"Astoria, is what they are saying true?"
That was the noble character, Lady Sena, future countess. I was currently being forced to kneel by two servants, but in my opinion, they need not cause kneeling was better than standing when you haven't eaten for a whole day.
We were currently inside the dining hall as they had just finished their dinner and decided to summon me for questioning. Tsk.
"You want the truth or their truth?" I ask. For once, I was being held accountable for something I actually did, well, four things.
"You are actually insinuating that I lie?" Myrcella looked unhappy. She hadn't been that under control with her outbursts since I pointed out her flaws.
"Everyone lies, even father lies," I shrug nonchalantly. I could see father trying to throw a knife at me. Who was he scaring? I stabbed myself on the throat, and I actually don't want to live. "Besides, I don't know what your deal is," I add, ignoring their unsure gazes.
"You don't see the big deal?" father shot up, making everyone flinch, except me. "YOU DON'T SEE THE BIG DEAL?!" he thundered, pulling me up by the neckline of my dress. I didn't expect to hear a tearing sound and that was when my expression dropped. He too, seemed surprised but he wasn't the violated one here.
"Your don't see need you say? What's this attitude you are showing me?" he proceeded asking, ignoring the fact that he just tore my dress. I suddenly felt emotional, must be the original feelings of Astoria and me. The disappointed feeling in someone you never held any expectations on.
How did Shireen live all this while?
Everyone was surprised when I started laughing, breaking the tight tension in the hall. I shrugged off the hold the two servants had on me and roughly made Count Edgar to let go of me. I stood up and pushed him away roughly, making him stumble backwards and walked away without a word.
I had slept like a chicken. One second I thought I was asleep, the other second, I was wide awake. I was being plagued by these feelings that wouldn't leave me alone.
These were the insecurities Astoria had while she was here. Turns out she was afraid of sleeping? She thought she would be finished off once she slept.
I woke up yawning, my stomach the only thing that was my alarm.
Ever since I came back to life I haven't eaten and am surprised with how this body took it. I guess she was used to it. Not eating for two days is mad crazy.
While I was thinking of my stomach issues, I heard neighing of horses. I went to the window to take in some fresh air but I happened to see the carriage. A blondie walked out and looked up to where my bedroom window was and our eyes met. He smiled sweetly. I did not react, just looking at him plainly.
I had told Calix not to mention this drowning incident to anyone, and I hope he isn't mouthy about me 'not remembering' things.
And I had told him to stay away from me, I needed less drama please.
I stood by the window, looking at Calix as he walked inside the house, father leading him. I was there for a while after he even disappeared from my sight. As much as I was annoyed, maybe marrying Calix might be my only escape from this family.
I heard my door being opened. "You are being called downstairs."
I turned to see Pasha, Sena's personal maid with a stoic expression. If I didn't know better, I would think I was the maid and not her. She was standing in my room, acting all haughty and mighty. I would have broken her nose if I didn't have Astoria's self control. I even tried to overlook how she just barged into my room.
"Tell them I am too weak," I dismissed her as I walked back to sit on my bed, yawning. Sleeping wasn't easy when you are in a paranoid person's body.
"It's an order from Lady Selyse and Count Edgar."
It looked more like her order to me. Oh I wanted to break that long pointy nose of hers.
One thing I know about me, I hate hate haaaate being told what to do. Like come on, why would you boss me around. Why would you?!
With that line of thoughts, I stood up and walked towards her slowly. She didn't even flinch or budge, she most definately sees me as a nobody. Wow.
"Lady Pasha," I start and immediately took a handful of her hair in my hand. She yelped. "Lady Pasha?" I mock.
"I only came to call you downstairs, why are you, Lady Astoria being rough? I am no Lady, am just a maid," she said, trying to sound really casual but the more I pulled, the more her voice sounded chocked.
"I don't believe this," I scoffed with a smile, despite of my really angry mind. "Even a nobody can bully me," I said and pushed her to the floor roughly. I had no energy to waste on her. "Get out," I say with a wave and I went back to my bed.
"It is an order," she repeated, her haughty appearance still shining through. She really thought I wouldn't kill her just because the future owner of this estate is backing her up. I walked towards her and gave her a tight slap that made her fall to the ground. She shot her head up, glaring at me as she held a hand to her slapped cheek.
"What was that for?" She shrieked with disbelief. I squatted to her levels and grabbed her chin roughly.
"Talk to me like that again and I'll claim your tongue, little one," I warned with a low tone that I could feel her gulp. With a smirk I stood up and stretched.
"You can leave when you are done," I said with a sigh and laid back on the bed. I can estimate that she left after two minutes. Ah my veins were popping up like popcorn because of the people in this house, even a mere maid!
It wasn't long before another maid came to announce for my presence downstairs. It was the blondie that was looking for me.
"You called for me," I say as I walked down the stairs, trying my best not to fall since I was starting to see two of things at some point. I tried to imagine the stairs weren't wobbly, but it was my legs that were wobbly.
Everyone was is the living hall.
"Lady Astoria, I had come to see you," Calix says with a wide grin.
"The Arch Duke's son is here to invite our family to his birthday ball," Verbena spoke up.
"Then why do you say you came to see me?" I raise an eyebrow at him.
"I had come to do both," he says smiling.
"What do want to tell my daughter?" there was a distancing tone in father's tone. He was reminding Calix that I was a lady who was unmarried and that he shouldn't talk like that to me. I smile.
"Nothing Count Edgar, I just came to see her," Calix says, as if ignoring father's remarks.
"Then why don't you take me out to eat? I am starving and I want to see the world outside today," I suggest. I didn't want to create a scene, I just wanted to eat. I am starving!
"You are off different gender, how could you even talk of such things?" Thundered Myrcella.
"You are going no where," Count Edgar make it clear.
"Because I am a prostitute's daughter, I am hungry, none of your weird rules should be off my concern," I say, matching his tone and taking in his glare. With that, I took Calix's hand and walked out.