The Charm of the Pirate

Surprise Mr. Marquess

Roseland, December 1499.

That afternoon the sunlight felt so warm. Sofia is still busy painting on canvas, marked by her room facing Lake Ble which is blue, just as her name suggests.

A gentle breeze continued to blow Sofia's hair around, reluctantly Sofia rolling it up with the help of one of her still-clean brushes.

Sofia has been on it all day. He painted Lake Ble with many storks and lotus flowers on it.

Sofia continued to remove and add a few more colors on top of her canvas. But he always felt something was lacking when staring at his canvas that looks so perfect with the painting of the lake above.

"The funds look bad."

"Well.."

"I'll paint the mountain next time."

After getting bored, Sofia dropped her body on a large pillow that was quite thick. He straightened his legs and back that were sore from sitting too long while painting.

Same day as before. There was not a single incident that caught his attention, other than painting the beautiful Lake Ble.

Sofia Esmeralda is the daughter of Marquess Jasper in Roseland. The position of Marquess Jasper is quite high in the capital, so Sofia's life is always guaranteed.

Despite being born into an already wealthy family, Sofia never squandered the wealth her family owned. He refused to use money excessively.

Sofia is 17 years old this year. He should have made his debutante last year when he was 16. However, Sofia was reluctant to attend the party. He did not like to hang out with people he did not know, so Jasper, his father was worried that his son would be set aside from high-class association.

The next debutante party will be held in a few days. It will be Queen Roseland's birthday on December 8 on Friday night.

Jasper constantly asks Sofia to attend the debutante party on Friday night. However, as before, Sofia continues to refuse on the grounds of being uncomfortable meeting strangers.

So that his father had to rack his brain so that his son would attend the party later.

Tok

Tok

Tok

"Miss, Mr. Jasper is waiting for you in the den.."

A female servant named Elie knocked on the door.

Sofia exhaled heavily. He had expected that his father would continue to persuade him about the debutante party later.

Reluctantly, He woke up from his sleep and walked out of his room with shaky steps. His feet were too heavy to walk.

The reading room is located on the upper floor, with tall and large windows and a round dome with gold and silver ornaments. The room is full of Sofia's favorite books. From light reading to heavy reading.

Although Sofia was a noble, women were not allowed to attend school at this time. So Sofia can only learn by herself in her home reading room. Almost all of the books in this room have been read by Sofia. He knew the entire contents of the book even if one only mentioned the title.

Just this time he refused to step foot into his favorite place. Laziness began to gnaw at his feet and forced him to stop walking and return to his room.

"Should I come in?"

"Can't you just give up on this debutante?"

"Th...!!"

Sofia entered slowly, looking at her father's back that was not as fast as it used to be from a distance.

"Dad.." Sofia walked closer to the seat her father occupied.

His father looked gloomy, not a look of spirit that always emanated on his face. Jasper looks tired.

"Dad.."

"What's wrong?"

"Are you sick?"

Sofia always turns sensitive when she sees someone else getting sick. Especially if it's his father, the only family he has. Not without reason, Sofia no longer has a mother. Rossie, his mother left him and his father years ago. For no reason whatsoever.

Jasper shook his head. He was not sick, Jasper was frustrated and confused.

"Dad.."

"Is this all about debutante?" Sofia asked herself.

Jasper was shocked to hear Sofia's words. She did not expect Sofia would be moved to ask about the debutante she had always avoided.

"Actually, no."

"Then, what is all this about?"

Jasper weighed in, should he tell the truth, or not.

"Do you want to hear good news or bad news?" Jasper wants to hear Sofia's opinion.

"I don't know why this whole thing needs my opinion?"

"Because..

"You'll live it."

"I don't really understand Dad."

"But, okay.."

"Give me the bad news."

"You need to get ready." Jasper looked at his daughter intently.

"You're getting married."

Like hearing lightning in the summer, Sofia was so shocked to hear her father's confession that she accidentally dropped the fan she had been carrying since.

Sofia tried to calm down, she did not want her father to realize her shock upon hearing the bad news.

