After the lessons, I sometimes would hide in one of the gardens or the library. Sometimes I would run into Miss Pattilyn who I always gladly welcomed her company. I was in the garden reading a book when Miss Pattilyn decided to join me. It was a warm day and we decided to spend it under the sun seated beside each other.
“That’s a good book my Lady,” she commended when she saw the book I placed down beside me.
“Oh it is,” I agreed.
“Makes you feel that you are transported to the different places of the world.”
We continued to sit in silence. I didn’t know what came over me, maybe out of curiosity but I felt that I could trust Miss Pattilyn with anything so I asked her a peculiar question.
“Miss Pattilyn, I hope you don’t mind me asking but do you know anyone else like me? A Beta turned Elite?” I hesitantly asked.
The question seem to caught her off guard but she contemplated for a moment then finally spoke, “I saw one my Lady when my previous Lady took me with her to visit a friend.”
I grew excited, “Where is she now?”
“The Lady didn’t live in the manor my Lady, she was also a friend visiting so my apologies if I don’t know where she comes from and it was a long time ago, most people forgot who she is”
“Forgot who she is?” I asked confused.
She paused then continued, “Nobody could recall which one was she my Lady. I think she lost herself and renounced everything that she was and where she came from before her ascension. She decided to become one of the Elites instead. Everybody forgot that she was Beta, and over time they saw her as one of the Elites. I can recall her face though my Lady but I doubt if age did not change her and I am sorry I didn’t get the chance to get her name.”
“How come you knew she was Beta?” I asked curiously.
“My previous Lady once mentioned it to me my Lady.”
“Who was your previous Lady?”
“Lady Loren, Lord Curtis’ mother,” she answered solemnly.
I sat speechless. Was that going to be my fate? To become the one thing that I hated the most. In years to come being surrounded by Elites, would I surrender to them? Would they finally break me? I could never forget mom and dad, I could never forget our little house in the suburbs of Coastal City but when you feel lonely for a long time, would I still have the courage to endure?
I felt Miss Pattilyn’s gentle hand on my shoulder,” Do not worry my Lady, she is not you and you are not her. You may have the same predicament but I am sure your minds are different and so are your hearts. Staying true to yourself would be your strongest foundation if ever you refuse to forget where you came from,” she spoke such wise words that it gave me the comfort and the strength I needed.
“And by the way my Lady, please be patient with him,” she warmly smiled changing the topic.
I looked at her confused what she was talking about.
“Lord Curtis, he too is lost my Lady,” she shook her head, “He had gone through a lot especially the death of two parents at such a young age, our beloved Lord have never been himself since then, but he is a good Lord my Lady, he is just confused,” she sadly revealed.
I didn’t know about Curtis’ parents but Miss Pattilyn’s sincere sympathy for him, an Elite, made me regret of what I thought of him. It shed some light on why he was like this but I wasn’t sure though. Andrew was his brother and he too lost both his parents yet I was not eager to be sympathetic with him. But I thought Miss Pattilyn with her kindness, deserved an assuring answer.
“I’ll try,” I promised.
It was late in the afternoon when I was walking along the hallway. I just came from the library returning a book when I came upon Mr. Logan and Andrew walking towards my direction. I was about to turn to a corner to avoid them but Andrew took notice and called my name. I stood my ground waiting for them. Andrew said something to Mr. Logan, then he bowed and left us. Andrew were all smiles when he approached.
“Join me for a walk?” he asked in a surprisingly friendly manner.
For me it was not a request so I obeyed unwillingly.
“Are you having fun yet?” he spoke while we took a stroll along the hallway but I couldn’t read what his intention were, if it was made to be sarcastic or not.
“You know I could have changed your name when you got picked, but I didn’t because I didn’t see the point, it was not worth it so I took a gamble with you,” he divulged.
We continued to take our time walking to nowhere in particular.
“But you had no idea how relieved I was when I first saw you, I thought we were going to be stuck with some ordinary and plain commoner,” he chuckled then he continued, “I would have been easily be bored with you, but you’re not going to be boring are you?”
I didn’t answer right away. I didn’t know if he expected me to say something about that but he was waiting for a reply.
“I’ll do my best not to be,” I reluctantly obliged.
“Good! I’d expect the same obedience when the time comes when I have use of you.”
“I beg your pardon?” I suddenly felt uncomfortable.
He smiled looking amused, “Did you think that I was only doing this for my entertainment? I admit that I was having so much fun with everybody’s reaction but I also brought you here for the attention. You’re like an exotic pet, a distraction for the bored Elites. Lords and Ladies would call on me because of their curiosity of you. They all want to take a look at you, like a sheep in a cage, they’d be wondering how the low birth acts and lives especially when thrust among lions.”
