"Kimi no soba de nemurasete,"
("I would want to sleep by you,")

Beautiful World
Chapter Two

As Mr. Devin said, the next morning arrived and the doctors discharged her. Mr. Devin was already there when she woke up. He gave a smile to her as her eyes opened. In a few moments, he was off with the doctors obviously signing off discharge papers.

It was odd but Selphie had already felt trusting of Mr. Devin. Through all the confusion from the other day, she was almost happy to see him when she awoke. When he returned in the room, she was ecstatic when he told her she wasn't going back to the streets. Curiosity leaked through her mind on where she would be going but it wasn't a huge matter.

Dressed in new clothing, Selphie was in awe on the great condition the cloth was. The pants were arm and black. There was not a single fray in the thick woolen tunicAs she exited the hospital with a new jacket she was in a daze, Mr. Devin walked at her side. How could all that had happen been true?

Selphie watched the snowflakes fall slowly and touch her nose; she stayed occupied looking at the mere piece of ice melting from the warmth of her skin.

"Selphie?" She heard Mr. Devin's voice as she snapped out of her daydream and looked towards him as he held the back door of a luxurious car open for her. Her mouth gaped ajar; she slowly found her feet walking her closer to it. With almost no hesitation, she was in the car and Mr. Devin beside her. The door closed as Mr. Devin snapped to a driver in the front seat.

It was uncanny at what was happening. There was such little time to comprehend it all. Selphie felt dizzy as she rested her hand against her temples for the first time feeling warmth from her usually frigidly frozen fingers. She felt a closing on her hand, firm yet gentle. Her body jerked as she twisted uncomfortably towards Mr. Devin who held her small limb.

"Is there something wrong?" He asked with a smile against his strong jaw. Just his look sent Selphie turning a bright shade of pink, her pale cheeks never gave her the idea she could do such a feat. Mr. Devin released his hand and crossed his legs. "We'll be heading to my estate soon. It isn't near the crowded plazas, I hope you can accustom yourself to that."

Selphie gagged as she grasped her thighs in shock, his estate? That's where she was going? It wasn't that she hadn't believed his earlier comment but she thought he'd send her to another orphanage or something along those lines. This wasn't her predication at all. Some how, she felt attached to Mr. Devin's presence already. It was an odd feeling— perhaps that feeling that she had worth?

Mr. Devin didn't see Selphie's reaction, nor did he expect her to have a negative response. His head looked to the window. Selphie took the opportunity to observe him. It was obvious he was wealthy, he didn't look very old. His hair was still dark midnight, his skin flawless and colored from nourishment. There were bulges on him; it was a simple assumption that he was muscular. He was… very handsome. Selphie blushed again and turned away.

Being lost in thought, the car-ride passed by quickly for her. When Selphie raised her gaze to the estate in which they were coming near she was in shock.

Although snow ran deep covering all tree limbs, grass, driveway, and rooftops the estate looked as though it belonged to a summer time landscape picture. The driveway was wide and circular running around an extravagant fountain or carved swans that had thin icicles running along it. The lawn and land about the household was wide and went a great distance. The thick black gating could barely make out apart from the foggy scene.

The car halted at the top of the circular driveway. The chauffer and Mr. Devin both stepped out naturally, however Selphie remained lost in a daze as she laid eyes on a mansion that competed against he beautiful hotel she used to sit outside of. The west and east wings had tall pointing towers, the front entrance jutted outward with grand doors with large silver handles. The house in the center looked that of a castle all in pink granite.

"Selphie?" Blinking a few times to regain thought of what was going on Selphie noticed her door open and Mr. Devin standing outside with a kind hand held towards her. Gratefully she took it stepping carefully out of the luxurious car. Two menservants had appeared at the entrance of the manor with the doors held open revealing a white marble hall with a crystal chandelier. The room felt so warm the moment you entered.

Mr. Devin, still holding Selphie's small hand stopped at the center of the hall. Several servants stood before him, bowing slightly. "Everyone," He called proudly resulting in more servants coming to the front. "I'd like to introduce Selphie Tilmitt. She will be my guest, please treat her with utmost generosity. Have a suite prepared for her at the soonest. All her needs must be attended too; I leave the details to you all."