"All right.."

"All right.."

"So, what's the good news?"

Sofia was getting curious about the other news.

"Good news.."

"You're getting married."

"What?"

"Since when did bad news and good news become one thing in common?!" Sofia could no longer hide her shock now.

"Depends on which point of view."

"Come on Dad.."

"You know, I never thought about it one bit."

"I just want to stay here with you."

"Ah I'd better be a nun in town." Sofia pouted and threw her face away.

"Sophia.."

"You can't be like that."

"Dad, I don't want to marry someone I don't love."

"And besides, I love no one but you."

However, Jasper did not say anything after hearing Sofia's words.

Sofia is confused by her father's behavior. Jasper was never like this though, except when his mother used to leave him somewhere.

"Dad's fine Sofia."

"You can resist this matchmaking, if you don't want to." Jasper did not say anything, he just smiled as sincerely as possible.

"Well, if that's the case."

"I'll run in the yard, just call whenever you're bored of me." Sofia kissed Jasper on the cheek and went to his room to change clothes.

After she was done changing clothes, Sofia walked towards her backyard, then started running as usual. Running makes him excited again, he can forget all the problems that happened. It was as if all the weight had been blown away just like that as he ran fiercely.

"Miss.."

"You've been running long enough.." Elie walked towards him while carrying a towel and a bottle of drinking water.

"really?"

"It feels like it's only been a while, I don't know it's been that long."

His legs felt so sore when he suddenly stopped running. Sofia picks up the towel and bottle of drinking water that Elie brought. He wiped away the sweat that was running down his forehead, then swigged all the water in the bottle.

There was the sound of a rapid movement approaching Sofia.

"Miss.."

"Miss...." A horse-drawn carriage driver ran quite fast.

"What's up Ron? Why are you running like that?"

"There's a man rummaging through the house, miss.." Ron sounded very worried and confused.

"What?"

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know Miss.."

"Where's Dad?"

"Mr Marquess is inside Miss.."

"All right, we'll see Dad."

Sofia rushed into the house. He saw some strangers picking up valuables in his house.

"Dad.."

"What's this?" Sofia ran towards Jasper quickly.

"It's okay, baby.."

"They're just doing the right thing."

"What does that mean?"

"Do you know what vineyard we have?"

"Of course Dad.."

"We've fallen bankrupt my son."

"Our vineyard, nothing is fruitful this year."

"We can't harvest."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I remember saying you were getting married."

"Did you sell me Dad?"

"It's not like that."

"I just want you to have enough and live happily without thinking about money."

The family of Marquess Jasper in Roseland is famous for its vineyards and abundant grape harvests. They had no rival because they had been directly contracted by the kingdom. The vineyards are very wide even as vast as Roseland itself. They have a Rum factory and a variety of other wines.

"Oh Dad..."

"I don't need any of that.."

"Trust me.."

"I know my son.."

"Is it wrong for a father like me to want his son to be happy?"

"Not so Dad.."

"I'm sorry.."

"Look at all the crummy clarity you've done up to this point.."

"They took it so easily."

"It's okay Sofia.."

"Originally you're happy.."

Sofia could not help but cry, she hugged her father tightly.

Sofia knows best that her father is a hard worker. His father was very honest, he never took any more money from the harvest for himself. He always divides equally with all his employees.

"All right, Dad.."

"I'll make my debutante Friday night."

Jasper was shocked to hear Sofia's words.

"really?'

"You promised Sofia."

"Right Dad, I'll attend."

"Ah, before I forget.."

"Your husband-to-be will be there."

"What?!"

Notes :

*Debutante Ball is a magnificent dance party originally organized by the nobility. In the past, the essence of this dance was to introduce the Debutants, namely women who began to grow up. So that, they are known and can get a soul mate from fellow upper class. Debutante Ball still takes place in several countries, with diverse styles and goals.

*Marquess is a peerage. Higher than Earl and Count. Marquess therapy was under the Duke. The Duke is under the Queen. The Queen is the highest title in the State of Roseland.