Song for the chapter:
2 Nights before
"Charlotte!", Razuel called. I was already approaching the dining hall wanting to inform them that supper was ready and what the first-course meal would be, in case there were any picky eaters among them. I walked into the hall gracefully, with elegant strides, my dress flowing around my feet, just touching the cold floor.
Not wanting to anger him I increased my pace. I was happy I picked this gown to wear today as I wasn't aware we were expecting guests tonight, important guests to be precise. The dress was both simple, elegant, and decent, not looking worn out or unstylish but beautiful in its sense. With its calming baby blue color. Razuel had a 'beautiful' if you might allow me to say, personality and little things set him off.
" Yes, my lord?". I replied to him, gently bowing to the other lords and warriors as a table as a sign of respect and acknowledgment.
" We have visitors, and they would like to speak with you. Come sit with us"
" Oh! What pleasure my lords, I will join you soon, I have some loose ends I have to tie up in the kitchen". I said trying to sound as polite as I could, smiling lightly.
" I like her already" a man I suppose should be in his late 90's commented, laughing with his teeth on display.
" Be fast with it, they do not want to be kept waiting".
"I will try my possible best Razuel," I said walking away after bowing and headed for the cooking area.
I was confused as to why he or rather they would want me to sit and eat with them. Was he finally going to acknowledge me as his sister? l bet they already know that. Then why? He has never invited me to the table when he had a visitor. Ever!. I had a feeling that I wasn't going to enjoy this inevitable dinner.
Still deep in thoughts with my eyes looking ahead but my thoughts clouding my sight, I bumped into a wall, or at least I thought it was. Finally regaining my sight I soon discovered that it was one of the warriors. These warriors had bodies built like rocks for christ's sake. I would get more hurt than him and end up being the one receiving the apology.
"Am so sorry" I apologized quickly detaching my body from his and straightening my dress turned and made my way to the kitchen.
"It's ok milady", the warrior replied. I looked up at his face, smiled, nodded, and walked away, I still had a dinner to attend to. He was wearing a helmet and I was unable to see his face, could only see his eyes.
What beautiful eyes they were I said to myself. His eyes were grey at least the dominant color was. It appeared blue at first but at a closer look it had flecks of gold and brown in it, not much, but there. like polished gunmetal or the color of gathering storm clouds and lightning.
Sighing, I quickly finished up in the kitchen, giving the kitchen attendants instructions on how the dinner should be saved, that in two minutes after I depart this room the food should be brought to the dining hall. Main meal first.
Don't get me wrong am not the housemaid in charge or anything like that. This is just what I do to keep myself busy. We are actually among the middle-class people although we have a title, at least my brother did.
I just love being in the kitchen when it was time to make the meals, it's not like I have other things to do. Our nanny, Mrs. Helenda was my mother figure, especially after our parents' demise. She taught me how to cook and would always say "the difference in the taste of the meal cooked by the same person is the mood of the person, cook from your heart with nothing but a smile, let your tastebuds tell the difference".
I wasn't allowed past the walls of this building. There were guards at every nook and cranny instructed by Sebastian himself to not grant me access beyond those walls or if was to go past them never without an escort.
Our parents died years ago, in a hurricane ... I was just eleven and Sebastian eighteen when it happened. It was very terrible, many lives were lost that day not just my parents. The Duke himself died in that storm and now his son has taken his place as the Duke of Butherlands. Nobody knows him, the new Duke, he doesn't make public appearances only a few people knew what he even looked like.
Razuel and I have managed to survive to this day on our own. Our relatives only wanted to make way with our parents' fortune. Luckily since Razuel had clocked eighteen it was impossible. He claimed it all, including my inheritance saying he will make better use of it than I would. And he did. He didn't squander it and I am indeed grateful for that fact.
He took me to a catholic home for girls, where I was with the sisters for 7 years. They taught me everything I know today. It was both a school, a place of worship, and a home for girls.
I didn't want to come back here, to Winterfalls, but I had no choice as they could no longer accommodate me. I didn't like it there either but it was bearable. Better than here.
Welcome to Winterfalls, my brother, Razuel is the protectorate of this region. Winterfalls is one of the well-known subdivisions, a state, of the Butherlands, the main country. Razuel had hundreds of men at his disposal.
"She has finally decided to grace us with her presence" the old man who had complimented me now sitting three sits from Razuel, said smiling as I re-entered the hall.
