(And English is my 3rd language… so please understand.)
Chapter III
The Person
(House: Painting and Music room)
"It was on that night of Sunday; the time is near midnight. The night was peaceful, we rode along the road and the river at the side is calmed. We reached the bridge that connects our town from neighboring places. We are on our way back home from visiting the neighbor town's harvest celebration. Then as we approached to cross the bridge, with our greeted by a sudden strike of lightning charges that hit the same spot in the middle of the bridge. The horses were frightened and they halted, same as to us we are overwhelmed with fear to cross the bridge at that time. For me, for us, my son Paul and our caretaker; that was the first time we witnessed a strange phenomenal event."
I just listen to Lady Julia as she narrates what happened on the night they found me.
"It took a while longer before the horses calmed down and we proceed to cross the bridge. There right then; we found you, unconscious and naked."
My eyes expression is getting bigger and I can't believe to hear that. "Really? Naked? Why I'm naked?" me, continues to question because I'm feeling embarrassed to hear that they found me naked.
Julia ignores Viola's embarrass questions. "We thought you're dead and believe that lightning may had struck you while you're crossing the bridge. I'm the one who check on you and found out that you're still alive. All I can say is, we found your body untouched, no scratch, no tarnish."
"Thank goodness, that gives me relief, you know." now I can breathe normal again; to learn that my body is safe and intact when it arrived here.
"We couldn't bear to leave you that night; in the middle of the bridge in that condition. So we decided to brought you here into our house." Lady Julia can still remember everything on that night.
I feel blessed to learn that they saved me and brought me here. "Thank you, I owe my life to you"
Lady Julia holds Viola's hands "As a woman; a female like you and a mother; I couldn't leave you in that situation."
I am very thankful to them. And I just don't know how to respond a situation like this. So I just look down and stare on the table cloth design; it is silky embroidered cloth.
"You were asleep for days. I asked the local doctor in town to check into your condition; why aren't you waking up. And so as the doctor, he couldn't give an answer. We waited, days. Till today you're awaken" Lady Julia stands up then walk in front of a table and open the drawer; she gets something inside there. Then she sits back again "This is yours, this is the only thing we found with you. Here…"
I accepted it "This is…" I can't believe it. Of all the things I can brought here, this pendant? "Thank you."
"Keep a hold on that, it seems that pendant is important to you." Lady Julia
"How many days I was asleep?" I want to know the timeline; how long I've been here.
"Two days and three nights" Lady Julia
"Really?" I look at her "From where I came from, it only took 3 or more minutes. It is from the time I closed my eyes and I can't open it; then I heard your son's voice and I can open my eyes again. That's the only span of time that I wasn't aware. So the time comparison and everything that happened." I pause for a moment, thinking deeply. "I am here. Why I'm here? What's going on really? It doesn't make any sense to me at all. Do you think, I am in a dream?" now my brain is overthinking, almost exploding what is happening.
Lady Julia can sense that Viola's thought of the current situation is blurry and confuse. "As for now, as what my knowledge can understand of your current situation; I don't have any answers."
No answer… "Does that mean that; I was just brought here for no reason; that there is no way for me to go back to my own time?"
Lady Julia hold Viola's hands again. "Don't lost hope my dear. Today, we don't have answers but tomorrow, we don't know what will come. So let's hope and have patience. For only in time; maybe, we can get answers."
I bite my lips. Everything she said only gives me vague idea to why this is happening. I'm losing my shit!
"It's already night time. Paul told me, you were all over the town looking for…" Lady Julia tries to remember the word "Highway… Did you look up higher? Maybe it was on the mountain."
I bite my lips again; this time to suppress myself not to laugh. Lady Julia is an intelligent woman of her time; this period time. So I should respect her knowledge, in fact she has the idea. "It was nothing."
"Okay, go to the bathroom now. I already asked the caretaker to prepare a bath for you. A clean scented body and good smelling clothes will lighten up your mood. And your room is upstairs, the same room where you woke up" Lady Julia
I nod. "Thank you."
"Rest early." Lady Julia smile.
XXXX
(Bedroom)
I went to the bedroom after I wash myself. Feels good being clean and dust free. Getting back in this room; now I realize. They are not cosplaying.
