Lady Rosellia, The Noble

After hearing about her mistress' critical condition, Asty could not contain the uneasiness within herself. A few days ago, she and Lady Rosellia were chatting about the village boys and their favorite quotes. 

Heart heavy, Asty made her way to Lady Rosellia's mansion. She would through the village's center, and as soon as she stepped within the vicinity, all of the villagers' eyes were fixated on hers. At first, she tried to ignore their judgmental expressions, and no matter how she tried, she could not stop overhearing their conversations about her. She continued to reject their critiques, her eyes straightforwardly looking forward as she averted her gaze from the other women in the proximity.

Asty did not want to hear their childish rumors.

"Look! It's the woodcutter's daughter!"

"She has bright orange hair, yet everyone in the village has dark hair."

"Is she a countess?"

"A secret count's love child, maybe."

Asty clenched her small fists on her skirt and closed her eyes. Not again. Not this time. 

"If she was a half-countess then why can she walk on sunlight?"

Asty's eyes slowly widened when she heard a familiar man's voice who came into her defense. She looked straight at the male and a smile spread from her small lips. She recognized those looks. 

"Hello, Asty."

"N-Noelle..." she started, surprise evident in her face. 

The male leaned and glared daggers upon the nasty village folks. Asty chuckled as the male continued to shoo the gossiping women. When the commotion started to cease, he looked at her with tender eyes and smiled sweetly at the young girl.

"Long time no see," he started. "You've grown a lot, Asty."

Noelle was Asty's childhood best friend. He used to be a woodcutter just like herself. He was a fine young man, a few inches taller than her with dark tousled hair and bright green eyes. He was very charming in his own ways.

He left the town a few months before for a business in the capital and this was the very first-time Asty had seen him after he left.

"It's been months. H-How are you doing?" she asked him.

Noelle scratched his nape and chuckled. "Been fine, I suppose." He then notices Asty's attire. "Where are you headed to?"

"I am going to see Lady Rosellia. She is ill and the doctor has told mother that she wishes to see me."

The boy's eyes widened. "Lady Rosellia is ill? I will come with you then," he pretended a smile, even if he was truly provoked. "I adore Lady Rosellia. It would be nice to greet her."

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind." Asty elbowed the male who's cheeks have become beetroot when Lady Rosellia's name was mentioned. They both proceeded to walk.

_

When they arrived at Lady Rosellia's mansion, the guards let them in with no questions.

"Get in. Quick."

"Alright. Alright." Asty replied.

The unusual action made Asty's stomach churn. Asty was worried because their behavior was different as usual. It would seem that they were in a hurry making her go inside. 

"There is something wrong," Noelle murmured.

Asty heard him and agreed. "Mhmm."

They both walked at a fast pace to Lady Rosellia's bed-chambers. When they arrived, the maids immediately opened the doors and left them to privacy.

Lady Rosellia was in the bed, weak and frail. Noelle averted his gaze away from the woman. He cannot stand seeing her this weak. A few months ago, he had sworn that Lady Rosellia was as lively as the chickens.

"Lady Rosellia," Asty called out to her and held her weakened hands. They were cold as ice. "Lady Rosellia?"

"Asty..." she called to her weakly.

"Yes, I'm here." she assured her. 

"Asty, you're here..."

"I am..." Asty gently responded, while caressing her head.

The Noble with the golden hair smiled weakly, and even if she was suffering something painful, her smile was still beautiful as ever.

Lady Rosellia was Asty's inspiration. A noble in her thirties who gave significant changes to the Village of Erana even if she weren't their chieftain. She was generous and kind, even to the poor peasants like Asty herself.

She was Asty's ray of sunshine. Her hope. Her inspiration.

"Lady Rosellia, the last I saw you, you were..."

The beautiful woman chuckled. "I was..?"

"You were extremely lively." Asty's bright eyes frowned. "What has become of you? Yesterday your complexion was fine! And the other day too! And the day before that—"

Rosellia smiled. "Every night, a creature visits me to watch me sleep."

Asty's eyes dilated a bit, she did not know whether she would be confused or terrified. She knew what the Noble was referring to. 

And she was aware of their presence.

"Lady Rosellia?"

"It would stare at me with those huge, poisonous hues right at that window." she weakly pointed to a huge curtained glass. "It would not leave me alone. But last night, it did not come."

Asty did not understand Lady Rosellia's words. But she continued to listen.

"Maybe he grew tired of watching me."

"Don't say such things like that, Lady Rosellia."

Asty could not believe her eyes. Two days ago, this beautiful woman was with her picking daisies and blowing dandelions from the mountain meadows. And now, she is here, bedridden to the point that she cannot stand.

"Milady, I will ask the doctor to bring you medicine immediately. Or should I run to the palace and seek the King for help?"

Lady Rosellia placed her palms on Asty's pale cheeks. "The king will not help me. The doctor did not know about my illness. How would you presume that I could recover?"

"But Lady Rosellia..."

Balls of tears starting forming from the edges of her eyes. Her heart sank.

"I wanted to see you because you remind me of the sun..."

Asty gripped her hand tightly, and controlling herself from tearing up. "T-Then look at me to your heart's content, Milady."

Rosellia smiled weakly. "Asthenosthene."

The young girl looked at her and bawled like an infant. The bedridden noble caressed her hair gently. "Shhh... shhh... it's okay."

"I-It is not! Isn't it, Noelle?!" 

The male avoided her look and clenched his fists. He did not know what was going on either. Why did that suddenly happen? Why must this happen on the very day he had returned? 

"M'lady!" Asty cried out. "You're going to be okay, alright?"

"Asty." 

"Yes..?" she replied between sobs.

"Would you do me a favor?"

She frantically nodded, tears streaming from her eyes. "Yes, of course..." She shook her head. "Anything. Just tell me anything..." 

"Would you go to the Ball on my behalf?"