True to her father’s word, a week after he called Ami to his office she celebrated her coming of age ceremony. She couldn’t help but compare her sister’s extravagant party, with hundreds of guests gathered in the ballroom, to this quiet affair in the courtyard. Not that Ami minded much. What a joke it would be if she’d been surrounded by the same finery when no one even knew who she was. Especially since at twenty she was debuting two years later than most noble ladies.
Dozens of young couples had danced to the latest musical numbers at Giselle’s party, whereas today there were few guests her age besides her half sisters. Most of the guests were her father’s colleagues, dressed in military uniform. A quartet quietly played in the corner of the pavilion, but nobody danced.
Her three sisters sat gossiping amongst themselves. They looked the part of noble ladies. The oldest, eighteen year old Giselle, took after her mother: golden hair and bright blue eyes, elegant and a favorite in society. Sixteen year old Brigette inherited her father’s green eyes with strawberry blonde hair. She was sure to do well with her outgoing personality in two years when she would debut. And the youngest at thirteen, Celeste, lived up to her name. Light blonde hair and pale blue eyes, she was the quietest of the siblings. Their light features were in stark contrast to Ami’s brown hair and hazel green eyes.
Her younger sisters had been curious about their secret half-sister four years ago, but the cold indifferent precedent set by their parents and the staff influenced their behavior towards her. Now, they ignored her or awkwardly greeted her when it couldn’t be helped.
Like today, her sisters reluctantly congratulated her on her debut and sat as far away as was proper. Their mother didn’t spare her a glance. Although it didn’t feel pleasant to be avoided, she couldn't blame them for feeling uncomfortable around her. After all, she felt great discomfort living on the same estate as this family that wasn’t her family.
Never had she felt it as now, when she was meant to be recognized as a legitimate daughter of Lord Rhineton. After visiting her father last week, the staff resumed their duties in her lonely little tower. They prepared to move her into the main living quarters after the coming of age ceremony. But Ami knew they looked down on her, the bastard daughter of their master.
On the day of her debut, they attended to her, helping her dress in the simple yet pretty white and light blue gown, fixing her hair in an understated bun.
Looking in the mirror, it had been a long time since she’d looked so fresh and made up. A far cry from the modest, plain clothes she wore on a daily basis.
Afterwards, she met her father who escorted her to the pavilion. Ironically, Amoret was the sister who most resembled her father, chestnut brown hair and green eyes. For his first-born child, the daughter of the woman he fell passionately in love with years ago, he offered her a stiff arm and without a word led her down the steps.
The few guests turned their attention to the two of them. Ami noted several frowns directed at her. Although it wasn’t unheard of to acknowledge a child born out of wedlock among the nobility, it was still scandalous. Especially if the child wasn’t a potential male heir, and Ami was an adult woman at that! Some set their judgmental eyes on the rest of the Rhinteton family. It was obvious that Rhineton couldn’t produce a male heir even after four children. Tonight, the lady of the manor would endure ridicule masked as pity.
In the midst of this ridicule, Ami’s stepmother, Lady Rhineton sat noble and proud. A true lady who would not be shaken by rumors and gossip.
A servant offered the lord a chalice for the toast. Standing in front of the guests, Lord Rhineton announced to the witnesses, “I present Amoret Rhineton, a daughter of the family Rhineton, today as a young lady into society. May she bring honor and dignity to the noble name of Rhineton.”
“To Rhineton!” The guests echoed, raising their glasses and drinking, some enthusiastically, like her father’s subordinates. Some reluctantly, like the few noble ladies. Her stepmother didn’t toast her at all.
So that was that. Her father had officially acknowledged her as a daughter of Rhineton to society in a speech that only mentioned her given name once, but threw in her surname as many times as could fit. Surprising that a toast in front of strangers was all it took to be considered his daughter. Ami wondered what the last twenty years of her life meant.
The uncomfortable toast over, Lord Rhineton dipped his head to her and went off to greet some guests in uniform. Probably to discuss the impending military campaign. Ami was left alone at the foot of the stairs, which would have suited her fine if she wasn’t meant to be the center of attention.
Slowly the guests came to offer their congratulations, starting with some of the officers under her father’s command. The dignified men bowed to her, introducing themselves and their rank, and wishing her well.
“Colonel Linus Danewood congratulates Lady Amoret on her debut,” a middle aged officer greeted her.
“Thank you, Colonel Danewood,” Amoret bowed her head to another man in a string of guests. After a lull, the young ladies of Rhineton came to greet her.
Lovely Giselle led the way, poised and elegant. Brigette looked to be in a mood, never one to hide her emotions. And Celeste hesitantly followed her older sisters. The younger two, still underaged, wore light pastel dresses with their hair still down. Giselle, now a lady in society, wore a vibrant green gown with her hair tied up as all noble women did.
Giselle swept into an appropriate curtsy, the other two following suit. The oldest calmly said, “Congratulations on your debut, Sister.” The other two let her speak for them.
Ami forced back a grimace. “Thank you, Giselle, sisters.”
