"Did I startle you? My apologies, young lady" a man with a mask apologized
I was back in the garden. Then meeting Mrs. Snowfield and being back again wasn't a dream? Did I return without even recognizing the difference between it?
"Oh... No, I'm fine. I'm just about to sneak and fool around because I thought you were someone else" I excused myself
"Ms. Nana is interesting" he smiled
"I'm sorry. I forgot my manners, I hope Mr. can pardon me" I regretted
"It's fine. I thought coming here wasn't fun at all" he replied
"That's relieving then. Is Mister with Mrs. Snowfield? I can show you around" I offered
"Yes, I am. I'll trouble you then" he agreed
We wander around and I tried my best to let him enjoy my company.
"I wonder why Ms. Nana is good at accommodating people?" he asked
"Because I like it. I want to see everyone smile when they are with me" I responded
"I guess the farces aren't true about you at all," he said
I stopped.
"I'm sorry, I didn't intend to ruin your mood" he retracted
"No, no. It's fine. Just this morning, I came to enlightenment. I am not good with people except with the servants who played with me when I shut myself to the world. You are the first company I had and so I tried my best to welcome you" I spoke honestly
"That's good to know. I guess Ms. Nana isn't bad at all. It's just that, it's troubling me that you are so comfortable talking to strangers. What if I am not related to Mrs. Snowfield and was sent here to kill your family?" he asked
"Mr., you're a good comedian. If you planned to do that, you'd kill me in the garden beforehand. Besides, I don't feel like Mr. is a dangerous man" I replied
"Then why didn't you ask my name?" he inquired
"I don't know. When I saw you, I sensed familiarity. Besides, you already called my name and I missed the chance to ask you" I smiled
"Ms. Nana is fascinating. You easily trust someone without even thinking. I should say you are quite reckless" he spoke
"That's not it, Winter" I murmured
I placed my hands in my mouth as I called him Winter. Why did I do that? Oh right! Maybe because I am excited about my engagement this winter. I will meet my husband that same day I will be tied to him. I was startled by the maid in front of me when I snapped back to myself.
"My lady, Mrs. Snowfield was about to leave and is asking for your presence," the maid said after she bowed
"Mr..."
I was about to call him when he just disappeared. I shrugged my shoulder and followed the maid. I received a gift when I accompanied her to her carriage. I was so curious that she noticed I am glancing inside her carriage. That's so awkward.
"Ms. Nana, are you okay?" she asked me
"Yes, Madam. I was just a little curious about your carriage. It was so mesmerizing that I want to have a look inside it" I said
She laughed at me. She's so kind and comforting. It is my pleasure to be part of her family. I don't care if my husband is cold or even if he doesn't love me anymore. I don't care if he's disabled or ugly, I will count my blessings instead of focusing on the things I can't have.
"Come in then, suit yourself" she permitted
"No, it's inappropriate. I know that Mrs. Snowfield is tired and needs a rest. I won't disturb her anymore. I hope you have a safe trip, madam" I said
She nodded and I helped her in entering her carriage. I went back and saw my parents waiting for me.
"Young lady is so carefree today. May I know why you seemed to be energetic?" my mother questioned
"Mother, I am always like this. But, mother... Can I go out for fun?" I asked and I saw their bewildered faces when they've heard it
"You are going out?" my father clarified
"Yes, I will visit some clothing shops. I remember you told me to buy some new clothes for winter" I replied
"Honey, I think our daughter is haunted" my mother feared
"Mom, if I remain stagnant and hide myself to the world, I won't encounter any changes. I just realized that if I stay this way, I might regret it in the future" I asserted
"My princess is becoming independent. I'm afraid she won't need me anymore" my father smiled
"I will always look for you if I'm troubled. I will never neglect you," I promised
"Then go, Miss Aria will accompany you," my father allowed
I waited for Miss Aria to prepare the carriage and other things. We went to the city and I'm amused by the noise of the crowd.
"It's like you're enjoying yourself in the crowd again. Did you overcome the past?" she asked
"If I continue to dwell in the past, I have no right to foresee the future" I responded and smiled
She giggled. She invited me to wander in the streets and I am very much delighted to accept it. We ate food that was brought by my father every time he went home. My family let me tasted every food in the streets and every cuisine for the rich. I'm blessed to have parents like them. I am not lacking something nor spoiled by everything. As I strolled in one area, I saw a group of beggars crowding a shop. Why is it?
I got closer and saw that they're giving sweaters to them. I hid in the crowd until I've reached the entrance of the shop. I bumped into a girl holding a lot of sweaters. We both fell and the sweaters flew in the crowd.
"Please do not push! Everyone will have one" she yelled in the crowd
A man with a good figure offered his hands to me and kissed my hands when I found my balance.
"Such an angel falling from the sky. It's a blessing for us for you to be led in this shop" he spoke
"I'm no angel nor did I fell in the sky. Excuse me, can I shop for my clothes?" I asked him
"Yes, it's my pleasure to serve you, Ms. Angel" he responded
"Lea! Why are you fooling around again!" the girl scolded the man
"Lea?" I murmured
"I'm sorry dear customer. We are close right now and have nothing to sell. We already gave our sweaters to them" the girl apologized to me
"Delia, you are too much. I am still your elder sister. How can you even hit me like that?" the man said in a woman's voice
I'm stunned in my location. Is this man a woman? Is he... she... cross-dresser?
"I'm sorry if I frighten you, let's get inside" Delia requested
I didn't turn them down and entered. They served me tea and let me sit as they waited for their parents outside who's giving more sweaters.
