A/N: Sorry, the first chapter isn't very good. It will be better in the next chapters. Please bear with me and read on. Hope you like it. Please review.

Chapter 1:

The winter wind howled madly outside. Within the shelter of Dwight Manor, I sat in front of a small fire in the kitchen with my dog, Courage. I had a bad cold and Greda made me some tea. It was late and the other servants were already sleeping.

"Here have some tea, it will help with the cold," she said handing me a cup of tea she just brewed. I took it gratefully and muttered a thank you. She sat on an old stool and begun knitting. Her white hair glistened from time to time as it reflected the dancing firelight. Her wrinkled fingers deftly moved as she knitted.

Greda's taken care of me since birth. My mother, Lady Georgiana, died giving birth of me. Father, Lord Luke, Earl of Sheridan, brought me up with Greda's help. When I was thirteen, he remarried and not long after that he died. My new stepmother Vivian detested me. She made me her servant and threatened to throw me out. Trudy my stepsister took away my pretty clothes and everything that once belonged to me. Gaspar, my stepbrother maltreated me.

Amidst the storm, my stepfamily was in their respective rooms with large roaring fires, heavily wrapped in thick quilts and furs.

I just finished my tea when suddenly the bell for Vivian's room began to ring furiously. Greda started to stand.

"I'll go Greda," I said. "Go ahead and rest, it's getting pretty late."

I abandoned my teacup on the table. Passing by a window on my way to Vivian's room, I saw the snow mercilessly lash at the glass, threatening to break it. I sighed. What does Vivian want now?

Upon reaching her room, I knocked,

"Who is it?" Vivian's voice said through the thick wood.

"It's me Madam," I said," you called?"

"Come in," the voice ordered me.

I cautiously entered. The heat inside the room was suffocating. Vivian was sprawled on her bed, reading.

"Yes?" I asked her.

"Add more coal," she ordered me.

"But Madam," I protested, "Don't you think it's hot enough? Besides,"

"Besides what?" she snapped at me.

"I… uh, w-well, we might run out of coal," l replied shakily. Vivian was in a bad mood; I don't even want to know what was in store for me.

"Well, go gather some. Honestly, Claire, do I have to think about everything?" she said rolling her eyes.

"But… the markets are closed…It isn't possible to," I said to which Vivian interrupted me once more.

She pretended to sigh. "Get out and try to find some. I don't care how you get it. Go."

"But, if we conserve it, I'm sure it will suffice till morning," I tried to reason with her.

"Do you want us all to freeze?" Vivian replied through seethed teeth, her voice growing louder and louder, "I don't want to hear any of your lazy excuses. Go get me some coal or you just might find yourself along with Greda homeless tonight. You're dismissed. Now, get out of my sight this instant!"

I scampered out of her room as quickly as I could.

What am I to do? I thought. Dwight Manor is quite isolated and finding a neighbor won't be that easy, especially in this heavy snowstorm. If I don't go, Vivian might throw Greda and me out. This is going to be a very rough night.

Greda was still knitting by the fire when I entered the kitchen. Courage was beside her, sleeping. I picked up my coat and prepared to leave. Greda saw me and asked, "Why! Dear, where are you going at such weather?"

"I need to get some coal," I explained. Courage's ear perked up upon hearing my voice. In a moment, he was up. "Vivian wants them."

"But it's snowing terribly outside and where are you going to get them? The markets are closed," she argued.

"I guess I'll have to find a way," I replied while I tied the strings of my old and battered boot. "Vivian said that she'd throw both of us out if I don't get her some. I couldn't argue, her temper's worse than a lion's." If I think about it though, her temper is always pretty much not good most of the time.

"But you have a cold," she said worriedly.

"I feel better now. I think your tea did its job." I said trying to reassure her. I turned to Courage," Up for an adventure boy?"

"But…Claire," Greda said.

"Relax, I'll be all right," I told Greda reassuringly. At least I hope I will.

I waved her goodbye to which she replied with an anxious wave and stepped out.

The weather was worse than it appeared. It felt like as though I had not worn a coat at all. The coldness seeped through the thick material of the coat. Even Courage shivered a little despite his thick fur.

It was a good thing he came with me, I thought. I don't think I'd dare go out alone. The shadows of trees and various bushes lurked everywhere creepily. His company at least assured me that I'm not alone. I gave him a grateful pat as we fought the wind and heavy snow.

We've walked for an hour already but I still didn't see any houses. The snow was growing heavier and heavier with every step. Soon I can barely see where we were headed. We walked and walked and walked. I felt like as though we were going in circles. It was then that I realized that we were very, very lost.

Once we passed by a large tree that was bent eastward at least ninety degrees. I thought we were already heading back but after walking some more we again passed by the same tree.

Courage and I were already shivering badly. We had to find shelter soon. I didn't care if we didn't get any coal, our priority then was to find somewhere to spend the night or we surely would die of cold.

