After awhile, the carriage finally pulled to a stop, with Klinden stepping out, his hand grasping mine as he guided me down from the carriage. Where's that plucky attitude from before?
He wordlessly hooked arms with me, a smooth tile path leading us to double doors, each 'click' poking into my ears.
"We're going to meet father in his study and then the butler will guide you to your room. He'll also give you a tour tomorrow... Not that a blind person would be able to see much."
I offered him an unbothered nod and directed my focus ahead as he guided me further inside. He was right, after all- I was blind. To me, it was like walking in the pitch darkness of night with no promise of sunrise. If we stood at a door, I didn't know it until he knocked upon the wood- if we were going to turn around a corner, my body clumsily changed direction as if I were a puppet with strings. In such a new environment, the empty space of my lack of sight for the first time felt worrying, my mind attempting to memorize the details left to my remaining senses. For a guest entering the house, it was silent, and though I wasn't sure if I could rely on it- I couldn't sense a single soul since walking for the past few minutes. In the awkwardness between Klinden and I, I felt as if I were a sacrifice being lead straight into the mouth of a beast. No, perhaps if it were Klinden, with his obvious distrust, he would walk me directly to its stomach.
Stopping suddenly, my steps faltered as Klinden leaned forward before two knocks resounded on dense wood, an intimidating 'come in' echoing from behind the invisible door. With the click and creak of the doors opening, I did my best to memorize the distance and steps which Klinden took as he led me forward before pushing down on my shoulder. Though I half expected to fall flat on my butt, I was grateful to find my fall cushioned by a leather couch. Taking a silent breath, I did my best to calm my beating heart at how roughly I was being handled and to not let it get to me. With a personality like his, I knew that if I could complain, Klinden would simply say he was doing everything right-- because, he was-- though in a rather half-assed fashion.
Deciding instead to look ahead, I could sense the broad figure of Sir Warren, for lack of his unknown title. Shuffling paper, a pen scritching in cadenced measures. Klinden stood beside me, and I very gently tapped my cane around me until it bumped something in front of me. At the faint sound, the sounds stopped. Sitting, I could feel his eyes taking me in, my heart pounding. The cloak, the face covering hood- they were my only defense that would shield me from the new, curious stares of everyone under this roof. My fear bloomed fresh beneath my skin, but I fought to keep my gaze forward and my posture straight.
"I am Duke Lanci Warren. Per Lord Fomlé's request, we will be adopting you into our household. I have been made aware of your needs and your condition. Your existence here will be simple."
My heart fumbled for a moment. Duke? I'm being adopted into a Duke's household? I suppose this is a very good hiding place from my extended family.
"That being said, you need to pick a new name. That will ensure your safety, and your chance at a new life. I am glad to repay Lord Fomlé, and I expect you also shall carry the weight of such a gracious favor."
A simple nod served as my answer, my hands resting on the top of my cane. I guess being an asshole runs in the family.
"Good, in front of you is a pen and paper. Can you write?" If I could, I would have rolled my eyes. Instead, another nod.
"Write a new name on that paper. From now on, that will be your only name."
Resting my cane against my legs, I tenderly danced my hands in front of me, my left hand resting upon a flat surface of what I would have guessed is a coffee table. Fluttering my fingers until I came across the paper he spoke of, I realized that it was my first time my stiff fingers had held a pen since 'changing'. A new name... A life here. When I had first walked into the grounds of the Warren household, I could smell the faint flora of flowers, and though it was no moment to side-track, I found myself wondering if they had a garden like what my brother and I used to play in. Flowers...
Using my left hand to measure the distance of my letters, the name sprouted to life in obsidian ink- short and simple.
'Lily'.
With a short second, the room relaxed as I welcomed my new life.
"Then, welcome to the Warren Estate, Lily Warren."
It sounded like a younger name than 'Eleanor', and more innocent. Yet, I felt like it could suit me.
The possibility hidden in the name felt like the first step to seizing this opportunity. Met with the silence of the Duke, I rose from the couch and wandered back to the door, recounting my steps and distance- Klinden awkward walking behind me, another 'chit' hiding behind his teeth. With a turn and quick bow to the Duke, I found my arm once again hooked with Klinden as we left the Duke's study.
We walked for a few moments, and I could tell he was going to say it.
"Are you really blind?"
A long, long sigh drew from my lungs. Ask that again and look at my face.
I nodded, growing tired from the journey and the ordeal, both with the Duke and his irritating son. Ahead of us, another person waited patiently, and I was more than ready to be shown to my room. A dull throb was worming itself against my forehead, and worse, I could feel sharp pains from moving so much today. I wasn't used to stepping into carriages or walking through such a large and vast home. Hopefully, my room won't be anywhere too difficult to get to.
Klinden's arm slid from my own as he drew my hand forward until my palm was in some other person's hands. Though I wanted to feel unphased, the constant touching and passing of me was slowly sinking into my teeth, my irritation only worsening the needle-stings of each step.
"Claus, this is my new sister; Lady Lily Warren. I respect you will lead her to her room." My new sister- hearing that caused my skin to crawl.
"Of course my lord. Welcome Lady Lily, I will show you to your room."