A/N: First things first – thanks for clicking on this. That summary is probably one of the worst summaries you've ever read. If you were still curious enough to check this story out, you deserve many thanks from me! I apologize if there are any mistakes; I don't have a beta reader and I'm always writing my stories late at night. Review or do whatever you do that makes you happy. Enjoy~!
Mother placed the white corset over my torso and securely fastened the busks together. I sucked in a quick breath. How could people enjoy being in these tight contraptions? One of my maids, Julia, fetched my corset cover and decency skirt, all while reassuring me that I will get used to the feel of it. I gave her a tight smile as I shuffled into the many layers of clothing that made up a dress. My mother secured different garnitures to my waist and ran her hands along my skirts.
"So beautiful." Her green eyes started to water and the skin around her eyes wrinkled up even more. I tilted my head to the side and carefully reached out to stroke her cheek.
"Why are you getting so emotional, Mother? Do you not always dress me like this?" I smiled at her and asked Julia for a handkerchief.
"Don't cry, please." I lightly wiped my mother's tears with the piece of fabric. She picked up my hands and brought them up to her lips. Although she was crying, at least I knew I had a loving mother that thought of me.
"You're so thin, Vera. Make sure you end up with a man who will treasure you and not break you," my mother solemnly told me. Occasionally she would tell me what to look for in a boy, but she was never this serious about it. I untangled my hands from hers and beamed at her.
"Just like father, correct?" My mother and father were deeply in love. Once I was older, mother would tell me stories of when they were teenagers and how great of a man my father was.
"Yes, just like your father." She looked away and walked towards the door. "Speaking of him, I better go fetch everybody. He can't forget about your departure."
I raised my eyes in question and turned towards Julia. "Julia, do you know what's going on? Mother is acting like I'm never going to see her again."
Julia laughed lightly and handed me gloves and a fan. "There's nothing to worry about, Miss. Please step into your shoes." She helped me into the tight things and looked me over.
"You're absolutely stunning, Miss. Your mother is correct." I blushed and looked down. Everybody was being nicer than usual, even Melanie the cook, who always teased me. That thought went as soon as it came, though. I was dressed up to see my good friend Camille. We haven't met in person for months, only writing to each other every other week. I still didn't think I had to get this fancy for her – she was too good of a friend to judge if my petticoat was on right or if my necklaces were untangled.
"I'm very excited for this day, Julia. I haven't seen Camille in a long time!" I smiled in excitement. Julia gave a bright smile back and led me out of the room and down the large staircase into the main hall.
"Here we are, Miss Vera. Please, enjoy your day." She slightly bowed and padded out of the entrance.
I spotted my mother and father a few steps away. Once they saw me, my father embraced me in a big hug. My mother sniffed and I struggled to see that she was crying. I immediately pulled away.
"What's wrong, Mother, Father? Why are you two being so passionate?" They both looked at me and then looked back at each other.
"We love you very much, Vera. Continue to be as true as your name says." My father hugged me once again. We hugged for a while before my mother pulled him back and embraced me. She kissed my cheek and touched my wavy brown hair.
"Have fun today, Darling. Write to us often." Mother weakly smiled and more tears poured out of her eyes. Wha-?
Before I had time to question anything, another maid came out and led me out the door. "Do you know what's going on? I am going to see Camille, right?" I frantically looked around. She smiled and held the carriage door open for me. I hesitantly stepped in and she followed suit.
"Your mother and father were terribly sad that they could not escort you this afternoon, but they had more duties to attend to. I want to deliver their deepest apologizes and all of their love." She looked out the window and sighed.
"Where are we going?" I questioned.
"You'll have to wait and see, Ms. Baines." She coughed and the sound echoed throughout the small carriage. I felt the soft velvet of the seats and admired the silk draperies on the windows. The detail inside of this was truly amazing for such a small coach. I sat and felt each bump of the horse's jolting and running. It seemed as if we were never getting to Camille's manor. The moving suddenly stopped and I grabbed my fan. The door opened and I gracefully placed my hand in the stagecoaches', stepping down onto soft grass.
