She moved carefully the next day down the halls of the mansion. Such estate was literally a world in itself, vast and bigger than one could think, and silent.
One could smell power and wealth from every part of the house, from the crystal chandeliers overhead to the windows that looked at the perfectly manicured gardens.
The ceilings were dauntingly lofty with elaborate ornate, and the air perfumed with the faintest scent of polished wood and expensive cologne.
It had its beauty, but it was distinctively chilling.
And she felt it was not meant for her.
Not because she was not worthy, no, she refused to believe that.
But because this world had been built without her in mind.
Heavily weighed down by the Sebastien name, even more so than the heaviest piece of jewelry she had ever worn, she walked along corridors where she could feel the eyes of the staff upon her. Their faces were placid, as far as she could tell; they had little to say to each other, but She wasn't that naive. There was curiosity beneath their polite faces.
"Who is she, really?"
They must have been expecting someone else.
She knew it the moment she caught some of them with hushed whispers in the hall, the way the maids gave her quick looks when they thought she was not looking.
"I think this is not Renwick's daughter."
The mistress will not like it at all.
Her stomach churned at the thought, but she gritted her teeth and marched forward.
Because, to her, it had seemed as if whole life was lived being ignored and underestimated.
This time, she would not retreat into the background.
She would make herself visible.
Roxanne eventually found her way to the grand sitting room, its walls were lined with bookshelves filled with first editions and artefacts that looked so expensive to even touch.
In the center of the room, near a chimney burning despite the mild weather, there was Ciell, sitting down.
He feels relaxed, on a leather chair, his long fingers exploring with lazy interest against the rest of the chair.
There was a glass of dark amber liquid on the table beside him.
He looked very much like the king of his kingdom.
His gaze went to her, unreadable.
"You have been wandering," he said.
It was not a question.
She met his gaze evenly. "Is that a problem?"
"Oh no, not at all." Ciel smiled slightly, as if entertained by her defiance. "I was just curious to know how long it would take you before you realize this house is not as welcoming as it seems."
Her eyes flickered a bit. So he knew.
Of course he did.
"Your staff expected someone else. Reina." She said bluntly.
Ciel didn't flinch, he did not even pretend to be surprised.
"that is a natural expectation" he said.
Her hands twisted at her side. "Did you?"
He smirked. "I knew what my parents intended for me, but their expectations do not dictate my choices."
His words should have reassured her, instead, they unsettled her.
Because it meant he had chosen to keep her, despite everything.
And she still does not know why.
The sharp ring of the landline phone cut through the air, making Roxanne tense.
Ciel barely reacted before he reached for the receiver. "Yes?"
There was a pause. Then, his lips curled up in amusement
"She is right here."
Roxanne stiffened as he extended the phone receiver towards her.
"Go on," he said. "Say hello."
She swallowed hard before taking the receiver, pressing it against her ear. "This is Roxanne Sebastien."
The Silence that followed seemed like forever.
Then the voice began, slow, silky smooth, languid, and very feminine, pierced with amused disappointment.
"So, it's you"
Her grip on the phone tightened a bit. "Mrs Sebastien."
"I believe 'Mother' would be more appropriate now, would you not agree?"
Roxanne's jaw clenched. She could hear the disapproval in her voice.
She was not who they expected.
She was not the daughter in law they had planned for.
And they were not pleased.
"I believe you are settling in well?" Mrs Sebastien continued talking.
Roxanne knew this game so well. It was the same one Evelyn, her step mom, played.
Words laced with hidden meaning, intended for her to slip.
She would not give them that satisfaction
"As well as one can in a place where they were not expected," she replied in a smooth manner.
A soft exhale came from the other end of the phone. Could it be amusement or irritation? It was hard to tell.
"I admire your honesty," Mrs Sebastien finally said. "But tell me, do you understand the position you have been placed in?"
Roxanne looked at Ciel. He was also looking at her, his eyes glinting with interest.
She lifted her chin before responding. "Yes, I understand it perfectly."
"Good. Then you should also know and understand that being a Sebastien is not simply about wearing the name."
It was a warning.
Roxanne forced a smile. "Of course. And I intend to wear it well."
There was silence. Then, Mrs Sebastien chuckled.
"You are bold. I will give you that "
The line went dead.
Roxanne lowered the receiver slowly, her fingers tight around the phone.
She turned around to catch Ciel's smirk of amusement.
"Interesting response," he murmured.
"I take it your mother does not like surprises."
"Not particularly."
Roxanne exhaled, placing the phone back in its cradle.
"She will test me," she said more to herself than to him.
Ciel took a sip of his coffee. "She will break you if you let her."
Roxanne turned to face him fully. "Then I won't let her."
Their eyes locked.
For a moment, Ciel's smirks softened into something else.
Then it was gone.
He stood, straightening his cuffs. "Good."
And with that, he felt her standing in the grand, empty sitting room.
Alone.
But not defeated.
She had survived Evelyn.
She could survive this, too.