The Knight's First Love was a novel that was set in the early 1800s. It depicted a lot of modernity and early technologies. Also, despite its supposed Japanese background and names, it was set in an alternate world with a history entirely divergent. Their styles and attire were often more westernized.
The warm sunlight lingered on Natalie's face as it hit the glass window of her carriage. The scenery of the city still amazed Natalie. She watched from left to right, catching a glimpse of the wandering people, the busy streets and the rattling trains. Despite being within a novel, she couldn't help but feel that it was real. The people, the sunlight and even Hina Kudo. Everything felt too real to be otherwise.
Soon the scenery changed and all in sight were tall white street lamps and vast beautiful green lands.
"Young Miss, all these lands belong to your husband. He likes flowers a lot so you'll get to enjoy the beautiful gardens at the estate" the nosy old woman kept on babbling about the riches and "good deeds" of the merchant until the carriage eventually came to a halt.
"We're finally here, young miss. Let me help you out"
Natalie came down from the carriage with some help from the attendant. The Merchant's Estate was quiet. It was an irony for a marriage but Natalie barely recalled details of Hina's marriage. The novel never dived into Hina's story except when needed. All Natalie knew at the moment was that Hina would most likely be raped tonight in the Merchant's room and then tossed into one of the empty rooms, while the maids mock her for being a mere prostitute sold off in fine clothing. Hina Kudo was never respected or treated properly as the lady the of house. Natalie shivered down her spine as fear and anxiety suddenly overcame her.
[Now that I'm Hina, am I going to have to go through all the abuse too?]
She was unsure of what form of action to take to prevent the old geezer from mistreating his new wife.
"Follow me, young miss"
Natalie strolled behind the woman, wondering what would happen if she decided to make a run for it. She would most definitely get shot by one of the guards before she reached the gates. She was catching cold feet but unlike any other bride, hers was due to the uncertainty of how her life was bound to end today. She could either get raped or die while fleeing; none of which she liked thought of.
"Welcome home!"
She was distracted by the oddly cheerful voice as her eyes followed the direction of the sound.
"I've been waiting for you, my Hina"
Natalie slowly rose her head to stare at the owner of the voice who stood tall before her.
"The young miss was eager to look beautiful for you, My Lord" the elderly woman bowed at the tall figure. Her face glowed with utmost respect for the figure.
"Forgive my tardiness, My Lord" Natalie quickly bowed to greet the tall man as she imitated the other woman's form of greeting. Despite the overwhelming situation, Hina's voice held so much boldness and clarity that even Natalie was amazed. Silence lingered in the air for a brief moment before the tall man broke it with a loud laugh
"You don't have to call me "My Lord", my dear Hina. You also don't have to apologise. Seeing you now, it was worth all the wait." He laughed again, allowing his huge scruffy hands to pat her shoulders as he added "besides, we're now husband and wife"
Natalie could see the hunger in his grey eyes as he fixated on Hina's body.
[Disgusting old geezer!] Natalie wished she could slap him across the face or spit on that ugly nose of his but knew better. She was in no position to do anything right now. For now.
She plastered a perfect smile on her face, allowing her eyes to meet his. She hated to admit it, but the merchant was much younger than she imagined. With his thick brown hair and his grey eyes, he looked like someone in his late thirties who worked out a lot. No pot belly nor grey hair in sight. Despite these, it didn't change the fact that Hina was young enough to be his child. He suddenly cupped her face in his palm as he said, "You're extremely beautiful"
Natalie felt the hair behind her neck stand as goosebumps gathered over her skin.
[Ugh. Disgusting shiet! He's a fucking paedophile, that's for sure!]
A servant led them to a garden filled with beautiful white roses and purple hyacinths.The flowers reminded Natalie of Hina.
It was a beautiful sight on a terrible day. A wedding ceremony had been set up but there was no one from the bride's family present. The only witnesses were some of the servants, a few attendants, the supposed priest and the guards in place. It was the swiftest marriage ceremony Natalie had ever witnessed. With their vows made, they were declared husband and wife within a matter of minutes. No music, no celebration, no smiles and drinks. Just a beautiful weather and the sun's beam that constantly reminded Natalie how real her circumstances were.
