The Duchess Contract

Playing your mother's broken piano again, this house doesn't need music and you don't deserve it. This old thing should have been firewood ages ago. Mom, can we turn this room into my closet? Exactly a spinster who can't get married. What use is it? Get out, I'll handle her. Oh. there's your Cinderella, Elena, can you stop making a scene every single time? No more tears; he's not worth them. He never was. And then the sky cried for me because I couldn't. I know, the Countess sent me a letter yesterday, she's coming for tea this afternoon, did she not tell you? Albert is the heir. The countess is a widow from the von Honenheim family. They have business deals. Their interaction is just decency. This mother, you know what they were doing in I know. And what of it? Elena, you've been married to us for three years. What have you done for this family? Have you given me a grandson? Have you helped Albert close a single deal? Oh lady, I'm here. I heard you got that new siata tea. There you are. Come sit down. You always know what to say. What are you standing there for? Sit down. Oh right, that tart you baked last time. I thought about it. Recipe was fine, just the heat. My cook tweaked it. You should try me. I'm more of a stranger here than that bare tree outside. No one will call me back. No one will even notice I'm gone. Run little mouse. There's no place for you here. The mistress says you're out by tonight. Your things are already packed. Elena, don't take it personal, this household has no room for failures. they want to see me break, they want tears, they won't get them, not one. Don't think about where you're going, just move the body knows what to do.

I'm terribly sorry, it's all my fault. I don't know where else. I can go. My stepmother never loved me, her heart belonged only to her own two children. I was never permitted to study alongside my stepsiblings, so I would kneel by the door watching their lessons in secret.

I need to work hard to be worthy of this family. I will learn to be a proper villainess. Oh darling, seems your Cinderella has returned. Albert, who is she? Elena, calm down, it's totally normal for men of my status to have mistresses, you're being too unreasonable. Don't stop, Albert. Elena, you don't fit in this house anymore, you can't stay here. Albert, what exactly do you mean. the Ronhof family needs a wife who can bring social value and connections? You're nothing but a useless ornament with no value at all. Albert.

My mom just baked this, and I snatched the biggest piece. A circus came to town today and there's a lion tamer who's two heads taller than you are lions, obedient they do, but all it did was yawn lazy thing. Elena, once I become Vautlet, I'll marry you. I finally married the person I love, I hope this life will be gentle to me. Honestly, what's the point of her being Albert's wife? She brings nothing good.

I have to, I have no home anymore. Miss, the Duke is hiring a governess for Prince Edward, not a wife, remember that. I understand. sir.

Just one bite, okay? What's your name. Elana von Berg? Come here. You try, Lyra. I don't want, all of them are bad ladies, the last one stole mom's jewelry box.