Layne's Point of View

I woke up gasping for air. This is not my room nor our farmhouse. Oh right, we were forcefully brought here. The last thing I remember was our arrival at the gates of the Royal City.

My eyes lingered as I familiarized myself with the things inside. From the bed to the other furniture and fixtures, everything is glamorous. There’s a huge door on the right, two huge windows on the left, and a balcony in between the windows. I tried to stand but felt weak.

How long was I asleep?

I looked into the huge mirror on the right side of the bed and saw my pale and dry figure. From the looks of it, something very serious has happened to me. “Oh right, Mother!” how can I forget? Just when I was about to go outside, a maid suddenly entered. Her eyes widened as she saw me standing.

“My Lady, you are still weak.” The maid rushed towards me and carefully guided me back to bed. As she was about to turn away, I grabbed her hand.

“Who are you? Where’s my Mother? And where am I?” I asked with no hesitation. “My apologies, I am Anne, your personal maid.” She said as she bowed with grace. Why am I treated and respected like this?

“If you are curious about your mother, Lady Montes, she is having tea with Lord Brevont.”

Come again? Lady Montes? My mother’s name is Montessa and who the hell is Lord Brevont?

“Can I go where she is now?” begging the maid to take me to her.

“Your body is still weak, my Lady. How about a meal first? I’ll bring it to your room” she said, with a worried expression, and hurriedly walked towards the door.

“Yes please, but—”

“Don’t worry my Lady, it will only take a few minutes and I will definitely inform Lady Montes that you are awake. If you’ll excuse me”. Then she bowed as she left the room. Now that she was gone, I stood up again to go to the balcony. I need to have a full view of where the hell I am.

From the moment the curtains peeled, my eyes widened with astonishment. The room I am in parallel to the huge tall gate of this residence. It looks so small up here because of how far it is from this building. I was amused because, as I looked outside, there were buildings, congested streets, and people roaming around.

So, this is a city.

The door opened once again. Finally, it was Mother together with the maid— I mean Anne. This time she is pushing a huge cart with all sorts of food in it. I walked towards Mother to hug her tightly. “M-mother, *sniff*” A gush of emotions poured out, and I heavily cried in her embrace.

I felt her hand stroking my back to calm me down, but it was no help. Like a crybaby, I wept for a good 15 minutes.

“How long was I asleep for? Why are we here, Mother? And why is the maid calling you Lady Montes?”

“I know you have lots of questions, but for now, eat first. Once you are finished, let’s have a conversation in the drawing room just by the end of the hall. How’s that?” I nodded and then she left afterward. She sounds so familiar with this place.

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The maid had prepared everything I needed for this meal. As I looked at the clock it was past noon. Well, this is my first meal. There’s pumpkin soup, steak, mashed potatoes, and a slice of cake. This is a full-course meal. Never in my life have I experienced a meal like this. Back in our farmhouse, vegetable stew and bread satisfy our hunger. What’s on this table is beyond that.

“Hmmm. Delicious!” I am very pleased with this meal.

After devouring everything, Anne helped me dress into an attire because I was still wearing a “nightgown”, which is what she called the thin dress I was wearing. The room has its own bathing room and another room for clothes. This is not something I am used to, but I am low-key enjoying this treatment. I felt like a real noble.

I insisted on wearing the clothes I brought with me, but she refused and made me wear this elegant pink dress with a floral pattern. Anne even brushed my hair and tied it upwards. She also dabbed white powder on my face and a red sticky balm on my lips.

Anne made me look in a mirror to reveal her creation. I couldn’t even recognize myself. “I think something’s missing” With what I had said, I could see Anne’s disappointed face. “No, what you did to my face and hair is beautiful. I just need a specific kind of jewelry. Uhmmm.. When they took me here, did you see the emerald necklace I am wearing?”

“Yes, my Lady! Since I have kept all your personal belongings neat over here, I have seen the necklace you are referring to. Just a moment, I will bring it to you.” Anne joyfully said, and then she rushed to the room filled with clothes. She helped me wear the necklace too.

While admiring how I looked, I suddenly remembered our neighbor back in the village, who was dressed like this for her coming of age. “So, this is how it feels like.” I read my thoughts out loud, and Anne heard it too. To quickly brush it off, I thanked her.

Despite being dressed so elegantly, why do I still feel that it doesn’t suit me?

Like an ugly duckling pretending to be a swan.

Mother said that the drawing room was at the end of the hall. As I went out of the room for the first time, the halls were as glamorous as the room I had stayed in. Knights were also scattered in every corner.

At the end of the hall.

There seemed to be a room over there. Maybe that’s the “drawing room”. I was about to enter, but the knights guarded the door. “Do you have permission to enter?” Excuse me? I was asked to come here, which is, of course, something I cannot say because of how scary their tone of voice and expressions were.

“Is this the drawing room? Lady Montes, my Mother, is inside waiting for me.” With great emphasis on the word “Mother”. After they heard what I said, their scary expression calmed down.

“What seems to be the commotion here?” an unfamiliar person approached us. He is wearing the same clothing as the knights, so I guess he is one of them too. “Sir Rafaelo.” The knights bowed in his presence.

“Lady Montes’s daughter was lost; she seems to have mistaken Lord Brevont’s office for the drawing room.” The knight explained to Sir Rafaelo. They seem to be talking more, but it has become inaudible to me.

“My Lady?” I quickly looked at Sir Rafaelo. His masculine figure and his deep red hair, which complement his tan skin, pleased my eyes.

“Let me guide you, the drawing room is this way.” Sir Rafaelo pointed to where we needed to go.

My mistake. I took the wrong turn.

“Thank you.” I shortly replied.

Sir Rafaelo led the way and I followed right behind him like a lost puppy. “Your sense of direction is poor”, I mumbled, referring to myself. He then paused from walking and glanced at me. Did he hear? “My Lady, what is your name?” he asked. I sighed in relief. So it’s just a question. “Layne, my name is Layne” I replied. He seemed pleased with my answer.

“The knights earlier called you Sir Rafaelo, can I call you that as well?” I said without thinking. Sir Rafaelo’s shocked expression made me feel embarrassed. Is it a peculiar question? It was a good one minute of silence which made me even more embarrassed. But then his smile made the awkwardness vanish.

He didn’t answer. I guess I can’t call him that. After a few minutes, we arrived. I was about to enter but, “Just call me Rafaelo, my Lady.” he suddenly said.

Rafaelo it is.

“It’s nice to meet you Rafaelo,” I said with a smile, and then I proceeded to head inside.