We trudged on and on. I am not going to give up!

We passed by the severely bent tree several more times and I felt like giving up but I didn't dare, my life and Courage's depended on it. I made myself take a step… then another… and another…

I could barely think straight because of the cold when I saw it; I saw a house -a very large house- at some distance. I thought I was hallucinating at first, but as I drew nearer and nearer, hope rekindled in me. We'll be able to make it after all.

After what seemed like centuries later, we finally reached the gate. I fell down and all I could think of doing was to sleep, to sleep and rest. Courage nudged me with his muzzle. What does he want now? I got up and rang the bell. And then…

Blackness.

Warm.

I felt so warm and comfortable. I turned around my bed. It was much softer than I recalled. I felt so tired. I just had a nasty dream. Why is there a fire in my room?

I looked around and realized that I was not in my own room. I tried to get up and a servant approached me.

"Aye, milady," she said kindly with a peculiar accent, "I see you have awakened. Here have some tea."

I took the tea and thank her.

"Wait here and I'm going to inform my master that you have awakened," she said turning to leave.

"Where am I?" I asked softly. She didn't appear to have heard and closed the large door quietly.

I looked around the room. It was a big room, bigger than twice Vivian's room put together. The owner has a good taste. It was elegant and well furnished. The walls were painted creamy beige with intricate designs. I've never seen such a beautiful room.

I realized that someone already changed me. I was wearing a silk nightgown. Every strand of my blond hair shined in place as I pushed back a loose strand. I stared at the large fire that kept the room warm.

I sat there and just thought of nothing when I remembered last night. Courage, where's he? They must have at least seen him with me. He must be tied around somewhere.

I got up. I must get out of here. I must find Courage and go back soon. How long did I sleep. Vivian would kill me when I get back.

I got out of bed and opened a closet. I realized that I couldn't go around walking in a nightgown. There were only a few cloths inside. All richly made. Most of them were gowns. I despaired a little. I can't go around walking in these.

Finally, after a few minutes of searching, I found a simpler dress. It was made of silk with blue lace trimmings. I decided to borrow it despite the fact that I knew I might ruin it on my way. But maybe, if I'm careful enough, I just might be able to preserve it. I also found a pair of shoes and a coat that were appropriate enough for a long walk.

I placed them on and looked at my reflection on the looking glass. A beautiful blue-eyed blond looked back at me. It has been a long time since I've actually worn pretty clothes. My hair, which normally was a mess, looked straight and shiny for once. For the record, I wasn't bad looking.

I found some paper and a pen lying on the desk at a corner of the room. I wrote hastily:

Thank you very much. Borrowed a dress and shoes. I promise to return them soon.

I placed on the coat and went out to find Courage. The house was as big as it appeared outside. There were so many corridors and halls. Servants moved around from time to time. It took me a while to find my way out. After several wrong turns and a few help from the servants I finally got out.

The garden that surrounded the huge house was extremely beautiful. The snow covered the ground and sat on branches like white frosting. A few birds were already flying around.

I guess the storm's over.

I walked around. "Courage, boy, where are you?" I called.

I heard a distant barking. I approached it; it led me to a stable. The stable like every part of the house was also large. The owner must be rich.

Inside were several horses. Thankfully there was no one inside. I silently crept in and walked around cautiously. I found Courage tied on a post. He was barking at the horses. Upon seeing me he wagged his tail and silenced.

"There you are," I said untying him." I've been looking all over for you. Come on."

I turned to leave but I remembered that Vivian had asked me to get her some coal. The storm may be over but Vivian is more unpredictable than the weather. If I return empty handed, she just might freak out.

This is the stable; chances are they also stock their supply of coal here.

I walked around, Courage all the while following me. There weren't any signs of coals or anything they stocked. Oh well, I'll just have to tell Vivian that I couldn't find any and begin praying for my dear life.

I turned to go when I spotted a pile of coal behind the door. I approached it. Bingo! They even left a bucket. I looked around to check if anyone was looking, seeing that the coast was clear, I helped myself and filled the bucket. I stood up to go when Courage suddenly started barking.

I turned to see someone. A brown haired guy, dressed richly, stood looking at me with a smirk.

Oh, uh. It must be the son of the owner and he probably plans to ride.

"What are you doing?" he said, his gray eyes accusing but amused.

"N-nothing," I said, shoving the bucket of coal behind me.

"I'll tell you what you're doing, you're stea-," he said.

"I am not," I interrupted him hotly.

He laughed. "Oh yeah…" He challenged me.

"Run," I told Courage, picking up the bucket and racing to the door. Courage bumped him and he, caught by surprise, fell back. I closed the door and barred it with a piece of wood from the pile beside the door.

Ha!

A/N: That's it for now. Please, please, please review. I promise to upload soon.