She admired the exquisitely furnished chamber quietly,marvelling at Miss Rosa's expensive taste.
Miss Rosa placed her hands on the desk as she studied Regia. She then chuckled in her sultry voice.
"Oh Regia, you know I take a special liking to you don't you", she said and paused to study her expression before continuing.
" I'll let you so much that I broke my very own work ethic of not openly marketing my girls without the guests coming to take a look at them. I did so because you are the oldest student I have ever taught in all my years", she said and paused again.
Regia lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling shame creep up on her.
Miss Rosa leanes back in her chair, retracting a hand from her desk.
" I was not even sure that I could pull it through but it seems like grace is on your side. I was able to convince the Duke of Albania to take you in as one of his mistresses,now isn't that divine", she asked even more excited about the news.
Regia could only force out a smile which miss Rosa reciprocated with laughter.
"Your carriage leaves tomorrow and...",
" What?!",Regia cut in,her voice slightly raised,"tomorrow, isn't that too early Miss Rosa seeing that my skin is rather disfigured and...", she paused when she saw Miss Rosa's raised hand.
"And that is why I gave you my special and very expensive ointment to deal with it", she replied, stressing the words very expensive.
" You ought to be grateful girl, I did you a massive favor by getting you engaged, you must get ready by tomorrow because a carriage is coming all the way from Albania for you", she said, causing Regia to frown to herself.
"Go now, go use the ointment,Chereo", she said as she dismissed her from her chamber.
Regia stood up, curtsied as she was taught and appreciated miss Rosa for her kind gesture. The woman beamed pleased.
Then she walked out of her office in a haste to get out. She was meant to be thrilled with getting engaged to someone asociated with a royal family, but even that fact wasn't enough to appease her. She despised that she had no say in her own life.
She stepped out of the house and went over to the spot where she used to wait for Mr Alsop. She waited for him for a while before coming to a sudden realization of the incident that took place in the morning.
She looked around looking for a mean to get home but none presented itself.
She looked into the sky and on seeing that it was already way past midday, she resorted to use her only available means of transportation,her feet.
She could feel every eyes turn to look at her as she passed by and could hear them murmur when they caught sight of her dress.
She trekked for a while under the sun, beginning to detest the heat,when a carriage pulled up beside her.
She turned to see the owner of the carriage and was shocked to see Histopher, a childhood friend of hers whom she had not seen for over three years. He looked a whole more mature than she remembered.
"Histopher, is this really you?", she asked still recovering from her surprise.
He smiled at her, showing her the playful smile she once loved.
"Alive and in the flesh,what are you doing going home all by yourself by this time", he asked.
His smile quickly turned into a frown on seeing her dress stained with blood.
" And what happened to you, why is your dress stained with blood", he queried concerned.
"Oh, Mr Alsop couldn't come pick me, we were involved in an accident earlier today", she narrated.
" Oh, that explains it, I'm so sorry for the misfortune, please, let me drop you off", he offered and jumped off the carriage to help her on to it. She smiled at his gentlemanly gesture and got on the carriage.
He flung himself on to the carriage and they began their ride home.
" So", he said beginning a conversation," I'm surprised to see that you're still in town, a damsel like you ought to have to have left here long ago", he remarked, trying to sound merry.
She lowered her gaze as she fumbled with her hands.
"Well I just did today", she said, her voice lacking enthusiasm.
" That's great news but you sure don't look happy about it",he said looking at her a bit concerned.
"That is because I am NOT", she said in a matter of fact tone causing him to scratch his head, not knowing what else to say knowing who Regia was.
They drove past the inn Mr Alsop was lodged in and she requested to check in on him to deliver the news that she knew would brighten his day. He agreed and even followed her to see him.
She walked in and found him sitting up on his bed, humming a tune as he played a banjo.
" Good evening Mr Alsop", she greeted, relieved to see him active.
"Regia my girl,evening to you too, how was your day?",he asked, thrilled to see her alright after the incident.
" My day went well Mr Alsop, great in fact",she stated,slight sarcasm coloring her tone.
She then decided to spill the beans at that moment.
"Mr Alsop, I got information about my engagement today", she added quickly and waited for his response.
A slow realizing smile spread across Mr Alsop's face.
" Oh my darling girl, congratulations to you",he cheered with a smile,very pleased with what he heard.
"And..., I am leaving tomorrow", she added again, trying to gauge his reaction.