There are few clothes inside the cabinet, so I choose one and put it on. It is all white. Maybe this is their style of pajamas. I am looking myself at the mirror right now, then I comb my hair. Well at least this comb is the same shape as the comb that I know.
Minutes pass by.
I turn off the candle lights because I think; electricity is not yet a thing here. Even I'm so distressed; I don't forget the safety fire hazard rules!
Going to bed and I get the pendant on the nightstand. Since it is dark already, I just rub my thumbs on the shape of it. I am not thinking anything so far; just rubbing my thumbs to it.
Minutes pass by.
I am getting sleepy. Why I am here? I am getting real sleepy. What time of the night is it now? I wonder if they have clock here.
Then I drift to sleep.
XXXX
(Days gone by.)
It's the fourth day. I'm still learning how to interact and live in this period of time; gladly I'm getting a hang of it. I'm now used to the people living in the house because there's not much people here just Lady Julia, Paul, the caretaker and three servants (Yep, they are called servants at this period of time; there's nothing I can do about it).
Spending my days doing things that I want to do. And there is no pressure living here, because time flew slowly.
This house is huge, made of many rooms. I use most of my time staying at the music room; playing music instruments, reading etiquette booklets, and learning music scrolls. Lady Julia encourage me to learn to play music since I am girl. Most girls in this period of time are required to learn music, arts and etiquettes. Surprisingly I am good at playing string instruments; even at my own time back then, I have no idea I have the talent. So as per say, I am proud that I can play string music decently in just a span of days.
Lady Julia is in much joy and delight when she teaches me. And after that learning session; I can perform and play well the string music that she taught me. Because I have nothing to do really, I focus all my time and effort learning music.
By this relax nature and carefree activities, I am ease of waiting; till when the answers will come.
Waiting for answers…
XXXXX
(Weekend: Market Place at the Sweet Shop)
Customers are sitting on the floor enjoying afternoon teas and snacks.
Paul is helping there every weekend. He spends whole day working as a server even his mother owns the place; for him that is not an excuse not to help.
Customers keeps coming in and out of the shop; for it is the most popular tea and snacks shop in the town.
A group of uniform men approaches the sweet shop, they stop at the front and posted large white brown rough papers at the front wall.
"The palace guards posted a decree poster in front of our shop, Sir Paul" one of the server inform him.
"A decree?" he stop his work and walk to the front of the shop. He reads the decree and got upset and worried reading it further. Right then he rips off one of the poster and folds it "Lia" He calls out the server while he walks inside the shop and gets his silk bag.
"Yes, sir Paul?" Lia
Paul then put the folded posted inside the bag. "Inform the head of the shop that I will leave early. I remember; I have commitment back in the house." After saying that he goes straight to the back of the shop; unhitch his horse, and hastens to ride back home.
XXXXX
(Pavilion: Lady Julia and Viola is having afternoon tea after the music lesson.)
"You're getting very good playing the zither Viola. Your knowledge to play music is admirable" Lady Julia praising her.
I smile shyly. Lady Julia is praising me; it gives me wiggly emotion. "Thank you Lady Julia, it is because of you; I learn that I have a talent in music. Back where I came from, I wouldn't know and I couldn't care less about learning music"
"I've been thinking yesterday, to enroll you Viola, to the school for girls" Lady Julia sip a tea.
I'm a little surprise to hear that. "But why? I don't think I need to go to school here. I mean; I'm not from here." And I don't like the going to school idea either.
She put down the cup of tea "I will admit this to you Viola, in our time; in my years of teaching music to young ladies here in our town; I haven't met someone like you. Who, will I say… Has the natural talent to play music; not just one instrument but a few, and you excel most in string instruments. You learned the lessons and music pieces with ease; I taught you for only a matter of week. With that such talent, I don't want it to go to waste. I can envision so much talent and potential for you; to achieve success, my dear." Lady Julia shares her views about Viola's talent in music.
Wow, that is some serious praising right there from Lady Julia. My inner self is wiggling in so much praise. Need to calm. "But, when will I ever find answers if I do something else. I need to find answers how to go back to my real time, Lady Julia."
