Un*K-n0wN

3rd Person POV

The sun shines through an open window into a tidy and expensive looking room, yet even if the room itself seems expensive, it is also quite simple and minimalistic.

It is early morning an hour after sunrise yet there seems to be no one in said room, the bed sheets having already been folded neatly as well.

The young girl walks down the halls of the manor. Her steps soft and silent not bothering to show a presence nor power, instead, showing a delicate demeanor and a rather ominous carefulness along with the quietness. Her posture straight yet focused more on the floor rather than the ceiling, for cautiousness is misplaced in the sky. Her serious poker face showing her casual demeanor early in the morning.

However, as she spots a maid from afar, she immediately straightens her posture and lifts her gaze, she adds firmness and grace to her step making sure to emit the aura suiting her social status while she smiles brightly with glittering kind eyes and a sweet innocent smile, her demeanor appearing brighter unlike just a minute ago.

"Good morning Young Mistress, I hope the day finds you well." Says the maid with a smile as she greets her young mistress with a curtsy. "Ah, Elaine! Thank you, I too, hope this beautiful morning finds you well." Says Viola brightly. "It is quite the beautiful morning isn't it. Oh! Would you like for me to set up tea outside in the garden this afternoon young miss?" Asks Elaine excitedly. "That would be lovely! Thank you Elaine." Says Viola as she holds Elaine's hand while thanking her with a closed eyed smile.

Elaine blushes slightly at her young miss's bright and sweet smile. "Then I will make the preparations now, excuse me." Says Elaine as she scurries away to busy herself trying to get rid of her blush. "Ah but it is barely seven in the morning..." Trails off Viola as she looks at Elaine hurrying to her task.

A soon as Elaine leaves Viola's smile drops and her demeanor changes once more. She walks down the halls on her way to eat some breakfast.

Time Skip

It is now time for the scheduled tea party with Lady Azuree and her son. However, as always, they are late.

Viola stands with perfect posture and a friendly smile as she watches James help his mother out of the carriage, both of them effortlessly having the presence of high nobles while their smooth movements and demeanor only emphasizes their status. 'He may not rival Edmund nor the crown prince in any way, but his presence is still amazing, especially for his age. Such is to be expected from the son of a duke I suppose.' Thinks Viola as she watches James walk up to the manor's entrance while his mother has started her immature shenanigans.

"Greetings Duchess Puissante, I take it you are well this fine morning." Says James charmingly while bowing elegantly to the duchess. "Ah, this is what I mean. How could it possibly be, that your son is more mature than you Lady Isabelle." Says Victoria as Isabelle gets hit by that jab at her pride. 'Ah, I see he is trying to impress my mother. An impossible feat to accomplish really, but I suppose his mother gives him leeway, so he has a chance.' Viola thinks as she analyzes her husband-to-be.

"His posture is excellent... his manners are impeccable as well... hm, his wording could use some more eloquence... however, impressive in whole. I take it You had no part in this, hm?" Says Victoria in a teasing manner to her friend from her academy days. 'And she has been sold, I suppose it makes sense since everything is in James's favor at the moment, his family, status, riches. His behavior is only the extra factor really...' Thinks Viola having little concern for matters that have already been decided for her.

"Mother, shall we enter the manor to continue our conversation over tea?" Says Viola after having greeted James while she was internally monologuing to herself. "Yes of course. Let us continue over a lovely cup of tea." Says Victoria as she turns toward the manor and walks toward the room where they would enjoy their tea while Viola walks a step behind her with just as much elegance as her mother.

James walks a step behind his mother, following Viola's example as she is the most versed in etiquette out of everyone he knows. 'Ah, it seems the little lamb has caught on. Quite smart, I live for my mother's approval, so it is wise to follow my lead to please her as well. I am glad he is at the very least, putting in some effort.' Thinks Viola as she catches James's out-of-character behavior.

'I do hope I make a good wife. My mother clearly wishes for me to marry James as he is the son of her close friend, that and it will ensure my future as the duchess of another duke family of my same status. My future is "perfectly set" as mother would put it.' Thinks Viola worriedly slightly glancing at lady Puissante who held a more genuine smile.

'I've been preparing for this my whole life, and I still have a long way to go, so I must do my best to please my mother and my future husband.' Thinks Viola determinedly as she fears to disappoint both her mother and future fiancée.

After sitting down, the two adults began some idle chit chat while James and Viola were left to their own idle chit chat... Which Viola carried for the most part of course. Viola was enthusiastic to please her fiancée, so she decided she would fill in for anything he lacked. Yet, all in all, it was a very relaxing tea party and Viola made sure she was being a good hostess . 'I must prove how much of a good wife I am. This is the deciding moment afterall.' Thinks Viola, a bit giddy for the announcement that is to come.

Meanwhile, Lady Azuree and Lady Victoria would continue with their idle chatter but always glance to the children every so often. Victoria being satisfied by her daughter's attentiveness towards her soon-to-be fiancée, yet slight displeasure of her continuously running mouth. However, she was also focused James's kind and respectful demeanor towards her daughter, approving of said boy's actions.

After a short while, both duchesses looked at each other and silently agreed.

It was time.

"Children." Called Lady Azuree in a soft voice as she and Lady Puissante turned towards said children, one with suppressed excitement, and the other with calm anticipation. "I think it is about time that we announce something to you both." Says Lady Azuree with a smile on her face as Lady Puissante continues her sentence.

"This tea party was not arranged for the sole reason of a casual conversation after all." Says Lady Puissante with a rare genuine small smile now tugging at her lips. At this Viola's hand twitches in recognition as she has now caught on to what is happening, this as well as a warm feeling taking over her heart a bit as she spots her mother's genuine smile, the feeling of approval, although rare, was something she could never get enough of...

