I'd woken up early as part of my routine.
At home, I'd feel replenished and motivated to start the day full of learning and socialising.
In this damned place, my eyes were puffy and there was a stench radiating off of me. I'd spent the latter half of the morning finding a bathroom. When I did, it had the bare minimum and no bath. I'd even kept the vial of vinegar and pepper in my corset for when I could rinse myself and put a fresh dab on my neck.
I was a woman on a mission as I went down to the dining hall and only found crumbs of bread on a plate and the lingering smell of coffee. Mother believed tea was the lady-like option to go with. By now at this time in the morning, I'd usually be served with that and some cream biscuits. My mouth watered at the thought.
I back track and follow the ground floor hallways until I reach a stone path that opens to another archway; a common architectural theme here. Spring leaves blow in from the outside and I follow them to an opening of a small common square where the tanned woman from yesterday sits on the only bench not covered in weeds.
"Good morning," I greet.
She snaps her head to me, smile dropping completely from watching a butterfly. She rises to leave.
"Please don't let me interrupt you!"
It makes her stop.
"Can you just let me know how I can bathe and fetch myself some food?" I inquire hastily.
She exasperates a sigh. "Tatiana refuses to make any other meal except dinner. You'll have to fend for yourself out of that time frame. As for bathing…"
There's a click on her face that I'm unable to catch onto. "We bathe in the pond." She points across, referring to the path that intersects the other hallway and into the forest behind.
"A pond?"
"Yes, I used it this morning. So you should be safe now before the others wake up." Her lips quirk up and I take that as a win on my side.
"Thank you so much…" I trail off.
"Ah, my name is Emery."
"Thank you, Emery. Please, carry on." I gesture to her seat.
"You may need to walk a little bit until you can find it. You can't miss it though." She provides and I march onwards at the prospect of refreshment as well as having a task to do.
It's relatively cooler in the shade as I'm surrounded by thick, overhanging shrubs. Drops of light shatter in and it's unlike anything you'd find in the city with man-made parks. Even the fauna are chipper about it as they make noise every now and then.
When I get further in on the dirt path, I'm worried that Daniya was not entirely truthful about her directions. The earthy air invades my nose and there's no insight into how far I'm going with the plants being mapped the same way. I'm about to turn around when there's a glisten.
I keep walking and the quiet rush of water can be heard. There's an outcrop in the density and as Daniya stated, a mini pond with water running down rocks from a mossy mound. I'm hesitant and interested about the situation at the same time.
I watch over my shoulder to confirm that no one is in my vicinity. I promise myself it's a quick in and out. I'll remember to pinch some soap next time.
My ivory skin connects with the warming air when I undress and I touch the surface of water with my toe. I don't bother fussing about the chill and step in. The level of the water doesn't drop enough for my full height, so I crouch in until the pond is up to my collarbones.
It's tranquil when I find myself scrubbing my skin, doing my best not to let dread and worry seep in. I think about what my mother may be doing and if she's still uncertain as much as I am.
A brushing sound interrupts my deep thoughts on my mother and her schedule. My blue eyes flicker in every direction. Nothing. When I return to relaxing, I flinch at the movement of a monochrome bird swooping down to perch onto the ground to find its breakfast.
"You and I, both." I murmur to the animal which manages to dig its beak and source a worm. "Make sure you savour it. Otherwise, you won't know when you'll next eat."
The symbolism is uncanny as the worm disappears into the gobble of the bird's throat and how I've been placed in the beast's den too.
It wasn't just that either…
I admit to being a romantic and yearned for who my future husband would be. Now that I have one who doesn't want me, I am selfish for him to change his mind even though I don't want him either.
In books, it was all about that courtship. Even without Ryker Blackwood, my other arranged match is not what I envisioned in my dream. Leo Osworth is wealthy, somewhat kind, and has an art of persuasion that should excite me, right?
I splash the water in youthful frustration.
Swish. Clack.
My anxiousness is getting the better of me, so I decide to get out of this forsaken pond. With a step up, I gather my clothes and use an underlayer to dry myself off.
As I'm about to put on my clothes, a body exits from the brush of woods.
"A-ah!" I yelp and hug my dress against me to cover my indecency and I hear the soft thump of a vial being tossed away.
In front of me stands a tall man with golden eyes and a face of horror that mirrors mine.
"What are you doing here?" He whispers darkly under his breath.
My mouth moves but no words come out. I'm utterly speechless. His ashen brown hair collapses in waves on his forehead and nape. His linen shirt is unbuttoned to exude his toned chest and the pants he wears are fitted for him and no one else.
This…this is exciting.
"Answer me." He growls out and his upper, peach lip quivers in a sneer.
"Bath…I was taking a b-bath." I whimper breathlessly. My face was sure to be a beetroot by now.