He suddenly stopped walking then stepped in front of me. He held my hair, touching the ends, and stared at me, “It was supposed to be a joke intended for Curtis but I feel that I am doing him a favor instead,” he sighed and came close, too close to my face as he whispered something in my ear, “Maybe someday you’d return the favor in my private bed chamber.”
My eyes widened in horror. No words could ever express what I felt after his indecency. I was powerless and hopeless. His disturbing words echoed in my ears and shook my inner core.
Andrew continued to stare at me then sneered, “It was nice talking to you, we should do this again,” and with that he walked away leaving me in shock. Adultery was against the law, even the thought of it was punishable by death. I could report him but would it do any good? He was the Duke of Pinewood, it was my words against his. He could twist my words and have me arrested instead for treason. I was a plaything for these people, just here for their amusement and if I did something about it, it would be their ultimate entertainment. I felt like crying and I wanted to run away for good but where would I go? Who would save me?
I felt terrible the next day. I didn’t get any sleep; what Andrew said still rang in my head, and I was so homesick. I wanted to go home so badly to mom and dad, and lay in my own room where I felt most safe. This room, this manor, would never be called my home. I chose to stay in my chambers deliberately missing my morning lessons. A maid knocked on my door to wake me up but I told her that I wish not to be disturbed again which she obliged without any question. I continued to lie on my bed, even refusing to eat. There was another knock, this time it was one of the footman. He announced from outside the door that Lord Curtis had summoned me to his private office. I wanted to refuse; I didn’t want to see anyone including him but I knew I couldn’t decline so I told the footman that I would be right out. The footman took me to a room and he knocked at the door where I heard Curtis’ voice say come in. The footman opened the door for me then closed it when I was in. The office had a wooden desk at the center and two leather seats in front of it. Curtis was seated in his large leather chair behind the desk. There were books and maps cluttered at a nearby table, and a window looking out the grounds of the manor. A young man was standing beside the desk with his hands behind his back, he was lean and timid. Curtis stood from his chair, “Please have a seat my Lady,” he gestured me to the chairs in front. I made myself comforta
ble in one of them. He did the same on his seat and placed his elbows on the table.
“I summoned you because we will be leaving for the Frist Village tomorrow at dawn and Peter here,” he glanced at the young man standing, “will brief you of our travels. Peter you may begin.”
“Thank you my Lord. My Lady,” Peter bowed then continued, “I hope you won’t mind starting our day tomorrow at a very early time since we want to be back here before night fall.”
I sat there patiently waiting for him to continue.
“It is going to be a hot day tomorrow my Lady but not to worry you will be riding in one of our close carriage to keep you from the sun.”
“No,” I objected.
“No? My Lady,” Peter stuttered.
“I rather ride on horseback,” I firmly declared.
“My Lady, I am sorry but you would be more comfortable on a carriage, and besides riding on horseback wearing a dress would be difficult my Lady,” Peter nervously explained.
“Then I would wear my riding clothes which is more practical.”
Peter grew concern and glanced at Curtis’ direction as if asking for his help to persuade me to do otherwise but Curtis only remained silent.
“But my Lady, an Elite Lady should never wear pants when seen by the public,” Peter anxiously continued.
“But I am no Elite nor a Lady am I?” I said in a stern voice.
He had difficulty responding to the question. He was clearly struggling with me. He glanced at Curtis again waiting for an objection from him but he continued to patiently listen without saying a word.
Convinced that Curtis had no problem or objection with my request, Peter conceded, “Whatever my Lady wants, I am obliged to follow.”
I was smiling inside over the victory.
“And lastly my Lady, the village we will be visiting is called the First Village in Eastwood. It’s one of the largest village in Pinewood. When we arrive there, you are not required to talk or socialize with the villagers if you do not wish to my Lady,” Peter added.
Like any other proper Elite was expected to do. Peter must have thought I was like them, proud and too good for the lower station but I didn’t want to argue with him anymore especially since he was only doing his job so I nodded to acknowledge.
Curtis leaned on his chair and finally spoke, “Now that we’re done, do you have any questions?”
I wanted to confide in him about what happened yesterday because I really needed someone to talk to and I thought maybe he could help but I changed my mind, he was his brother, his brother’s blood runs through him as well, and why would he help me? He was the same as them; only difference was that he was stuck with me. Does he regard me as a plaything too? Or probably a nuisance that he had to endure for their entertainment. Miss Pattilyn may have sympathy for him and I gave my word that I would try to be patient. I could give him my sympathy, sympathy that he had a brother much worse than him.
