Second Life’s Revenge - Chapter 42: The Story of The Past II: A Step Into The Estate

“I hate my father!” Tine roared and Helga kept her head low. “How can he adopt some random orphan? It doesn’t make any sense!”

The feeling of having a stranger in their family was unreasonable. Tine hated the idea of having someone else being part of the family. She was worried that her reputation would get destroyed.

Even if Tine hasn’t met the to-be-soon-sister of hers, she didn’t like the count’s attention to be on someone else. It was unfair to her.

Not only that, she felt betrayed. Isn’t having one daughter enough? Why would you go that far to have another child in the family? ‘It’s ridiculous. It feels like you’re betraying mom.’ Tine thought with pure hatred.

Knowing that once the count has made up his mind, Tine wouldn’t be able to do anything. It was frustrating for her, but all she could do was to sit and watch.

“We are not going to play friends with her,” Tine said with resentment.

“If Count Harrison hears this he’ll be sad,” Helga muttered, looking down the floor, as she didn’t want to meet the dark cold gaze of Tine.

Tine’s gaze pierced into Helga’s chest. For her, hearing someone else saying that to her was extremely unpleasant to her ears. So what if the count hears this? Wouldn’t it better for him to reconsider?

“I-I’m sorry,” Helga stuttered, clasping her hands together.

“Be careful of your words, Helga. If I hear something like that from your mouth again, I’ll make sure you’ll never be able to talk again,” Tine said, averting her eyes, away from Helga.

The door opened and entered Count Harrison, who had the smile of someone who has just won the lottery. He took big strides towards Tine and hugged her. It seemed like he was in a good mood.

“Lester, come in and give the present to Tine,” Count Harrison commanded.

“Yes, master,” Lester bowed before entering the room, bringing a box.

Tine’s eyes followed the box as it went closer to her. Her mouth opened and her lips were quirked up ear to ear. As she looked inside the box, her eyes sparkled and, she was speechless.

In the box was the necklace she has always wanted to have and finally, Count Harrison bought it for her. She jumped into her father’s arms with joy, thanking him.

Even after this, she still was able to recall the news she heard from Helga, and her mouth tasted bitter. Knowing that her father would always treat her like a princess, she didn’t like the idea of her having a new sibling to be pampered like she was.

Her mouth formed a frown and Count Harrison had noticed it. The count immediately comforted Tine, but she still continued to act sad in front of many people.

“Father, I don’t want to have a new sibling,” Tine said.

Count Harrison gripped his cane tighter and sighed. He had not expected Tine to complain, but he did expect Tine would be sad to hear about it. But he didn’t have a choice because the new sibling Tine had spoken of looked familiar to his deceased wife, which made him want to keep her.

“I’m sorry Tine. But I can’t turn back on my decision now. Your new sister looks strikingly similar to your mother. Especially her eyes and her personality, and I know you don’t like it, but I hope you will accept it,” Count Harrison said softly.

“It’s okay. If father says so, then I will listen,” Tine affirmed.

“My daughter’s the best,” Count Harrison chuckled, tapping a finger on her nose.

Two weeks had passed, and during that period of time, Tine was patiently waiting for her new sister to arrive in the estate. However, Tine still wasn’t happy with having a new family member.

As Tine thought about her sister’s arrival, Helga came in and announced that Laura had arrived at the estate, but Tine, who was still displeased, stayed in her room looking out of the window, not wanting to greet her at all. Instead, she just stayed still and crossed her arms together, leaning on the window.

Laura got off the carriage and was astonished by how big the estate looked. Her mouth opened but noticed that she didn’t see anyone greeting or welcoming her. It was just an old man who walked down the stairs to greet her.

“Welcome to the Alvarado estate. My name is Percival Barnet, but please, call me Percival instead. I’m the head butler of the estate and so if you have any problems please call for me,” Percival said bowing gracefully.

“M-my name is L-Laura,” She stuttered, bowing back.

Percival laughed softly, watching Laura bow back to him, which was wrong since she had just become a member of the Alvarado family.

“Please do not be so formal with me. I’m just a butler,” Percival smiled.

