astoria he sees the maid and butler stopping Lita from coming back inside the guest house. He watches Lita leave with frustration, he goes inside the guest house to check up on Vanessa. He opens the door and sees Vanessa standing near the window holding a glass of wine.
"Good morning, Lady Vanessa," he greeted softly taking his military cap off.
"Ah, William my dear brother, do you need anything?" She asked and glanced at William.
"Nothing... Just checking with you. Perhaps I have a question, I just saw Lita come here she looks kinda frustrated, Did you do anything to upset her?" William steps closer to her and looks down at her with a curious face raising his eyebrow.
"Hm... A bit, she's just being dramatic you know? She can't even accept my engagement with Henry... It looks so pathetic to see." She said mockingly as she chuckled while playing with her wine.
William's expression became serious and dark, he didn't like his sister being such a cunning noblewoman, he knew she had been like this ever since a kid.
He remembers those 11 years ago, the time when Vanessa was just 12 years old and William was 14 years old. Vanessa had a cunning plan that ruined the business of Lord Caspar who is a rich man but got arrested for stealing money and scamming, William couldn't imagine how his sister managed those things and was able to make Lord Caspar get his consequences.
[ 11 years ago... ]
[ January 23 in the event of Lord Caspar's business celebration ]
The lights are shining bright as the celebration event of Lord Caspar's business, it is crowded and murmurs.
Vanessa was with the other ladies sitting down on the table as she stirred her cup of tea waiting for the drama to happen. People were oblivious to what Vanessa had done after reporting and giving evidence to the officers before the celebration event.
"Lady Vanessa you look like you're lacking fun, or is something in your mind Lady Vanessa" The mother of Duke Henry, Lady Gisela says.
"Don't mind Lady Vanessa, she's just bored. My lady" Lady Catherine said to Lady Gisela.
"I see..." Lady Gisela murmurs looking at Vanessa.
Suddenly the officers come into the mansion, asking where's Lord Caspar. Vanessa's expression turns into a smile of satisfaction upon seeing the officers finally come, the crowd watches Lord Caspar get arrested with confusion and some are gossiping.
Young William who is beside his mother, looks at Vanessa he can see the satisfaction on her face and knows she has something to do with all the drama. William sighs back to reality and looks at Vanessa.
"Vanessa, maybe you could get a bit of empathy towards Lita? She had probably gone through a lot, don't you think? Even if she used Duke Henry and Prince Daniel, I think we should let her be..."
William murmured to her softly his tone was low and serious.
"Empathy? That's rich. Let her rot. She's nothing but trouble, Duke Henry and Prince Daniel are just pawns in her game. And I'll be the one to checkmate her." she said ruthlessly and coldly.
"Vanessa, you can't you just please listen once? I don't want you to be like this. You are nothing but a cruel noblewoman, aren't you getting tired of yourself?" William said.
"That you're always following your desires? This isn't enough for you already? You have the position of being the duchess but still, you just used Henry also. I felt bad for Lita because her father had been arrested and unconsciously died without freedom and Lita is here helping her family..." William added his tone becoming more and more serious.
"William..." Vanessa comes closer to him and suddenly points a gun at his neck, her expression darkening with cruelty.
"Are you defending her? Choosing that pathetic commoner over your beloved sister? You so blind William, aren't you? Well then, let me open it for you" She said with a tone of cruelness, as she pointed the gun suddenly at his eye.
"Vanessa... I'm not choosing sides I'm just telling the truth, please put the gun down" William could feel the gun over his eye.
"Tell me, my dear brother... Who will you choose me? Or that trash and pathetic commoner?" Vanessa said as her eyes darkened.
"You... I'm your brother, are you going to kill me? And I'm not choosing any side" William said with fear.
"What has gotten into you Vanessa?" He added.
"Nothing got into me... Now answer the DAMN QUESTION!" She growled.