Fate will take its course. Seraphina repeated in her head as she entered her room.
Lucy was right. No matter what she did, fate will surely take its course. But then, some of her decisions may alter the direction her fate was meant to go.
Would she direct her fate or would fate direct her? She didn't know. If she depended on herself to drive her fate, she may end up in a bigger mess because right now, nothing seemed right in her eyes anymore. Everything looked like she going to make a big mistake.
What about fate? If she allowed it to take the course of her life. Where would it lead her? In a peaceful abode or the arms of the devil?
Who was the devil and who was the peaceful abode?
Seraphina exhaled deeply and proceeded to remove her dress before stepping into the water prepared by Marissa.
She washed and scrubbed as if she wanted to scrub the disturbing thoughts away from her head and soul. After washing, she lay in fresh water this time to cool the heat in her body before stepping out.
Seraphina dressed in a loose evening gown and went downstairs to eat dinner Marissa had called her to.
Seraphina sat on the table and looked around the dining room where her parents were missing.
They were not yet back? What could be keeping them this busy for the past few days now? Seraphina wondered.
When Marissa walked in carrying a plate of vegetables in her hand, Seraphina asked her, "Do you know where my parents went to?"
"No, My Lady," Marissa shook her head. "Since they left early in the morning, they haven't returned."
"Oh," Seraphina mouthed and nodded in understanding.
"They might be coming home really late today," Marissa added and proceeded to dish out the other foods she had cooked.
"Thank you, Rissa" Seraphina thanked when the Marissa was done.
"You're welcome, My Lady. You should eat of all it. You've lost weight. Are you alright, My Lady?" Marissa asked concerned.
Seraphina smiled and responded to the worried. "I'm fine, Rissa. You don't have to worry about me." But the girl looked as if she didn't believe her.
"Why don't you join me for dinner, Rissa? I can't finish all these by myself."
"No, My Lady. I cooked all of it for you. You need to gain weight and you've also lost your color."
Seraphina chuckled, "Isn't this what the society wanted? A slender Lady? If I finish all these, I would probably look chubby by the end of the week."
"Nonsense, My Lady." Marissa suddenly said and bit her tongue at her choice of words. Seraphina smiled, this was one of the things she liked about Marissa. She spoke to her like a younger sibling scolding their elder one. Something she always wanted.
Seraphina gave her a nod to continue what she was saying.
Marissa nervously smiled and continued, "As I said, My Lady. That is one of the stupid rules of the society and I know you never follow what they say." Marissa completed her speech in an almost angry tone that was directed to the so-called norms of how a Lady should behave that the society had put in place.
Seraphina feeling her mood elevate smiled at the girl again and said, "Keep me company with your plate then since my parents are not home."
That night, Seraphina lay in the comfort of her bed to relax her throbbing head. All she had to do now was to wait and let everything fall in place.
To let fate take its course.
The morning arrived quicker than Seraphina had expected. Surprisingly, she had slept like a child. Peaceful in the warmth of her room and duvet.
She started to prepare for the second day at her new job and she tried not to think of anything negative that might happen or she may discover.
Starting the day with bad thoughts was not good. It usually brought bad omens. But had her good thoughts the day before brought good things? No. It had brought her terrible nightmares she would dream about day and night.
After dressing up in a beige-colored gown that had a low neckline and her zipper was way below her back. She didn't know why she dressed that way, but the dress now looked provocative in her eyes so she decided to take it off.
Just as she wanted to open the zip, Marissa knocked and walked into the room.
"Good morning, My Lady." She greeted with a bow.
"Good morning, Rissa. Hope you had a good night's rest?" Seraphina returned the greeting
"I did, My Lady. How about you?"
"Same as yours, Rissa," Seraphina replied still trying to reach her hand behind her back to open the zip.
"Do you need help, My Lady?" Marissa asked seeing Seraphina struggle.
"Ah, yes. I want to change the dress."
"Don't change it. You look beautiful in it. Also, I came to inform you that your parents requested your presence in the dining room." Marissa informed.
"Okay, but I'll still change the dress when I return," Seraphina said and began to walk out of the door and heard Marissa say,
"Assets are meant to be flaunted, My Lady."
This girl. How old was she again? Fifteen? Yet, she was more expressive than her who was nineteen and going to be twenty soon. Seraphina shook her head at the thought and entered the dining room where her parents were seated.
"Good morning, Father, Mother." Seraphina greeted them and sat down with them to have breakfast.
"Are you going somewhere, Sarah?" Lady Lydia who took note of Seraphina's dress questioned with raised brows.
"No, Mother." She lied. "I was just trying some of my old dresses to see if they still fit."
"Hmm," Lady Lydia hummed but she looked unsatisfied and suspicious of Seraphina's answer.
They began to eat and halfway into the meal, Seraphina decided to remind them that they had earlier called her.
"Father, Marissa said you wanted to see me?"
"Ah, yes." Mr. Castiel said looking up from his plate as if remembering what he forgot.
He said, "An invitation came in late last night."
"An invitation? From who?" Seraphina asked while she smeared butter on her bread. Something told her that this invitation was one she would not be happy to attend.
Mr. Castiel dabbed the napkin on his mouth already done eating. He continued to speak, "The invitation came from Lord William and they invited us to have dinner with them at their mansion."
This was it. The bad news of the morning. She was definitely not going to attend it. But that was her wishful thinking.
"When?" Seraphina inquired and saw her parents get up from their seats. Already done eating and always in a hurry. What were they up to?
"This evening." Mr. Castiel announced, "Make sure you're ready, Seraphina. I don't want any excuse."
Let fate take its course. Seraphina whispered to herself.
"Yes, Father." Seraphina obliged.
"And wear this dress too." Lady Lydia further deadpanned. "You look very beautiful and alluring in it."
No Mother! Not this dress! Seraphina wanted to scream but couldn't as she watched her parents leave in a hurry.
God! Why did she have to wear this dress today? Now she was going to wear it to the mansion of Lord William!