The sunray caressed my face, I opened my eyes slowly. My head's holding boulders, heavy. My sight lightly spun when I tried to get up. The soft mattress under me and the warm blanket covering me felt homely. Mint scent lingered in the room, easing the storm in my head. I slowly sat up. Strands of black curly hair touched my cheek, and I clutched it. Scrutinizing it for a moment until I gasped when the memory of earlier flashed before my eyes. I entered the door grandmother told me not to enter. As soon as I entered it, I felt dizzy and had a glimpse of a man's face. It's too blurry to see but all I know is that I felt safe in his strong arms.
The sound of stainless steel clinked loudly against the carpet, making me flinch. "Lady Rose! LADY ROSE! Good heavens, thank you, Father Lord! LORD CLARK! LADY ELENE! The firstborn is awake!" the girl cried out happily. She hopped up and down as if she had won the lottery. 'Lady Rose'. What? Who is she and why is she looking at me? The girl with hazel brown eyes and thick chocolate hair was looking at me as if I were the person she is talking about. She then ran towards me and tackled me in a hug, leaving me speechless.
The young lady snickered. "Lady Rose! I am exultant that you have recuperated consciousness!" she uttered as if she were speaking in the old language of Auburn City. The language is enunciated in the Clairean Era, the reign of Queen Claire. I blinked in astonishment.
"I'm sorry, I am…uh not Rose. I am Laura, Laura Wilbur" I said, calmly. Her hazel brown eyes gaped at me, perplexed. Right before she opened her mouth, the doors burst open. It divulged wealthy-looking figures. Both of them were staring in my direction with a mixture of joy and astonishment. One with brown vibrant hair, brown sights, a ravishing face, and fair-white skin. I almost drop my jaw, she's a knockout.
Her pink gown aesthetically praised her complexion, she's not tall nor short either. That kind of face is what I see in social media and show business nowadays, flawless. Is she a celebrity? Right next to her is a man that is between the age of young and mature, just right. He is lanky, the beautiful woman's height next to him is his shoulder. Donning a neat color of verdant, rounding out his emerald eyes. A son of character, an intelligent-looking man.
When they started to draw near me, the girl hugging me earlier fled the bed. She turned on to pick up the tray and the items in it. Some were shattered. All of them were appalled by what happened. Who are these people? Am I on some kind of shooting? Is this a show? "Are you rouse now my dearest? Ugh! If something ensues to you, I do not think I will not be able to deal with it!" she dramatically plopped the back of her hand against her forehead. The woman leaned back a little.
I think the lady in pink is called Elene and the man in green is Clark. Lady and Lord? Just where am I? "Uh, is this a movie shooting? A drama set?" I asked, bewilder.
Lady Elene and Lord Clark swapped glances.
The whiff of varnish from the lavish furniture around me made me look around. The circling scent of mint calmed me down, easing my anxiety.
The environment does not feel like I am in the time where I should be. Everything is old-fashioned here.
Am I dreaming?
"She's nonetheless in it. Elene, my dear. Something is erroneous with our daughter" his emerald eyes, anxious as if he's been fretting his entire life. It is when I saw his eyeglasses. Those round— those are the glasses between the 1700s—1800s of Auburn. He withdrew his circular eyeglasses, rubbing his eyes with his fist.
Lady Elene put her hand above her chest, gripping the white necker, and pleated neatly in her stomach. "I know that kind of eyeglasses! I've been wanting to see one my entire life! I only see them in museums!"
They jerked when I squealed.
"Dearest, are you still dreaming about contemporary society?" Lord Clark asked. He stepped towards me. His thick but beautifully shaped eyebrows dwindled and go up a little.
Is he okay? Why are they calling me dearest?
"What do you mean Sir?" I raised a question. Backing away a slight, I gripped the sheets. I glanced at him up and down.
Do I know him? Why aren't they answering my question?
"You informed your father about the dream you keep carrying several days ago, can't you recall?" Elene interrogated. Her brown eyes, why are they frazzle?
Clark sighed, pursing his lips concurrently. He positioned his hand on his hip, turning his back against Elene and me.
"Answer me, guys! Am I on a drama set? I don't remember someone asking me to be an extra in the film. I have to go, I have more chapters to write" I stood up. Elene stood up as well, she was clutching onto her skirt.
She pursed her lips tightly, her eyes were full of qualms. It's glimpsing at me in doubt as to if they're staring at someone who's having identity issues.
"What film?" Clark asked. He looked at me again. This time, his eyes were serious but I can see how disturbed they were.
"Goodness, I believe I do not have any idea what our princess is blabbering about" She glanced at Clark.
"I am asking again. Am I on a drama set?" I questioned. "You know, modern-day films but have the old theme of history? You guys haven't watched dramas?" I asked. Stepping back, I started to get a funny feeling. They kept looking at each other, their eyes seeking an answer.
I still have a smile on my lips.
Seriously, I don't know who these people are.
It is when I noticed their faces, that they were not joking. Crap. To that, I ran out of the room. The long hallway waved at me, it's long for someone like me who feels lost.
