Kapitel 2: Reminiscence
She was standing between the profuse rose bushes, admiring the beauty offered by the bijou garden. Her small stature completely buried her inside the bushes, she felt like an intruder between the beautifully adorned rose bushes. The cool breeze falling over her face gave a welcoming note of spring. Her caramel hairs were left loose over her back, moving along in the direction of the wind. Wearing a yellow laced gown with puffed sleeves and a ribbon on her head, she looked like a perfect decorous girl, delicate to human touch.
Playing with the rose flowers, she felt something wet in her hands and bought them in her line of vision. Witnessing a red liquid upon them, she stumbled backwards. Her emerald-green eyes fill with tears; the crystal clear eyes now turn to fear stricken oculus. The serene garden, bringing tranquility to the eyes, turns into a horrifying blaze of flames.
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I open my eyes, frantic at the turn of events, just to see the warm sun-rays welcoming itself in my room despite being an unwanted guest. I move the quilt, wrapping itself to me and attempt to get out of the cozy, warm shrine but I fail. Unable to leave my shrine lonely, I prepare myself to give it company. I snuggle the warm quilt, tossing myself on the soft bedding. Without wasting further time, I close my eyes and dose off.
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I come out of the mansion and straighten my tail coat, adjusting my black gloves. I tie my caramel hair, that barely touch my neck, into a small, almost unnoticeable pony. Just a precaution, though my hair are already short but there can be no short comings, rather I'm not supposed to look feminine as Edgar Radford, the soon-to-be knight of Duke Allen Ferdinand. I take extra care at handling Reginà, my sword, I polished it in the morning after getting a monologue from Aunt on over-sleeping for 15 minutes. The scabbard, has the letters 'Reginà' inscribed on it. I see a carriage waiting for us. The carriage was rather big, considering only two people were going to use it. It was black with lines of golden furnishing it all over. It was all clean and shiny with the crest of Ferdinand family over it. The crest was remarkably gleaming; the eagle, with its magnificent wings spread, standing over the stub end of the inverted sword. Just as I was admiring the display of the carriage, someone brought me to reality.
"It has been 9 years since you came here Mireille" I hear Baroness Clara say. Coming towards me, wearing a simple cocoa color gown and a hat to go with it. 9 years, Yes. After getting unconscious at the stables, I remember waking up at this very manor. From then on, I practiced really hard for this day.
As per my practice, I extend my hand to escort Aunt. She takes the offer and together we go to the carriage. As we reach the carriage, the coachman greets us "Greetings, Baroness Clara and Sir Knight" he says bowing. He moves from the carriage and gestures for the door, while speaking "I hope you will rest yourselves and leave the rest on this humble servant" he finishes. I nod as I open the carriage door for Baroness Clara. "You may heed inside, Madam" I finish, gesturing her to go in. After Aunt sits inside, I too go in and sit opposite to her. The inside of the carriage is covered with comfortable red baroque seat with small window to glimpse the outside view on either side. I take up the right and Aunt has the left. As we make ourselves comfortable, the carriage sets off to the destination.
I forthwith look outside the window; the sun looks down on the magnificent mountains, appearing to and fro. It is noon, just when one has a shadow bigger than him. We move along on the path between the mountains. The outside is not much of a spectacle, just sandy and granular outside. With sun using its full force against us, it is definitely not my cup of tea. Bored of the replaying scenes, I wander in the memory lane.
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In these past years, I have learned quite a few things about myself. First of and the most important, is that I adapted to my life as Edgar Radford. I swore to find out the ones responsible for the fall of Count Martin and his family. And in order to do that; I'm going to be a knight to Duke Ferdinand, who is known as the Rapacious Eagle and has an eye over everyone in the ton. I wake up every morning; bind my chest tightly with bandages and wear a long tailcoat over my trousers. I make sure not to look feminine in the get-up, which is taken care of by my trained body. I mean, I do have some muscles.
The second would be my green eyes; I grew up to have beautiful caramel hair with emerald green eyes. No matter how much oblivious I pretend to be, the fact that I don't resemble to anyone in Count Martin's family is a hard truth and I have accepted it. The most notable fact is that I can change my eye color. Not like I can change my eye color from green to red or blue, like a chameleon; instead when I hold the emerald pendant and wish for a color change, the striking green of my eyes changes to a dull brown. But it has its own limitations. And I'll be using my dull brown eyes while residing at the Duke's residence.
I wander around these memory bits, when I hear an 'Ahem' sound.
"Those were some good etiquette you showed back then" Aunt Clara compliments. I turn to her, quite shocked to hear a compliment from her. "You know whom we are going to meet?" she asks. I nod, going through the memories of last night.
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"Mireille, you came on the right time I was going to meet you" Aunt Clara said getting up from her study, setting aside her reading glasses "have a seat, Dear". I took the other chair opposite to the study table and to Aunt Clara.
"Well then, I'm sure you're prepared for the meeting tomorrow?" Aunt Clara asked
"I'm fully prepared" I told, realizing the seriousness of the topic
"I know, it's not a problem if it's you but still I can't be at ease taking you to him" she took a deep breath in between "surely he seems like the best decision, but not everything is as it seems on the outside"
"'Worrying about something that didn't happen is imbecility; if one has the time to worry about the outcome, they better start building another road' isn't this your favorite saying? I witness, I hear you saying this frequently. So now, does this not apply to you?"
