In the hushed moments before sunrise, Tia awoke within the timeworn chambers of the Baroness's aged castle in Raven's Crest. The room, featured a noble but weathered four-poster bed surrounded by faded tapestries and worn stone walls.
Threadbare drapes allowed a subtle dawn glow to filter through, casting a nostalgic light. The air carried the scent of aged wood and the mustiness of time, giving the room a timeless ambiance.
An old wardrobe, marked by the passage of generations, displayed the regal attire of yesteryears. A rustic vanity with a cloudy mirror captured the castle's enduring reflection, while the hearth is now cold and silent.
Despite its aged appearance, the room exuded a charm that invited a connection to the castle's enduring legacy.
‘It's been five years since I reincarnated into this world. I'm still disappointed that my dream of being reborn as a girl hasn't come true. Still, life here is paradise compared to my previous one.
Currently, I'm five years old. my sister is around eight, and my mother is about 22.
Yeah, I know what you are thinking. It means that she was about 14 when she gave birth to vina. Though it is possible, it is still dangerous. I still don’t know if it is the norm in this world or not.
During these years of observation, I've noticed countless oddities about the family I was born into. Where do I even begin?
Yes, let's start with my daily life and the house rules set by our mother. Every morning, we wake up about an hour before sunrise. I am still in bed, with my mother in the center and my sister on the other side.’
House Rule 1# The three of us will always sleep together
Sera possesses fair skin, long black hair cascading down to her hips, and a well-defined figure.
Vina boasts hair that cascades down her back, while my black hair reaches my shoulders.
Sera began to stir awake, rubbing her eyes. Catching sight of her son already awake, she planted a kiss on his cheek, and smiled, “Good morning, Tia.”
“Good morning, mother.” Tia reciprocated with a kiss on her cheek.
Next, Sera gently nudged Vina to rouse her. “Vina, it's time to wake up.”
Vina, still half-asleep, rubbed her eyes. “Wake up, sleepyhead,” Sera teased, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“Hmm, good morning, mother.” Vina returned the gesture with a kiss on her other cheek.
‘Quickly, we took turns in the bathroom for our morning routine: relieving ourselves, brushing our teeth with herbal powder and chewing sticks, and washing our faces.’
House Rule 2# All personal activities must be done by another family member; individuals are not allowed to perform these tasks independently.
After that, the three of us head to the lawn with oil for an oil massage, we use different ones on different days.
After completing the oil massage, with synchronized movements, we gently gathered Sera's long locks, elevating them to a desired position on her head. In a harmonious twist, we carefully coiled the hair, creating a natural, elegant look. Working seamlessly, we secured the twisted coil with a hair stick. We made slight adjustments, guaranteeing both the style and stability. Thus, in a collaborative effort, vina and I worked together to style Vina's hair into a high ponytail.
Then, sera, applied oil, massaged our bodies, and styled our hairs in a high ponytail.
*****
Finishing our massage, we started to do our morning exercises and stretching.
Sera, with her long, flowing black hair tied in a high ponytail, led the way with fluid stretches that showcased both strength and elegance. Vina, mirroring her mother's grace, moved with the vibrant energy of youth, her ponytail bouncing in rhythm. I too mimicked their motions.
Together, in the soft glow of dawn, we extended our limbs, bending bodies, and flexing muscles. Seeing sera and vina is a spectacle, a dance of beauty and health as the morning light embraced their every motion. Then we started to jog.
As Sera and vina jogged gracefully, their high ponytails swung with the rhythm of their steps, creating a mesmerizing dance in the morning sunlight. Sera's body moved with a fluid grace as she jogged. Her arms swung rhythmically by her sides, mirroring the steady cadence of her strides. The muscles in her legs flexed and relaxed in perfect harmony, showcasing a balance of power and finesse.
As the sun rose, casting its warm glow, it created a mesmerizing scene.