“Okay…” Laura said, unsure if she had the right to do so.

Everything was still overwhelming for Laura, who had just set foot in the high society. Not only that, but she also didn’t have a clue about what she’s supposed to do.

Laura was inexperienced, and after all, she used to be a commoner who only raised to a higher status after being adopted by the count. And that time she still had no clue what the count had looked like.

“Please follow me, Miss Laura,” Percival said, setting foot into the estate.

Still looking out the window, Tine puffed and sat on a chair. Just what did her eyes see? Looking at Laura’s ragged and dirty clothes, obviously, there was a big distinction between the two.

“Disgusting,” Tine said, rolling her eyes. “What kind of clothes was she wearing? This is why she’s a peasant. Not even worthy to stand in the social circle.”

Tine massaged her temples and felt her anger rising up. She had never felt so angry and it was a first for her head to ache out of rage.

Remembering what Count Harrison said about her new sister reassembling her mother, she thought about it, and it was a lie. Tine couldn’t accept it. It was just her eyes that looked like her mother’s, but the way she acts? No, it was completely different.

Tine clicked her tongue, looking away from the window. Either way, she needed to at least greet her new sister. But that doesn’t mean they have to get along. Since Tine needed to keep her status up.

After all, she was called the belle amongst the women. With her blonde hair, pale skin, and the dignified look the other women in the society adored her. In front of them, she acted kind and gentle, but they were just for a show.

Laura looked up the high ceiling, clasping both hands together onto her chest. Being in an unfamiliar place she was a bit scared. After all, the life she had been living in all these years was just simple. Living in a small house with five children in it.

The other maids who had witnessed seeing their new lady stopped moving their hands and whispered to each other. It made Laura uncomfortable and she had a hint that they were talking about her hair.

Laura knew long before that her hair was different from the others. The other kids who saw her hair bullied her, but Luke always stayed by her side when they came to her.

But now, being alone in an unfamiliar place, without anyone to protect her it might become a problem for her.

Percival stopped in front of a massive door and opened it. Laura stood behind Percival, peeking in the room and her mouth opened. Seeing the fancy looking couch and decorations were all new to her, and she was in awe.

It wasn’t her usual normal-looking decorations.

“Please enter, Miss Laura,” Percival pleaded.

Laura took small steps to enter a new environment. Everything looked so expensive to the point where Laura didn’t want to touch or use them. She stood in the middle of the room not knowing what to do next.

She turned her head back to the door and didn’t see Percival. Laura was too engrossed with the room she was in that she didn’t hear the things Percival had told her. “Now what?” she sighed.

Still standing in the middle she played with her fingers, unmoving until hearing a knock on the door. And entered an unfamiliar face, with her hands still clasped together.

“Welcome to the estate, Miss Laura! My name is Mary, and I will be your personal maid.” Mary greeted, smiling.

It was Mary’s first time to become a personal maid of someone. Mary didn’t show it but she was very nervous but excited as well. Laura greeted back and bowed.

“Ah! Please do not bow. It’s not right,” Mary begged as her hands moved in circles.

“I’m sorry,” Laura apologized, after seeing Mary’s reaction.

“Please don’t apologize as well,” Mary cried as it was the second time that her lady had done something she isn’t supposed to do.

“I’m sorry,” Laura apologized once more. Making Marry remind Laura not to apologize to her.

Mary knew that Laura was not born a noble and understood her part. But if someone else were to hear Laura apologizing to a maid, she would get criticized badly.

It was as if Laura was showing that a maid was more superior than a noble. Which was very wrong.

“Miss Laura, this is Helga. We wish to enter your room.”

Laura got startled hearing the knock and looked at Mary confused. She was reminded of having a sister, but she had not expected her to come and visit so soon.

“E-enter,” Laura stuttered and the doors opened.

Hearing the heels clicking onto the floor, she knew the person was someone not to be messed with as she watched the silhouette that had entered the room. This made Laura feel like she didn’t belong to this place at all.

When Laura fully saw who it was, her jaw dropped. The goddess who stood tall in front of her eyes. Was the one and only daughter of the Alvarado estate, Tine Alvarado.