“My Lady, are feeling unwell? The ball has not yet finished but I suggest you retire, you must be tired,” The brunette servant looked at her lady with concern. Her master must be overwhelmed of what happened earlier.

Because of that ridiculous scene that Lady Eloise made, Soleri is now the talk of the night. But as what she has predicted, Soleri simply walked away from the scene, ignoring everything. Not that the maid is disappointed of her lady but, Soleri should have stood up for herself since it is obviously not her who put the nut powder in Countess Fernsby’s drink.

It must be Eloise’s doing in order to make the poor lady be the bad guy of the banquet once again. Everybody knew that the countess is highly allergic to nuts and drinking a beverage with nuts in it may lead to an allergy attack, she was known to be a weak lady.

“It’s fine, Meredith. We must go back since the night isn’t over. Father is waiting for me, he is supposed to introduce me to Duke Throndsen,” The lady's maid's eyes expanded significantly and she fell silent, as if she was thinking about something significant. Soleri noticed her maid’s weird behavior as they travel to the banquet hall and so asked, “What is bothering you, Meredith?”

Meredith lightly flinched and scratched her forehead nervously, “Well, My Lady, there is a rumor going around the mansion that My Lord is planning to engage My Lady with the son of Duke Throndsen,”

Soleri glanced at Meredith, “Then what seems to be the problem?” She asked, nothing hidden but genuine curiosity. “My Lady, are you fine with that?” The maid questioned Soleri. Meredith truly loves her lady and being engage to someone she hasn’t even seen yet must be dreadful. Meredith believes that Soleri deserved a happy life, married to someone she truly loves. But her lady doesn’t seem to mind being controlled by Marquess Ceshire.

“If that is what my father desires, then I shall accept the proposal,” Soleri replied. The maid glanced at her lady with sympathy in her eyes, she sighed quietly and didn’t bother replying as they were about to enter the banquet.

All eyes were on Soleri when she entered the venue. The noble ladies started whispering to each other. “How shameful! After harming the countess, she has the audacity to come back.” - is what they think while looking at Soleri, their gazes are evident. The lady didn’t seem to be bothered by them and immediately walked towards her father as soon as she saw him.

Marquess Ceshire was having a conversation with the Duke of Throndsen when the young lady came between them, “Pardon me, Your Grace, for interrupting your time with my father. I greet the Duke of Throndsen, I am Soleri Ceshire, daughter of Marquess Ceshire,” Soleri curtsied. Her father sharply inhaled, feeling embarrassed and mad, he laughed it off and pulled her daughter to his side in an obscure manner.

After pulling off a scene earlier, he thought Soleri already left and went home. The marquess was embarrassed of what his daughter did but forced himself to stay because he planned to make a deal with the Duke of Throndsen. A large amount of money has been taken away from the march because of the Marquess’ recent addiction, gambling. He must find a way to make money without pulling out more of it, and starting a new business is not one of them. He thought of selling off her daughter to the duke since she was not a good use of him anyway. With having the heir of the Throndsen Duchy as his son-in-law, this will surely raise his status in the noble world.

But it is all ruined because of Soleri.

Marquess Ceshire looked at the duke, who was staring at her daughter with embarrassment and disappointment written all over his face. The marquess gulped nervously and cleared his throat, he must act immediately before the duke excuse himself.

“Uh, daughter, why don’t you go back home. It is already pretty late, and you have a training session in the morning, am I wrong?” He squeezed Soleri’s shoulder, hoping she can read between the lines. The lady faced him; her face was unreadable as it showed no emotion.

“Father, my training session begins at-” She was cut off by his father. “Now now... Meredith, escort your lady to the carriage and bring her home safely,” He gave his daughter’s hand to her maid, “Yes, My Lord,” Meredith bowed and escorted Soleri away from the scene.

“Now, where were we?” Marquess Ceshire faced the duke with a smile as soon as Soleri left the ballroom. The Duke of Throndsen was plainly upset after witnessing her rebellious daughter. The marquess' blood began to boil as a result of this.

Late at night, right before Soleri slept, the butler of the Ceshire Household called the lady as per requested by the marquess. Confused, Soleri threw a simple dress above her sleeping attire and went to her father’s office escorted by the butler.

“You called, Father?” Soleri asked, standing in front of the marquees’ desk. Her father glared at Soleri, and asked, “Do you know who I was talking to earlier, Soleri?”

The lady answered, “Duke of Throndsen,”. Marquess Ceshire nodded his head, “Right, and do you know how important he is to me?” Soleri stood there for a second, and nodded her head, “Yes, Fath-”

“Then why did you ruin it!?” Marquess Ceshire shouted on top of his lungs and stood up, slamming his hands on the table. Soleri didn't flinch and kept her stare fixed on her father. This irritated the marquess even more.

“You even harmed Countess Fernsby, are you intentionally doing this!? You little wench! When will you stop these acts!?”

Ever since Soleri’s mother died, Marquess Ceshire already knew that caring for her daughter is not necessary anymore as he loved his mother more than his own daughter. He neglected her and only finds her useful in businesses. Soleri was not like the other kids, she prefers doing everything by herself, acted like an adult at a young age. She was weird in her own father’s perspective. Marquess Ceshire tried so hard to hide that fact, not until she became an adult.

Her daughter became the gossip of the town, a nasty lady who wields power and manipulates others. Her father therefore didn’t acknowledge Soleri as her daughter anymore. Being a weird sociopath barely gave her the rights to be with her father in one roof, but to be known as someone horrible and evil, Marquess Ceshire just wished she died instead of the marchioness.

“Go to your room, you are grounded for a week. You are to be starved, a bread and water a day,”

“I understand, Father. Then, have a good night,” Soleri bowed her head and exited. On the way to her room, she made the butler call for Meredith. The lady waited for her maid inside of her room, as soon as Meredith entered, she went to Soleri and asked, “What is it, My Lady?”

Soleri who was standing beside the window, looking outside, answered, “Invite the son of Duke Throndsen, Marquis Throndsen, for tea in a week,”