(Alice's pov)
I sat across from the head of the household, Earl Trancy. His eyes were icy blue most likely his heart was iced over to, at least what I remember before he was kidnapped. My father was trying to marry me off. Again. I stared at his platinum blond hair mostly I stared at his cow lick that hung towards the left. He turned to meet my eyes but was quickly drawn back into the conversation. I dug my fingers into my satin lilac dress. I was getting more agitated by the minute. If my father had hair, I would have pulled him by his hair out of this stupid place. "I will consider the engagement" Earl Trancy said. Finally it's over. I stood a little too quickly almost tipping over my chair in the process. I straightened my dress out, pink roses surrounded the bottom, Other pink roses started at my left shoulder trailing down my right side starting the roses around the bottom. Too many roses for my liking. Earl Trancy walked us out. His butler meeting my father at the tattered carriage. The butler held out his hand to help my father.
Father was waiting for me in the carriage. I stood on the first step down. Alois I think his name was stood a foot away, watching our departure. "It's not going to happen, so don't even consider it." I said defiantly. I've played my father's game long didn't respond right away. "I didn't know your were the one making the choice." He paused "If it's a game you want to play then so be it." He smiled at me. Then started laughing. How dare he, he acts just like a child. I was fuming and losing my temper all together. I did the most unlady like thing, I spat right next to his solid black shoe. That did it, his smile was gone, replaced with anger. Now it was my turn to smile. I smiled the biggest smile I could manage and walked away down to where my father was waiting.
Alois's butler held out his hand to help me into the carriage. Not wanting to, I took it and off we went. "You better have behaved yourself" he stated as he was reading some kind of book with no lettering on the cover. Good he didn't see what I did. That brat would have probably declined if I hadn't made a stupid choice but I still couldn't help but smile. Now I do understand that I had stooped down to his childish level and I will continue to do so because if it's a game he will play, I will win. I looked at my father. He looked tired, his eyes eyelids were droopy and he was yawning constantly. Guess that's what old age does to you.
My father wants to start his own business with whom I marry. My father's wealth has been decreasing ever so quickly. He is an alcoholic and a gambler. So he didn't have much to offer other than my looks, as he would say. He had more than he let on. I mean we're not poor yet, if he keeps up his shenanigans we will be. Of course now I was the one being gambled away. He did own at least two business. One a toy factory, nothing compared to Earl Phantomhive's. Second Adult things and gambler games. The toy factory was going out of business in due time.
"Mother!" I shouted. We pulled up to our manor and my sickly mother stood outside waiting for us. For a second I froze in terror. Then I jumped out of the carriage and ran to her. "is everything ok, are you alright?" She pulled me into a hug. "everything is alright dear, the doctor says I can start walking around again" smiling she pushed me back some, still keeping her hands on my shoulder. She was looking me over. She looked proud even though I gave her no reason to be proud. "come" She says. "Oliver has made tea, we must talk"
We sat out in the garden on a blanket enjoying tea. I studied how pale and weak she looked. Her cheek bones basically sticking out of her face. She looked a little better, stronger. Her dark brown hair was pulled into a bun. She was still so skinny and fragile. We've had plenty of doctors come by and they still can't Identify what she has. They all say if it keeps getting worse, she her health will eventually decline till deceased. They all tell me she will make it but I know this is a lie. I eavesdropped once on my father and one of her doctors. They said she wouldn't make it, after that I ran and cried in a closet. Soon after Oliver found me and tried cheering me up but that didn't work to well but by the time I was requested by my mother to enjoy a cup of tea I was better.
Oliver our butler served us Herbal Tea of Rosehips, an evening tea. I was scared. I didn't want to hear any bad news, I couldn't take it. Minutes seemed to have passed before she spoke. "your father says you behaved today, does that mean you're willing to accept the engagement?" I almost laughed. I only semi-behaved because everyone knows I'm not going to betroth anyone my father tries to pick. "no" I looked away from mothers confused look.
If I was to be betrothed it should have been done long ago. As if reading my mind my mother started to speak again. "You were betrothed to Alois" I looked at her confused. "that was before he was kidnapped, your father went today to ask him if he still wished to be betrothed to you" she paused, watching me. "when Alois returned we should have went then to ask but as you know I have been sick. I know why you refuse your father's orders but if Alois agrees to the engagement that started when you were children then you must make us proud and follow it out as well Alice"She sighed and took a sip of her tea, she looked blissful I didn't care to hear anymore, I said a quick goodbye and ran to the barn.
I swung open the the two huge doors. I grabbed a saddle and put it on Angel. A black stallion with a white spot on her left ear. Oliver stood at the door watching me. I gave him an annoyed looked and hopped onto Angel.
Oliver was handsome; he had dark black hair which lingered to the tip of his shoulders, a little long for a man. He had red eyes and was extremely pale. He once told me he was just different. I rode past him. Maybe he was from another country?
The field grass was recently cut. The grass ascended barely above an inch or so off the ground. I decided to go through the field. The field was at least two hundred and forty seven meters. Having a smart brother really helps knowing these types of things. I rode around for a while, racing back and forth to clear my mind. I must have been out here for an hour or so because soon Oliver came riding to tell me it was time for the evening meal.
I rode back to the barn with Oliver. We settled the horses back into their stalls. I considered Oliver a friend around this gloom place. He would play cards with me when everyone was too busy ignoring me, when I was younger of course. Though sometimes if I'm in a dour mood he'll break out the deck.