"It's fascinating to see rare people like you becoming generous to them. I'm so pleased" I mumbled
"We're sorry dear customer, if you can wait, I will get your size and deliver your clothes to your house. There will be no charges in the delivery. It's our negligence to make you wait in the crowd and fell hard in the ground" Delia apologized
"No. It's fine. I am in no hurry in my winter clothes. Besides, I am entertained by how this world was different from when I saw this" I mumbled
"That's kind of weird. Do you mean you never left your house until now?" Lea asked with her female clothes on
"Yes" I replied and smiled
"I am so glad that I saw an angel" she murmured
"This is my elder sister Lea. She's married. She's here to visit the shop. I am Delia, I assisted my parents in managing this small clothing shop. You see, my parents were old and my sister is already pregnant with her baby, yet she's still immature and fools girls around" she introduced
"I think your sister is free-willed and energetic. She's giving me warmth and optimism" I complimented her
I don't know why do I always feel a familiarity with the people I spoke to. Is it because of that strange dream? But, what was that dream again? Why can't I remember it at all? Delia guided me and got my size and the designs I wanted for my winter clothes. My engagement is this winter. I wonder if my future husband enjoys the snow too. Will he accompany me in the garden if I want to play in the snow? Maybe no, I'm now a lady, and playing in the snow should not be my doing. I should now concentrate on being a good wife and a mother to our future children. I sighed. Is this the life I've chosen? Why do I feel much regret in my heart as if I don't want to end up like this?
When I returned, I locked myself inside the library. I will miss this place when I left. I've read every book inside this library and there were many good books here. I wonder if our house will have a library too. If it has, I will never leave that room unless I have seen every book. I sat down as I found myself holding a history book. Eh? I'm not that fond of history, this is the only book Miss Aria made me cry for all those lessons and written discussions.
It's a book about the royal family lineage. I've heard of it. I think even though, I've slept when Miss Aria taught me that. I chuckled as I remembered I answered her about food when she's asking for a queen's name. What was that queen's name again? Hmmm...
"Olivia Evergarden?" I've searched
I turned the pages and saw Olivia's background. Olivia is the perfect example of a role model in her youth. She's the daughter of a marquis and a retired teacher. Olivia was good at everything. Food and table arrangement, tea making, flower arrangement, dancing, singing, calligraphy, literature, arts, and even archery. Olivia was taught at a young age and was favored by the old King because of her exceptional talents. Later on, the king granted Olivia a marriage to the crown prince, however, the king fell ill and dispute among the princes overwhelmed her.
The third prince fancied her and let her live in prosperity after he killed his brother, the crown prince. This time, humor spread throughout the country that Queen Olivia betrayed the crown prince and overthrew him to let the third prince get the throne. But the new king isn't loyal at all. Life became more arduous to Olivia. The harem who she managed well before, plotted against her. She was found having an affair and forced to drank poison as her sentence. When a civil war apprehended the King, the next in line proved Olivia's innocence. She died unjustly, yet nobody dared to open this story again.
"How come it's in this book? If it's been a long time? Was this fabricated?" I asked myself
I find the author of the book at the front and back page and saw an old paper. I opened it and it read: "I can't wait for you anymore, Wind. ~Olivia"
I was shocked by those lines. I shed tears and can't stop crying. Why did I felt this letter was meant for me? I heard a knock on the table where I'm in and saw my childhood best friend standing there and watching me cry.
"Why is the ugly girl crying? Did your man break your engagement?" Reynard asked
"You sly fox! How dare you enter without asking permission? I'm still your master, aren't I?" I pouted
"Oh no! The wicked girl thinks highly of herself. I am your father's most trustworthy guard. How can I be your servant?" he asked
"You cunning animal! My father just treated you like his son. It doesn't mean you are my brother" I spoke and he laughed
"Then why is my elder sister crying?" he asked sarcastically
I stood up and grabbed his neck to pull him down and ruin his hair. How dare you bully me?
"Evil woman, leave my hair alone!" he yelled
"Oh no! My little brother was so invigorating that I loved to groom his hair!" I talked
"Stop it!" he blurted out as he tried to get away my lock. I let him out and he smirked.
"Why are you acting so proudly when you lost?" I bullied
"I just want to motivate you. Get hold of yourself! I'm not called to be the best guard if I am easily locked by a fragile girl like you" he replied
"Did you visited your sister?" I asked
"Yes" he responded
"That's good. She's so proud of you" I said and smiled
"Thank you for taking care of me. I'm indebted with your family" he mumbled
"Hey! It's not like you! I'm hungry! Let's go and eat!" I invited him
"If you continue eating sweets your husband will never love you, fatso" he exclaimed and ran
"What did you just call me? You! Hey, foxy! Slow down! I'm not a runner, you know!" I shouted
I was smacked by a rolled paper in my head when I took a U-turn. It was Miss Aria again. I hate to see her when I'm just about to fuel up. It's so frustrating. I saw the grin on Reynard's face as he sneaked inside a guest room. He's so satisfied with this outcome, huh? Brace yourself, I will tell father what you just called me.
"How many times do I have to teach you that..."
"Running the hallways is not lady-like and yelling in the corridors isn't elegant. Yes, Miss Aria, I know my mistakes. I'm sorry, I won't do it again" I said
She smacked me again. This... This is so unfair!
"Go to your room and reflect what you just did. You're not young anymore Nana, be a lady" she ordered
I sighed in frustration. I wish I can be young forever. I lied in my bed and crawled. If my future husband will be this strict, I'd escape every day to breathe. If he won't allow me to wander, I have so many ways to sneak out. I must out-witted my husband before he can control me. I pledge to myself, I will forever be myself. I won't allow myself to be killed internally and I will teach my children to live freely. I will never hire Miss Aria to teach my children. I will also be pestered when that time comes.