Avant-propos

Pit-pat-pit-pat-pit-pat-pit-pat.

Pitter-patters of rain, I suppose since it was cold as well, had woken me up from my deep slumber. Despite being awake, I refused to open my eyes. Laziness kicking me around, mostly on my head, which has been throbbing. I don’t know for how long I had slept but I can tell that it was a bit long now since my arms and neck feels sore.

So, it is raining, the rumble that echoed told me so. My brows twitched at the sound of the knock on my door and them opening and closing the knob. Light footsteps careful not to awaken me, and comforting crackles had surrounded the room briefly and it had gotten warmer than it was earlier.

The person that had entered my room continued to wander my room. I felt them walk near me. Shuffling around something before I felt the presence just beside me. “My Lady, it’s time for you to wake up from your afternoon slumber” the soft tone, carefully not to anger me, full of respect, rang in my ears.

Should I open my eyes now? I battled whether I should open them or not but still, I did. Carefully. As if I had just woken up. I look to see the familiar uniform she wore. The black and white uniform, the white apron, the white headdress, and the ruffles that designed her dress, and her dress that stopped on her ankles. Her hand was clasped together as she was gaping at me softly.

As soon as she saw my eyes open, a soft smile appeared on her face. “I see that you had a great sleep, My Lady, would you prefer to wash your face, or take a bath?” her smile remained on her face. I moved to stretch my torso and my legs. Then I sat up to stretch my neck and my arms that has been strained for a while.

I let out a sigh and looked to take a peek outside. The long curtains hadn’t completely hidden the view outside. The dark clouds and the rain had confirmed my guess earlier. The maid waited patiently for my reply. I turned to her. “Taking a bath would be nice” I replied to her in the same manner. A smile took over my face as I stood up from the very comfortable bed.

“Then I shall tell the others to warm up the water, My Lady, I will be right back, do you have any preferences as to what you are going to wear for dinner?” she waited for another response. I stood up to sit on the couch. “Not anything in particular, I guess, it’s just another dinner anyways” I shrugged as I picked up the papers on the table in front of me. Examining each as the maid nodded before walking out of my room.

Minutes after, maids entered my room again, this time there are many of them, and told me that the bath was ready. I left the paper works and followed them to another chamber connected to my bedroom. Maids bathe me just like they always did. Cleaned up my hair, and my body, and dried me after. I stood on the ottoman, in another chamber, where my dresses, accessories, and jewelry are stored.

I bent down the dresser, the corset suspending all the oxygen in my body while they continued to pull and tie it around my torso. “Just how much longer are you going to pull on it? At this point, I won’t be able to eat anything” I rolled my eyes, pointing the obvious out. “Please excuse us My Lady, but the Madam had strictly ordered us to have you prepared for tonight’s dinner. We were notified that there will also be other families to join the dinner” My personal maid, the one who had woken me up earlier pulled harshly for the last time, finishing tying the corset around me.

“Ugh, what is it about again this time? Who is getting sold off?” I talked to myself as they dressed me. Layers and layers of skirts before the actual dress. It was pretty simple. Maybe my mother wanted to make me look as humble as I can. I rolled my eyes internally at the stupid thought. The purple chiffon dress with puffed sleeves and a couple of amethyst and diamonds that clung to it decorated the dress pretty well.

The bodice clung to my body as if it was my second skin, and the angled collar of the dress exposed my chest a bit. Talk about being humble and modest. I let out a huge sigh after I was dressed. It was the right decision to have my afternoon nap.

They sat me down this time in front of the dresser. Various products were laid out in front of me. The maids colored my face and designed my hair with pieces of jewelry. It obviously took hours to finish everything. It lasted until I felt exhausted to even attend the dinner. Really, everything is just for another dinner. I sat down on the couch, waiting for the attendant to call me to go to the dining room.

I read the papers again, frowning at each report my assistant had given to read through. A knock, followed by opening the door revealed the attendant that I have been waiting for. I stood up and dusted the invisible dirt on my dress. “My Lady, I have been instructed to come and fetch you to greet the guests that will arrive any time now” he bowed a forty-five degree and I internally rolled my eyes, for the nth time this night.

I followed the attendant, alongside my knights and maids that accompanied me. It was a long walk. Endless hallways with gold and silver interiors. Chandeliers that lit everything, making it seem all of it sparkled at every angle. I stridden down the long stairs, and at the end of it, was my family.

I greeted both my father and my mother with a kiss on their cheeks before turning back a few steps behind to meet my brother who was a year older than me. “Corset is hiding your true form, huh?” he whispers, leaning toward me a bit. “Just like your gifted face hides your stupidity, brother” I snarked back, earning a smirk from him, rolling my eyes at him. “Were you noticed about this? I don’t remember being notified about this dinner” I conversed with him as we waited for the honored guests.

“As of what I had heard, apparently, they seemed to be very honored and special guests of ours”, “and Mother seemed to have created another friend in one of her tea parties” My brother fills me in with the information, which barely helped. “They didn’t tell you who it was?” I raise a brow out of curiosity. My brother could only shake his head, and two carriages arrived in front of the mansion.

I saw my mother smile as both my parents approached the guests. A cheek-to-cheek greeting, they seem to be very close. My eyes were glued to the other carriage that just opened, revealing a tall man, resembling both our guests. My brows raise at the appearance of the new face. I felt my brother tap my elbow before approaching and greeting them as well.

My heart quickens. Oh fuck, it seemed my question will have an answer by the end of this dinner.