Chapter 1: Romy's POV
There was a knock at the door, startling the young woman in the bed. “Miss, your aunt Eleonore is wishing you to get up this morning.” The maid said at the door, she opens the door wider, bringing in two more girls. The maid, Marie. Has black hair in a tight bun with the usual maid outfit, black dress with white apron and bonnet. The other girls wore similar clothes, they each have a red arm band on their left arm, signalling that they are the young woman’s personal maids. Both of the maids has blonde hair. One is named Margot, she has freckles sprinkled across her nose and cheeks. The other maid is named Clara, she always has had a smile on her face throughout all these years.
Marie grabbed a deep v lined corset and slipped it around the young woman’s waist, stitching it through the loops. Marie pulled tightly and tied the strings together. The young woman looked up, closing her eyes. Clara brought the dress over to Marie, where they both slipped it over the young woman’s arms and head. Straightening the dress out. Margot placed the shoes in front of the young woman. The young woman slipped her feet into the shoes, Margot laced the silver ribbons around the woman’s ankles and up her calves. Marie lead the woman to the mirror and sat her down, running her fingers through the red locks. She grabbed the comb and started combing through the tangles. Margot washed the woman’s hands and arms. While Clara went and found some deep blue and silver ribbons. Marie switched from the comb to a brush, brushing her hair. Marie let some of her hair down from around her ears, framing the woman’s face. Her hair up in a high ponytail, dangling with perfect red curls. The young woman put the earrings in.
Marie had cleaned the room while Margot and Clara worked on the woman’s make up. When they were done, they each went out with closing the door behind them. The young woman looked at herself in the mirror. Pale creamy skin, stormy blue eyes, red plump lips, skinny in the hips with a perfect chest. She grinded her teeth together and got up. She fished out her favorite perfume, water lily with tropical fruits and berries. She made her way out of her room, walking down the hallway with sunlight streaming in. Her dress swaying slightly against her legs. Her feet fluttered down the winding stairs, dress brushing the stairs. Her elegant long fingers traced the stone walls.
Maids, cooks, soldiers running around, being where they are supposed to be. Some stopped and bowed, others went on their way. Her aunt Eleonore’s voice travelled down from the dining hall. She made her way towards the dining hall, stepping away from workers. She rubbed her hands and she gotten closer to the hall.
“Ah Romy, you’re awake!” Her aunt had squealed while ushering some people away. Her aunt grabbed her arm and whispered in her ear, “if you tell anyone what happened, I will kill you. Do you understand? Good.” She scolded Romy. Romy looked away, “yes ma’am I will not.” “Now shoo, go away. We have company coming over and I don’t want you to be around them otherwise we will have a big problem.” She threatened. She let go of her arm and turned away from her and headed to the high seat. Romy followed and sat at her regular spot, the opposite side of where aunt Eleonore sits. Two sequels were heard down the hall, laughter followed them into the dining room. Two beautiful brunettes with a handsome man on their arm. They each made their way to their seats. Both brunettes ignored Romy and stacked their nose in the air. One brunette is Emma and the other is Adele. They both are identical twins. Button noses, long brown hair, doe eyes with the lightest brown, each are tall and slender. Emma always has her hair curled and loose, while her twin, Adele had hers up in a braided bun.
Cooks and waiters brought it dishes of eggs, bacon, croissants, ham, jelly, fresh fruits, and with fresh squeezed juice. “Let’s say a prayer, ladies and gentlemen, if you will.” We bowed our heads. Aunt Eleonore holding her hands with Emma and Adele. The two men bowed their heads and hold hands with the two girls. Romy sat alone and the end of table. “Dear father, thank you for the food and please bless it...” As aunt Eleonore trailed on, Romy fixes her dress and hair. A little bit of the mark where aunt Eleonore had her hand is still there, but barely. She rubbed the area, hoping it would go away. “Please please please, let Romy find a suitor who would have her, in your name, amen.” Aunt Eleonore finished, while the others said their amens.
Cooks and waiters dished out the food to each person, when they got to Romy, aunt Eleonore spoke, “don’t give her too much, give her some fruit. You need to watch your weight Romy.” She scolded her. The waiter gave her some fruit. Romy ate a piece of fruit slowly. Her stomach turning and face burning from the call out. “Excuse me, I am going to go for a walk,” Romy said quickly and quietly. Her aunt just nodded, cousins ignored her, as usual. Romy made her way out of the dining hall and down the hall towards the gardens. Her dress swishing and swaying as her feet picked up to a run. Tears threatened to fall.