The middle-aged attendant once again led Natalie towards the main estates. The interior of the estates was beyond stunning. Everything was aesthetically pleasing and refreshing, from the elegant lamps and chandeliers to the artworks and furnishings. Compared to Hina's old place, this was paradise.
The woman led Natalie to the second floor and down the hall, pushing the big white doors open. The space behind the doors was a girl's bedroom. Natalie stared in amazement at how beautifully decorated the room was. The walls were a gorgeous combination of velvet purple, white and gold. The princess-like bedding and the gold-white furniture and lamps lit up the room. The small intricate designs on the flower vases and even the huge circular windows all seemed to have some sort of gold on them. Not to mention the size of the room. Natalie's parents were quite well off so she did have a really comfortable life, but this was beyond anything she had ever witnessed. The space was at least four times the size of her parents' house.
[How could this be just one room?!!]
"Is the room to your liking, Young miss?" The woman seemed concerned as she wondered if the new young lady was somewhat displeased.
[Of course! It's breathtaking!!']
"Hmm, it's fine. It's very decent and nice" she gave a slight nod.
"The Lord was really excited and personally saw to the construction"
"Yes. I like it"
"That's good to hear. Then please rest well, Young miss. Your brunch will be brought in a few minutes."
"Okay. Is there any other thing I ought to know?"
"The Lord has some business to finish up in the town so he'll be back in the evening in time for dinner. He has promised to dine with the Young miss tonight"
"Okay. If that's all, you may go now"
"Yes, Young miss"
With the attendant gone, Natalie took a minute to take in the room. It was splendid. She shifted towards one of the several glass windows and watched the warm blue sky.
[This would have been such a perfect event if it wasn't so messed up.]
A mother selling her daughter. A shameless man taking in a child-wife. It still gave her goose pimples to recall. All that was just the tip of the damn iceberg. Hina went through so much at such a young age. Natalie pondered over what she could do to change the situation or lessen Hina's coming pain but there was nothing she could come up with. Escaping was entirely impossible; she'd be killed in the process or caught alive, suffering a much worse fate. Was there a way she could talk the old merchant out of the evil plans he had towards Hina tonight? He was just a pawn in the author's hand. One of the factors in the novel that would eventually lead Hina Kudo to become the villainess she was made to be. The only silver lining was that the real Hina Kudo was no longer here. Natalie was still confused about what the heck had happened. She took a heavy sigh and sat on the huge bed. She was sleepy and her head ached from riding a carriage for so long. She decided to lay down for a few minutes before her brunch arrives.
_____
The day went fast and it was soon nighttime. The cold air filled the room and the moonlight graced her balcony.
Natalie had enjoyed a quiet brunch alone, as the maids stared at her either with adoration or envy. She was bathed again by the middle-aged lady right before dinner. The attendant had awkwardly tried to advise her about what a husband and wife did together on their first night and how a wife must make sure her husband is satisfied.
"Do not anger him, Young miss" she said with an indifferent tone.
Natalie nodded and acted timid as she boiled with anger. To think she had somehow ended up in Hina's body only to be raped! Why did it have to be today of all days? This very scene of the novel?
She shook her head and refocused on the desserts placed before her. All the maids had been sent away and the only thing present was the deafening silence between Natalie and Hina's rapist.
"You look even more beautiful tonight" he finally broke the silence, shifting closer towards her.
"Thank you"
"Husband"
"What?"
"Call me 'husband'. I am your husband after all"
Natalie stared at his expressionless eyes and wondered if this also happened to the real Hina. Hina was very stubborn and strong-willed despite her frail appearance. Could it be that he got angry because she refused to do what he told her to? It was plausible. After a few seconds, Natalie called out to him as he wanted
"My husband"
The words disgusted Natalie to a point she could barf but it seemed to have the opposite effect on him. His eyes suddenly lit up and he smiled at her.
[That's right. There's nothing I can do to escape this night. Hina was destined to be with this man tonight either way. As long as he doesn't hurt her. As long as he doesn't beat and throw her out, everything won't be so bad.]
