Day 108 Year 927 of the New Calendar
She emerged from the shower, clad in a bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her damp hair. I was gazing out the window when she caught my attention. "Good news is, it seems like your pursuers have hopped off the train; I don't sense them anymore," I said.
I turned toward her. "You can rest here in my bed and leave in the morning," I offered, moving closer. "But I didn't catch your name." As I spoke, I glanced away, walking toward the table in the corner where a bottle of whiskey waited, glimmering in the warm light.
I poured two ounces into each glass, adding ice cubes that clinked softly. Picking them up, I returned to her, handing her one before settling into the chair. This time, she took a sip without the slightest hint of suspicion.
"Charlotte," she said, a hint of warmth in her voice.
"I'm Lucian Fulgur, a professor," I replied, savouring the rich taste of the whiskey.
She raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering across her face. "A professor?"
"Yes, though I'm newly appointed through a recommendation," I explained, taking another sip. "What is your profession?" I asked.
My question seemed to have caught her off guard, and I sensed a shift in the atmosphere. "I prefer not to share that information with a man I just met," she replied, her tone firm.
I couldn't help but chuckle, a lightness creeping into the moment. "I suppose I was overstepping my boundaries," I said, amused. Finishing my drink, I placed the glass on the side table.
"You should get some rest after you change," I suggested, adjusting my shirt while sitting on the couch. "You can borrow one of my clothes for the night if you'd like. I'll take the couch."
She met my gaze and nodded, a hint of gratitude in her eyes. I pulled a shirt from the cupboard and handed it to her, stepping out of the compartment to give her privacy.
After a few moments, she called out, "You can come in now; I'm all done changing."
As I entered, the sight before me took my breath away. She stood in my white shirt, its fabric draping elegantly over her. She was making the bed, and was getting ready to sleep.
I sank into the sofa, feeling the tension of the day begin to ebb away. I slept right away.
The Next Day
In the morning, sunlight streamed through the window, gently kissing my eyelids and coaxing me from the realms of sleep. It was an hour past sunrise, and the day promised a pleasant warmth. I stretched on the sofa, glancing outside before my gaze settled on her, sleeping peacefully, oblivious to the world.
After a quick freshening up in the bathroom, I changed into a crisp white shirt paired with high-waisted pants, a fitted waistcoat, and a tailored jacket, completing the look with my gold-framed spectacles. Just as I adjusted my cuffs, a knock at the door drew my attention.
Opening it revealed a young man from the railway staff, standing with a trolley adorned with a silver dome—a cake cover, as it were. He bowed slightly, his voice bright with cheer. "Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning," I replied, stepping aside to let him in. The compartment was divided into two sections: a cozy bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and an inviting lounge. In the lounge, a round dining table nestled near the window was set with two chairs draped in plush cushions.
As he placed the covered plate on the table, I admired the setup—two metal bottles for salt and pepper gleamed under the soft light. He revealed the contents: a tantalizing appetizer, two slices of freshly baked bread, and a delicate pudding. With precision, he arranged the cutlery beside each plate, then added a jug of water and two glasses.
"Enjoy your meal, Sir," he said, and with that, he left me to indulge in breakfast.
Halfway through my meal, the door to the bedroom creaked open, and Charlotte stepped into the lounge. Her hair was tousled, and her face bore the traces of sleep. "Good morning" she murmured, though her voice was laced with a hint of complaint.
I watched as she rubbed her temples. "I have a headache," she sighed. I suggested she take some medicine from the drawer and catch a few more winks. She nodded, rummaged through the drawer, and soon returned, having swallowed a pill with a glass of water before retreating back into the bedroom.
Once she was gone, I called for the attendant again, inquiring if they could provide attire for a woman. A few moments later, he knocked at the door, presenting a stunning black dress, a wide-brimmed black hat, and a pair of elegant black heels.
"Thank you," I said, appreciating his efforts. As I reached into my jacket's side pocket for a gold coin, the attendant's eyes widened in disbelief.
"This is too generous, Sir. I cannot accept this," he protested.
"It's quite alright," I reassured him with a smile. "Please, keep it."
With a mixture of joy and reluctance, he accepted the coin. "Have a wonderful day, sir," he said, leaving me feeling pleased with my small act of kindness.
As the clock approached one in the afternoon, I sat once more at the study table, poring over my grandfather's research papers. My jacket hung on the hook by the door, and I had just finished organizing my briefcase when I heard the bedroom door open again.
Charlotte emerged, a vision in a plush bathrobe, her hair slightly tousled. "I arranged some clothing for you," I mentioned, gesturing to the elegant outfit on the table.
She eyed the dress, heels, and hat with curiosity, then disappeared back into the bedroom to change. I took the moment to gather my scattered papers, setting them neatly in my briefcase, my glasses resting on the table.
When she returned, the dress fit her perfectly, accentuating her features in a way that made her radiate confidence. She looked at me expectantly, waiting for a compliment, but I merely asked, "Does it suit your taste?"
"Yes, it does! Thank you so much!" she beamed, her eyes sparkling.
We spent the afternoon after having lunch, chatting about our interests, finding common ground in our stories and dreams. Time flew, and as the sun dipped lower in the sky, the train began to approach the city of Vromia.
"This is where we part ways," she said, rising from the couch.
I felt a twinge of reluctance. "Alright, it was nice to make your acquaintance," I replied, trying to mask the sudden heaviness in my chest.
With a smile, she stepped off the train, blending into the bustling crowd. I sank back into the couch, a chuckle escaping me. "What an ungrateful woman," I mused aloud, shaking my head at her departure, "didn't even thank me before leaving."
to be continued...