Copyright © [2024] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
*****
After completing our morning exercises, we strolled through the vacant castle, making our way to the bathroom. The corridors echoed with the soft echoes of our bare footsteps in the quiet baroness's castle. During the journey, I found it difficult to avert my gaze from Sera and Vina.
Sera and Vina walked gracefully. Sera, with her long, flowing hair tied in a high ponytail, exuded elegance as she swayed her hips, while Vina, moved with youthful energy. Their movements were synchronized, creating a mesmerizing dance as they made their way through the castle. From time to time, I saw mother observing me as I walked along side with them.
*****
In the aging castle, the bathroom, located on a secluded floor adjacent to the Baroness's quarters, is adorned with timeworn tapestries, aged mirrors, and intricately carved wooden furnishings. The focal point is a large, claw-footed bathtub, surrounded by faded rugs and the remnants of once-vibrant fabrics. The room carries a nostalgic air, with dimmed light filtering through small, weathered windows that offer glimpses of the castle grounds. Despite its age, the medieval bathroom exudes an enduring charm.
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Sera, Vina, and I removed the hair sticks securing our hair in high ponytails, allowing it to cascade down freely. Sera then settled on a stool placed near the water buckets. Vina and I stood in front and behind her, pouring water on Mother. We then applied herbal infusions to her head, gently massaging along her scalp and hair using our fingers.
Vina and I began applying a mixture of wood ash and herbal powder, combined with some oils, to Sera's body. Then, we poured water on her from head to toe, washing away all the mixture on her skin, cleansing her body of sweat and oil.
After sera, it is my turn. Sera poured water on me. Then, applied some herbal infusions my hair and gently massaged it. vina and sera started to apply the mixture of wood ash, herbal powder and oils. Then, she poured water on my head cleansing my body.
Then, mother and I would help vina in her bath. In the same process, we cleansed her body with water. Thus, finishing our morning bath.
We assisted each other in drying our hair and skin with towels, then let our hair loose to allow it to dry.
Finishing our bath. We strolled through the dimly lit corridors, the soft morning light filtering through the castle's aged windows highlighted the ethereal beauty of the Raven's Crest family.
Sera, with her fair skin adorned with lingering water droplets, her long, black hair, now loose and flowing, her hips swaying, Vina and I, with our hair cascading down our back walked towards our bedroom.
*****
House Rule 3# Always follow dress code when not in front of non-family members.
In our bedroom, Sera grabbed a 5 sided-die from the table. “Time to choose today's dress code,” she declared, rolling it to a stop at 1.
In our house, we follow a dress code determined by rolling a dice. The number it lands on dictates our attire for the day, which we must wear until we finish our bath next morning.
Ours is a weathered wooden wardrobe, though not ornate, stands as a functional piece. The clothing inside is modest, comprising simple fabrics. There's an absence of luxurious accessories, replaced by practical items that serve daily needs. The baroness's attire reflects her resilience, with practical dresses and worn but well-maintained garments.
Even though I am very disappointed that I was not born as a girl, I still get to wear girls' clothes. I still don’t know the reason why Mother is hiding my gender as a boy and disguising me to be a girl. But I am very happy to cross dress as a girl. It's too bad that the fashion industry in this world is not yet developed. The only kinds of clothes people wear are gowns for women, braies and trousers for men.
Within the chamber, mother retrieved dresses from the wardrobe, laying them out on the bed. Vina and I joined her on the bed, adorning her in a white, loose-fitting chemise. Seated at the corner, Sera raised her hands gracefully, allowing us to slip the garment over her. Next, a green one-piece gown adorned her form, and with a cloth belt, we cinched it snugly around her waist.
Sera's long, flowing hair cascaded like silk. Vina prepared by smoothing Sera's hair with a fine-toothed comb. Vina started by gathering a small section of Sera's hair near the temple, initiating the braid just above the ear.
