Yelling. Someone was yelling. My name. The hair on the back of my neck stood up.
"Where in bloody name is Michelle?!" a gruff voice called.
I cowered, my back hitting a wall. The room was dark, and I couldn't see much. The light from a street lamp outside cast a little glow. I realized I was in an empty study. The door farthest from me opened. I cringed as the light turned on. I recognized her. I sighed, feeling relieved.
"Mrs. Calaveras." I spoke up.
"Lady Michelle. What are you doing in here?" she looked at me worried.
"I… was just looking for a place that's quiet."
"It's past dinner. And you aren't even down there."
"I'm sorry. I must have lost track of time." I apologized.
"Your parents have been waiting for you. And you aren't even dressed yet. Let me help you." She approached me.
She spun me around, and began to tighten up the corset on my dress. I breathed in a bit.
"Did you put your petticoats on under this right?"
"I've been doing this myself for a while now." I huffed.
"And I've been dressing you since you could walk."
She raised up my skirts, double checking my petticoats making me huff.
"It looks fine. You did a good job." She replied.
I looked down seeing I was dressed in a blue flowing gown with silver ribbon lining my waist. My feet had white slippers on them, and my gloves matched. I have a silver shawl wrapped around my shoulders. I didn't usually get dressed up, so this had to be a big deal. She finished, stepping in front to look me over.
"At least your hair is done up nice."
I touched my hair, feeling the soft curls in a half up, half down do.
"How do I look?" I asked.
"Just fine Lady Michelle. Your father and Lord Wilhelm are expecting you." Mrs. Calaveras grabbed my wrist, pulling me out of the study.
She seemed to be in a rush, and I didn't blame her. My father was a usually punctual man, and anyone got punished if things didn't go his way. I cringed thinking of the last time he had gotten angry at me.
Down the hall, I heard glasses clinking, and laughter carrying on through the air. She pushed the door opened, bowing once I entered.
The table was set, my father sat at the head of the table, my mother to the right of him followed by William, Francis, James, and Marcus. William gave me a hopeful smile. An older couple with a younger male took the left side. I had only met him a few times previous from galas and business meetings when he came to see father. Raoul Wilhelm. We used to be childhood friends until his family sent him to a school on the other side of Sina when he turned 10 for young boys looking to join the military one day. He looked completely different.
He smiled at me from across the table, calming me down a bit.
Maybe he wasn't so different than before…
"Michelle. How wonderful of you to grace us with your presence." My father's eyes narrowed at me.
He's been drinking. Just stay calm, and everything will be okay.
I curtseyed, going to my seat next to Marcus who looked at my nervously.
"We were just talking about your engagement darling." My mother looked at me with sad eyes.
"Engagement?" I asked confused.
"Don't play coy. Remember? We told you that either you can join the cadets and become a Military Police member, or get married. Lord Wilhelm's son, Raoul, has agreed to marry you." My father spoke up, looking at me, wanting me to obey him.
I looked at the blonde man across from me. I had known him as kids, and it wasn't fair to say that he hadn't grown up nicely. He was tall and built, and not bad looking. Raoul had that look that made any young lady lust after him. But his demeanor was a bit quiet and stand offish.
"I don't have any recollection of this or even making a decision. And I believe I have only just turned 15. Shouldn't I wait to mature as a lady?"
"You wait any longer child, and no men will ever be interested in you. Be lucky my boy is interested in you." The woman sitting next to Raoul stuck up her nose.
"Mother don't be rude to her." Raoul spoke.
The room got silent. The door opened, and the kitchen staff came in, setting the table, and our plates in front of us.
"I'm sure you and Raoul will be a perfect match. You two have known each other since you were children." My mother said, pushing her food around her plate.
I sighed, picking up my glass, taking a drink.
"And if you wait any longer, I'm sure you won't be able to have any children to bear for an heir." Raoul's mother added.
I spit out my drink, choking. Raoul looked at me with the same reaction.
"I think kids is definitely out of the question." I replied.
"William, your daughter is completely useless, and will never make a good wife for my boy." Raoul's mother scoffed.
"Mother!" Raoul shouted.
I frowned, feeling claustrophobic.
"I think that I'm going to take my leave now." I stood up.
"Michelle. You sit down this instance." My father demanded, slamming his fist down on the table.
"Dear." My mother put a hand on his shoulder.
He shook it off looking angrier. I looked at my mom worried. She held up her hand, warning me off.
"This is why I never wanted a daughter. Too much trouble, and completely useless in every way."
My face turned red, being embarrassed like this.
"Well, maybe you won't have a daughter anymore." I walked past him.
He grabbed my arm, pulling me back hard.
"You will never leave this house until I say so." He growled.
I spit in his face. He lurched back, and I took off running.
"Michelle!" he bellowed.
I took many turned down hallways, finally running into an abandoned room. I looked around the room seeing it was one of the guest bedrooms.
Not many places to hide. And If I just hide, I'm sure I will just get a worse beating.
My eyes landed on the window. I ran to it, throwing it open. I looked down seeing the street was abandoned.
Good… No one around.
The jump was a few stories down. I heard him banging down the hallway. The door of the room next to this one banged open. Panicking, I slid out the window, holding onto the ledge.
Just stay still, and maybe they won't come to the window.
The door busted open.
"Michelle!"
The voice drew nearer to the window, and I grew scared.
"Found you." A voice laughed.
I saw my father's face twisted up into a grimace. I shrieked, making me jump. I let go of the ledge. I let out a scream, falling.
Instead of hitting the ground hard, I kept falling. My back never reaching the pavement. Everything turned black around me. I looked around seeing nothing. My dress was fading. My body was fading away. I felt myself letting go.
Levi…. Help. Levi!
"Michelle!"
I sat up fast, feeling someone shaking my shoulders. Tears were running down my face. I looked around confused, and scared.
"Michelle? Are you okay? What's going on?" Mika's face appeared in front of me.
I looked at her. My eyes widened, looking around the room. I was in my room. With Mika. I was safe. Te thing that I had saw…
It was a dream…. A memory… A horrible memory….
I tucked my head between my thighs. The pain no longer bothered me.
What the hell is going on?!