CHAPTER 6: First Village
CURTIS
The air was still cool as the sun had not yet risen. I wanted an early start to have more time to enjoy the fresh air and scenery and a change of pace was what I needed. Peter and I were at the stables first getting ready when Elaine arrived wearing beige coat and pants, and high black boots and with her hair down. I was use to her wearing her dresses in the manor but her riding clothes extremely suited her as well. I hope she would keep up I thought. I recalled when she insisted on going horseback instead of riding a carriage. She was stubborn and persistent but I didn’t care, and she can do what she wanted as long as she didn’t spoil this for me. Our horses were ready and Peter tried to assist Elaine in climbing her white horse but clearly she didn’t need any help after all. We started for the gate with me leading the way and Peter taking the rear. The Protectors guarding let us through this time without any questions. Shortly when we left the manor, the sun began to slowly appear over the horizon. The sky changed its color from dark to a tinged of orange. It was time for the heavens to wake up and I was there as it all unfolded. We were taking our time riding in a slow pace. I felt alone and free out here, and finally drowning out the noises in my head, a refreshing feeling that I hadn’t felt for a while. As we continued to ride, I realized that Elaine and Peter were riding side by side behind as she asked him questions about Pinewood. It sounded like she was enjoying herself and was curious of the land and Peter was happy to answer. I rode ahead of them until we neared Greendale forest.
“Is that the forest you were talking about?” Elaine inquired.
“Yes my Lady, it’s the largest in Pinewood,” Peter responded.
“This must be the forest we passed when I flew over here.”
“It was my Lady.”
“There must be all kinds of creatures in there. Are we going through?” she excitedly asked.
“No my Lady, we are going around it.”
“But why? Isn’t it faster to go through?”
“Well my Lady, it’s not safe through these woods. It is better if we go around instead.”
“Nonsense, it’s daytime, the dangers out here are probably the same as in there.”
Elaine and Peter continued bickering; she insists on going through while he tries to convince her otherwise. It got to the point that it got annoying so I turned my horse to face them that it made their own horses stop.
“Look, you two can say what you want but I decide where we go, and I chose to go around it and that would be the end of it,” I suddenly blurted frustrated and they were startled by my sudden outburst. Elaine was frowning and Peter looked guilty then I turned my horse back around and resumed our journey. We rode in silence at last but I suddenly regretted what I just said to them. I should had said it more nicely but it was too late for that, so I tried to forget about it.
It took us longer to go around Greendale forest but when we reached the other side, we took a break under a shade of tree as the sun was up. I sat on the trunk while Peter gave the horses water. I glanced at who Elaine decided to rest on the other tree not far from where I was. She took off her coat and laid it down beside her, revealing a white long sleeve fitted collared shirt that she wore underneath. She took a sip of her water and seemed to prefer being left alone.
We were on the road again and the day started to get warmer. I picked up the pace and Elaine and Peter did the same as they continued to follow. We were finally at the fields of the First Village and the villagers took notice as we approached. They were all smiles and bowed and children started following us. Some were waving happily and some came towards our direction excitedly. They were not like this when I came I thought; it must be Elaine they were excited to see. The anticipated visit stirred the villagers that day and Mr. Conolly was waiting for us at the side of the road when we reached his house. Sure enough when we climbed down from our horses, a crowd started to form around Elaine, all were smiling, curious and happy that she came. She smiled widely at them in return and was friendly to all.
“Forgive me my Lord,” Mr. Conolly apologized as he approached me and bowed and smiled, “but they have been waiting to see her since you sent word that you would come with the Lady. We never had a Lady visit here before.”
“No need to apologize,” I smiled back.
“The Lady has become extremely popular among us common folks my Lord and I see that the rumors of her beauty are all true.”
I was watching her and the villagers around. They all looked so happy and mesmerized by her like a worshipper to a deity, and in return she was genuinely delighted to be with them. She spoke to them and didn’t even mind their proximity. She laughed and smiled as they talked to her; it was then that I realized that she became a whole different person to me, I have never seen her like this. Her elation made me feel like it was the first time I saw her, and her cheerfulness made her eyes sparkle more and I couldn’t help feel that I was starting to be drawn to it. Was there something that I saw in her now that I didn’t back then? I waited for her patiently at the sides w
hile she at the center of the crowd where she radiantly stood out, until Mr. Conolly decided to break it off and disperse the villagers.
The Premortals (The Premortals Series Book 1) Page 11