Every person I passed by gasped and murmured. I didn't have the time to look back. My heart's racing and my head were spinning because of uneasiness. The wooden stairs creaked when I run down. The maids looked at me, some have a smile on their lips and some are surprised.
"Lady Rose! You're not yet dressed! Where are ye going?!" one of them asked in an Irish accent.
Why do they keep calling me Rose?!
If I am dreaming, please wake me up!
Tears started to stroll down my cheeks. I don't know where I am. I kept running, the place is too large for me to exit. Pushing the door open, I finally managed to exit the house.
"Good day, Lady Rose!—" the gardener cheerfully greeted me, only to be cut off after.
I accidentally stepped on the hem of the garment I am wearing. There comes the realization of me being barefooted. My body spun as I stumbled. Squeezing my eyes shut, I braced myself for the fall. Ready to kiss the dirty pavement leading to the gates of this place.
"Oh my! My lady!" I heard someone shout.
I was ready to kiss the ground but instead, I fell on someone's chest. Looking up with one eye open, I met his gaze. "Lady Wilbur?" he asked.
I, somehow, feel my heart flutter when he said my surname. "Y-yes?" I asked. Does he recognize me?
His lilac eyes gazed at me, it's as if he knows me. He looked like someone I know. The person who helped me write a book supported my career as a young writer. "Mr. Dawn!" I exclaimed happily. "Ooh! I'm so glad you're here! Take me home, please!" I begged.
Mr. Dawn helped me stand up properly. I'm tugging on his white beautiful suit. He's wearing a cravat, his hair's long and he's all white. The outfit he's wearing, it's like the fashion men and women wore in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is when I noticed Clark is wearing the same but green and white.
I heard running footsteps behind me. "Thank goodness your fiancé is here!" Elene sighed in relief.
When she said fiancé, it made me look at her. Fiancé? "No, no. Elene, Mr. Dawn is not my boyfriend nor fiancé. He is my boss at SOSC. We publish books together!" I cheerfully said. Praying, I hope they believe me.
Everyone gasped when they heard me say 'publish books'
They look upset. The maids were covering their mouths. "Right Mr. Dawn? We write books and publish them, tell them" I said to him. Looked up at his angelic face since he is taller than me.
He's not saying anything. Where did the cheerful Dawn go?
"Young woman! How insolent! Didn't we forbid you to write! A woman shouldn't be writing or publishing—publishing books!" Clark boomed. It made my heart jump. He is furious.
"I, writing a book is easy and legal. Why are you angry about it Clark?"
Everyone, once again gasped when I called the man by his first name. "Since when did you call forename us young woman!" He clamored.
Somehow, my heart battered weirdly. It's as if it feared this man. A connection of some sort, I feel like we're connected even though he is a stranger to me. "Since when it is legal?" Mr. Dawn asked. His voice was gentle, soft. It sounds apprehensive.
I slinked my eyes around, it is when I recognized they were not joking. If this is an acting set of a chronological movie or series, the cameras shall be ubiquitous. It isn't.
My shoulders fluctuated, and I felt intense. Something was advising me to flee and so I did. Shoving Mr. Dawn aside, I aggressively nudged the metallic gates to open. It's coated in jet black, with rose structures on each cross gates end.
"Rose!" I heard Clark call.
Why does everybody keep calling me Rose?!
Finally, the gates unlocked. It's different from the modern-day gates. The wide path in between abundant trees welcomed me. I ran like a horse upon exiting, I looked behind me and saw the mansion. My breath hitched when I watch its familiarity. Grandmother's mansion?
"Out of the way my lady! Out of the way!" The coachman frantically shrieked. He desperately gestures his hand, shoving the air back and forth. The horses jumped as they neighed loudly, kicking in the air.
Everything around me moved in slow motion, I couldn't shift to the side of the road. I can only hear my heart pounding loudly. When the mounts are about to trudge on me with the carriage waiting to roll on me, I felt a rigid embrace.
I squinted my eyes close as the wind brushed half of my face.
Shocked, I slowly opened my eyes. I'm trembling. "Are you alright, my lady?" a baritone voice questioned me.
At that outrageous moment, I couldn't speak appropriately. My lips turned ice cold, unable to evoke a word without a quiver. I felt my soul leave my body.
I swung around my gaze to the left, the coachman jumped off the carriage. He rolled on the ground. Steeds bumped at the trees before eluding, leaving the carriage in the bushes. My eyes widen when I saw it crash there until it halted, the roof and its body slumped against the bushes with flowers.
"Fear not, I saved you" I heard him say again. Persuading me. Heeding, I met his cyan blue eyes. The young man about my age looked down at my hands grasping tightly on his puffy dress shirt.
A phenomenon emerged in my whole system. It's as if nothing happened earlier, all I know is that I am deeply attracted to his ocean gaze. My heart of mine leaped joyfully. The beautifully trimmed grass held the both of us, so in his strong arms.
Snapping out of it, I pushed him. "I-i'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!" I apologized. Hurriedly, I dusted myself. While I was dusting myself, I couldn't help but think of how fast everything went. In observing it, we moved at an abnormal speed. Mention that I have my eyes shut.
How is it possible that the carriage is still running right after I opened my eyes?