"You have no idea how happy you just made me, my wife" he held onto Hina's small hands.
"You're freezing. Are you ill?" He suddenly asked.
Natalie recalled the water incident with Hina's mother in the morning.
"Ah. I think I have a slight cold"
"I see. You should rest then. I'll ask the maids to make you some ginger tea. Be sure to drink it"
He carried her small body and laid her on the bed, covering her with the duvet.
"Don't worry. I'll only sleep next to you but I won't touch you tonight"
With the tea served and the night fastly changing, Natalie stared at the sleeping figure on the other side of the bed.
[He didn't touch me or demand anything from me]
This was such a great difference from the novel but it was also scary because she couldn't pinpoint why the scenario changed. Was it because she called him ''husband''? Or because she was ill? Or maybe because the real Hina wasn't here anymore? All that aside, why did his behaviour suddenly switch up? He was supposed to be the man that rapes his new wife and then throws her into some random small room, so why was he suddenly acting caring? Natalie couldn't fall asleep as her thoughts were keeping her awake, but with this sudden development, she felt slightly optimistic about making new plans to further change Hina's tragic life. Even more, she wished to wake up and find out that this was all one long dream.
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GOT IT
Chapter 2: Dreams Do Come True
It's a dream. It's a dream. A long dream.
3Natalie kept repeating these words in her head. It had to be a dream. She couldn't possibly be Hina. This definitely was not real life. It was all an illusion in her head! As the woman scrubbed over her naked body, Natalie couldn't help but stare at the scars Hina's body had acquired over the fourteen years she had lived. From what she could recall from the novel, Hina's mother had started adding small bits of poison into her food when she was six. Other times, the woman would give her the antidote so that she doesn't die but would continue to poison her again when she pleased. It was a sick hobby of Hina's mother. The woman loved being the centre of attention. The beautiful woman with a sick frail daughter. Who wouldn't want to come to her aid? Natalie was boiling with so much anger but all she could do was cry.
3[Why am I crying like a child? Are these Hina's feelings?]
"The Merchant is not really a bad man like the rumours, little one. Don't cry. A bride shouldn't cry on their wedding day."
3["Not really a bad man"?]
Natalie eyed the woman who spouted nonsense so casually. The novel had briefly explained how Hina was raped and tortured, but there wasn't enough information to dwell on, yet she knew he was worse than "not really a bad man". The woman's words sounded warm but her tone had a cold expression. The woman had been sent over by the merchant to take care of his new bride's needs for the wedding. Natalie caught a glimpse of the woman's expression as she looked at her with disgust.
1"Make sure you hide these scars well. You're a noble man's wife now. You shouldn't bear such scars for anyone to see" Natalie could barely hold back from punching the woman in the nose.
1Hina had to face so much hatred from a young age. It's no wonder she was forced to become a villain.
2"You're speaking to a noble man's wife now. Seeing as there's a difference in our status, you shouldn't be speaking to me so informally, right?"
1The woman's eyes widened in disbelief.
[Yeah! Be humble, bitch! I'm above you now.]
"Y- Yes. I understand. Forgive me, young miss" the woman lowered her gaze and continued to brush Hina's silk golden-brown hair down her waist. Natalie smiled to herself at this small victory and continued to pray in her head for all this to be a dream. A stupid, stupid dream.
After the woman was done with the makeup and dressing, Natalie looked in the mirror again. She had truly become Hina. Her effortlessly silky hair and pearl-like skin couldn't be hidden by the wounds and constant poisoning that weakened her system. She was so beautiful, it hurt Natalie's ego. Still, all this was just wrong. She looked like a child with too much makeup and clothes unbefitting for her age.
