Chapter 8

I slowly opened my eyes a few hours later, I looked around and saw Sebastian near me and a soft smile came onto my face.

He was asleep on his chair, his head slumped a bit. I slipped out of bed and sat on my legs in front of him, softly smiling. I rest my forearms on his lap and my head on my forearms, then closed my eyes, relaxing.

His eyes slowly opened and looked down to see me resting on his lap. I heard his sleepy breathing stop and I opened my eyes to look up at him.

A slight blush crossed his face and he smiled. He reached out a hand and pet my hair gently, "good morning, how are you feeling?"

"better" I lifted my head. He took off his glove and put it against my forehead, "your fever is gone, that's good" I nodded. "I'm still a bit tired though" "then let's get you back into bed" he helped me up and got me into bed, kneeling next to me.

He held my hand gently and rubbed the top with his thumb. I closed my eyes and started to feel sleepy again. "Thank you, Sebastian, I love you" My voice was just above a whisper. I held his hand and brought it up to my cheek, smiling at the warmth of his bare hand. And the last feeling I have is of warm lips on top of mine before I fell asleep.

In the morning I awoke to chirping birds outside my window and the bright rays of the soft morning sunlight flooding into my room. I then sat up and stretched my arms with a big yawn. I looked next to me and see Sebastian sitting in his chair, sleeping. I smiled. I decided to go for a walk and let him sleep. I took a quick shower then got dressed in high-waisted black shorts and a flowy white tank top with spaghetti straps.

I snuck out of the room and walked down the hallway, carefully trying to not be noticed. I did not want another confrontation with Fredrick. I made it to the garden and started to walk through the maze. I saw a maid tending to the roses and I gave her a smile before passing. Just then she ran up to me, "oh, miss! Are you feeling better?" I turned my head to her and nodded, "Then you must come with me, please" she lightly grabbed my wrist and lead me back through the maze. "What's going on?" I asked, "The master of the house had us under orders, that one you were better you should be taken to immediate fitting" "for what?" she smiled, "your wedding dress, of course." I was so stunned that I could only follow her in silence.

The maid dragged me through the corridors till at last, we arrived at one of the more spacious entertaining rooms. Inside was an array of innumerable & intricately designed wedding dresses on dozens of racks. I froze.

"W-what is all this?"

The maid's smile shone brightly, "your fitting, of course, miss!"

"I don't think I'm well enough for this...I'm just going to go rest now.." I tried to exit the room but the maid blocked me.

"The master wants this done as soon as possible, the wedding is in a week after all!"

"A-a-a week?!" I nearly fainted.

"Yes, now let's get to it!" the maid pushed me towards the fitting podium and several seamstresses started measuring me, choosing dress after dress to shove me into.

After choosing my wedding dress for me, they began pining and hemming. The dress they chose had a trumpet silhouette, off the shoulder long sleeves and a sweetheart neckline. It was pure white, beading along the sheer sleeves and dripping down the waistline. The skirt was long in the back, trailing about 3 feet behind me, the back was a corset, laced up with matching silk.

Just as they tied up the back & took a step back to admire their handiwork, the door burst open.

Standing there looking as frantic as a bat out of hell, was Sebastian. Huffing and puffing and out of breath, he looked up from his feet and straight at me before completely freezing.

It was a solid 30 seconds before anyone moved,

"Alex -"

"I'm sorry but you can't be in here right now, miss Alex is having her fitting, I'll take care of her for the time being" The maid cut him off, starting to shove him out the door.

His eyes still glued to me Sebastian tried to protest, "wait, Alex- miss Alex- I-" the maid shut the door.

'Kill me now' I thought, 'I must have looked worse than I thought to get that blank of a response' I slumped as the seamstresses continued their work.

The maids and seamstresses gossiped as they worked, saying how "lucky" I was to be marrying such a handsome man. I had to stop myself from throwing up.

After another hour of that torture, they let me go free. When I opened the door to leave, there was Sebastian, somehow still waiting for me.

"A-ah... you're still here..." I said sheepishly "sorry you had to see that, I know I looked weird but-"

⋘BAAM⋙

A slam on the wall next to me broke my train of thought, suddenly Sebastian's face was mere inches from mine.

"You didn't look 'weird'. You looked beautiful..."

I couldn't hide the surprise on my face, or my blush.

"It's just...don't wear that kind of thing for anyone other than me, alright?"

I felt my expression soften, "...yes, I promise"

Sebastian smiled and kissed me, holding my face in his other hand. He bit my lower lip and just as I parted my mouth for him a shrill shout jostled both of us apart.

Fredrik stood at the end of the hall pointing at us with an indignant expression, in some state of shock.

"Fuck"