Word had managed to quickly travel around the busy streets of London about my fixation on miss Arianna Monroe, a simple young woman from an ordinary household, neither rich nor poor but amongst all the members of her six-member family, she was clearly the most beautiful.
With two older sisters and one younger brother, she lived in a manor on the border between the country and the city, a few acres of land surrounding the area with scattered cows, horses and sheep. One German shepherd dog sat at the front with a permanent frown on his face and a long scar going through one of his honey-coloured eyes.
And so, I began on my journey of courting Miss Monroe, the only woman whom I would allow to become my wife.
The door flew open with a force strong enough to rival the harshest winds before my fist could meet with it and I stood, staring at the gleaming woman that called herself Aria's mother.
Taking my hat off, I bent my head down in greeting.
"Oh, please. Do come in Mr. Callisto. It is truly an honour to have you here in our humble abode," the woman dipped down into a deep curtsy.
"Then, the pleasure is all mine," I chuckled as she stepped aside and I walked into the house, taking my coat and hat off as she took it from me, running out into the main drawing room and I silently followed, my eyes glazing over the warm house, hoping to be met with the woman I had travelled all the way here for.
"But I must say, you are truly just as handsome as everyone says, if not then more," she curiously stared at my face and I didn't say anything more to that other than giving her a small smile which was enough to have her reddening on the face.
"Oh, right. I shall go fetch Arianna for you. Please make yourself comfortable and I will have Lucy bring in some tea and biscuits," I nodded at her as she quickly scurried away and slowly, I made my way over to one of the large bookshelves, skimming over the old books that sat on it.
But from the corner of my eyes, a pink blur flew passed the window and I found my attention wavering. Shifting my body, I moved to peek out of the french windows, looking for a pink blur and hoping that it would be clearer to spot.
"I have brought you some tea, sir," the sudden voice caused me to look away from the garden and be met with the brown eyes of a young lady dressed in a maid's uniform. Silently, she placed the tray on the coffee table.
"Would it be alright if I went out to the garden for a moment? I seem to be craving some fresh air," the woman hurriedly nodded and led me out of the room, going to open another door which took me outside on the warm summer's day.
I walked out onto the grass and without another word, began walking towards the figure of the crouched woman in front of a line of willow trees. Her hair let loose as it wildly flew around along with the skirt of her baby pink dress.
My shadow climbed over her and she jolted her head around, blue eyes widening in surprise when she saw that it was me.
"I believe that your mother is running around the manor looking for you," I said, watching as the surprise slowly fell off her face to be replaced with a small, cheeky grin.
"Yes, well... I got distracted," she moved a bit out of the way to reveal a small fox sleeping in her arms. I felt my voice disappear for a moment in stunned silence until I quickly snapped out of it and crouched down beside her to observe the creature.
"I saw that his leg was injured so I decided to help," Aria explained.
"I'm more amazed at the fact that you know how to help him," hesitantly, I outstretched a hand and stroked the young fox's red hair.
"Well, I know the basics. After all, my father is a doctor and my oldest sister is a nurse," I am aware of that, her father is a renowned doctor in all of London and gossipers are often found talking about how Mr Monroe's daughter is quickly following in his footsteps.
"But... Mr. Callisto-"
"I thought we were calling each other by our first names?" I narrowed my eyes at her and she shyly looked away, biting her lip in nervousness.
"Yes, that's going to take some time for me to get used to," she quietly whispered and I felt my lips crawl up into a small smirk as I fought the urge to land my lips on hers.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Right, I was just curious... Why are you interested in me? My second oldest sister is known to be the most beautiful out of everyone in this household," that may be true to the rest of society but not for me. To me, Aria was clearly the most beautiful and no one, no matter how hard they tried, could outshine her radiant beauty.
"Because your sister is not you," I smiled.
"But I'm a crazy, adventurous little girl or at least, that is what everyone else says."
"Then maybe that is why I like you," her lips protruded out into a cute pout and I heard myself laughing at her, raising a hand to brush a few tendrils of hair away from her face. She blushed, taken by surprise at my actions but didn't push me away.
"Then, don't you think that I am too young?" I blinked at her question but didn't have the chance to reply as she was quick to add on to that statement. "I am 18 years of age, my older sister is 20 and my oldest sister is 22. Don't you believe that you may be better suited for either of them?" She tilted her head to the side curiously.
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" I joked and she hiccuped, rapidly shaking her head.
"I don't want them," I whispered. "I am only interested in you, Miss Aria Monroe... Now, have you got any more questions to ask me in an attempt to make me waver with my choice?" With a red face, she shook her head and I smiled.
"Then, if you will have me as I am..." Nervously, she looked away from me to stare at the fox and absentmindedly stroked through his fur. All the while, my eyes stayed locked on her soft features, excitement building up in me to have the chance to see much more of her expressions in the hopeful, near future.
I simply cannot wait to make you mine, Aria Monroe.