Rebirth: Revenge of the Abused Daughter

The Duke of Cornwall’s Offer

“Everyone I would like to introduce you to Madam Helen Witman and her daughters. Young Elena and Young Miss Zorenia.” the mayor said introducing us as everyone look towards us.

“Who are those? Are they someone in position? Maybe she is a wife of a Duke or a Baron?” I heard someone whisper as the Captain squeeze into the crowd and smile seeing me but I look away acting as if I didn’t see him.

“Those dresses, where they bought those?” another one said making me look around the crowd to look for the Duke of Cornwall who is my target for coming to this party.

I smile seeing him on the corner talking with someone who is looking in our direction making the Duke look towards us just to smile seeing me. I take a deep breath as we walk into the crowd to join the celebration. The young captain is about to come towards me when I use my witch ability to hypnotize women beside him who suddenly went on his way and start keeping him busy. I smirk as I walk bypass him acting as if I never see him. I walk towards the corner smiling at those who I will pass to. I pick a glass of wine on the side and step back towards the darker side thinking of a way to take the Duke’s attention without even doing something.

“It is good to see that Miss Witman made it. But why are you hiding here and not join the crowd?” I bite my lower lip hearing that sexy male voice on my side.

‘Tsk and I thought I will not be seeing this guy here.’ I utter before I look at Alejandro and smile.

“Mr. Cotswold, it is nice to see you. I am not more of a crowd person so I am here. Please don’t mind me and go enjoy yourself.” I said but he continues walking towards me, with just the sight of him there goes my crazy heart and body reacting to him again… so annoying.

“I am not of a party person myself. I was just here because of my parents. Tell me, Miss Witman, what do you think of marriage?” I suddenly look at him when he suddenly says that.

I don’t know why he asked that out of the blue but when I look at him he is looking at the crowd of people happily chatting while some are dancing in the middle with that lively music playing. It seems like he is asking the question not because he is thinking about marrying rather to his expression he must be confused and distressed about a matter regarding someone’s marriage, his sister I suppose. I take a deep breath remembering how Catherine is due to her parents’ being like that. It might be the reason she is so close to her uncle than to her parents.

“If I may, Sir Cotswold, why did you ask?” I said and he just looks in a direction and when I look at it I see Catherine’s mother smiling and chatting with a man of her age but handsome and look so charming.

I think that for sure that THAT man is not Catherine’s father, and the way Lady Angelica Kauffman looks at the man holds many secrets and affection. I scan around the room to see Catherine’s father talking to some men on the side unaware or never caring about what his wife is doing. To the looks of it, they are talking about business or matters about business. That is what Catherine told me that is keeping her parents apart. Her father is busy with business and her mother is against staying at home and she wants to work on her own too. Not to mention that they are just married due to the agreements between their parents, it is an arranged marriage at that.

“Marriage for me…… is something sacred. One must understand the other so the other can understand you. There are those who were forced due to family status, there are those who married just because of coming of age and there are those who married because it is needed. Even with that, to be a husband and a wife should still remain sacred. Look what is it like to be on your husband or wife’s side so you can know what is it like to be in her life. Being married is being united, you do things together even in a different way. A husband protects, provides, understands, and makes sure his family is intact WHILE a wife should care, make sure the relationship of the family is will remain strong, and her number one rule as a wife is to be there for her family. When the husband work the wife helps either at home or at his work, it is not easy to be married. We forget that at a time and those who forget…… they will surely drift away from each other. Sorry, I shouldn’t be saying things like this. It seems like my teaching enthusiasm is coming out.” I said covering my embarrassment with a sip on my glass.

I look at him to see him looking at me then he looks at his sister again. I need to be careful, my knowledge and beliefs in my previous life are coming together. Once people get so annoyed and suspicious of me it will be trouble.

“It seems like Miss Witman is wiser as anyone else, not just that but you are also different in a special way. I am sure you already know of Catherine’s parents’ matter. If I were you, what will you do to prevent your sister and her husband to stop fighting and avoiding each other for the sake of their daughter? I tried many ways I can think of but they still remain as they are even if they will join Catherine in a meal they are still cold to one another.” Alejandro asks making me sigh.

‘SO now I am a marriage consultant? Ahhh and I just came here to get the Duke’s attention. Well, might as well help him perhaps he will move on after. After all, this is all for Catherine too.’ I utter in my mind as I take a deep breath.

“If it will be me I will set them up to each other like the time when they first meet each other. Somehow they might need to remember how they started. Get them to understand the other. Ask your sister to join her husband to see what he does at work and the same way with her husband. If it won’t work then… might as well let fate take over.” I said as I look at the couple who are so apart from each other.

“I hope so as well. Please excuse me Miss Witman; I have to attend to some matter. It is really nice to see you. You look so beautiful.” he said as he smiles and nods at me before he walks towards the crowd making me take a deep sigh and look in the direction of the Mayor to see him talking to my mother and some other women.

I remain on that side as I drink my wine when I suddenly smile. I fix my dress then place the glass on the table and take a grape and eat it.

“5.” I utter as I play a piece of a grape in my hand.

“4, 3, 2…”

“Miss Witman, can I take a few moments of your time.” I smile hearing that man’s voice behind me.

I turn around and smile seeing the Duke of Cornwall and some other gentleman walking towards me.

“Oh, Your Grace what can I do for you?” I ask with a curtsy as they stop just in front of me.

“Miss Witman I would like to introduce to you the Marquess of Lindsey and the Marquess of Isle of Ely. Gentlemen this is the young woman I told you about, Miss Zorenia Witman.” the Duke said as the two gentlemen lean and one at a time kiss the back of my hand.

“It is nice to finally see the young Miss. His Grace has said many good things about you.” the Marquess of Isle of Ely said as he takes my hand and kiss it before he stands straight and I look at them without showing emotion but rather my usual serious face.

They take time telling me things as I just smile as I listen and nod at them. I can see that these men are well-known and important as these 3 gentlemen I am with due to those whisperings and people looking towards us.

“By the way seeing how dignified the young miss is…… I think she deserves to get a title for herself. What do you think Your Grace?” the Marquess of Lindsey said making me silently smile to myself.

“Well, saying that I was also thinking about that. I have seen and heard many things about the young miss all over the city. What does the young miss say if I will try to get you a title of your own?” The Duke said making me take a deep breath.

“I will be honored to Your Grace’s offer.” I said making the 3 gentlemen smile and nod to one another.

“That is great; I will try talking to the King about it. I will try to get you into his presence.” the Duke said making me sigh and smile as I look at the floor trying to be casual.

I give a hidden evil smirk as I look at the Duke. Finally, now we’re talking. I know this is like my ticket so I can return and go with my plan of revenge so I am so happy now. Come to think of it, how long have we been staying here? A month or so? I have to keep going even if it looks too soon. The question is, in which way will I torment those people?