The servants all eyes Selphie carefully, some bowed his or her heads respectfully, some kept their awkward stare, others left quietly. Mr. Devin released Selphie's hand and turned his face to her. "Please enjoy yourself here. I only wish I could stay and accompany you longer however I have some work to attend to. My servants will give you anything you need." He flashed a strong grin and walked off leaving Selphie red in the face.

He strutted off deeper into the mansion along with two servants. Selphie observed as one by one the maids and butlers returned to their duties.

"Madam?"

Selphie spun quickly to the direction of the voice. It was a slender maid with an oval face. She looked only a few years older than Selphie and had a straight look. "I supposed it's best I take care of you before the master thinks we're slacking off on his honored guest. Come with me." The maid walked off hastily with Selphie close behind, still quiet as ever.

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"This shall serve as your quarters miss,"

Selphie stepped about hesitantly as she looked around the room. It had a high ceiling with a crystal chandelier coming down, with articulate carvings of angels surrounding it. There were two large windows with a wide smooth white marble fireplace in the center. Thick royal blue drapes made of silk bordered the edges of the window, tied to the side with a golden rope. The furniture was all white painted wood with marble tops, a grand king bed in the center, an armoire before it, a nightstand beside it, a enormous dresser on the wall where the door was. There was a gold and white rimmed vanity a few feet from the armoire, a small box on legs looking object in the corner of the room, all sprinkled with gold ornaments and royal blue tapestries and covers.

"Mr. Devin has had us prepare your wardrobe, you'll be able to find it in the dresser and armoire. The washroom is across your room, and if you need anything any of staff will be more than willing to help." The maid sounded monotone and irritated as she left shutting the door loudly behind her.

With the maid gone, Selphie began searching the room with deep interest. Before the fireplace were two blue velvet chairs, Selphie leapt on one and gazed out the window watching the snowfall. This was real; reality— who knew it could be such a fantasy?

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In a deep green, and emerald marble parlor sat Mr. Devin with a daily in his hands reading it to himself while sipping coffee. It had been so far a pleasant day, and most days were when you were rich enough to buy nearly all of Trabia.

Many rich businessmen lived in Trabia, or rather had estates and factories there. Land was cheap, labor was cheap, and life in general was so easily accessible to those of wealth it was foolish not to take advantage of it. Mr. Devin was a simple business man who's main industry revolved in Trabia, over the years he grew successful and became world renowned for his fur coats.

Mr. Devin held his coffee to his lips and sipped peacefully. As he set it down the sound of door's opening appeared. Turning around, Mr. Devin saw a young man in a butler's suit walking hastily to him. The butler bowed and held a small slip of paper outward.

"Sir, a message arrived by phone for you earlier today. While you were at the office sir, please excuse its tardiness." The man bowed again and walked out. Mr. Devin gave a look to the small square sheet and read it to himself. As his eyes reached the last sentence his eyes budged and his grip tightened.

"WHAT?! HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN! SOMEONE GET IN HERE NOW!" As soon as he had shouted, some maid came rushing in.

"Yes sir, what's wrong?" She asked in a panicking voice. Devin gave her a gaze, took a deep breath and reread the paper. He sighed softly and let his eyelids cover his eyes.

A thin smile touched his lips as he returned his vision to the maid, "I suppose it doesn't have to be much of a problem. I do have time after all, have the car ready for me, I'm paying a visit to someone. I'll be back for supper so no delaying it." Devin stood brushed his broad shoulders and took his leave from the room.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Selphie looked herself through the large mirror. She found herself a soft yellow sweater along with a long black skirt in her wardrobe. She spun around happily looking at her reflection. Her cheeks were sunken in, and her face pale and bony however for the first time in so many years she had a wide smile covering it all.

She spent nearly an hour playing with the various gold ornaments that glittered in the room's light. Temptation to jump madly on the large squishy bed crawled up her spin the entire time, however Selphie fought it. Being in a manor, dressing properly for once gave her the idea to try to act lady like.

