The Earl Vermillion is a tack-less man with no sense of style and varying shades of grey hair. His young wife was the most beautiful in his eyes, no one dared to correct him. He wasn't the greatest at expressing acts of kindness, but he was somewhat fair.

When his wife bared his first child, he was blind to the people around him including the strange distance his wife began to show. An odd glance his way or even the meaning behind the tightening of her hands around her fan.

"Sir, the Madam seems restless, but Perhaps you should speak with her?", the butler said.

"If my wife has trouble, she would come to me, just wait then.", he replied.

"As you wish, sir.", said the butler.

The head butler bows and leaves the room to prepare the evening tea. The Earl is left to his work. The scratch of the pen to paper and the ticking of the clock is heard. 

For what seems like hours, the Earl looks up and glances outside. The sun is dipping down and he turns to see he is the only one.

"My, he hasn't come back.....", the Earl murmured.

The Earl stands and walks towards the door. Before he grabs the handle, it opens. There in front of him is his wife. Light pink hair, dusted with freckles and a sharp nose. She still has the weight she gained from pregnancy and the green pendant the Earl gifted her for their anniversary.

"Henrietta, what is it? You need to rest.", he said.

He stepped back to let her walk in. She held no expression and spoke softly yet clearly.

"Bradly. I have been struggling with something and I have come to a decision.", her expression became grim.

Earl Bradly felt a cold sweat drip down his neck as a silver dagger was reveled. Countess Henrietta calmly held the dagger to her hand, cutting it. She flinched at the pain. Earl Bradly, in a panic, took the dagger from her; he pushed her a way as he screamed for her to stop.

"Henrietta, stop it! What are you doing?", he said.

Her face was hidden by her hair as she looked down. She grimaced with her teeth bared. Trembling, Countess Henrietta inhaled.

A troubling, broken scream came from her. The rushed sound of footsteps barged closer. His guards burst into the room and all had pointed their weapons at him. This confused him, but the slow clicking of heels became his focus.

A woman with red hair and black eyes smiled fiendishly and let her fan flutter teasingly. He realized who she was, Viscountess Cleavese and the distant aunt of his wife. The Viscountess held her fan down and gently held a hand to his wife's shoulder.

"Viscountess Cleavese? Henrietta?", he questioned them nervously.

"It's so good to see you again Count Vermilion, I see you've been taking care of my niece. Unfortunately, that is not enough to save you.", she chirped.

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Chapter 1- END