Chapter4
1016 Words
The shadow elongated down the narrow corridor, sharp and defined in the flickering torchlight. Nova felt her heart race. She didn’t recognize the figure, but she noticed Amelia's breath catch and her body tense up.
Two women emerged from the darkness. One was tall, wearing a flowing violet gown, with a face as hard as stone. The other followed closely behind, a smirk already forming on her lips.
Amelia leaned in closer, whispering urgently.
Amelia: “My lady, it’s Mistress Penelope. Your aunt. You must greet her…please.”
Nova’s thoughts spun. Aunt? She couldn’t recall ever meeting this woman; all she could remember was her father’s face. Unsure of what to say or how Natalie would have bowed, anxiety gripped her heart. Doing nothing might raise questions, while pretending to remember could reveal her ignorance.
So, she took a middle ground. Gradually, she knelt on the cold floor.
Silence enveloped the hall. Servants froze in place, their eyes wide with surprise. It looked less like an act of respect and more like submission.
Penelope sneered slightly.
Penelope: “Is this your new trick? Trying to make others believe I intimidate you like you’ve always claimed?”
A soft yet cruel laugh escaped Emily's lips.
Emily: “Mother, just look at her! Kneeling out in the open like a beggar…what disgrace she brings.”
Nova tilted her head just enough to conceal her feelings. In reality, her gaze sharpened as she observed both of them closely. If Natalie had endured such treatment, then silence must have been her only defense. But Nova was not Natalie.
Her voice emerged steady, almost unnaturally calm for the moment.
Natalie (Nova): "If kneeling is a sign of respect, then I will kneel. However, I believe respect should be mutual."
The hall buzzed with anxious whispers. Amelia's fingers clutched tightly at her skirt. Emily's smile faded slightly.
Emily: "How dare you?"
Penelope: "Enough."
That one word sliced through the chatter. Penelope moved closer, her eyes examining her niece as if she were a stranger.
Penelope: "Stand up. You're embarrassing yourself."
Nova rose gracefully, raising her chin just a bit. She chose to remain silent, letting the weight of her quietness fill the surrounding space.
Emily snorted in disbelief.
Emily: "Mother, she seems different now, almost... daring."
Penelope: "Daring fades when faced with reality. Take her back to her room, Amelia. I’ll handle this later."
Amelia's face relaxed with relief as she rushed to Nova’s side, gently pulling on her sleeve. Amelia (whispering): "Please, my lady, don’t say anything else. Come with me."
Nova allowed herself to be led away without resistance but was already formulating thoughts in her mind. If her aunt viewed her as weak, then quiet words could pierce deeper than screams.
When they reached the chamber door, and it closed behind them, Amelia pressed against it like a shield against intruders. Amelia: “Why did you kneel in front of everyone? Mistress Penelope will use it against you.”
Nova touched the spot on her cheek where the cold floor had pressed against it and replied softly yet still with a calm rationale.
Natalie (Nova): “Silence is a language too. Sometimes, it says more than shouting ever could.”
Amelia blinked in surprise.
Amelia: “I’ve never heard you talk like this before.”
Natalie (Nova): “Maybe it’s time I did. Tell me, Amelia, why do they treat me like this? Don’t sugarcoat it. I want the honest truth.”
Amelia hesitated, twisting her hands nervously. Her eyes flicked to the small mirror on the table as if she was trying to avoid Nova’s look. Finally, she knelt down.
Amelia: “Because they don’t see you as family, my lady. Mistress Penelope calls you a burden. Emily sees you as competition. They’ve made you sleep outside in the cold when they are unhappy with you.”
Her voice wavered, but she pushed herself to continue.
Amelia: “That’s how you met Dorian. One night, he found you shaking in the courtyard and offered comfort with sweet words. You trusted him and thought he loved you. But later, I overheard him bragging to his friends that you were too hard to be with, and they laughed at you. Between Mistress Penelope's cruelty and Dorian's betrayal… that’s why you drank the poison.”
Nova looked at her reflection in the small bronze mirror. She saw a flawless face and perfect body, but behind it lay humiliation and despair. She lightly touched the glass as if trying to support the girl who once looked back at her.
Natalie (Nova): “I will not live like her.”
Amelia quickly lifted her head, eyes wide in shock.
Amelia: “My lady! Please don’t say where others can hear! If Lady Penelope or the servants find out you've spoken this way, they'll think you're losing your mind.”
Nova just gave a faint smile, which made Amelia feel even more uneasy.
Suddenly, a loud knock came from the door, causing Amelia to flinch.
Voice from outside: My lady! You are called. The King’s ceremony is about to begin!
Amelia turned pale.
Amelia: ‘They’re here… please, my lady, hide’
The door swung open with a bang. Penelope stood in the doorway, looking stern.
Penelope: Do not refer to her as ‘my lady.’ She deserves no respect. She is just a tool. If I hear you say that again, it will be your last day.
Her gaze fell on the dress draped over the chair.
Penelope: Why aren’t you dressed? Do you intend to embarrass yourself?
Natalie faced her aunt with calm determination.
Natalie (Nova): ‘I won’t go.’
Penelope: ‘What did you say?’
Natalie (Nova): ‘Offer Emily to the king instead.’
Amelia gasped in shock.
Amelia: ‘My lady. Please’
In a quick motion, Nova grabbed a small knife from the table and pressed it against her wrist.
Natalie (Nova):Leave now. Send Emily. If you try to force me, I’ll end this right here. Right now on this spot
A heavy silence settled in as the knife glinted ominously.
- Writer