"Thank you." I curtsied to him then turned to the maid and did the same. "See you both later this evening." I twirled about and flung my arms out wide.
"Camille, I have arrived!" I shouted. It was unladylike, but Camille would do the same thing. I opened my eyes to see a man with a stern expression on his face. On his nose sat a pair of glasses and one hand was tucked neatly at his waist. Behind him was a mansion I had never seen before. Where was I? I swung around to see the stagecoach climbing back onto his seat and grabbing the reigns.
"Wait, this isn't Camille's manor! Wait!" The coach quickly sped off and I could see the maid grinning at me from the back window.
"Miss Baines, if you'd follow me. I will explain everything inside." How could I go into a random person's mansion? I just couldn't – these may be dangerous people.
"What? I cannot go inside with you! I do not even know who you are or what this place is!" I exclaimed. The man in the crisp suit narrowed his eyes at me.
"I am Claude Faustus, butler of the Trancy name. Your mother and father have contacted us previously, so I do know a bit about you." He smirked.
"Once inside, I will introduce you to our servants and my master. He was looking forward to meeting you." The man brought his arm out and I looped mine with his. Maybe I was just getting to know him because he'd be involved in my studies or recreational activities; that must be it.
We entered the large hall and Claude led me to a parlor. "Please, have a seat." He pulled out a seat for me and turned towards a nearby tea cart. "Would you like some tea, Ms. Baines?"
I nodded my head. "Yes, please. Thank you." Claude poured the tea and lightly placed the cup in my hands. I sniffed it. I took a sip and noted it to be a very bitter version of lemon tea. My lips puckered and I sat the cup onto the matching platter.
"Your parents have sent you here to be married to my master, Alois Trancy." I choked on my own saliva.
"W-what? Why?" I gasped. Claude glared at me with his oddly-colored eyes and continued.
"After much dispute, it was decided that my master was a good fit with you. Master has invited you to stay with him for the week to see what you're like. If he likes you, you both shall get married. If he hates you, you shall go back to where you came from."
I grimaced at his bluntness and coldness. Hate was such a strong word. "But what if I don't want to get married? I've yet to hear of this 'Alois Trancy.' Don't I have a say in the outcome?"
Claude smirked at me again. "Unfortunately for you, nothing you do will affect the outcome. Well, that is, unless, your actions make my master hate you and not want to marry you."
I shuddered. Why, Mother? Why, Father? Why didn't you tell me this was going to happen? I could've found a boy who I truly loved and we could've married and had beautiful children. A shadow produced over me and I looked up to see Claude holding his hand out.
"Come this way. I'll introduce you to the others." I brushed off his hand and stood up myself. I huffed and looked in the opposite direction. We went into another dining hall to see three guys who looked very similar to each other.
"Those are Canterbury, Thompson, and Timber. They are fellow servants that will assist you when needed." The three looked up at the same time and nodded once at me. I was shocked to see their lack of hospitality. Next we went into the kitchen to see a beautiful woman with long lavender hair washing the dishes.
"This is the maid, Hannah. She will also assist you with anything." Hannah looked up from her washing and brushed the hair out of her eyes. I blinked rapidly as I saw that her left eye was bandaged up. I wonder what had happened.
She curtsied politely and offered me her greetings and welcomes. Hopefully there were more maids here like Hannah. If there were, I may be able to survive in this manor. Claude led me to the dining room and pulled out a chair for me. I sat down and noticed that directly diagonally from me was where the head of the table was. That must've been where this 'Alois' person sat.
"Master should be out soon. You two may converse over snacks that will be brought out shortly." Claude bowed and returned to the kitchen.
I observed the large walls and lovely cloths that hung from the windows. The furniture and décor was just as elegant as what was in my mansion. A man with this much wealth and power must be an older person, I guessed. I shuddered at the thought. I did not want to be married to an old man! I whipped around to hear a high pitched voice singing an order to somebody.
"Claude~! Bring out the honey nuts and the salt pretzels! I don't want to give too much to this filthy guest!"
