Dawn walked up to me after letting me have a space to think, he simply sat next to me. My eyes never looked at him, only set on the window... Trying to distract myself. "You didn't cancel the wedding? Must I be tied to be out of danger?" I asked.
I heard him sigh.
"It's the only way I know to keep you out of it," He said, the tone of his voice soft.
Shifting my eyes to look at him, I saw how soft his lilac pair was. Soft but it wasn't enough to make my heart beat fast as a million. Standing up, I lifted my skirt as well as my chin. I hate being tied.
I intend not to marry, even in my present life.
"I decline the proposal. I don't know where it will take me but I decline!" I yelled.
Opening the doors, I slammed them behind me. I stomped, I stomped loud enough for them to hear my disapproval.
Anida was about to open her mouth but chose to open the door of my room. "Rest, my lady" she worriedly said. Nodding fast with my eyebrow creased, I shut the door.
Do everything has to be this frustrating?
Groaning, I facepalmed.
Then his words rang again, 'friend'
A soft knock appeared on the wooden door, I didn't bother to look at it or tell anyone to open it. All I know is that I'm upset, that I want to make my own decision. Doesn't mean I'm a woman, they are to marry me off to someone I do not like.
The room that I am in, though it's peaceful... Suddenly became narrow.
Girls should have at least, a tiny bit... Right.
"My dearest..." I heard Elene call. There's sympathy in her voice, soothing. Convincing me to open the door.
I stood up and opened the door for her.
Her beautiful face looked at me worriedly, her beautiful eyes were troubled. "Dear you are upset, let us talk inside. Cleda, prepare tea, please. Anida, the pastry"
"Yes, Lady Elene" they quickly followed her command.
It's when I noticed she was holding the present Germaine gave me. His face in the morning was flawless... Not even a single freckle... Or marks of scars. It almost seems like he's a marble.
Shaking my head, I shoved my thoughts about him.
"I know you're upset about the proposal" Elene held my hand. Looking at her, her dolly eyes convinced me to listen more. "Your father is protecting you, he wants you to have a good future. Dawn seemed sincere even though he quite got confused when you first arranged with him because you beg your father every day... But may I know why the sudden change of heart? What swayed your thoughts in not marrying the doctor?"
Did Rose beg her father to be arranged with Dawn? Is that how crazy she is for him?
My mouth gaped.
"N-no... That's amazing! I've been wanting to marry him!" I smiled fakely. Gritting my teeth while I smile, looking away only for my face to turn sour.
It seemed like Elene knows how to read people.
Elene giggled, inviting me to sit. "My dear, you're from me. I am your mother, I know why your heart changed"
Even her giggle sound relaxing.
I sat down, looking at her again.
"What do you mean, m-mother?"
I still have trouble pronouncing mother due to my past.
"I saw the way you stare at his brother. Count Germaine" Elene playfully covered her lips, giving a gentle snicker.
I blushed.
She noticed.
I'm never interested in anyone since my last relationship, I don't know why I also look at Germaine that way. Everything about him pulls me closer and entices me to memorize him more.
"See? You're lost in thoughts. You can tell me, I'm your mother" there's a hint of curiosity, and excitement present in her voice.
"Lady Elene, it's ready"
Anida said behind the door. Elene held my hand, nodding at me while giving the top of my hand a gentle rub using her thumb.
"Tell me what you feel about the young gentleman in the tea room, I'll hear it all out. I have all day"
She sounded like a wholesome mother.
It made me envy Rose, she has a joyful mother. Someone ready to listen to a never-ending story or even those that are repeated every day.
***
The conversations with Rose's mother went smoothly. There are times that she pauses as if she's new to her daughter acting like that.
Has Rose been always quiet?
"You feel something for the count already eh?" She asked, teasing me. This is the most informal reaction I've seen from her. She's always prim and proper when Clark is around.
"No, I feel good because he's a gentleman... He's friendly and talkative. It looks like she always wants to be close to me"
"I see the way he stares at you dear. I can guarantee, that's how your father stared at me before I knew I was married" she giggled behind her tea cup.
"How so, m-mother?"
"Quit stuttering, the count looks at you with full admiration. I'm worried about his health though, he's kinda chalky" Elene said, setting down the cup with poise on the tea table.
"What do you mean?" I asked. Clearing my throat, I repeated. "I apologize mother, but... What do you mean?"
I took a sip of the most fragrant tea I've ever smelled.
"Did you notice the resemblance of the count's family? All of them seemed chalky, they have unique eyes. Or maybe it's just me thinking of that since they do not go out a lot. It's funny how sometimes they bring an umbrella with them" Elene said, looking at me.
I stared back.
"What's his family like?" I asked.
"All of them seemed pale, ivory. The society sees how beautifully reserved they are, their skin type is something to envy for. It looks like it's been taken care of" Elene said. "Many people notice how the brothers differ in age" she shrugged. "Or maybe it's because the late general and his wife love each other that much" she quietly giggled, taking a sip of the tea again.
It made me wonder, his skin was indeed chalky. Dawn, Germaine, and Kane's eyes were pretty noticeable. All have a shade of violet under their eyes, it's as if they haven't been sleeping in a while.
What are they?
Is it possible for someone to look like that?
I shook the thought of them having abnormalities.
I'd been holding the present in my hands for too long, I stared at it. Hesitating to unfurl it. It stared back at me, urging me to open it.
