The Princess With a Future Set in Stone

Chapter 36: Margareta Family

            "Everything that's good is meant to come to me" -Rosalina.

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A lush garden filled with flowers of every kind was just watered.

The girl with brown hair and green eyes walked nobly through the garden. She was thirteen and in the next one year it would be her debut. But she was already eagerly planning for it.

She walked over to the place were her sister was having a tea party and pretended as if she had not known about the tea party at all.

"Oh sister! I didn't know your tea party would be held today. Mind if I join you?"

"Of course, Rosalina" Her older sister replied gently.

Conversations continued merrily over tea.

"Lady Penelope, lots of young men have been pursuing you lately! We're all waiting to know who the great Penelope Margareta will get married to"

Penelope simply smiled and didn't reply to the lady who tried to flatter her.

Rosalina clenched her fists in annoyance. She had come over to the tea party in order for attention to get turned over to her.

She had dressed exceptionally and studied all the guests Penelope had invited. Yet she wasn't even spoken to! All the attention was still focused on Penelope.

This was how it had always been.

The Margareta family had established a business that was passed on from generation to generation.

Though a noble family, they rarely participated in matters of high society; up until the current head of the Margareta family decided to change this custom.

The current Count Margareta still focused on expanding the family business but then decided to spread his influence in high society.

This could be accomplished through marriage with a more influential family. This goal could be achieved as the Count only had two daughters.

His older daughter was named Penelope and had just turned sixteen. The younger one was named Rosalina and was thirteen.

The Count's wife had died after giving birth to Rosalina. The Count did not bother to remarry as his focus was solely on his business.

He gave his two daughters the best of everything and provided them tutors that had taught them how to be prim and proper ladies.

Despite the two receiving the same education, there was a large gap in gracefulness between the two daughters.

Penelope had always ousted Rosalina in everything. Manners. Grace. Luck. Knowledge. Wits. Favour. 

Though Rosalina wasn't ugly, it was a bit hard to call her pretty. Her looks were just average.

However, Penelope was a stunning beauty. Brown hair and cat-like alluring green eyes.

Outstanding men tried their best to woo her, while only barely well-off suitors considered Rosalina as a potential wife.

Rosalina was disliked in ladies' social circles as she was known for her short temper, while Penelope conducted herself appropriately.

"Does sister not feel any of her suitors is worthy of the Margareta family?" Rosalina said sarcastically trying her best to irk Penelope.

She just smiled then replied gently. "Well I have many suitors but it's proven to be difficult as they are all men of great repute. Of course you might not understand as you are yet to receive a marriage proposal"

Though her voice was gentle you could notice how sharp her words were.

Rosalina immediately squirmed in regret for trying to insult Penelope.

"Is the tea nice ladies?" Penelope ignored Rosalina's reaction and made the conversation move on.

Rosalina always hated when Penelope ignored her. It was almost as if Penelope didn't think of her as important.

Frankly, Rosalina hated Penelope since they had been younger. Why? Because she was always second best.

She had never received a single marriage proposal. After all, who would pursue her when her older sister was still a single young maiden?

Rosalina stared at her sister in sheer jealously as she escorted her guests out as the tea party was over.

Penelope's movement was graceful. Everything she did was proper. "Rosalina"

Rosalina flinched as Penelope called her name. "Come with me inside. Let's have a talk"

'A talk?' Rosalina thought to herself.

She had never had a merry discussion with Penelope, despite the fact that they were sisters.