I gaped. Filthy guest? Didn't Claude say he was anxious to meet me? A tall blond-haired boy strutted into the room and stopped in his tracks when he spotted me. He was wearing an outfit that was far too revealing, in my taste. His bottoms were far too short and provocative. The only part I somewhat adored was the long purple coat that he modeled. My brown eyes widened as his expression turned from gleeful to murderous.
"Claude," he looked over his shoulder, "this is the girl who wants to marry me?" I hadn't noticed Claude in the corner, preparing the food for us. Everyone seemed very quiet here. He nodded curtly and introduced me.
"Yes, Master. This is Vera Baines. Her family scoped you out and thought you fit to be her husband." I looked down at the table to keep from yelling at the both of them. I certainly didn't want to marry him and I didn't want to be here!
"Very well. She looks decent, but I'll have to see." The boy smiled evilly and sat down in the chair Claude had quickly pulled out. "So many girls want to get into my bed; they're all whores." His face contorted into that of disgust.
"I didn't even know I was coming here," I explained. "My parents set me up to this. I've never heard of the Trancy name, so wouldn't it be alright if I went back home? It seems as if you don't want to be with any women right now."
I scooted my chair out and started to get up, but Alois's hand shot out and grabbed my wrist.
"Sit down." He commanded. I gulped and sat down, slightly leaning away from him. I placed my fan and gloves onto my lap, slowly twisting my hands into a knot.
The silence between us was tedious, yet also distressing. I could feel Alois's eyes scanning over my body time and time again. It felt as if he was slowly undressing me with his eyes and thinking of nasty things to do with me. His butler didn't help the situation, either. Claude stood still and statue-like, silently judging me from his corner.
I jumped in my seat when Alois called out to his maid.
"Hannah! Hurry your ass out here with those drinks!" He sneered at the kitchen door and impatiently waited for the gorgeous woman.
Not a minute later, Hannah came out, balancing a silver tray filled with a variety of liquids on her hands. She sat the tray down and bowed to the both of us. "I'm very sorry for the delay, your highness."
Claude then came over and sat his tray of snacks in front of us.
I looked at the delicious treats in front of me. They ranged from gourmet chocolates to salty morsels. I looked up at Hannah and Claude and said my thanks. As Hannah walked away, Alois picked up a chocolate-covered fruit and threw it at her. My mouth dropped open.
"I didn't dismiss you, you bitch!" Alois's face was red and full of anger. "Come here!"
I shivered in my spot. Would he be like this all the time?
Hannah turned around and walked back to us. Her stance was graceful and gave the impression that she was used to his antics. Alois snagged her arm and pulled up a dinner knife.
"What are you doing?" I stuck my hand out to stop him, but his glaring blue eyes met mine and told me to back off. I sat back in my chair and gave Hannah a worried look. Her undamaged eye was staring hard into the marble floors.
"I apologize, Master." She bowed once again.
Alois instantly began driving the knife into Hannah's tan skin. Bright red blood splattered along the silk table cloth and all over Alois and even myself. I let out a big gasp as he threw the bloodied knife at Claude. The butler caught the flying knife between his fingers and tossed it in the tea cart.
"W-Why did you just do that!" I angrily stood up, not caring about my gloves and fan falling to the floor, and looked at Hannah's bleeding arm. This was too cruel! I definitely could not live with someone who stabbed their maids! Completely ignoring my comment, Alois yelled at Hannah some more.
"Clean all of this up, slut!" He looked at my dress splattered with blood and harshly grabbed my wrist. I tried pulling my hand out of his grip as he hauled me out of the room, but he simply scolded me for trying to scuffle with him. Hannah's face was unfazed and she headed back into the kitchen. Claude quietly shook his head and followed suit.
Alois pulled me up the long staircase and into a beautiful room. The walls were a light teal and the windows were tall and gave the room lots of light. A queen-sized bed sat in the center of the wall, accented with purple silk sheets and a fluffy duvet. A large wooden dresser was in the corner and a golden mirror stood near it. There were many more pieces of furniture; Mother would be extremely jealous of this very room.
