The Villianess story: A 100 ways to kill your husband
Chapter 267: Annalise

Chapter 267: Annalise

The music was playing softly in the background. The sounds of fine china cups cling to each other. Gossip was going around, which was barely whispered as the ladies spoke behind their fans while smiling sweetly.

Abrielle had her tea cup close to her mouth taking simple sips while enjoying the nice aroma of the black tea. Her mother was a chatterbox who always had something to say.

Abrielle didn’t feel like her scandals were so bad after hearing a couple of forbidden whispers. "lady Clarisse is heading here with her daughter." Ava’s voice rang with excitement as she announced drawing everyone’s attention.

She was in an awfully good mood; it was hard to hide it. Her slender hands stirred her tea after she added some cubes of sugar. The middle-aged pregnant woman was secretly a sugar tooth.

Abrielle’s eyes went to Lady Clarisse, who was approaching the table dressed rather elegantly, trailing behind her, a young girl around the same age as Abrielle, at most a year younger.

She was rather shy for someone her age with a subtle presence. But what stood out was her violet eyes. She was also a blonde like her mother Clarisse.

"Lady Nightshade and Duchess Rebecca not to forget the latest princess. I am glad you showed." Clarisse chimed with a pleasant smile.

"We wouldn’t have missed it for the world." Ava chirped a soft smile hanging on her lips.

"That’s great. Do you mind if we have a seat? By the way, this is my daughter Annalise I spoke to you about." Clarisse introduced the younger girl, who smiled softly, greeting the higher noble ladies.

"She is such a sweetheart; of course, you can take a seat, dear", Rebecca urged them. Clarisse smile brightened as she took her seat. The ladies soon started the regular match-making question.

What were Annalise’s hobbies? Her favourite things etc. Abrielle was happy that Annalise was interested in the matchmaking stuff.

In the original story, Sebastian was never engaged, nor did he get married before he was executed on the grounds of treason when the Nightshade family fell. This current development was new, it was not influenced by her actions but she guessed it was fine since it did not affect the original plot in any way

Annalise was actually 19, although it seemed like she was pretty young for contemporary standards; in this world, some girls got married as early as 15 after their introduction to society. Annalise, who was turning 20 soon, was probably pressured to get married as most of her peers were married, with some being mothers.

Annalise acted very timidly; it was hard to gauge her personality as most girls had to put up with timid personality, but from the way she secretly robbed her hand on her dress. This subtle action didn’t skip the princess’s attention

"Annalise is a painter," Ava gushed, hearing how Clarisse praised Annalise. Annalise’s cheeks went red seeing how highly her mother spoke of her. Abrielle had a feeling some of the praises might be fake, Clarisse seemed rather eager to marry out her eldest daughter to leave an example for the younger ones.

"Yes, she is. Come on, dear, tell her holiness about your paintings." Clarisse urged her daughter. Annalise barely opened her lips her voice like a sweet whisper

"I am not a great painter, but I love painting the landscape and noting the images of the environs while I travel." Annalise shyly said. It took a lot of effort to speak. Ava seemed impressed, but Abrielle, who was an observer, could sense Rebecca was not completely Impressed and understood why.

Annalise was too timid; being timid was not a bad thing as society prefers ladies to be a bit timid and elegant, but Annalise acted like she was surrounded by vipers. Abrielle was not sure Sebastian would be fond of this

"That sounds lovely. Do you have any of your paintings around? I will love to admire them." Ava suggested Annalise’s eyes dulled as she shyly nodded. Her mother gave her a subtle glance and she spoke up

"Yes, I do have some painting with me." She spoke out, Ava was indeed excited about the painting.

"That sounds lovely, Lady Clarisse. What do you think about dinner at your place on the last day of the duel when Sebastian will be free. They can get to know each other, and we can see Annalise’s works." Ava suggested. Clarisse eyes went wide seeing Ava was ready to take the next step.

"That will be lovely. We look forward to having you." She chimed. Annalise’s hands that were on her dress shirt secretly clutched her dress.

Rebecca cleared her throat drawing everyone’s, "I will leave you to talk. I have a couple of ladies to introduce Abrielle to." Rebecca said, getting bored of this little match-up.

Rebecca slowly rose and then beckoned Abrielle to come with her "Come with me, dear."

"Excuse me," Abrielle mentioned before she dropped her teacup on the table and followed Rebecca. Abrielle knew Rebecca had something to say that she didn’t want to say in front of Ava out of respect.

They took a couple of steps forward, Rebecca couldn’t hold herself anymore when she spoke. "Clarisse seems too eager to marry out the shy girl. I doubt she will be able to make a good duchess." Rebecca sneered.

"Mother it’s not our call. If they like each other, that’s when it will happen unless there is a royal decree, but I doubt Kaiden will be interested in the Nightshade affairs." Abrielle commented. Rebecca didn’t like the truth her face scrunching up at Abrielle’s words.

"True, this still gives me an unsettling feeling." Rebecca signed; now more than ever, she wished she had other children.

Abrielle held her mother’s arm, "everything will be fine. Dad is still the duke so you will never know. How about you focus on introducing me to the ladies? I don’t have any friends here and the royal family is a bit toxic."

"A bit toxic, you mean deadly." Rebecca chuckled at Abrielle’s words. She was going to trust Sebastian’s judgement.