CHAPTER 4
I woke up to the sound of the chirping birds as well as the exposure of the sunlight. The window is open, and the curtain was swaying from left then right where the wind blows.
It’s been a week since I’m here. I’d never gone outside since then, I’m feeling dizzy and nauseous every morning as well as the smell. I can’t take it to the point I’ll puke in that instant or I’ll complaint to make sure that I’ll never smell that again. Many people see with doubtful and judging eyes. They were gossiping what happened to me while I’m gone for a month that when I returned here, I’m already pregnant. Some of them seems to believe that the man leave me because I have a child and he’s not ready to become a father, perhaps I’m a mistress or my lover had many affairs.
Only Sir Oliver, my mother, the head maid and scarlet knows what truly happened, those are the people who were trustworthy enough to know the truth. Every sunrise Scarlet was already here sitting on that sofa. She wanted to assist me of what I’m feeling and catering my needs especially my cravings. She’s been with me until the sun is set. I don’t want this kind of lifestyle where they will do everything and all I have to do is to stay put.
Chantria’s nanny crossed my mind. Before my mother exposed that she has a lover. Nanny resigned and only, Scarlet, her daughter remained here to take care of me in her stead. That’s why I’ve seen her as my older sister. We only have a five years gap. I remembered they were living faraway to the empire. It’s located in the southwest. It’s a small province that only few people living in there. The way Chantria’s nanny narrates the story, it was a merry experiences that a child has gained interests on, she wished to experience that and visit their town someday. Maybe, this is the time I'll go there but not as visitation.
It’s better to get there than imprisoning myself in here. It’s a provincial life. It’s the fresh air and away from these people makes my life peaceful and easier. Away from toxic people. I need that especially right now. I need to prepare myself for the story plot that will happened in three years from now. I will tell Scarlet about this and hopefully, she will agree to my plan.
I look around to find where she is. To my disappointment, there’s no one here. Where could she go?. I stand up, take a bath and dressed myself.
I wore an off shoulder long dress that has a flower printed on it. To further make it look good, I wore accessories, a flower yellow earrings and pendant. I tied my long hair in a dutch braid style. It makes my arm numb but, because of my noble blood, I need to look presentable outside or inside of the manor, that’s what Scarlet told me. I was astonished of my appearance when I saw my reflection in the mirror. If I were a guy, I will get the hands of this girl, make it my wife. Whatever, I wear this villain is really beautiful.
I got out. There’s a lot of servants panicking as if there’s something happened. I wonder what is it? I approached one of them and asked what’s the ruckus all about. She only told me that there’s a valuable guest that will arrived today.
That’s why scarlet is nowhere to be found. Maybe, she’s very busy as one of the heads in our manor. I didn’t disturb them or asked who is it. I walked outside, towards the garden. I have seen a varieties of shades of roses.
I stood in front of the group of white roses and squat down. I was about to pluck one of them when I heard someone clears it’s throat. I abruptly stood up and look it’s direction.
I saw a man standing crossed arms that’s wearing a white long sleeves that’s folded up to his arm and a black trousers and shoes. I stared at his features, a well built body figure. You can see that he’s doing some physical exercises due to his muscular build. This is the type of body that a celebrity has. A perfect straight edged nose, a hooded eye. What’s make it more attractive is the mole below of his eyes.
“Good Day! Sir” I pinched the sideways of my skirt to make a bow. He responded to it also.
“What’s a lady doing here?” he asked while raising one of his eyebrow.
I chuckled in his expression. It’s because all I see is a handsome face that’s going to scold me or something like that.
“I’m just strolling around here. I’m looking for my personal attendant but I didn’t see her and since, it’s a beautiful day. It’s a waste not to go outside, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, you’re right”
I smiled at him and returned facing the flower in front of me.
Do you know there’s a valuable guest coming here? That’s why people inside were panicking to make the manor looks it's best and well suited to the guest”
“It might be an honorable guest”
“Like?”
“Perhaps, a member of a royal family?”
“That’s acceptable, what are you doing here by the way?”
“I accompanied someone”
“That’s why I didn’t recognized you, It’s that our valuable guest?”
“Yes. They were looking for the lady of this house”
“You mean, me?”
He nodded in response. I glanced around the area. I drag his arm to squat down and I did the same. We looked like were hiding from someone.
“You see, I didn’t know we have a guest right now. No one informed me. I know this sounds ridiculous but, I stayed in my room for these past few days and I never told anyone that I’m going out today”
“I see”
“So I will asked a favor, just a little favor” I formed my index finger and thumb into a small letter C while saying that.
“What favor?”
“Please, don’t tell anyone about me going outside”
He just obediently nodded. I sighed in relief. Maybe, my mother don’t want me to go out since, I’m not feeling well and she don’t want to disturb me. I glanced at the handsome man beside me. He’s staring at the white roses in front of him. Isn’t he cute?