'Friend'
Groaning, I stood up and put it down on the bed abruptly. "How dare he call me a friend?!"
Anida and Cleda flinched when I yelled. I saw how they exchanged stares, probably thinking why I'm reacting like this.
My heart beats painfully whenever I remember the word, friend.
Am I only a companion to him?
Rolling my eyes, I have no choice but to sit again. Cleda put a hand on my shoulder, I looked at her. There was concern in her eyes.
"Cleda..."
"I know why you're reacting this way my lady, is it because you're charmed?" She bends down on one knee in front of me. It's like she's talking to a child.
Anida sat next to me, wrapping her arms around mine. Leaning her cheek against my arm, she stared at me with the same expression carved on her face.
"Charmed? It's not possible. I'm not into this kind of stuff, I mean things. It's useless to fall in love with the count. He seems arrogant, I'm irritated" I pretended to bad mouth him.
The three of us heard a scratch from the window, all of us glanced at it but we saw nothing.
"Probably the birds" Anida giggled.
Cleda nodded, a small smile pressed on her soft pinkish lips. Both of them looked too young to be my maid, they should have a free life... The good life as maidens.
"Irritated again?" Anida asked.
"I like none of the Monvere brothers" I rolled my eyes, scoffing. Cleda laughed a bit.
"It's obvious that you're catching feelings for him, we see how you smile whenever you remember him," Cleda said, she took my hand and lightly squeeze it.
My heart jolted, it seems like my whole body system is agreeing with what she was saying.
No, I can't fall in love with him.
Standing up, I cheerfully make a different topic to shift their thoughts. "You both are intrusive!" I pouted with my arms crossed.
Cleda and Anida looked at each other, hands folded together.
"How about we do something fun? Let's go out, I want to see the city" I smiled.
"Yes, my lady" Anida said. She excused herself, saying she will ask the permission of her lordship if I am permitted to head out. Before she can even exit, I grabbed her arm and smiled at her.
"I'll do it myself, both of you get me a pen and a notebook. I want to see if there's an ocean nearby, take me there. Though the location of this house is next to the ocean, takes me somewhere peaceful. I need to get my mind off things"
"But Lady Rose, the Stompshire Ocean is far away. It's a four-kilometer journey, are you certain?" Cleda asked.
"Yes, I am, now... Take me there, this is all I ask of you" I took her hand and pleaded with her.
If there's something I miss doing, it's writing. I need to write, write to get my mind off things. "Buy me a diary too"
Anida and Cleda nodded, and they head out after I exited my room.
Being in front of Lord Clark's office door made my heart beat fast a million. Must I lie? I know he's protective of this daughter. He won't let her go anywhere.
The Monvere brothers left hours ago, it's from by far I could count...
Is noon.
I raised a hand to knock, curled tightly in my fist. Pressing my lips, I squinted my eyes close. I took a deep breath before knocking.
"Father?" I said, claiming the role I'm given. I need to put my soul into this if I continue acting to be weird... The people here will get suspicious of me.
"You may enter," he said from behind the door. Opening it for me, his full responsibility's shown in his troubled eyes.
"I won't be here for too long" I shyly said. Clark looked at me, inviting me to sit down. His face is serious and I'm scared of what he might say.
Should I lie?
"What is it that you desire, dear?" Clark asked.
"I want to go out for a stroll, if you may f-father" I asked politely. Clark looked at his desk then onto the window before clicking his tongue, it made my heart pound in a million. Is he going to disagree?
"Where?" He asked. His voice, serious. Stern.
"Sto-Warren Street, I want to look for new threads. Those of brighter one" I said.
His eyebrows relaxed, I saw how his eyes changed when I said threads. This embroidery excuse must... Must work. I really need to breathe, I feel stuffed.
"Alright, bring the two ladies with you and your personal guard" Clark said softly, nodding. I smiled a bit, he looks like Lin Manuel from Hamilton. I like it. "Have you eaten?"
I'm sorry for lying.
"No father but I will eat there once I find a good store" I smiled brightly.
It seemed to lift his mood.
***
Anida and Cleda stared at me as the carriage moves, I sensed that they've been wanting to know a little of my feelings. I admit I'm being difficult. No one dared to speak a word, I suppose they feel what I feel. The entire ride was relaxing, we arrived after four hours which is a long trip. Lucky for us, we did not encounter bandits as Anida calls it. It sounds like she knows a lot about this place.
Has she been here before?
I know she's been but from her stories, it seemed like she knows every spot in this place more than her sibling Cleda.
The siblings were busy building the tent and the food, while I sat in front of the shore.
I enjoyed the serenity of the ocean, clasping my hand together.
I closed my eyes, inhaling the salty scent.
Ocean heals a broken heart, mends a broken soul and calms an anxious mind.
The sun was about to set, a beautiful hue of yellow, orange, and closest red. Harmonizing the hue, the ocean mirrored the sky. It it's fascinating to look at. As the wind continue to caress my face with it's calming touch, I put down the notebook I'm holding.
It's beautifully designed with brown hard cover, brown paper and tied neatly. Standing up, I headed for the shore and dipped my foot. Smiling, I remembered the day I always enjoy being in the ocean with my grandmother.
All I know is I want to escape the pressure life in this era is putting me. I've lost my pen. I couldn't write anymore.
"OYE YOU'RE BLOCKING THE WAY!!"
I turned around and surprised to see who it was.