"We will find answers in time. But along the way, you will learn the manner of life here in our town. That's why I will enroll you to a school. There is so much to learn about here in this town Viola." Lady Julia
She's right. Until now I couldn't find answer, I'm just here inside the house. I needed to learn, to know how to live here, then maybe I will find the answers. I nod. "If that's what you think is the right thing. Then I'll go to school."
Lady Julia feels delighted hearing that response. "I'll make sure you will learn from the best" she smiles "And I'm noticing, your conduct is improving."
"The etiquette booklet you given to me last time; I read it most of the time and learned a lot from it." The booklet that is teaching you how to become a weak lady, seriously...
"Very nice…" Lady Julia is very pleased to know that Viola is becoming the Young Lady any mother would want to have.
"Mother, Miss Viola. Good afternoon" Paul greets them as soon as he reached the pavilion. Then he sits beside to his mother. "Mother…"
Lady Julia face his son "My son what is it? You seem like agitated?"
Paul take a breather "Here…" he takes out the folded paper from his pocket.
Lady Julia accepted it and unfolds the paper; she takes her time reading the written words on it.
"Is that really what will be going to happen to us, mother? And to Viola?" Paul is really worried for them.
"Yes, that will be our fate." Lady Julia is calm saying that. Then she thought well of the statement she just read.
"Hey, why are you so worried? What's in the paper?" I whisper to Paul.
"When did they posted the decree?" Lady Julia, give back the paper to her son.
"Just this afternoon tea break, mother. As soon as I read it, I rode fast to go back here" Paul
I take away the paper from Paul and read it mentally. It takes me a little longer to read this old-style writing. "What? Execute me! And those who helped me and will help me? Why? Is being naked a serious crime here?" My God, they are exaggerating things! This decree is stupid! "What the hell!"
"Manners Viola." Lady Julia reminding her right away. "We control our emotions; we do not allow thoughtless remarks towards the royal palace."
"Sigh…" Royal palace my ass! But I need to act proper. "Okay, but why? Really? Why to execute publicly by hanging or beheading" Thinking about those punishment swirls my intestine non-stop. "The only crime or misbehavior that I did is being naked in the middle of the bridge and also I don't have any idea why I was sent here naked. I, myself did not liked what just happened." This decree is giving me lots of frustration and fear.
"Forgive my intrusion, Lady Julia; a group of palace guards are waiting outside our gate. They say, they are here to ask you some inquiry." The caretaker politely interrupted them.
My reaction is the same with Paul; were both like flash by cold freezing water.
"Should I tell them, you're not here, Lady Julia." Caretaker understands the situation.
Lady Julia take away the paper from Viola's hand and give it to the caretaker. "Burn this." she instructed him.
The caretaker accepted it. "Right away, Lady Julia" he then takes his leave.
Lady Julia then face her son "Paul, go there at the gate and greet them. Invite them inside, bring them to our house saloon and offer them the best wine we have. Ask the servants to prepare foods for them. Entertain them in my behalf and tell them to wait for me." She instructed him.
Paul is disagreeing. "But mother? Is it the best time to leave now?"
Lady Julia calm and graceful as ever. "Just do what I instructed you to do, my son. Trust your mother in this matter. Go now, meet them."
Paul still disagreeing but follows. "Okay, mother" he then takes his leave and walk to the gate.
"Come Viola, let's go inside the house." Lady Julia stand-up and take the lead to go to the house. "Sigh… The situation demands a lot."
I am so stress. "I think hanging is better than beheading?" I said softly while following behind Lady Julia.
Lady Julia smile as she hears that. "I am interested of what is like there of where you from, Viola"
"Sigh… where I'm from; they don't care much of naked people. They just let them get naked as long as they want." Never been this stress ever in my life back there in my time, gosh!
Lady Julia slightly laugh of what Viola just said.
XXXXX
(Inside the house Saloon)
"Officer, try this plum wine. Mother brought this from a famous artisan wine maker; that lives from overseas." He offers a glass of wine to the leader of the palace guards.
"Is it? Well then thank you, son." Officer taste it first. "Such a fine quality, I can taste and smell the sweet plums."
"Cheers officer." Paul cheers to him to buy as much time as he can.
"Cheers to a fine wine. By the way your mother; it's been a long time I haven't visited her. Because of the war up the north; those barbarians are pillaging our northern villages. I've been busy all the years."