She divided the gathered hair into three equal strands and commenced the braiding process. Crossing the right strand over the middle, then the left strand over the middle, then continued the braiding technique, incorporating small sections of hair as they progressed along the natural curve of Sera's head.
She seamlessly added small sections of loose hair into the braid, ensuring it followed the natural line of Sera's head. This allowed for a free-flowing, unencumbered style. The braiding continued until they reached the opposite temple. Vina continued braiding the loose strands, allowing the braid to naturally taper off. With a final glance, Vina made subtle adjustments to ensure the braid sat comfortably and framed Sera's face in a relaxed and effortless manner.
To enhance the bohemian feel, Vina and I gently tugged at sections of the braid, giving it a slightly undone and carefree appearance.
Sera, with a contented smile, reveled in the loving touch of her children.
Likewise, in a mirrored exchange of roles, Sera, with gentle hands, adorned us in chemises, gowns, and belts.
Armed with only a comb, I carefully prepared Vina's hair by ensuring it was free of tangles, letting its natural texture become the focal point. I divided Vina's hair into manageable sections, ready to coax out the natural curls that lay within. I used my fingers to gently twist small sections of Vina's hair. With a tender touch, I incorporated a gentle braiding technique as I worked through each section. This not only added a touch of structure but also contributed to the overall charm of the hairstyle. With Vina's hair now adorned in natural curls and braids, I let the curls set naturally. After a patient wait, I delicately unraveled the braids, allowing the natural curls to bounce freely, revealing an effortlessly chic and unencumbered hairstyle.
After Vina, Sera, braided my hair into a simple curled hairstyle, echoing the charming beauty adorning Vina's locks.
Finally, we completed our attire by donning simple leather shoes.
Copyright © [2024] [The Rainy Imp]. All rights reserved.
*****
Then we walked towards the kitchen. In the dormant kitchen, the gleam of copper utensils hung against stone walls. The hearth lay silent, its embers dormant, and the wooden shelves displayed neatly arranged jars of herbs and spices.
A petite round table, surrounded by three chairs, was placed adjacent to the stove. The handless chairs accommodated one adult and two children, providing designated spots for family meals. The small table size allowed for an intimate setting, where Sera, Vina, and Tia could easily assist each other during meals.
We assisted mother by helping her tie her apron. Vina and I patiently waited on the dining chairs since, being young, our mother doesn't allow us to cook yet.
Sera moved seamlessly with grace in the kitchen, expertly chopping vegetables and stirring the simmering stew on the stove. Vina and I watched from the dining area, captivated by Sera's culinary performance.
We eat two meals daily, always having stew for breakfast and dinner, with occasional variations. Surprisingly, neither Vina nor I have much enthusiasm for food. It feels like we eat solely to sustain our bodies with essential nutrients.
She serves the stew in a single bowl with 3 spoons placed on the small table. Once the stew is served, we assist her in removing her apron and each sat on our chairs.
House Rule #4 Adhere to Our Family's Dining Etiquette when not in front of non-family members
Adhering to house rule 2, we do not eat by ourselves, rather we feed each other. We take turns feeding one another with a spoonful of stew. I start by feeding Mother, she then feeds Vina, and Vina, in turn, feeds me. This cycle repeats in reverse order until we complete our meal.
After cleaning sera said, “Alright, time to drink milk.”
Our dining rules are as follows
1. If we are in presence of non-family members, then follow normal dining etiquette.
2. Eat twice a day.
3. While eating, feed each other.
4. Drink milk twice a day.
Normally a person stops lactating after a year or 2 from child birth. But mother continued to feed her milk to us all these years.
One time, due to sera’s busy schedule, we did not get to drink her milk for a day. At that time, both vina and I became so dull and listless and thirsty. We were unable to have any food either. Only after mother fed us with her milk, did we regain our energy. This has happened for a few times. When I asked for the reason, she would say that it is not yet time for us to know.
This completes our daily breakfast.
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