Her next adventure was the vanity table; she sat on the patted seat and carefully inspected her face. There was a heavy hairbrush along with a hand mirror on the surface of the table. She held the mirror to her face and pushed her hair back trying to mimic a movie star.

The room and all its wonder kept Selphie occupied all day. Maids came and knocked every once and while to serve lunch, or help her with anything she might need, Selphie only said she was fine.

As the snow grew heavier outdoors Selphie decided to brush up and mimic all the rich tourists she'd seen in her life. She sat on the blue seats by the fireplace and pushed her back sitting straight.

"Mr. Devin, your house is so pretty!" She smiled at the invisible person in the chair beside her. "You're so lucky to live here." She leaned her head back and thought deeply, what if she still was dreaming?

Sunset came sooner than Selphie had expected as a maid came in abruptly and eyed Selphie carefully. "Dinner is to be served soon miss. Shall we get you prepared?"

Innocently, Selphie stood straight to show her attire. The maid groaned and went through the drawers in aggravation. In the middle of her search she stopped and looked to Selphie who seemed utterly confused, "Miss," She began.

Selphie simply nodded her head and obediently walked to the maid and stood. "Miss I mean no offense, but dinner is a rather… a daily special occasion. You must dress properly." This didn't make any sense still for the fact Selphie was wearing the best clothes she had her entire life.

A few moments later, the maid had pulled a long black dress with a blue top that had frilly short sleeves. Selphie wore black stockings and flat shoes to match it. The maid brushed her locks and strung a small blue pendant of a star about her neck. After she was ready… Selphie could barely recognize herself in the mirror.

"Miss, please hurry. Mr. Devin will be here soon."

The words came as a shock to Selphie as she turned happily to the maid, "I eat with Mr. Devin?" The words slipped her mouth oozing with excitement. The maid gave a small nod, and before she could turn the knob Selphie was ahead of her ready to find herself along the way to the dining hall.

The grand stair well was white creamy stone with a thick banister. It stood across the entrance hall. The stair well was incredibly wide, so wide that five large people could easily stand side by side on the top stair.

Selphie behind the maid was very unaccustomed to the tight little black shoes she wore. The maid, who had made stair climbing second nature, glided down the stairs with ease. Selphie took one small step at a time,

"Ah Selphie!"

Upon hearing Mr. Devin's kind familiar voice, Selphie's head jerked to quickly as she lost balanced and slipped her next step, following that she began rolling stair by stair to the bottom.

The entire fall she gave not one squeak of pain, once she reached the bottom she attempted to raise herself to her feet before Mr. Devin reached her. Too late, she found herself surrounded by servants and of course Mr. Devin who held her in his arms.

"Selphie!" He called her name clearly, and loudly. Selphie kept her eyes shut too embarrassed to face Mr. Devin. "Oh no, Selphie please answer me." He pleaded more gently.

Weakly Selphie lifted an eyelid. She caught Mr. Devin changing his worried glance to a smile. With that, she opened both her eyes and grinned herself. "I'm okay," She said proudly. She spoke far too soon; as soon as the servants helped her to her feet, she felt sore aches all over. Pain shot up and down her back and she fell straight to her knees again.

Tears came into her eyes as she felt pain and humility. She practiced all day to show her manners to Mr. Devin and she fell flat on her face. She felt a warm presence on her head, she turned upwards and Mr. Devin smiled to her small face.

"Well then, perhaps a room downstairs would have been more suitable." He released a small chuckle, "I am glad that I didn't have you on the top floor." Remembering the large sight when she first arrived Selphie dreaded to think how many flights it took to reach the top floor.

A manservant carried Selphie to a sitting lounge draped in gold. It seemed a place where guests would meet however for that moment it became a temporary dining place. Mr. Devin even joined her as all the servants placed their dinners before them. Selphie's mouth watered as she laid eyes on her meal.

Although she had bruises all over her body, Selphie never went to sleep in more comfort in her life.

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Forget injuries, never forget kindnesses.

--Confucius

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