Chapter 14: Entangled In Enmity Instead

Message? Aurelia pressed her lips together. A long time had passed, so she had forgotten that over the months, she had tried to contact Gerald and her own parents and ask for help, but she was cruelly rejected. She never heard back from them or received any help while she sank into darkness.

At first, her messages were filled with hope that they would bring her back to the Fort Rex, and then grief as she begged them to help her in any way so that her husband could like her. But no one listened.

She had died once and knew not to put her trust in those cold and ruthless people. Rather than resigning to her fate, why not attack in advance and take them by storm? As for the message, there was no need for it. It would never reach the Patriarch. The words were just a diversion so that Mr. Smith could hide his embarrassment.

“Grandpa must be busy. There is no need to send him a detailed message… Just tell him that I liked his gift.” She looked dispassionately at the small box that Mr. Smith had retrieved from his jacket and offered up to her.

Mr. Smith was stunned. Every time he visited, Aurelia would send a message or some trivial gift to be sent to the Beckett family or her own. The staff members were well aware that this was of no use. No one would give up hope on themselves, but outsiders knew the truth. But now, Aurelia seemed to know the truth as well. Did she completely lose hope and no longer wish to return?

“Since it is so, then I will go and arrange for Young Master Luther and Master Casper’s arrival later.” He looked at his watch and then nodded sagely. “I shall take my leave now.”

After Mr. Smith and Sharon left, Sarah eyed Aurelia warily.

She was filled with uncertainty as she asked. “Why didn’t you send anything this time? Don’t tell me… you’re lashing out to get their attention.” Sarah crossed her hand over her chest and looked at Aurelia critically.

“My time is valuable. Why should I waste my energy on acting out and send a message to them?” Aurelia plopped down on the loveseat unceremoniously. She twisted a strand of hair around her finger and watched Sarah with a hint of amusement. “I am heading back soon. Why do I need to send a message? If there is anything I have to say, I should say it directly to them.”

“You are returning?” Sarah yelled, shocked. “Did you think of a way to return?”

Of course, she would find a way to return. But before she left, there were still debts she had to claim.

Aurelia reached out and curled her fingers inward, beckoning Sarah in. Sarah leaned in, ready to hear the secret. Aurelia’s lips were a few inches from her ear, and she turned her head excitedly, thinking she would find a secret.

“You did well taking my advice. I saved you a world of pain, so surely, you’ll invite me to your wedding to the old baldy,” Aurelia teasingly whispered.

Sarah recoiled and glared at Aurelia hatefully. “Don’t even dream about it. You’ve offended Ronald completely. Do you think he would let you return?” Sarah bit back.

“Maybe Ronald will beg me to return.” Aurelia shrugged. “I’ll thank you in advance for your… contribution.”

She leaned back and ignored Sarah’s grumbling.

.

It was six in the evening when Sarah was called on again. She looked at the watch dispassionately before sighing and making her way to the dining room. The long table was considerably fuller than usual.

While Aurelia preferred eating her food in the privacy of her room, the guests today were ones who played an integral part in her play. She looked at the people seated at the uselessly long table and wondered which seat would be the safest.

The head of the table was eerily empty, showing that not one person in the room dared to take that seat. On one side, Ronald sat with his cutlery, busy cutting the steak. Beside him was Luther, his jaw ticking with irritation.

On the opposite side was Casper, unfazed by her arrival or the general affair of things. Sarah and Sharon busied themselves with placing food at the table, their eyes flitting between the three men, wondering which of them would come out the winner this time.

Aurelia was in a bind. The table was unevenly weighed, and if she added to the stronger side…

“Mrs. Beckett, you’ve finally graced us with your presence,” Ronald called without looking up from his plate of food. “You’ve been married into the family for about a year, so you can’t be considered a new bride. By now, you should know your presence is required at the table before the men of the house arrive.” He paused for a moment before continuing. “It is highly disrespectful of you to arrive after your husband and uncle-in-law, especially disrupting their meal.”

Aurelia refused to think about the male chauvinistic remarks. She had long grown accustomed to such things. Instead, she was relieved that someone cut through the tension.

Aurelia sighed with relief and placed a polite smile on her lips. “I lost track of time,” she commented slowly before bowing.

She walked over to take the seat beside Luther, but was stopped mid-sentence.

“Sitting beside your husband at all occasions dulls conversations.” Ronald finally looked up and jerked his chin to the seat beside Casper.

Luther cleared his throat, but she could tell he was pissed off by the turn of events. “Don’t waste everyone’s time,” he said under his breath, the warning clear.

She didn’t intend on opposing. This was exactly the outcome she had hoped for. Ronald wanted to put her in a difficult spot by stirring Luther’s suspicions. A subtle scheme to make her pay for her tricks that morning. But what he didn’t know was that Aurelia was unwilling to sit with Luther.

In this room, clearly, the most powerful was Casper. And she would rather associate with him in enmity than be the others’ ally.

Aurelia tucked her head and scurried to the other side of the table. She pulled out the chair beside Casper and sat down. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed Casper eyeing her surreptitiously.

Her lips twitched with interest, and she pulled herself in and waited for her food to arrive. Her eyes stopped at Sarah, who placed the food in front of Aurelia. It was the first time she was served so wholeheartedly.

“Sarah, why aren’t you sitting at the table with us?” she asked sincerely.

Sarah jerked in surprise. “Mrs. Beckett, how could I be so presumptuous?” she gasped.

Aurelia pushed back the urge to roll her eyes. ‘You’ve been having every meal at this table for the past year. You would dare get drunk and dance on top of this table, too!’ she thought sarcastically.

Aurelia waved her hand dismissively. “How would it be presumptuous? Your wedding date with Mr. Smith is around the corner, right? It’s only fair you practice your rights in advance,” she said sweetly.

Silence filled the room. Sarah stiffened, and her eyes jerked to Luther’s, who was staring at her intensely.

“Sarah, you never mentioned you were marrying Ronald…” he trailed off.