Chapter 2: Stuck in the Past

We weren’t like this in the past, I remember that before my grandfather died, laughter filled our house.

My mother was kind and caring, and my father took us on family trips and spent a lot of time with us, but I think that happiness was bought with money.

For three generations, the Reis family was made up of wealthy merchants, we weren’t nobles in the past, but even the nobles envied our wealth.

When I was young, my grandfather took me on trips around the world to expand his business.

We would return to Asia every summer because it was my favorite place in the world, I loved the food, the culture, and most importantly the clothes.

The nobles would stare at me when I would wear Qing clothing and walk around the city. But I didn’t care at all because no one dared to make fun of our family.

All that happiness ended when my grandfather died and his successors couldn’t manage things properly, so our wealth gradually disappeared.

Now we live in a small house on the outskirts of the capital because my mother refuses to leave. She hoped there was a way to get back into high society, and it seemed she wasn’t entirely wrong.

The day after the marriage proposal speech, three carriages filled with silks and luxury goods arrived at our house.

My mother was delighted because this meant that the Duke was serious about the proposal.

My mother accepted the gifts immediately even though we hadn’t formally responded to his request.

I thought I could object or decline as I always do when a marriage proposal arrives, but the Duke added fuel to the fire.

Because I knew my mother would pressure me even more now.

After our family lost its fortune, my mother was the most affected.

Although we all loved the luxurious lifestyle, when the harsh reality hit us we tried to adapt, and my father found a job as an accountant for a count in the capital.

My little brother began training to become a knight, and I taught languages ​​to other noble ladies whenever I could.

But my mother stayed in the past and refused to change.

She couldn’t understand that she could no longer host weekly tea parties.

Or she could no longer afford silk dresses.

She first started selling my grandfather's gifts one by one to buy herself more time in high society, but that didn't last long.

"Tana, I know you're listening" My mother said as she stood behind my bedroom door.

"I sent our reply with the cart... We have accepted the offer, it's for your benefit and the benefit of our family" Then she left

The sound of her loud footsteps going down the stairs made my heart sink in sadness.