His smile waned a little but it soon regained its full strength.
" This is healing balm you've just giving me Reggie I'm so proud of you", he said and smiled at her before averting his gaze to her companion that he had failed to take notice of.
His eyes widened when he saw Histopher standing beside her.
"Histopher my boy, come and give old uncle Alsop a hug now would ya", he said merrily, opening his arms wide and the young man came over to give him the hug he requested for.
It had been a long time since he saw him last. The young man had skipped town and only Mr Alsop knew why. The younger man was growing feelings for Regia as a boy. He knew they were impossible as she was already chosen for Miss Rosa's classes at the time, he knew she would be, she had the beauty after all.
He couldn't afford to give her the best so the most logical idea he had was to leave as his feelings were too strong to endure seeing her being given to another man.
And how cruel fate was to let him return the same time she was getting engaged. His heart felt for him and wondered how he might be feeling at the moment.
" Well Mr Alsop, I would like to take my leave,I...,I need to prepare for tomorrow",Regia said,not beleiving that she could ever say that.
He bid her goodnight and she gave him a hug,not knowing if that would be her last. She left the inn and got lead on to the carriage again by Histopher. She looked back at the inn as they moved,wondering if that was the last time she would ever see it again.
She sighed,resigning to fate all her chances of freedom. She turned to face Histopher and wondered how he truly about the situation,fully aware of his previous feelings for her.
She looked forward into the sky, witnessing the sun in its setting glory. It was a setting dusk for a chapter in her life and she was anxious to know what the next day may hold for her.
They arrived at her house just when the sun could be seen giving its final bows. She descended from the carriage and she and Histopher exchanged their goodbyes before he drove away hastily.
She looked at him as he departed and wondered if that was the last time she would see him. She opened the door of the house and stepped inside, instantly welcomed by the wonderful aroma of food cooking in the kitchen.
She knew with no doubt that she was going to miss these simple,mundane things.
Her mother came to her room on hearing the door open. She frowned when she saw her daughter's bloodied dress.
"Regia,my,are you alright,was the accident bad",she asked,already guessing what had happened to her daughter.
" I am fine mother,I am not badly hurt",she replied,trying to calm her mother,"physically at least",she added silently to herself.
"And Mr Alsop is fine as well",she added in case her mother wanted to ask.
Her mother seemed to relax a bit after that. He expression softened as she studied her daughter's sullen face.
" Is something wrong Reggie", her mother asked subtly.
Regia looked at her mother's concerned gaze. She knew she was meant to be happy but she wasn't. Not wanting to get into another verbal exchange with her mother,she forced out a smile.
"Nothing much mother, I was just thinking about my engagement, I got engaged today mother",she said and waited for her mother's response.
Her mother took in the news very slowly,developing a slow smile across her face like Mr Alsop. She shook her head in surprise,her face beaming with so much emotions.
" Regia,oh dear, I can't believe this", she said really at loss for words.
She quickly steadied her emotions, and sought to be more precise in her thoghts. She looked at her daughter, eyes now burning with curiosity.
"To which family", she asked not hiding her excitement.
" I don't know much, all I know is that a carriage is coming to pick me up", she said letting her knowing all she knew at that moment.
Her mother eyes widened when she learnt that her daughter was soon going to leave her. Her eyes trailed to the pink shades on her pale skin.
"Your bruises, this will take a length of time to heal", she said,lightly stroking the area.
" Thank goodness we have time till you leave to your new home", she said with emotions.
Regia pursed her lips looking for subtle ways to deliver the second part of the news.
" You don't have to worry about the bruises, Miss Rosa gave me a special ointment for that,..., but about the time, the carriage is coming to pick me up tomorrow morning", she said and held her breath waiting for her mother's response.
Her mother's face darkened as her smile slowly faded away. She looked away from her and turned to look out the window.
Regia became concerned about her mother's reaction.
"Mother", she called and her mother turned slowly to face her.
" It is too sudden right",she asked, now concerned about her reaction.
She shook her head and give her a weak smile.
"I thought we had more time.., but since we don't, I have to tell you something", she said, her face agitated.
Regia looked at her with more concentration, curious to know what it was.
" I wanted to wait for a better time and place but since we have none, now is the time", she paused before continuing,
"I'm sorry for lying to you for over eighteen years", she paused again on seeing Regia's confused glare.
" I am Not Your Mother", she said and looked away quickly.