THE COUNT
600 Words
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
A booming laughter echoed throughout the main hall.
As Lilac entered, she immediately saw her father, the duke, sitting in the host seat. He held a raised cup, offering a toast to a small statured, grey-haired man whose sharp eyes sparkled with cleverness and whose smile carried not even a trace of sincerity.
"Lilac, come over here," the duke called.
His eyes darted around guiltily.
After all, the duchess had smashed her head against a stool in frustration after being confined to solitude, while Irene and Alara had stood outside his study for four hours pleading for their mother.
If he refused to forgive the duchess after that, he would truly appear heartless.
Lilac scanned the room and let out a small sigh.
Then, with complete confidence, she walked inside.
Her leather boots clicked softly against the marble floor. Her veil swayed gently with every step, hiding her expression and leaving only her dark, unreadable eyes visible.
The count raised his gaze.
His calculating eyes swept over Lilac, taking in her outfit from head to toe.
With a faint smile, he spoke.
"Lord Duke, I thought I was coming here to meet my niece. Why have you brought your son instead?"
The duke's face flushed slightly.
He took a breath before answering.
"Count, you must be mistaken. This is my daughter, Lady Lilac."
"Oh, my apologies, my lord."
The count bowed slightly, but the sarcasm in his voice was impossible to miss.
"These old eyes of mine must have failed me. I could have sworn I was looking at a young and handsome gentleman."
The duke coughed awkwardly and gestured toward a seat.
Lilac simply nodded before taking her place.
"As you may already know, this is your uncle, Count Frederick Prost," the duke quickly introduced, attempting to ease the atmosphere.
"Yes, I have heard of him," Lilac replied.
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"And his reputation certainly suits its owner."
"Meaning?" Count Frederick asked, narrowing his eyes.
"In simpler terms," Lilac said, picking up her teacup, "I am saying you look exactly like what I have heard about you."
A smirk played on her lips.
"And what exactly have you heard about me?"
The count stared at his niece carefully.
"Oh, nothing too significant," Lilac replied casually.
"Only that you are a deceitful, two faced, cunning old fox."
She gently placed the teacup back on the table.
The hall fell silent.
It was an open secret that when Lady Violet, Lilac's mother, had been severely ill and bedridden, it was her own biological brother who had brought the duke a mistress.
He had claimed that the woman was there to assist the duke in managing household affairs.
Count Frederick was infamous for his schemes, his talent for deception, and his undeniable love for wealth.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!"
The count suddenly burst into laughter.
He reached over and roughly patted the duke's shoulder.
"I like this child," he declared.
"She has a fiery spirit."
The duke could only smile helplessly as he looked at Lilac.
She sat elegantly in her chair, reclining like a lazy predator observing its surroundings.
"Count Frederick, thank you for your praise toward my daughter. As for that matter we discussed..."
"Don't worry."
The count interrupted, picking up his hat and cane.
"I will personally take care of it."
After exchanging a few more polite words with the duke, Count Frederick left the main hall.
Lilac watched him leave, her eyes hidden behind her veil.
A man like Count Frederick never appeared without a reason.
- Writer
