While Mrs.Maddie was looking for my clothes I took the time to brush and detangle my hair. It was gorgeous. Soft, thick, and healthy. What luck?
Mrs.Maddie reached on top of The Chester draw and took down a old beaten-up box where she found two dresses. She smiled at me and chuckled. "I kept them here so the Eldest Miss won't ruin your most beautiful dresses." The first dress was navy blue and had sewn on rose petals around the sleeves. The other one was a pastel purple dress suitable for the summer.
"My lady, which one would you like?". Mrs.Maddie said as she smiled displaying the two dresses in front of me. I was a bit confused since these were my most prized dresses, why would I wear them when I'm about the sleep again?
"Is there a special occasion?" I asked as I ran my fingers down the sewn-on petals that lined the breathtaking blue dress. My eyes were fixed on the dress but shifted as the woman stiffened.
Mrs.Maddie's eyes slightly widened as she bent down closer to me as if trying to avoid listening ears. "Don't you remember, my lady?!... The Archduke is coming to pay you a visit.", She said it in a hurried and hushed tone. I froze and stared back at her. Even my heart skipped a beat. The Duke was coming, here? After reminding myself to breathe, I remembered Julie did mention that he was visiting. Right now is the worst! I haven't even practiced how to greet a royal!!
"Uughhhhhhh..." I started to massage my temples as a frantic reaction. Studying the classes and hierarchies of a royal is one thing, actin' it out is another. Mrs.Maddie was shocked at my stress and sat the dresses on the dresser. "My lady, what bothers you so?!", She grabbed my hands and looked at me with great concern. I can't let her know iv forgotten the common greeting. It's bad enough that I don't know who they are.
"Oh, Mrs.Maddie..." Now I was the one grabbing onto her hands. "Please... Pay me no mind. I simply forgot and now I'm not mentally prepared to meet his Grace." I smiled at her. An old woman like her shouldn't worry so much, stress is an age killer.
She nodded slowly and patted the top of my hand. "You need not worry My lady, I'm sure your father will take care of everything.". Ugh, I forgot about that little scum too. "Enough of that, let's get you dressed and powdered up." I smiled at her and nodded my head. I hinted at the Purple dress since it seems more my style and Mrs.Maddie went ahead with some light makeup.
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Guiding me down the hall and out the building, Mrs.Maddy opened a iron gate that had small gaps. When she opened that gate, it led to a bigger area with a beautiful, lush garden that filled 100% of my vision. This garden didn't have roses or extravagant bushes. It was just a simple green field, with simple daisies poking out, simply beautiful. Even though my body followed the old lady, my mind ventured the wide halls. It was a bit shabby, not as luxurious as a basic castle, but It was definitely the residence of a noble family.
I stopped walking and looked over Mrs. Maddie's shoulder. She knocked on the door, and we stood there for a moment. There was no response. It was so quiet I could hear the wind blow between the open windows. A pair of footsteps came towards the doors and finally the doors swung open. The burst of light made it hard for me to keep my eyes open and actually reminded me to keep my head down.
A young lady walked with her best posture, head down, hands folded in front of her, and as quite as a mouse. I entered behind Mrs.Maddie and slipped in my curtsy when I realized she bowed. Lookin' out of my provisionals, I saw the Count sitting in front of me and Helena sitting in the sofa beside him to my right. Of course, she had her fan and held it right over her nose bridge.
"My Lord. My Lady…" Mrs.Maddie said as she stayed positioned in her deep bow.
In this loose corset, my back was already starting to hurt, so I knew Mrs.Maddie was really pulling through. Both of them sat there silently, as if they didn't even notice we walked in. The upper classmens silence after a greeting is a form of disrespect in their language.
After 30 seconds, I simply decided to stand up straight. Father, he was the first person I locked eyes with, and I saw the disbelief that took over his face. Taking a few steps forward, I helped Mrs.Maddie stand up as well and checked to see if she was doing well. "Greetings, Father. Countess.".