The flower of society, the lovely young lady of Rhineton, looked at Ami cooly. Now that she would be a legitimate daughter of the Rhineton estate, Giselle’s position in the family was precarious. Because their father could not produce a male heir, the title and inheritance were uncertain. Although women could not inherit directly, the estate could pass to a son of the lord’s daughter if one is born before the current lord passed. Otherwise, even if his daughters are married but have no sons, the title will pass to another Rhineton male relative. The lord of the manor must be a Rhineton.
It would have been assumed that once Giselle married and hopefully had sons of her own, the manor would safely stay in the order of succession. But now Ami threatened that security. Ami had no desire to take the manor, but not only was she the eldest daughter, she would be the first of her sisters to be married.
The air between Ami and Giselle was tense. Even Brigette and Celeste looked uncomfortable. Giselle spoke again, “And congratulations on your engagement.” Ami jolted. She found the slightest signs of a frown on Giselle’s composed face. So you are aware of what you might lose.
“….Yes, thank you.”
Brigette spoke for the first time, “Is it true you’re marrying a filthy Bellandian?” Her face showed how disgusted she was at the idea. Young Celeste gasped at her sister’s side.
Before Ami could answer, Giselle cut off her younger sister, “Brigette, Amoret’s fiancé will fight with Father in the war against the Makani.” She leveled her gaze on Ami. “I’m sure he’s a fitting husband for our sister.” Ami clenched her jaw. Giselle’s meaning was not lost on her. Only a common outsider would match the common outsider masquerading as a Rhinteton lady.
Celeste looked up at Ami with glimmering blue orbs. “Sister Amoret, are you feeling nervous about your wedding?”
Ami sighed and smiled back at Celeste. The only sister to never hold her in contempt, either outwardly or inwardly.
“I’m a little nervous, yes. But once he goes to the frontlines, not much will change. It will be like I’m not even married.” Ami glanced at Giselle as she said that. That’s for you, Giselle. Don’t misunderstand me. I have no intention of stepping out of bounds. Giselle didn’t react.
“What was his name? Where is he? Isn’t he here?” Brigette interrupted, whipping her head around to find the offender. She scoffed. “Why wouldn’t he come to his own fiancé’s debut?”
Ugh, here we go. Brigette was just warming up. Ami inwardly rolled her eyes but answered her questions.
“His name is Tom Everick. He is preparing his troops for the military campaign Father is sending him on, so he’s too far away and too busy to attend.” That could be true. Ami had no idea what her fiancé was doing. After Belland fell to the Empire, the enemy army was taken prisoner. This was the Empire’s way- force the enemy to surrender, and then turn the captives into their soldiers. The talented ones would even be given rank, like her fiancé. Ami thought Captain Everick had probably been imprisoned for the past year, until he agreed to turn coat and fight for the Imperial army. He might be on house arrest at the moment until his loyalty is secured in his marriage to a noble lady.
Wide-eyed Celeste asked softly, “What’s your fiancé like? Have you met him?” Ami knew she must have some romantic imaginings about her sister’s wedding. Sweet, innocent Celeste. I hope your own marriage meets your romantic expectations.
“Captain Everick has been called a fierce warrior who earned respect not only from his own countrymen but his enemies. The Imperial Military iis honored to have him fight for the Empire.”
Brigette soured at the impersonal description while Celeste blinked, expecting more. But that was about the extent of what Ami knew of her fiancé. She guessed he was well known among the soldiers, both from Belland and the Empire, but the Empire heavily censored news about enemy militaries, and Amoret knew a fraction of what the public knew anyways. She wouldn’t have known her fiancé was well-known if her father hadn’t said so.
Since the night her father told her he was marrying her off, she had tried in her own way to glean any information about Captain Everick. But it was a paltry sum. Amoret didn’t know his age, only that he was young, because it was said a young rebel leader gave the army trouble for months before the severely outnumbered Belland army surrendered. So he was also clever enough to avoid capture long after other companies fell. And stubborn.
“But have you met him? What does he look like?” Brigette demanded, never one to give in.
“I haven’t met Captain Everick yet.” Ami retorted, getting annoyed.
“You haven’t met the man you will marry?” Brigette practically shrieked. “What if he’s ugly or fat and old?” She couldn’t hold back a giggle. “You don’t even know what he looks like?” Celeste looked mortified at Brigette’s words. Giselle turned to reprimand her sister.
“Hush, Bri. I’m sure he will be recognizable by the famous Belland traits, right, Sister?” She looked for confirmation from Ami.
Celeste asked her, “What do people from Belland look like?”
“Black hair and black eyes,” Giselle answered. The people of Belland in the Northwest were indeed known for their dark hair and eyes and tanned skin. Many people of the Empire, especially those of nobility from the East, were fairer with light eyes and hair. A child could easily pick out a Belland native in a crowd.
Brigette shivered. “I heard you can lose your soul if you look in their eyes.” Celeste gasped.
Ami sighed in exasperation while Giselle dismissed her younger sister. “I’m sure that’s not true, Bri.” Ami shot her a look. That wasn’t a very convincing denial.
Celeste, who took things rather too seriously, was pale as she pointed to two figures approaching the girls. One was their father. The frowning man reluctantly walking beside him had long, dark hair pulled back that was nearly as dark as his eyes. Clearly someone with Belland blood.
And guessing from the scowl on his face, he was not pleased to be here.
Ami’s heart dropped. Could he be…?
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