Virtue.
Sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains that covered her windows, and Virtue rose from her bed feeling disheartened and burdened. The previous day had not unfolded as she had envisioned. She had anticipated that upon informing her father of Nathaniel's infidelity with Beatrice, the wedding would be canceled without anyone blaming or criticizing her. While her brother, Moses, supported her decision, her father adamantly declared, "The wedding will proceed as planned and shall not be canceled."
Incensed by his sister's fiancé's betrayal, Moses impulsively struck him in the face.
Her father disregarded the brawl between the younger men and refrained from expressing an opinion on the matter. Virtue's mother, however, advised her to adopt a submissive and humble demeanor, suggesting that men are inherently polygamous.
How submissive could she possibly be?
Susan paid a visit to check on her.
"My lady," Susan hugged her.
"Please refrain from touching me," Virtue gently pushed her away.
"I do not wish to have physical contact with anyone from now on."
"My lady, I apologize."
"It is quite alright."
As Susan rose to leave, Virtue felt remorseful about how she had pushed her away earlier..
"Please wait," Virtue said.
"Yes, my lady?"
"May I have my notebook, please?"
Susan politely brought it to her. "I will serve your breakfast in your room," she said.
"Thank you," Virtue muttered and flipped through the pages of her notebook.
In the few days since she began reading the book Beatrice gave her, she has felt a pull toward the mysteries of the universe. Living on a serene island surrounded by an endless ocean, she spent her days wandering the beaches, collecting seashells, and daydreaming about distant realms. One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, she decided it was time to explore the depths of her own soul.
Taking a seat on the gentle sands, Virtue gently closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. She concentrated on her breathing, allowing the soothing sound of the waves to envelop her. With each inhalation, she imagined gathering light; with each exhalation, she released her worries.
As she felt her body relax, she envisioned a beautiful and radiant garden—A place where colors were more vivid and the air sparkled with energy. She envisioned strolling through this garden, the flowers whispering secrets and the breeze gently guiding her.
Suddenly, she felt a lightness, as if she were levitating off the ground. She opened her eyes, but instead of the beach, she found herself floating above her island, the water shimmering beneath her. The sensation was exhilarating. She soared higher, gliding over lush greenery and sparkling waves, until she reached a celestial realm filled with stars. She spotted her lifeless body but refrained from approaching it.
In this realm, time seemed inconsequential. Virtue encountered radiant beings, their presence warm and inviting. They communicated without words, sharing wisdom about love, connection, and the essence of life itself. Each moment felt like a harmonious dance of understanding, awakening aspects of her she never knew existed.
After what seemed like hours, she sensed a gentle pull back to her body. Gradually, the radiant beings faded, and she descended, gliding back through the garden and landing softly on the beach where her journey began.
Opening her eyes, Virtue sat in silence, the world around her humming with life.She felt transformed, imbued with newfound wisdom and clarity. The sun had set, but her heart glowed with the light of the universe. With a smile, she knew this was just the beginning of many journeys within, each promising deeper connections to herself and the world around her.
She wondered if she should continue reading the authorless book, as she found it exciting and enjoyable.
After the altercation the previous night, she thought reading and practicing what has been read could serve as a welcome distraction to help her cope with the overwhelming nature of her world. She grappled with internal struggles on a daily basis but her thoughts were right.
"Allow your imagination to soar freely, for it is in the realm of liberty that creativity truly flourishes."
"It would be most delightful if you could indulge in the unrestrained exploration of your imagination, but only when you find yourself in the solitude of your own company and the tranquility of silence envelops you."
Those were the words she had read. She cherished them but found it challenging to comprehend their profound meaning.
Three days before the wedding.
Mr. Ben'ai, Beatrice's husband, who typically maintains a reserved demeanor in the island, paid a visit. He engaged in a private conversation with Mr. Lukas, Virtue's father, as they strolled to the rear of the house. Their discussion appeared to be marked by a misunderstanding, as Mr. Ben'ai's voice became noticeably louder. "My wife is a virtuous woman, your daughter on the other hand is a whore"
Mr. Lukas punched him on the mouth over and over again causing a gush of blood.
"Your wife is a lose woman. I could sleep with her if it pleases me," His angry red eyes almost piercing through their sockets. He spat aside, "Any age at all as along as you can handle a woman. That's how lose she is."
The servants had gathered to intervene in the fight, no one noticed Virtue as she discreetly descended the stairs and made her way towards the beach. As she walked, the voices of the servants gradually faded until they were completely inaudible.
"Envision your life with a different partner, a more supportive family, and a few close friends. Imagine the opposite of your current circumstances and close your eyes. Embrace this vision and allow it to manifest in your reality."
She gracefully spread a thick tablecloth on the sand and gently placed the book aside. As her expression became serene, she peacefully closed her eyes.
"Imagine yourself in an alternate reality. Ensure that you are fully immersed in that world. Be aware that once you are there, returning may not be possible." The words she had committed to memory throughout the day began to resurface, and she acted upon them. Soon, her soul had separated from her body.
The gentle evening breeze playfully turned the pages of the book, revealing a short note roughly scribbled on the middle page. It read,
"This book contains a crucial instruction: please ensure that you are completely alone when your soul separates from your body."