Both of them exchange glance like some children at a loss for words. Raising his hand, the man motioned towards Mrs. Maddie. "You've done what I've asked.". Mrs.Maddie took another bow in the middle of her disbelief and hesitantly left the room with concern. After watching Mrs.Maddie leave, I turned back to the man and was now examining his wife.
Although half her face was covered, I could sense the scornful look she had on her face. She sat upright with her chest pushed out and seemed like a statue. "It seems you still don't understand the distress you've put our family in.". The man was staring at me with a stern look as his fingers tapped on the chair handle. The woman turned to her husband, keeping her fan above her mouth and muffled something so quietly.
"My Lord, how are we to sell her off? All her marital assets are no longer valuable.". Although the man was listening to his wife, he stared at me with the most bone-chilling expression.
After a moment of silence, he motioned for me to come sit down. I walked and sat in front of his wife. I kept my poker face and stared back at him. "His Grace is coming to see you. Certainly to check on your condition. If you keep up these informalities and this disrespect, your head will not stay on for much longer.".
"And neither will your mothers.". That last sentence came from the man's wife and both me and him turned to look at her.
"Quiet Helena.". He said as he slammed the table next to him. She flinched and bowed, offering her deepest apologies for overstepping. I could've slapped her, but that's an abomination here. Self-control is needed all the time. Damn it..
After fiddling with his hands for a bit he finally asked, "So what do you plan to do in the situation? What has crossed your mind?".
"Plans? Father?" I asked him with a slightly tilted head. How do you plan for a fiancés visit? This was new to me.
"You had no intention of hosting your future husband's visit??" Helena's ears perked up and her eyes were filled with disappointment.
"Well no.". Before Helena's tongue could go flying, I continued. "A young Lady is normally entrusted to her Father and Mother for protection and Care until married off." The Count was taken aback.
"I assumed the Archduke was coming to see you, Father, since I am known to be his bedridden fiancé.". His eyes shot open with realization and Helena halted her waving fan.
'His Grace is on his way to see me? What for? It was this lunatic's fault, she fucking harmed herself.' The Count fidgeted as he raddled his brain for explanations. I saw an opportunity.
"But I'm sure we can leave a good impression, don't you think Father?". The count's eyes shifted towards me with a hint of annoyance and determination.
"Yes, it was your wits that put us in the situation. I'm looking forward to seeing how you get us out." He said. A small smile curved onto my face as I further elaborated that our goal should be to show his grace that I'm not just fine- but thrivin' after my accident.
"Think about it Father, if I'm the one who does become his host and assure him of my good health, he's gonna have to praise you for looking after his Fiancé.". And just like that, I flipped the script. Suck it Helena!
The Count tapped his chin with his finger as he nodded in agreement with my plan. 'Fucking idiot." Helena was surprisingly quiet, which alarmed me halfway through my explanation. I wasn't gonna give them all the glory of course, but they don't need to know every' detail. Beatrice's Father came off quite gullible, but his next words told me he was not completely absent-minded.
"The first Prince is a bastard, yet he has the nerve to invite himself to my estate for ME to cater to him. I'll take this hosting as part of your apology." There was a brief pause. "Just know, any of your mistakes shall be held under your own name. I have no room to protect you."
His words were indirect yet straightforward. He refuses for my flying head to have a ripple effect on the family. Giving him a small nod, I directed my attention to Helena. "Countess, could you ask the servants to make a small selection of appetizers that my Fiancé could pick from?". I could tell Helena felt uneasy with how I addressed her, but before she could spray the venom that was brewing on her tongue, I dramatically held my head low and clenched my hands together on my lap.
"I've forsaken our family, I've damaged and taken advantage of my body, and now, there are rumors that I've disrespected the Archduke. I've never met him, however, I'm scared he will feel the same way that these rumors have portrayed." Without further explanation, the Count rang a bell, and the maids started receiving orders similar to my idea.
I actually pulled this off, but my nerves have yet to settle.