"You may go. Let me know when it's time to set off"
"Y-yes, young miss". The woman was still stunned at Hina's sudden change and the confidence in her tone. Such sweet power Hina had gotten but she failed to properly utilise it. Natalie pondered over several possibilities in her head of ways to run away from this mess. In the novel, the Merchant's true colours were displayed on their first night when he raped Hina. The thought disgusted Natalie and she was running out of ideas on how to escape. One thing for sure was that she'd be unable to escape from the house for now. However, she doubted if she'd be able to find any other perfect opportunity to run away. In the novel, Hina inherits a hotel from her merchant husband after his death, but that was later on in the story. What happens if Hina runs away before then? All her prestige and power as in the novel will be gone. She won't get to inherit anything. She would most likely starve in some alleyway or be found and sold off by those ruthless slave traders. Natalie was utterly devastated as to what her next step should be. She was lost in thoughts, oblivious to how much time had flown by until the door creaked open, pulling her from her reverie.
"Young Miss, it's time to depart"
"Alright"
Natalie gathered her dress as she carefully stood up and left the room. To think that a mother would truly sell her child for money. Hina's mother's heart was colder than the frigid Russian winter.
"It's finally time for you to depart" Hina's mother stood by the front door as she eyed the jewels adorned on the little girl.
[What's this scene? There was never any mentions of Hina talking with her mother before leaving for her marriage]
Natalie was unsure of how to reply.
"Ah. Yes. I'll be off now" Natalie couldn't care less about the woman but she had to pretend to be respectful since that is what Hina would have done.
"Clothes are supposed to make the person. How is it possible for someone to still exude such poor qualities despite all that silk and jewels? How come you didn't take after any of my good looks?"
"What?" Natalie's anger was on a different level but she was trying hard to play it cool.
"Nevermind. This is why you're absolutely useless to me! No brothel would even agree to take someone like you, do you know that?! Be grateful I found such a great husband for you and know your place when you get there!"
5The woman walked away and shut her room door close. Natalie couldn't help but notice the smirk at the side of her lips as she walked away. The woman was happy to be getting rid of such a stain on her life. Natalie tried convincing herself that it was all a dream and this was just an online novel, but the pain and anger she felt was real. She was angrier because Hina had sincerely loved her mother in the novel despite everything she did to her. It was nauseating.
"We should go now, Young miss" the attendant told her.
"Yes, let's go"
As Natalie stepped onto the carriage, she pondered over what the heck was going on.
[What if this isn't a dream? What if it was real? But that doesn't make any sense! I fell asleep after reading some online comments about the novel and that was it! What the fuck is happening to me?]
Despite her calm expression, her mind was a mess. She couldn't understand a single thing happening around her! Plus, why did she have to become Hina Kudo?! Why Hina? As much as Natalie liked Hina's character more than the weak Sakura, Hina didn't have a really pleasant life until her husband's death. She also didn't get to enjoy her life much after that, since she died at the hands of the second prince! To top it all, since Hina is a mere side character, the author barely talks about her unless when needed. This limits the amount of info Natalie truly knew about her. Everything was all mumble- jumble in Natalie's head and she could feel a headache rising.
"Are you okay, young miss?" The middle-aged attendant sat opposite Natalie. Her expression showed no emotion but her tone carried respect. It was funny how she quickly switched behaviours to appeal to Hina.
"Yes, I am. I'm just a little nervous"
"We will arrive in about two hours. The young miss can rest for a while"
"I'm fine"
Fixing her gaze on the woman, Natalie came up with questions that drove her curiosity. Basic questions that she needed to know about her soon to be husband and his family, that the book never cared to mention.
"My husband.. how many wives has he taken before me?"
"He had two wives before the young miss. The first mistress passed away early and the second was.. chased out"
"Why was she chased out?"
"She committed some unforgivable crimes..."
It was obvious the woman didn't plan to say any further.
"What about his children?"
"The Lord has four children. A son from the first mistress and the remaining three from the second- three daughters. The second one died during childhood. The first one is married to a noble in another region, while the last resides at the family estates."
"Thank you for answering me diligently"
"It is my duty, young miss"
Despite her calm demeanour, it was all surreal to her. Natalie was still in shock but she didn't have the luxury of time to go into a panic mood. As she looked out the glass window, she came up with one too many ideas on how to survive the night and the days ahead. More importantly, she hoped for someone to wake her up from this damned nightmare.
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