"Please take note; we are talking about Duke Ferdinand Barnhart Allen here and that's precisely the reason we need to be extra careful"
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We enter the 'cygne noir'; from now on this is the Duke's territory. By now, the sun plays hide and seek with the clouds, the lush gardens being uniformly trimmed, and the sunflowers turn towards the sun. There are small houses scattered here and there. That might be the different chambers for the people working in this estate. Afterall, the nobles cannot endure breathing the same air as that of mere commoners. But it is still a good deal for the people, because this way they can be together with their families rather than travelling to an unknown village to see their family.
The Duke Ferdinand Allen, who is also called 'The Rapacious Eagle' in the ton. At 13 years, he lost his father, Baron Robert Ferdinand, in an unknown incident and as when he was 15, their mansion caught fire and incidentally, his mother became a victim though he somehow managed to escape. And now, 10 years later he has established his dukedom over this vast territory. Now that I think about it, our pasts' do match. 'And here I thought, I am the most hard working person' I let out a deep sigh. At this, Madame Clara inquires "Are you still anxious about the meeting?" She says but looking at her face I am quite shocked, the lady who never showed fear or panic, is now anxious and full of doubt.
"Aunt, everything will be alright. I'll never let our hard work go to waste" seeing Aunt like this because of me is so frustrating, I keep my hand on hers "You have to believe yourself, the one who pushed me forward. Aunt did warn me about his intimidating presence, and I had trained for it A LOT!!! I'll never let it go to waste "Alright" I end with a pressed smile hoping to decrease her anxiousness.
"I'm just going to leave you in the lion's den. Everything else is up to you now anyway" She replies with a bitter smile. I nod right away. "And also," she continues, with a raised voice now "Who gave you the permission to call me Aunt??Call me 'Baroness Yorkiel'"
"I apologize, Baroness Yorkiel" I bring my stern voice back. For a moment, I just sit there regretting making her mood normal. After all, she was so quiet whilst the ride.
The fact she is worrying so much is because she has seen the Duke. She did not meet him directly but she witnessed his intimidating aura. And now, we are going to meet him to make a deal. Yes, a deal. A deal in which he will have authority over me and I'll work under him. Ugh, even the thought makes me so angry. But he's the only way I can go back to the ton with a new identity.
We finally reach the mansion gates. My gaze got arrested at the well-cultured mansion. A gargantuan, sumptuous château with exquisite details and classical finishing. That stood at the centre of the noble estate. The front gardens were equitably groomed. There were people still making the shapely garden even more perfect. It was adorned by different statues. Some had water flowing underneath while some looked immersed in the beauty of the garden. As the carriage ride was coming to the end, my anxiousness began taking over me. I looked over to Aunt Clara, who was the same as me. 'Alright Mill' I think to myself 'stop being a weakling, you know you CAN do it, you WILL do it and you SHALL do it' I encourage myself, giving some hope.
Our carriage stops near front gate. 'Ugh here we go' I say as we wait for an escort to open the door for us. It was not me being afraid of opening the door and going in, it's common for a coachman or an escort to open the door for the nobles. The door opens; and I am about to get out to escort Baroness Yorkiel, when another gentlemen extends his hand for her to come out from the carriage. I am unable to see the man since my view is obstructed by the door; all I can see is that the man has clothing similar to a butler. Now that Aunt got out, I take my sword and get out myself. I compose myself and then I stand beside her and take a better look at the butler. The man in front was probably in his early 50's or late 40's given the fact that his hairs were grey with streaks of black. His face wrinkles said so otherwise. He wore well-rimmed rectangular spectacles and had the Ferdinand crest embodied on his top-left pocket on the tailcoat, exactly where his heart is supposed to be. He was wearing white gloves and greeted us "Welcome Baroness Clara Yorkiel and Sire Edgar Radford" he says "I am Sebastian Rhodes, the head butler of this estate and also Duke Allen's personal Aid" he takes a breath " please come inside" he says as he starts guiding us inside. 'If he is Duke's personal Aid, he may be observing me' I maintain a stern and serious expression throughout. The inside of the mansion was even grand. The hallway was decorated with pillars of intricate designs, the chandeliers hanging throughout the hallway. The golden decorations were a good contrast to the dark-maroon surroundings. The maids were scurrying away along the hallway. There were many details around but I wished to focus on more important things.
Sebastian showed us inside the guest room. "Please make yourselves comfortable until My Lord joins you and please don't hesitate to ask for any help" he says as he exits the room after giving a slight bow.
The maids present in the room hurriedly come towards us to pour a cup of tea, as we sit on the sofa. Their swift, nimble movements go around at lightning speed.
'Their perfection really shows' I think myself. After their work, Aunts asks them to leave the room. They bow themselves and quickly exit the room.
"For the Personal Aid of the Duke to escort us" Baroness Yorkiel remarked, taking a sip from her cup "the Duke may already have plans"
"Of course, he can't be off-hand" I say "or else, he won't be an 'Eagle'"
There was a soft knock on the door. When given permission, the door opened and a steward came inside.
"I apologize on disturbing your conversation" he bows "the Duke Allen asks for Sire knight" he finishes while looking at the floor
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Geschenke
-- Geschenk
erhalten Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein