Chapter Text
Annabel’s not really the one to enjoy going out or meeting new people. She usually stays inside and at rarer occasions join her husband in discussions with people she can’t name. It’s not that she dislikes people but more so that she values her time alone. Unlike her husband, Percy. For the 6 years they’ve been married he has sure grown a lot more confident, her on the other hand is much more quiet and less playful than she used to be in her early twenties. She wanted to marry the man that’d beat her in chest, of course her little game didn’t last long and she ended up marrying the man her father choose, not that cared much, she knew her scheme would bring her to nothing. Still, it was fun while it lasted. Annabel sometimes gets nostalgic of her youth, when used to refuse any suitor that came at her door. When she think about it, despite all different type of men she was offered to choose from none of them really attracted her or stood out to her. Does she finds Percy to be an handsome man? No, not really, he is most average but he’s docile.
Annabel’s just glad she isn’t stuck with an awful husband, her security is way more important than if she’s attracted to him or not. She just recently celebrated her 31th birthday, her father expected her to have a child by now but that’s not the case. She often lies and says they just haven’t been lucky, truth is Annabel tries to avoid having sex with Percy as much as she can. It’s never satisfying and more so feel like another chore she has to take care of.
“I won’t be here tomorrow.”
The words of her husband threw Annabel out of her daydreaming, she turned her head to meet him.
“Oh, where are you going?”
She asked, not that she was upset by the news but more so curious.
“I’ll meet the direct heir of the Vandernacht family! We were lucky enough to be invited, so I’ll try befriend him.”
He responded quite excitedly.
“For business you now?” Percy added, as if it wasn’t obvious enough to his wife.
Annabel has obliviously heard about the Vandernacht family before, an incredibly rich and prosperous business, or so she’ve heard. She was struck by curiosity, not only for how exactly did someone like Percy had the chance to befriend someone as such but more so about the Vandernacht family itself.
“Could I come?”
She asked, almost in a shy tone.
Percy turn his attention back to the one he married, he pondered for a bit before giving her his answer.
“I don’t see why not. Their son Theodore has a sister, well, she’s much younger than you but you can always try and get closer to her.”
He smiled, even if him and the Vandernacht’s heir don’t enjoy one another’s company, he’d still have his wife affiliation with the family.
Annabel, from the other side of the room, had to admit she was slightly surprised by the response but nonetheless she was pleased with it. That’ll finally get her out of the awfully boring routine she hadn’t even have set for herself.
——————
Upon arrival at the Vandernacht’s mansion, Annabel took a great look at the outside of the building as well as the corridor’s interior, a really pretty manor she must admit. Much more pleasing to the eyes than her own house.
Percy made his way to discuss business as well as other stuff she didn’t cared enough to pay attention to while Annabel was escorted to different room, one as pretty as the rest of the mansion, where the two woman were set to met and have tea. She sat on one of the soft armchair on the opposite of Theodore’s sister. She sipped her tea, not her favorite sure, but will do.
“Beautiful day isn’t it?”
A simple conversation starter but to that, no response. Noticing the woman’s unwillingness to talk, she tried a different approach.
“You’re Lenore, right?”
A small nod came out of the girl sitting in front of her. Annabel took a greater looks at her, Lenore’s younger then her, she looks to be in her tweeties. She doesn’t seem to be enjoying her company, at least not yet, and is more interested in the tea that is served than what words are coming out of Annabel’s mouth.
“Not one to talk much, I see.”
“No. I just don’t want to talk to you.”
Annabel was left a little surprised by Lenore’s dry and direct response. For so long most of her tea parties had been full of snarky remarks and sugarcoated truths, but that’s not the case with Lenore, and that makes her even more curious about the other woman.
“Oh? And why’s that?”
Annabel giggled. Lenore didn’t looked amused.
“If you want to make ties with the Vandernacht’s family for business and all this other nonsense, just go talk to Theo.”
“I already have my husband talking with Theodore.”
Annabel responded calmly, talking another quiet sip of her tea.
“Am I not allowed to want to get to know you?”
“Why would you be interested in befriending me? You look older than I by at least 5 years.”
Annabel can’t quite tell if she should be offended or not, she doesn’t know Lenore’s exact age.
“And how old are you?”
“23.”
“My, you’re just in the right age marriage.”
Annabel remarked, and to that Lenore let out a light groan.
“No need to make unladylike noises like this love, we all go through this.”
It almost annoys Lenore how Annabel talk about marriage as something inescapable that should not even be a stressful or difficult situation. Annabel has learned to think this way over time, and Lenore reaction reminds her of herself at that age. She was about to add another thing to the discussion before getting interrupted by a light knock on the door, the visit has been short, but the Vandernacht heir is a busy man. And because Percy has to take his leave, so does his wife.
“Well, I’ll see you later”
Annabel said before getting up and letting the cup of tea empty.
“If I get the chance.”
She added, just sure to not make too much of a promise, their next meeting all depends on whether Theodore and Percy wish to continue talking.
On the way back home, Annabel’s found daydreaming again, or more so thinking. Lenore, despite her young age, did caught her eye. She doesn’t know much except for her name, surname and age, so if there is a second meeting, Annabel hopes to get more words out of the Vandernacht’s daughter.