I started to walk away from him. "Mmm, I saved lassie's life today, and am I not given thanks?" he raised his voice.
"Excuse me? Lassie?! Lassie? Young man, I am twenty-three—" Then again I stumbled. Awkwardly, I fell on his chest. The fabric that I am wearing is too thin, I instantly felt his cold hands grasping my waist. Our faces, it's an inch close to each other. Why does he look familiar? His scent lingered around my nose, I felt the heat travel up from my chest up to my cheeks. He smiled softly at me.
"Send gratitude, please?" The man smirked.
He looked at the path. "You might want to get off me, your parents and my brother are running to where we are right now"
Quickly getting off him, I cleared my throat. Unexpectedly, he donned his beige coat around me. Walking up in front of me, his eyes playfully look at me in a flirty manner. He's so fine. "Wear this, it's your disposition I see but I ignore thee. I regard stunning women" he winked at me.
I can't believe how my eyes betray me every time I feel him close or even just by looking at his delightful gaze.
He's about to walk away but turned his heel around, facing me.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Here it goes again.
I never felt this way, in my entire life. "You may call me Germaine, Germaine Monvere" he winked. "... And you're barefooted. Allow me to carry you and take you to your family"
Germaine walked toward me. When he was about to touch me, I snapped out of his charm. "I... I can walk! I can walk by myself!"
"For certain, you can... But not with that path" he pointed at the orange-colored brick path. "The dirt will stick to your feet. And it did, in this time... You might not want to catch a disease"
"It's not so dangerous, pfft!" I rolled my eyes. Crossing my arms, I looked away. "I'm just going to wait for those weirdos who keep calling me their daughter and fiancé to get here"
"A noblewoman like you shouldn't be out with a twilight dress in broad light" Germaine smirked and carried me in a bridal style. Before I could protest, he started to walk straight as if I'm not heavy.
Having a closer look at him, his skin is pale white. Much porcelain. I can see the veins a little they're aligned uniquely like the tree branches in the moonlight. His eyebrows were thick and shaped delicately. As he blinks, the eyelashes of his battered like a fan for its queen. It's long, curled up. He's beautiful.
What are you saying, Laura?!
Shut up!
Admonishing myself silently, I shut my eyes and bluffed I'm asleep when we were nearing the people whom I saw the first time I opened my eyes.
"Thank goodness Count Monvere! How's our Rose?!" I heard Elene say
I opened one eye to see how are things. Germaine looked at me as if he were telling me to remain unconscious. I did what he said when I picked up.
"Your daughter passed out in the middle of the road. Luckily, the carriage I am in did not run over your daughter" Germaine said, calm.
"Run over?! What a mischief today brings!" she exclaimed. "Cleda, make haste! Prepare the lady's bath and bed! I beg your mercy count, my daughter's ill and you're disturbed" Elene apologized.
"We must hurry to her room before the wind changes," Germaine said.
"Yes Count Monvere, let us head this way"
Germaine started to walk again, my heart is fluttering. I can't interpret it. I feel light and safe. I opened an eye and saw Mr. Dawn looking at me. I rolled my eyes and shut it again.
Hmph! He didn't even save me back there.
"If you may Lady Elene" Germaine spoke again. I could hear their shoes clicking against the pavement, hurting my ears. I hate the sound of it for some reason.
"You may" Lady Elene replied.
"When's the day Lord Clark is coming over? It's about the opening of the country's library. He asked for my books to be placed there"
He's a writer?
I somehow felt relieved when he said those words. "He's currently in his office right now comté"
"Seems like the wedding's going to be postponed," Mr. Dawn said. Elene gasped.
"Oh Lord, may I ask the reason?" Elene asked.
"Must have been something, eh brother?" Germaine asked.
Dawn cleared his throat before saying "I have changed my mind and so has Lord Clark. He thought that I am condoning his daughter's talent. One has to do with writing"
"We understand Lord Dawn," Elene said.
What is going on?
Whatever this is, I'm going to figure it out soon. I'll seek an answer. I felt the soft bed greet me again. Opening my eyes lightly, I saw Germaine lean in to whisper. "Till we meet"
I shivered when I felt his breath against my neck, I once again, flushed. Germaine leaned back. "You may open your eyes now, your parents are downstairs talking about your marriage. The servants are preparing for your bath. Stop being stubborn, a change of course. I perceive. Adorable in thy eyes,"
I sat up. "Stubborn? Excuse me, sir, my age is legal and I have every right to do what I want to. I need to escape this place but somehow. Somehow... Some... Somehow..."
"It feels like home" Germaine chuckled.
"Yes!" I said happily.
"There, can I get thanks so the mighty one showers me with blessings?"
Why is it a big deal? Well, I flipped my hair back. Germaine's facial mood changed. It's as if he smelled something awful. He covered his nose and looked away.
Fleeing the room, he left me wondering.
I smelled myself, I didn't smell awful. What's the matter with him? "Hey!" I stood up and go for the door. To that, the kind sir is gone.
I rubbed my temples. Looking around, I skidded against the door when I closed it. Rolling my palms against my face, I shouted angrily. "Where am I?" tears followed after.