Raymond sat by the window gazing out at the night sky. Beautiful stars twinkled and the moonlight reflected on the small waves. His head was completely overwhelmed by a single person.
Eloise.
It had been three days since they met. He had gone to call on her but she seems to be sleeping every time he visited.
Eloise didn't come to visit him as well.
it was worrying.
He anxiously bit his lips. 'maybe she took offense to Fred's words... he shouldn't have said that.'
Eloise was not obligated to take responsibility for his life. he did not want her to be. In fact, he wanted to be the one to do everything for her not the other way around.
When Fred uttered those words three days ago he saw her expression change dramatically. He hadn't thought it was a big issue, but now it was apparent.
Eloise had taken offense.
' Will she hate me because of it… I... I have to talk to her again. But it's late... they would have headed off to bed again… I hope Eloise will allow me to call on her tomorrow.' Sighing, he sat back in his seat.
His eyes fell on the distant shores. Late at night others might not see it but he can. He saw the lustrous city with biding lights shining in the distance.
Their ship was about to reach the shores of Bafeld, a coastal city known for its trade. More than that, Bafeld was known for its nightlife. The city seems dead in the morning but at night everything came alive. People dance and sang on the street, and beautiful dazzling lights flew around in beautiful flying lanterns...
It was a dream city for most
their ship would disembark for a few days to restock on food and necessity.
"Should I ask her out? Would madam Ayles let us travel alone the streets at night?"
The city of Bafeld was completely safe thanks to the duke of Gan. Thousands of warriors roamed the streets every day to keep it safe from crimes and robbery.
That was also why it was safe for travelers and traders to walk around at night.
But he was not sure any lady would allow their daughters out alone in the streets like that after sunset.
Raymond sighed. "I so wish to walk around with her. Not just in the dark deck, but also in the beautiful stress filled with laughter and signing... I want to dance with her again."
A small smile arose in the corner of his lips. "But it's okay now as well. because we are sharing the same moonlight… soon we shall spend a lot of fun nights together dancing and singing,"
Eloise sneezed loudly.
"Miss you can't sit out here. What if you catch a cold?" Odette covered her with a blanket.
Eloise pulled it close and leaned against the window. The night was dark and they could barely see anything. But in the distance, she spotted a tinge of light shining through. At times it would shine in their direction.
"Is that a lighthouse? Are you close to land?"
Odette peered out. "oh, we are bound to port in Bafeld for a few days. The city is known for its colorful nightlife. Ohh I have heard so many stories. I have heard that they have a lot of different food stalls." She sighed softly licking her lip.
Eloise peered up at her. "Then let's go."
"no. that city is quite special. it's an entertainment city that is only lively at night. madam won't allow us to roam around late at night."
Eloise sat up straight. "But we both are going together what's wrong with that?"
"We're both women. We can't be seen outside so late at night or people will gossip."
Eloise raised a brow. "so we stay in here and follow rules?"
"Hmm, we must miss,"
Eloise scoffed. "Bull, we are going down there. I can convince mum and if she does not allow us, we shall sneak out. What do you say? It would be our secret escapade."
Odette's mouth went wide. "Never! Miss, we must do that!"
"You're such a goodie too shoes," Eloise sighed. For now, she did not have anyone else that can accompany her down there.
She was trying to put some distance between herself and Raymond to stop her growing feeling so she cants obviously ask him.
As for Fred, well she can't ask him. He was taken and he won't obviously accompany her alone in the city.
Eloise sighed. 'I need to find a good girlfriend who I can travel and spend a lot of time with. With this marriage, I am bound to have a lot of time on my hand. if I am left to my devices, I would go crazy.'
But the only problem was that women in this century were not as open-minded and crazy as she was.
It was so hard to even find a similar topic to talk about with them.
All they do is talk about silks, dresses, and men. at least that was what she had observed.
"It would take time but I would find a weird person like me and maybe we might find a lifelong friendship…" she whispered ever so softly.
Odette who was right behind her heard this clear as day.
That very night she went and reported to madam about the young misses' troubles.
"Eloise wants a friend? This is going to be harder to achieve. The young ladies I know do not get along well with my daughter's character… Odette, we must find a friend for her. Let's work harder to analyze every young lady in this ship." Madam Ayles said in a serious tone.
"yes, madam! We will help our miss find a friend!"
Eloise was not aware of this small predicament that her mother and her little maid were working towards.
The next morning, she got up and got ready as usual and laid on her bed. As usual, Raymond came to call on her.
"Eloise, mister Raymond is here? are you awake?"
If it was any day, she would have tucked herself into bed and pretended to sleep but not today.
She had greater plans. Since she wanted to go out, she had to find a partner who would accompany her. As of now, she did not have anyone.
The temptation of this city was too much.
She had to overcome the small regulation she put on herself to stay away from mister Raymond just for a few days and enjoy the city of Bafeld.
'Yes, I'm shameless like that. but it's just a few days… I bet mister Fred won't mind... and… I'm also marrying him. I need a few more benefits that come with the position too.' she steeled her heart and walked out of her room.
"ah she is here. Eloise mister Raymond wanted to take you out on a walk around the city. If you would like to, you can go."
Eloise's eyes widened ever so slightly. 'Just last night I begged her to let me go but she refused. now that he came and asked and she is letting me go? So unfair!'
"Miss Eloise please you can't reject if you don't want to. right now, the city of Bafeld would be deserted. Only at night would the streets come alive. It's not a proper place for a lady but... I want you to explore the city a bit. It's because There are a lot of new inventions and gadgets that might catch your attention." He said enthusiastically.
Eloise's still heart pounded loudly in her chest. 'ah three ay of work went down the drain. There it goes. My stupid heart is pounding for a gay man... sigh I have to get over him soon or I will end up head over heels for him. It's bad...'
"would mister Fred be coming with us? More the merrier." She put up a fake smile.
"o-oh if you wish to, I can ask him. He can accompany us." He said with an awkward smile. "Well… I'll see you late at night. Please be ready. I'll come to pick you up."
"Okay… bye..." she walked back into her room and closed the door behind her.
Raymond kind of froze. "d-did I do something wrong?" he gazed at madam.
Madam Ayles blinked confusedly. "no, its not your fault mister Raymond. What happened three days ago? She seemed slightly down right after that,"
Raymond frowned deeply. "It was my fault. My friend talked to her and miss Ayles must have taken offense to this."
"Oh, that girl takes offense to everything. Just apologize to her. She still likes you very much, young duke. Stay strong and you will win her heart."
Raymond smiled softly. "I hope I do…."
"Maybe she is angry because you didn't propose yet..." mamma Ayles gazed at him pointedly.
"I do plan to… but the ring… it's taking time to arrive."
He had only been courting her but he had yet to propose. He had a reason for this. his family's heirloom ring was still back in the palace. He had already sent in a pigeon to have it sent here.
But it would take time.