Abruptly awoken, my mind halted thy rest at the thought of Edward being no longer beside me; thankfully, he was: sleeping ever so peacefully while I lay exasperated, drenched within a cold sweat. It was still dark out, the sun yet to bring day upon us all. The dream I had experienced was so vivid, so surreal it would baffle even the mind of a certified hypnotic. In my dream, I had woken with no one beside me; my room looked as if it had been abandoned for years, even the bedsheets I lay in deteriorated throughout time.
All life had left the manor, nor did it have any to begin with, albeit more than ever before. It was only a few minutes after, that heard the wailing of a newborn protruding into my room from outside the door. "On what occasion did a child occupy this manor?" I asked myself, trying to recollect my memories, yet to no avail as there were none. "I suppose I must calm this child, whoever they may be." I feigned, anxiety concealing my confused and stern features. Walking down the dimly lit halls, I followed the sound of the weeping baby, finding myself in front of the room of mother and father. Commencing into the room, it was no longer furnished with the grand king-sized bed, an elegantly styled vanity mother would sit and brush her hair; it had turned into a nursery fit for a newborn.
"How peculiar!" Exclaimed I, observing the nursery from the cot to the mobile. The cot had been covered with a white cloth, presumably covering the infant. I strayed to the resting place of the weeping little one, cautiously removing the blanket and revealing a horrid sight that transfixed me. There it was, it resembled not of a newborn child, but that of a small goblin perceived in a child's fairy tale.
As small as my palm, its skin was red and its features not clear; the poor thing could barely open it's squinting eyes, and the mouth was a gaping black hole. At this very moment, I was quivering in fear, frightened of what this meant or symbolised, I felt guilty that it even had a beating heart. What was this thing doing here? Is this a bad omen? Before the sudden abundance of thoughts could go on any longer, I had woken to realise it was only another one of my nightmares.
"Elaine, are you alright?" Edward spoke throughout the silence, presumably awake due to my tossing and turning.
"Do not fret, Edward, it was only a bad dream."
"Elaine, sweat is covering you," Placing the back of his hand to my head, he felt my burning skin "Elaine! Your skin is boiling!" Edward whisper-yelled, wishing not to wake the whole manor.
"I am fine Edward. Do not concern yourself and return to sleep!"
"Not until you have been properly cared for."
I was thankful for the darkness as if it had been light, my face would be as crimson as the Persian carpets decorating the parlour. Edward shimmied his way out from the heavy quilt and over to the basin, filling it with water from the jug and dipping a small towel within the water, squeezing out the excess water soon after. Usually, it was I that would care for him, but that now seems to be out of the question. "I always do this for my mother, she seems to have come down with a never-ending cold." He informed, fluffing my pillow and placing the cold towel upon my head.
"She must heal in time; to leave behind a boy so wonderful is truly preposterous." Said I, giggling and finding his hand within the dark, griping it lightly. Edward only laughed a little, slipping his hand out of mine and sliding the covers up to my nose.
"I hope she may heal soon as well." Said he, his voice glum and monotonous. So suddenly, Edward had lost his alacrity. "Edward, whatever has made you so grim all of the sudden?" Asked I, as he made himself comfortable next to me once again.
"She will have to leave soon, I'm afraid mother is growing weaker by the day." Said he, starting to sniffle and weep into the pillow. I did not know what to say, for I have not lost anyone so far. Patting and tracing circles upon his back, I tried to assuage him of the pain he must be experiencing.
"If your mother may leave soon, she will leave to the heavens and meet the Lord, who will comfort and gift her a better life." Said I.
"The village people speak of the Lord as if he has helped them; ever since I was born, he helped them no longer. How will I know if the Lord is the good person that everyone depicts him to be?" Asked Edward, baffling me. I truly had no abrupt answer for Edward's query like the ones before, it was as if he was asking me to describe the lands I have yet to tread on. "I do not have a clue Edward, but I do know that it is not your fault and that you could not bring such unfortunates. The Lord is here to guide us, not help us." I averred my opinion strongly. Edward had calmed himself after what I had said, now finding my hand and grasping it with his own shaky ones. "Sleep now Edward, for morning has yonder to rise."
Waiting for Edward to fall asleep once more, I soon rest my heavy eyes as well. When the sun had finally risen, so had I, witnessing the other side of my bed empty. It was sad that I could not wake before Edward had taken his leave, I also had hoped he managed to exit easily and hastily. As I sat and watched the outside from my window, thinking about all sorts of topics that emerged within my head. My mind remembered the dream I had dreamt last night, and the horrors that I had perceived. It brought a shiver down my spine at the sight of the alien-like infant, although I happened to be more curious as to why that dream had occurred in the first place. I remember not of ever seeing a child of that description, neither knowing that mother and father's room had been re-furnished and changed into a nursery. "Young miss, how are you feeling this morning?" Asked Millie, walking into my room with some tea.
"Not too well, I'm afraid," Taking the teacup, I sipped the herbal goodness that eased my sore throat. "I presume Edward had made a safe exit?"
"Of course! That I made sure of, young miss."
Walking over to me, Millie placed a hand upon my forehead and sighed. "You must keep to yourself for today or else this cold will not pass."
"That should not be a problem, for it seems like every day I am sick and told to isolate myself from others!" Chuckled I, spreading some light-heartedness upon my grim reality, a tactic in which I used to keep myself sane. "Your father should come to the realisation soon. If not, we shall have to find a solution ourselves." Suggested Millie. I nodded my head and continued to gaze outside.
While observing the serene nature, a carriage was making its way along the coarse road to the manor. It had the details of a simple carriage, polished mahogany walls enclosing those who were inside. The carriage did not pique my curiosity, as I thought it would be another of my father's friends or colleagues that he would discuss business with; although, I thought wrong.
"Young miss, I have forgotten that I was to dress you for today! Your father has a visitor just for you."
"A visitor? For me?"
"Yes! Now come here, you must be wearing your best! That goes for your behaviour as well." Instructed Millie. I obliged, my curiosity now quite enlightened.
When I had been dressed within my most formal gown, Millie and I had made our way to the drawing-room, where we found father with unfamiliar visitors. "Ah! Here she is!" Father announced, I felt Millie lightly press her finger to my neck, as to stipulate me to curtsy in respect. "Master Addington, Lady Addington, this is my daughter, Elaine." Father introduced me, to which that introduction rendered my fear to pass its meridian. It seemed like a dream, all eyes were on me and yet I felt no gazes deeply inspect or show signs of disgust within their expressions; it was a nice change alas, did not make me feel any less apprehensive.
"Oh my, isn't she a beauty?" Lady Addington asked her husband, who only nodded at her statement. Coming closer to me, she held my chin up and observed my face. "Elaine dear, this is my son, Emilio." Said she, gesturing for her son to come by her side with a smile of meretricious.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Elaine."
"Likewise, Emilio."
Emilio smiled, reaching for my hand and placing a small kiss on the top. I was arrogated with feelings of confusion, embarrassment, and something new that I could not describe. If this was a game, I would be the neophyte within it.