The first issue that came with her new decision was the fact that she had a high chance of perishing under that hateful Lucian's sword. The second was the Castellans… yet again.
But she was calm, and despite having made up her mind, Verity remained locked in her room, dancing, singing, and plotting for the future.
The day Verity stepped outside was a day like every other. Having lost Rosanna, the Castellan manor was as bleak as could be, filled with an air of toxic sophistication and routine.
From the tiny watch gifted to her by Rosanna, Verity could tell the family had just started breakfast. This was the perfect chance for her to strike.
Quick but calm steps made their way across the manor's halls, and soon Verity had made her arrival. She knocked twice and could feel the activity within the room quieten, as if to welcome her. What a hilarious idea that was.
The large door was opened, and what came to view was a large dining table, surrounded by the Castellan duke and duchess, along with their two sons, while servants stood around to service them.
All eyes fell on her, and the common theme of displeasure emanated from every single individual… including the servants?
Verity rolled her eyes internally. How cliché. She was no roach. Why the fervent dislike?
Isolde motioned to the butler with her eyes, and with a nod, the well-built older gentleman in a neat Victorian suit approached Verity.
"Miss, I'll be escorting you—"
Verity slammed the door shut with a loud bang, startling everyone. The butler's polite face twisted slightly, but he remained stable, voice colder than before.
"I will—"
[I seek audience with the duke, or I will drown myself in the water fountain.]
The large words boldly written with a chalky texture on a leather sheet were raised to the tallest height Verity's hands could extend for all to see, read, and understand clearly.
Sharp eyes glared at her, but she remained unperturbed.
Isolde frowned in anger. "What is the meaning of this?"
"Child," the Duke's livid eyes met hers, "excuse yourself this moment."
Verity sighed, then nodded before making a polite curtsy.
She slipped out a feather pen from who knows where and wrote,
[See you in the fountain then.]
The door was opened before a response could be given, and the sound of rushed steps was heard.
The child… was running. To do what?
Everyone:…
Everyone:!!!
Isolde gasped, "Darling!"
The Duke rose up with a start, slamming his hands on the table.
"That despicable—Butler! Capture that brat and have her chained down if you will!"
"Yes, sir!"
That day the Castellan household saw a startling scene.
The gloomy street kid that had hidden herself away ever since the death of the young miss suddenly burst through the entrance door and, before the shocked eyes of frozen servants, leapt into the fountain in one go.
A startled scream escaped a maid just in time for the arrival of the huffing butler, who quickly ran to pull up the crazy child who was swiftly drifting down the fountain.
The pool of water was so small it could be escaped, but the crazy brat had willingly flung herself to the depths, uncaring of her life or death.
Pulling the child up, he was about to sternly reprimand her when a vicious kick hit his face, sending him backwards.
Having slipped out of the poor butler's hands, who now had a bleeding nose, Verity resumed her drowning, letting the water pull her deeper and deeper until her consciousness blurred…
***
Verity woke up chained to a tiny sofa in her room and couldn't help rolling her eyes. The first time she got furniture was to chain her down on it. How very flattering.
She remained like that until she was so bored she started recalling random stories from her past life and laughed with every funny thought that appeared.
Perhaps her action had been too bizarre and loud, as when the maid who came to serve her food arrived, there was heavy reluctance on her face, as one would if left to care for a rabid dog.
Feeling naughty, Verity raised her head, took a sharp breath, then barked.
"!!"
The first bark startled the maid, and having broken the dam of irrationality within, Verity grinned more wickedly, then went full mad dog—barking, growling, even howling in intervals.
Needless to say, the already cowardly maid couldn't handle such stimulation and ran away crying after sliding the food to her feet.
Verity:….
Smash! The loud shattering of ceramic echoed through the room as she sent the food flying with a speed that would make anime footballers proud.
She sighed.
Thinking of how exhausting this stage of her plan would be, she threw her head back and dozed off.
***
Apparently, all the servants had been too frightened by her earlier action, and along with the testimonial from the weeping maid, no one wanted to risk anything, despite the promise of a hefty sum.
The Duke had no choice but to invite Marvis again, which led to the awkward staring contest the two former partners were having at the moment.
"I won," Verity snickered as the sullen Marvis shook his head in agitation.
"Verity, what is this?" he asked with a serious look.
He knew this child had lost some kind of chain to herself after the young Rosa's death, but never thought it would be this bad.
"I swear," Verity sighed, "I just sought audience. All I need is a talk with the Duke. Is that so hard?"
Marvis stared at her with skepticism. "And that was your brilliant idea?"
She laughed. "You'll never understand, Marvis. I'll let you know that, between me and the Castellans, only fragile tolerance remains. I despise them as much as they despise me, yet I am cursed to remain in this godforsaken manor of theirs, even after my only consolation is gone."
"If I am being kept in bondage, isn't it only right that my demands are at least met?"
Marvis shook his head. "You shouldn't speak like that…"
"Marvis, I'm serious," Verity frowned. "Tell the Duke to grant me audience—that is all I ask."
"And if not, freedom, either by life or by death."
Marvis left Verity's room feeling, yet again, astonished by the uncanny maturity that resided within the child. To some extent, she had always kept it at bay, but now she seemed uncaring if anyone was to see.
But then again, if she was so willing to embrace death—really, what was there to fear?
Verity wasn't sure what conclusions were being made, but by the third day of having been fed food by a heavily trembling maid, she decided to take matters into her own hands if the Duke's decision remained the same.
Luckily, on the fourth day, the Grand Duke finally made up his mind.