"Accept my apologies, my lord," I said trying to hide my irritation. It wasn't like I left to go look at a mirror or stare at the skies.
" This is lord Nicolas, the second protectorate of the fifth subdivision of Butherlands, Nairian. He controls both the southern and eastern lands of his division and has acquired a lot of wealth in the past four decades". Razuel introduced.
" A pleasure to meet you, my lord, you are welcome here in Winterfalls," I said, smiling slightly, my cheeks were starting to hurt... Deep down all I wanted to say was "like I give two blinks about him".
"Trust your journey was fine. If I may ask my lord, what brings you to Winterfalls?"
"He lost his wife 9 full moons back with no heir whatsoever and has come to look for a suitable bride here in Lockbart". Razuel interceded
" Am sure you will find a suitable bride here in Winterfalls, our women are responsible and proper". I said I was tired already.
" He has shown great interest in you and wants to take your hand in marriage". Razuel said nonchalantly like he didn't just say an old man close to dying wanted to wed me. A man I could claim to be my grandfather.
I swallowed an invisible lump down my throat and stared at him like he was speaking a language I had forgotten how to process. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. No way in God's name and am I going to marry this old man. For God's sake, he could barely stand on his own. No! No, no this cannot happen.
" God heavens Razuel! You mean me!" I asked like I didn't hear it the first time he said it. "I am sorry lord Nikolas," I said half smiling
"I am just in no way ready to get married just yet but am very positive they are other women just waiting and willing to wed you, my lord. I could offer to search myself". I said trying to sound calm and composed, I was starting to feel light-headed. Willing for him to understand me.
Before he could answer Razuel spoke up instead, interrupting him. Just great!
" I was only informing you Charlotte, the wedding date and other necessary arrangements has been made and will hold the day after tomorrow at sunrise, the earlier the better. You have nothing to worry about, it has all been prepared".
" No! You cannot do this Razuel, it is my life, not yours, I am not ready! , and you know it, am only twenty and one. I still have a lot of time to decide if I want to settle down now or not, I still can't make proper decisions you said it yourself".
" That is why it's not your decision to make, it's mine and it had been made. "Quiet and go to your room" he hushed me when attempted to speak again.
"No more from you". I got up, bowed lightly and half ran away from the hall heading for my room. No, Lord, I can't get married now. Not to that old hag in the least. Doesn't he have any shame in him? Wanting to get married to someone young enough to be his grandchild. Lord! Is this your punishment for me, for calling people names? I confess and am sorry for the things I have done that did not please you. I will do them no more, one more chance lord!
Running up the stairs that lead to my room I crashed into the same man again only this time he was without his helmet. I recognized him because of his eye, those lovely grey eyes were staring at me intensely, with surprise and amusement. I crashed into him hard almost falling backward till he caught me and prevented me from landing on my arse. It seemed like he was descending the stairs from the impact " Am so sorry" I apologized trying to slip away from his hold. His stare was intense. I have never seen his face here I bet he was one of sir Nicolas's men. He tightened his grip pulling me back to him, closer than before, barely leaving any space between our bodies.
" Second time today milady, I have a very feeling good things are my way". Coming The warrior asked.
" Am sorry Mister I didn't see you coming, my sincere apologies, I said trying to pull out of his firm hold. Why wouldn't he let go? His hold relaxed a bit, but not enough for me to pull free and leave this dashing strong man.
"Hmmmmmm" he more groaned it than said it. He held my chin upward so he could make me face him, eye to eye. Man! Was he tall!
"You are quite a lady, so petite but yet still so beautiful. I do hope we keep meeting this way" he said half laughing with his teeth glittering from saliva.
I stared at him, mouth agape not believing the words he just uttered. My emotions conflicted, I was angry, sad, and amused at the same time. I couldn't form any words and just stared at him. Lasting only for a moment and pushing at his chest again to break free. Thankfully this time he let go.
I looked at him one last time my expression completely blank this time and ran up the stairs, to my room. Locking the door I slide down to the floor weeping. Oh lord.
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* Click the vote icon at the bottom of your screen and make me happy🌝 #wattpad/stphntina/dreamboat# May re-edit this chapter🌞 ______________________________________ *Duke's are like kings or presidents in this context. To make the ranking easier. *Protectorates are more like governors. Head of a particular region. * Lockbart is a town in Winterfalls a subdivision of Butherlands . *Nairian is a major subdivision in Butherlands. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.