Arranged marriage, it's not just a marriage between people, it's a contract of union between two families, meant to bring profit for some and securities for others.
In this story, two unusual and seemingly polar opposite families will tie the not together to reach one common goal: climb to the top of the social and financial ladder.
Thus, a union was formed between the Lancaster and the Rosenfeld family.
Alina Von Rosenfeld of Cespenia, the eldest daughter of Count Rosenfeld, was acclaimed as the finest lady of high society not only because of her family's prestige, but also because of her blinding beauty, her talents and her knowledge of etiquette. She was, in fact, the most desired lady among the lads of her generation, so naturally, she expected to marry the finest man there is, someone who excels in finance, in beauty and most of all, in status.
But her expectations plummeted the moment she found out about the man that her father had chosen for her, it was Eden Lancaster: a commoner, an orphan, someone with an unknown history and unfortunate background. Sure he had money, but no amount of money out there could ever buy prestige.
Just when she was drowning in sorrow for her disappointing fate, a small note made it's appearance out of thin air on the day of the engagement ceremony. The content hidden in the note was as enigmatic and mysterious as it's unknown sender"Leave the man you're engaged to, unless, you want to end up ruined with him."
Unbeknownst to her, a similar short note was sent to her fiancé, Eden Lancaster, igniting his curiosity "Do not entangle yourself with that women. She may ruin you the way she ruined me."
These strange notes wrecked their brains beyond control with endless questions they both desperately wanted answers of and as they grew closer, they kept discovering new layers of each other, completely altering their lives.
Alina Von Rosenfeld
"17th July, 1929" I read the date written on today's news paper that featured Duke Maximilian Von Hohenwart, who had just returned from the diplomatic negotiation that went down in Southern Cespenia, "Does that mean he will participate in my engagement ceremony tonight?"
«Alina, have you seen today's newspaper?» my mother exalted as she entered my room with hurried steps. Of course she was on 9th cloud upon reading today's journal, after all, the war veteran, Duke Hohenwart had promised my mother that if he managed to finish the war before the ceremony he would surely present himself, and it looked like he will not back down from his word.
«I have mother, but what's more important is my soon-to-be-fiancée's whereabouts. We're starting the ceremony in just a few hours.» I responded to my over enthusiastic mother as I leisurely seeped tee from my porcelain cup, which had a celestial laced decoration.
The engagement had already happened, but today will be the day we will officially announce to the whole world that I, Alina Von Rosenfeld, and Eden Lancaster are a couple, unfortunately. I couldn't show myself to be half as enthusiastic as my mother was, since neither the person I will be married to nor the place I will be married off to were of my taste. Yet, I was still sitting here all dolled up for this occasion.
My mother quietly sat down beside me, she could probably see the gloomy bubble that enclosed me and carefully took my hand in hers, grabbing my attention as I lifted my cold, grey eyes to meet hers of identical color.
«Dear, I know how you feel, wronged, unheard, but you must know that every decision your father and I make are for your own good. I, especially, have always wanted the very best for my one and only child.» I could hear her gentle voice breaking at the last part, she's most likely reminiscing all of her past miscarriages before having me, a story she had told me countless of times to make me aware of my great luck.
I sat down the teacup on the table and placed my free hand above hers «I'm aware ma', I can get through this, I promise.» I gave her a reassuring smile that probably didn't reach my eyes. She smiled back at me caressing my right cheek with one hand.
«You must be a gift from god for me, a gift for enduring so much pain while putting all of my faith on him!» she finished before looking away and wiping a tear sliding down her face. «Now, I have to check if everything's on point. I'll call you when it's time to come down, so stay prepared, all right?»
I softly hum a response as I watch her retreating figure dwelling on how similar She and I look, so much so that her friends often joke about us looking almost like sisters, given how we both shared the same eye color and even the same hair: copper and curly, my mother had also always put on an effort into raising me to be the perfect picture of herself, though the only thing she didn't want me to inherit from her was her pitiable fate.
How could I blame her? No mother would want their daughter to end up with a man who took in a mistress after his wife's countless miscarriages and a difficult birth...
Alina Von Rosenfeld
As the sun was about to set, a large team of butlers and servants were assembled in front of the estate waiting to welcome an extremely important guest , but it wasn't just them, butlers and servants obediently stood behind the head of the household and it's members. I was standing there by my mother's side as well, "If the Count Rosenfeld himself was also present, it could only mean on thing..."
Just then, a yellow luxury automobile parked in front them, immediately catching the attention of everyone present, especially given that the model was foreign.
Upon the appearance of the car, everyone caught their breaths, curious about it's owner. Their curiosity was soon fulfilled when a tall figure wearing a hat and an elegant suit slowly emerged from the car. As soon as he removed his hat, everyone was amazed by that man's striking appearance. His golden hair that was glistening under the orange sun rays was neatly slicked back.
«Eden, you've made it here, at last. How was your journey?» my father was the first to greet that man with a handshake as the head of the household.
«Well I must admit, it was a strenuous journey but your warm welcome is worth it all!» he humoured the Count with a light chuckle. Then, he turned his attention to my mother, «Very pleased to meet you, Madame! I'm Eden Lancaster, hopefully your future son in-law.» as he presented him self, he extended his hand in invitation and upon her acceptance he placed a light kiss on the back of her hand.
"Won't you just look at this lowborn pretending to be a gentleman.".
Then, one by one, each member of the household, even my father's mistress and her son, reached to introduce themselves to the newcomer and he politely greeted everyone back. I, his fiancee, was the last one remaining.
I lowered my head to mask my contempt with apparent shyness as he approached me lead by my father, «She is my daughter, the ample of my eyes, Alina! She's the one your going to marry!»
The moment I lifted my head with a sweet smile playing on my lips, I saw that man placing his right hand on his chest with a gentle bow «It is an honour for me to be engaged with a lady as beautiful as you, I hope to live up to your standards,» his green eyes pierced my grey ones as he finished his sentence «my lady.»
«It is a pleasure for me as well, sir Lancaster. And I wish for you to whole heartedly enjoy the ball we've prepared in honour of our engagement.» everyone's eyes closely scrutinised our short exchange.
«Sir Eden, why don't we start moving prepare our selves to the estate now? Time is money!» my mother chimed in.
«Sure, but I would also like to have your company a little longer, Madame!» he sweet talked to my mother, yet again! As he moved to follow my mother he turned slightly to shoot me with one last glance, which made me pause.