“You see, this is the first time I’m talking to someone besides my personal attendant”
I played with my fingers to distract myself. I need to changed my pace, I need to refreshed my mind for all the happenings in my life in the present and the upcoming struggles that I need to make some preparations. I’m glad that he’s a silent man. Sometimes, we don’t need advices, we just need a person who can lend their ears.
“I planned to live in a town faraway from this empire”
“Why?”
I looked at him and smiled bitterly. “I want to forget what happened to me as well as I need to have my peace of mind back”
“Why?”
“You see, a month ago” I stopped when I realized that I should keep it a secret. I tilted my head to see his reaction and smile faintly. “No, never mind”
“I’m probably not going to meet the guest today” I added.
“Why?”
I chuckled when I hear his response. It’s expected that’s his answer. I watched him as he raised an eyebrow because of my action.
“Well, I noticed that your answer is always why so, i expected to hear that. I’m sorry for laughing”
“I’m a man with a few words”
“Not now”
He wrinkled his forehead when he didn’t get what I mean but, it changed when he realized what I replied to him. We both laugh. I suddenly froze when I hear people walking to our direction, looking for me.
“I think I should go”
“You better”
“Then, it’s nice to talk to you err…”
“Fox, I’m fox”
“I’m Chantria” I laughed “I’m a little bit popular so, you probably already know my name”
“Can I talk to you again, milady?”
I was shocked by his question. I don’t know if we can talk again because I’m planning to go to a faraway place.
“You see, I believe in fate. If someday, the two of us crossed each others path. I’m willing to accept your offer”
He just smiled at me in response. He plucked a white rose and get the thorns barehanded.
“Be careful, thorns are sharps, you might hurt yourself” After I said that, he ignored my concern. He seems focusing himself plucking those out.
“May we crossed our paths again, milady” He handed the rose to me, grab my hand and kiss the back of it.
As he walked away, I heard him saying his purpose in here is fulfilled. Maybe, that’s my imagination as I heard people started to make a fuss of my absence. I walked hurriedly towards my room. I avoided all of the servants and make sure that they will not noticed or see me.
A few steps away from my room, I tiptoed to not disturb the others. I slowly opened the door and entered it. I took a deep breath when suddenly there’s a voice I heard. The one who clears the throat i know who is it. I turned around to see my mother in crossed arms and she’s furiously staring at me.
She briskly walked towards my way. I prepared myself for a scold or a slap but, she hugged me tightly.
“Where did you go?”
“I’m outside, breathing some fresh air”
“Why didn’t you tell someone to escort you? Or asked my permission?”
“I’m sorry”
“No, don’t be. I am worried that you might be missing, and I don’t want something bad happen to you again”
“I’m sorry mom, for my reckless behavior”
“No, it’s okay. I want you to be extra careful”
“Now, that you’re here I should go to the receiving room since, the guest was already there”
“I’m sorry”
“No, it’s okay. You’re more important. I’ll call Scarlet to come here and aide you in everything”
I nodded at her then she walked past me. I put the flower in an empty vase and put it on the coffee table. When people walks in, this is visible in the eye.
After staring at it, I remember what white rose means. Innocence and purity it’s also, associated with marriage and new beginnings.
New beginnings huh? If I can avoid my downfall, if I will be successful of that, I hope I can see Sir Fox again. I smiled to that thought. Well, a handsome man like him is unavoidable to admire.
At the receiving room. The Duchess hurriedly came in.
“I’m very sorry for my late appearance”
“It’s okay, his highness had gone away. He seems strolling around in your manor, is that okay?”
“Yes, he may”
There’s suddenly a man entered the room. He gets his tuxedo and turned around to the Duchess.
“I think there’s no need for me to see the Lady”
“I’m very sorry. She’s resting as of the moment. I’m sorry for the inconvenience”
“It’s okay, we already know what happened to the lady. I think we don’t need to discuss that further”
“Yes, your highness”
“Lets go”
The man wear his black tuxedo with an empire logo on it. He walks towards the carriage. All of the servants stops what they’re doing just to see the man with a dignified walked.
He entered the carriage and sit comfortably. The knight outside who accompanied him, excuse themselves to the Duchess. After that, he entered the carriage and sit across the prince.
“Find out what happened to the Lady, a month ago”
“Yes, your highness”
“Also, make sure to find evidences about that girl who keeps pestering me”
“Yes, your highness”
Right now, Scarlet is scolding me not to go out without permission. She was worried of where did I go. I keep apologizing to her because anytime now, she might cry.
“Please, be careful next time, milady”
“Yes. Actually, I’m looking for you”
“Why? You could have waited me here, milady”
“Yes, yes. I’m very sorry. I will not do it again. I promised”
“Make sure of that, milady. There are people who were worried when you’re gone please, consider that”
“Yes, I’m sorry”
“What’s your purpose for looking for me, milady?”
“I want to live in your town”
“What?” she raised her voice. I know this is sudden but, this is my resolved, my decision.