*Snore!*Snore!*Snore!*
I move my pillow closer to my ears trying to block the snoring sounds coming from Margret, you can feel the whole bed vibrating at the sounds.
She couldn't sleep when she shared a room with Ruby so I'm letting her sleep with me till she gets used to this place. I sit up on the bed and see the duvet is no longer on Margret's body and she's hugging herself to keep warm.
I cover her with the duvet and stand up to pick a jacket for myself. I open the door in my room gently and slowly trying not to wake her up. Tiptoeing through the hallways, I finally relax after getting outside.
The night air is quite cold showing we're almost in winter. My body shakes when I hear a loud meow come from behind me. It's my cat that I rarely see, I bend down to the same level as it and hold out my hand.
"Hi, Uncle Squid. I thought you never want to see me again since you rarely show yourself."
I shake Uncle Squid's paw and then stand up.
"Do you want to take a walk together?"
I start walking towards my garden with Uncle Squid.
"I wonder what's happening to my body. I already missed the interview for a Job at MONO."
"Do you think Vivian is also in my body?"
"What if the dream I had that day is one of Vivian's memories or just a plain dream?
"Those shoes...Those shoes are bothering me."
I look down at Uncle Squid who meowed and walk towards somewhere else in the garden.
"Why are the lights on, is someone here?"
I enter the garden to see Letitia sitting on one of the chairs.
"It seems you can't sleep either. Take a seat."
The whole room is silent. I don't think I've ever been in a room alone with her.
"As you know, I'm leaving for Renztead tomorrow. Don't get too happy thinking you have the whole house to yourself now, Mother is still here."
"I heard you even brought a girl into the house, people might think you're the madam or something."
I chuckle at Letitia's words.
"I, I don't know if I should run away or be friends with you. You don't seem to have a valid reason not to like me except me being your step-sister."
"It seems you have nothing else to say than try to lower my self-esteem so I'll be leaving."
I stand up heading towards the door.
"I hope you have a good journey and do well in whatever you do in the palace."
I open the door and leave the room. I hear some scoffing from Letitia but I ignore it. I see Uncle Squid waiting for me and I carry him.
"Let's go to bed."
~~~~~
THE NEXT MORNING
The whole house is upside down as servants are running up and down trying to gather Letitia's things. Father also left in the early morning so everything is hectic.
I watch from my window as Letitia and her mum have emotional goodbyes, you wouldn't say they are the usual mean duo.
"I should start packing too before the order to leave for Gerin City arrive."
~~~~~
I don't know if I'm excited to go to the palace or not. There'll be ladies coming from other cities too meaning there'll be a lot of competition.
"I have to get on the queen's and princess's good side so I can be posted in a good place. Maybe I can even meet the prince..."
I smile to myself at the thought of meeting him. He'll be a big catch compared to the duke's sons who think they're everything.
"What can beat being royalty? I should look into the places he could be to start forming coincidences and fate."
The carriage suddenly stops. Why are they stopping again, aren't they being paid to do their job? I quickly wipe the annoyed look off my face when someone knocks on the carriage door.
"My lady, I think we'll have to stop here for tonight. The road ahead is steep and the servants are tired."
"Should we set up a tent here?"
I smile at the servant and get down from the carriage. I clap my hand calling the attention of others.
"I can see everyone is tired. Let's set up a tent here for tonight."
Everyone got to work while I go back into the carriage. The only reason for everyone liking me and being famous in Maple Meadow is because I'm nice to my servants.
Since everyone is rude to theirs, even a little kindness makes me look like a goddess to everyone.
"Lady Letitia, you can come out now my lady, your tent is ready."
I hear Edith's voice and come down from the carriage. I sit in the tent and start eating my dinner when I hear a scream from outside. I stand up to go check what's going on when a rough and haggard-looking man enters my tent with a large knife in his hand.
"You're one pretty-looking lady! If you don't want a scar on your face, you'd better get outside while I'm being nice."
I quietly walk out to see everyone on their knees crying with a group of men holding knives to their throat. I'm also put to my knees along with them.
"You seem to be the boss here so I'll ask you, where are your jewelry and money?"
I keep quiet. I need one of them to hit me at least once before I show them where anything is. It'll be a way to get sympathy from the Queen and Princess if I tell them I was robbed on my way to the palace.
"Not talking huh!"
The guy kicks my shoulder multiple times making me fall to the ground. Edith and everyone tries to protest but they're also restrained and beaten.
"I'm asking you one more time. Where are your jewelry and money?!"
"My boys have searched everywhere but can't find it!"
I keep quiet and close my eyes waiting to be beaten again when I hear one of the men scream. Another group of men surround us and take down the thieves. Everything goes by in a blur and the next thing I see is the thieves being subdued and tied up.
"Are you okay?"
I look up to see a handsome guy extending his hands toward me. I take his hand and he helps me stand up. Edith comes running and holds my other arm.
"I'm glad you're okay my lady. Let me take you to your room."
They both take me to my room and sit me down, Edith runs out to get some water leaving me with the guy.
"Thank you for saving me. If it's not too much, may I ask for your name?"
The guy doesn't reply and stands up to leave when a ginger-haired man shorter than the man who saved me comes into the tent.
"Are you okay my lady? It's a good thing we arrived in time don't you think?"
I smile removing my hair from my face.
"I'm okay, thanks for helping us. Can I ask who are you here?"
The guy sits on a chair smiling and making himself comfortable.
"I'm Leon Chapman an assistant general and that's General Larson."
The General guy looks annoyed and tries signaling Leon to stand up but he doesn't.
"Where are you going? We can escort you halfway."
I quickly reply when I see General Larson trying to talk.
"We're going to Renztead."
Leon's eyes lit up at my words.
"We're going to Renztead too, we can together right?"
Leon and I look at the General and he simply nods and leaves the tent. Leon bows and follows him leaving me alone in the room.
I stand up and bring out a mirror. I take off my dress slightly on the shoulder and look at the bruise that's lightly formed.
"I should leave it like this till we get to Renztead."
"I get attacked and rescued by a general who escorts me. This is a good narrative."
"It won't be bad to get close to him, he might be useful in the future."
.