"There's a bathroom in here, so get yourself cleaned and ready. You happened to come at an important time and I don't want you here alone. Hannah will be here to help." Alois smiled gently at me and exited the room. One minute he was fiery and the next he was calm. He was such a confusing person.
I went to the mirror and saw all of the blood covering my skirts. There was no way I could manage to get this out. I went to the attached bath and struggled to get my dress off. I usually had my maids help me out with the ties and buttons, but now I had to do it myself. Once everything was off, I folded them up and placed the bundle in the corner. It was such a pity that a dress like that had to be disposed of.
I turned on the bath and waited for the porcelain tub to fill up. I opened a closet to find soft towels and a sponge. Just as I stepped into the tub, a knock appeared at my door.
"May I come in?" I recognized the voice to be Hannah's.
"Please, do come in. I'm in the bath," I called back and sank into the tub some more.
Hannah soon entered the room and asked for permission to come into the bathroom.
"You don't have to be so polite with me, Hannah. You may enter a room whenever you'd like." I smiled and saw that her arm was bandaged up. "I-Is your arm okay?"
She smiled and grabbed the sponge. "Yes, it's fine. Thank you for your concern, Miss Baines. May I help you wash?"
"Yes, please. I can't reach my back." I nodded my head and let Hannah scrub the dirt and blood away.
Hannah helped me wash my hair and body until I was ready to come out. She held a towel out to cover my body and I wrapped myself in it. She helped me out of the tub and grabbed a brush. I looked into the bathtub and saw a few bloody drops. I panicked and unwrapped my towel to see a trail of blood running from my thigh down to my ankle.
Oh, no. This couldn't be happening. I rushed to the toilet and grabbed a wad of toilet paper to soak up the red liquid. Out of all the days to happen, why now? This couldn't just wait one more week? Hannah came back with the brush and saw the blood.
"I'm sorry, Hannah. Do you have anything?" I flushed. She smiled and walked out of the room. A minute later she appeared with a small box. She took the lid off and pulled out a thick piece of cloth.
"Nothing to worry about, Miss. We have to be prepared, don't we?"
I hurriedly cleaned up the blood and went out to grab some underwear. I stopped when I realized that I had no other clothes here. I opened my mouth to speak, but Hannah interrupted me.
"There are clothes and undergarments in the dresser." I went to the dresser and pulled the doors open. I searched through some drawers and finally found some underwear. I placed the cloth Hannah gave me into the underwear and slipped them on.
I turned to see Hannah holding two dresses, one a deep green and the other a light purple. They were both equally beautiful, but I didn't know why she was holding such elaborate dresses.
"You and Master are to go to a ball tonight, so please pick the one you prefer."
I gripped the towel around myself tighter. A ball? With a psychotic and bipolar boy?
I picked the purple dress and Hannah nodded in content. She helped my brush my hair out and put my garments on. I gasped when she placed the corset around me.
"How do you breathe in these things? It hurts so much." I squeezed my eyes shut as she tightened the ties.
"You will soon get used to it, but your small body has to develop first."
I blushed when she said that. I have already gone through puberty, but I was still very thin. I wish I was like Camille: a nice, full body and a big bust. I had breasts, but they weren't nearly as large as the women I know. Hannah made me even more self-conscious with her slender waist and full boobs.
I was dressed in more layers and accessories until Hannah stepped back and told me I was done. She bowed and said her regards.
"I will see you downstairs, my lady." She closed the door and I heard her light footsteps walk away.
I admired how the dress fit my body nicely and how flowy it looked. My stomach made a strange noise and I realized it was due to the fact that I was craving food. I didn't get to have those snacks because of Alois's crazy stunt.
Sighing, I placed my hand on the door handle and slowly opened it.
A/N: I'm having troubles with the spacing... let me know if it's too close, jumbled, or even too far apart. Other than that, there aren't many AloisxOC stories in the romance category, so I wanted to give this a shot! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Your reviews will determine whether this will continue on to be a story or will remain as a useless one chapter saga.
no beta reader + sleepy me = possible mistakes that will annoy you in more ways than one :D