Lady Azuree now continues with the announcement. "This tea party was actually arranged to announce to you both something. And that is...

Your Engagement."

As Viola smiles brightly at the announcement, she turns towards who she now considers her fiancée to see his reaction at the news. Only to find... Shock.

Not the good kind of Shock, she sensed as much, but she did not wish to believe so. So, she gave him time, 'He's so shocked at the news, was he not expecting it?' She tells herself, yet her worry only increases. 'He... wasn't informed of this... does he-...' Viola's thoughts are interrupted as her worry had just begun to appear.

"NO!" yells James in an outburst of accumulating emotions as his breath grows ragged and the light atmosphere grows heavy. Everyone is startled to silence as James can only look down at the ground.

They are all snapped out of it however by hearing only a few words. "N-no?" Asks a small and uncertain voice, not befitting its owner.

James' eyes widen as he realizes what he has done and jerks his head up to be met with the girl who had caught his attention.

There, he is met with pained eyes and a small frown belonging to a girl who once stood tall, now reduced to holding her hands up to her chest in worry, growing smaller by the minute.

Viola's POV

"I- I-... N-... I-It's ... It's n-not like th-" Tries to say James nervously. "It's fine." I say, louder than I had intended to... "I... I understand... I am not to your liking... It cannot be helped if it is that way... I suppose... I am just not a suitable wife..." I try to say inspite of the lump in my throat as I looks down to the floor. 'I suppose my efforts have been for nothing... is mother disappointed? I failed her after all... If I am not a wife... what purpose do I have?' I think as my mind swirls into a hurricane of feelings of worthlessness and failure.

Mother stands from her seat with a vicious glare directed towards James, who trembles in fear. "How. DARE. You. Speak to my daughter in that way." She says menacingly, she seems enraged. 'Is it my fault?' thinks Viola in fear. "You DARE think that she is not a suitable bride BRAT, who exactly do you THINK you are? To look down on her?!" Says mother, spitting words coated with venom at the James.

I snap out of my thoughts by mother's antagonistic behavior, that is surprisingly not directed at me, but rather, at James. 'I... Do not understand... I... Is she just trying to keep up appearances? For the sake of her pride? Yes. I am sure. I have disappointed her after all... My scolding shall come in due time. Maybe even more than just that.' I ponder in fear of my mother's next move, wondering what punishment would await a failure. I have never failed before...

But suddenly, my thoughts are interrupted by none other than James himself.

"I DON'T LIKE GIRLS!!!"

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3rd Person POV

The sudden yell snaps everyone into shocked silence, no one having expected such a reason nor outcome.

Viola, however, cannot believe what she had heard. '... What?' Viola's thoughts desperately try to understand the words that her dear friend had yelled out, all the while staring at said boy, as if his appearance or actions had the answer to all of her questions.

Viola snapped out of her trance once she truly took in his appearance, his fearful trembling body, his weak legs that she swore would give way any second now, his tears streaming down his face, his extremely ragged breathing that made her wonder if he was even breathing. But most of all. His eyes. Those eyes that seemed dull and lifeless. Those eyes that showed deep pain and sorrow. But most of all, those terrified eyes that clearly reflected absolute dread and regret.

James sprinted towards the door, and immediately after, Lady Azuree called out to him in worry. She then went to chase after her son, not before however, stopping at the doorway for a split second and giving Duchess Victoria the nasties glare Viola had ever seen from such a cheerful woman.

The Duchess reacted in arrogance as she turned away with a disgusted look and went to calm her own daughter who had begun tearing up after James' second outburst. "Now now. Viola, look at me dear." She says in a soft tone. Viola looks up with a mix of fear and worry in her eyes. Victoria wipes away her child's tears with a handkerchief and smiles softly at her. While Viola flinches at the action at first, but relaxes a bit after, still suspicious of her mother's next move.

"There is no need to fall apart for such a useless reason Viola. Have I not taught you to keep up a dignified appearance no matter the situation?" Coaxes Victoria softly as Viola sniffles and collects herself hurriedly. 'I have already failed her. I mustn't embarrass her further.' Thinks Viola as she tries to collect herself once more. "Yes mother, my apologies." She says while Victoria turns away from her daughter.

"No need dear. I will let it pass this once. I myself had not expected such a result... I will cancel the engagement, so you need not worry..." Says Duchess Victoria as Viola looks up at her, now having collected herself for the most part. 'She... Why... Why is she not punishing me... Is she trying to test me? To see if I will let my guard down?' think Viola, worried for her mother's eerily kind behavior.

"And... I suggest you cut ties with James Azuree... It would be disgraceful to associate yourself with him..." Says the duchess with disgust as she walks out of the room, leaving Viola alone to her thoughts. '... So... It... It is not my fault... At least in my mother's eyes.' Thinks Viola as a sudden feeling of relief and even mild joy washes over her. 'Ah, E-even then. She could be planning something. I must stay vigilant.'

'James...' Thinks Viola as her immediate concerns have been dealt with, she remembers James's fearful eyes filled with dread. Her heart fells extremely heavy. It is suffocating. But she ignores it. 'Time will tell how things work out. But I must move forward to regain mother's approval.' Thinks Viola as she continues with her day, having made up her mind to study more intensely and work harder to be a fine lady suitable for her status.

But days go on and it is clear to her that she has now lost control over her thoughts. Nights spent worrying over James, worrying over the boy she came to be fond of, and even admire for his cheerful and kind attitude. Nights spent trying to understand him better, for she barely knew much of said boy.

'Why must life, always be so complicated?,'

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