"We are in great debt to you Officer; your bravery and leadership save our land from chaos" Paul
"Now, now. It is my duty. Your mother, how is she?" Officer
"I'm fine Officer Kario, it's been a long time." Lady Julia appears at the doorway then she walks near to the officer and both of them vow to greet each other.
"Lady Julia, such a pleasure to see you again. Your beautiful as ever my dear Lady." Officer Kario politely kiss Lady Julia's hand and let go after the kiss.
Lady Julia smiles to the officer praising her beauty. "Thank you officer. Did my son entertain you well in my behalf? My apologies for the delay of my appearance; I was with my youngest son in the art room, I was giving him lessons."
Paul eyes gets widen to hear that his younger brother?
Lady Julia, take a glance to Paul. Right then her son, Paul compose his self again.
"My apologies my lady, I don't mean to interrupt your teaching session." Officer Kario
"It's fine officer. Nothing is more important than the matter from the royal palace." Lady Julia then motion to call someone "Anyway, let me introduce you to my youngest son… Sebastian dear, come join us."
I hear Lady Julia's cue to call me and join them, I slowly walk to the doorway. My hands are cold, my feet are itchy and the back part of my body is sweating. I can't understand what I am going through right now. Relax Viola, relax, your fine. Be cool… the only way is to do this.
"There he is." Lady Julia so please so see her son; that she walks to him and lock her arms to his and they both walk near to the officer.
"It's been really a long time. I am feeling old right now." Officer Kario joke at them.
Lady Julia laugh slightly. "Sebastian was only an infant when you first saw him, Officer."
"Look at you now, you grown up." Officer Kario
I don't know how to respond to the officer. I look at Lady Julia; I need help. I really don't know what to say.
"Come on here, brother" Paul then interrupted "Let the officer and our mother talk about the royal palace matter."
Lady Julia nods and let go of Viola's arm.
I nod. Then walk with Paul to sit on the table at the corner.
(Lady Julia and Officer Kario was left at the middle of the saloon.)
"May, I ask what brought you here, officer Kario?" Lady Julia
"About that my lady. I came here in behalf of the royal palace authorities to kindly ask you for assistance" Officer Kario.
"Of what kind of assistance that needed my help, officer?" Lady Julia
Viola and Paul can still hear what they are talking from where they seated.
"This regards to the spreading rumors; about a lady spy who is living in the town under the roof of our citizens." Officer Kario.
"I see; did you find the spy? I am surprise to learn that the spy is a lady." Lady Julia
"We haven't find the spy yet, but I vow to the King that I will find her and bring to him. And the citizens who clings to hide that person is still unclear who they are. But we will investigate and bring them to justice."
"I am certain, with your experience officer Kario; that you will find and execute them for aiding such threat to our land." Lady Julia is very calm talking to him.
"We need your assistance, Lady Julia. Here is a letter from the Royal Palace. The King is expecting an agreeable response from you, my lady" Officer Kario handed a scroll letter to one of the guards. Then the guard read the letter.
"To the erudite and beautiful Lady Julia of the house Hastings." The guard starts reading.
I almost choke hearing the heading of the letter; but I manage to swallow the sweet pudding.
"I ask of your cooperation with regards to the search and investigation of a spy lurking in our town. I ask you to give assistance to the investigating team; by becoming my ears and eyes in your shop. Stamp Royal seal. The King" the guard then roll back the letter and give it to Lady Julia and vow.
"It is my honor to help and be of assistance to the royal palace. I will implement the King's request right away. His Highness is wise, the citizens in our town always visit the sweet shop; from there I can gather information for him." Lady Julia
Officer Kario expression is very pleased. "I will send one of my investigator to disguise as a worker at your shop."
Lady Julia is not pleased to hear that but she manages to appear delighted to Officer Kario. "Then I will be glad to welcome one of your men in my shop"
"Thank you so much" Officer Kario keeps on smiling now "We will leave now my lady; I am very satisfied that you will assist us of our investigation."
"Anything for his highness" Lady Julia smiles. "Let me walk you to the gate Officer Kario" she then walks first to go out of the house and Officer follows to catch with her. And the guards follow behind him.
Viola and Paul were left inside the saloon.
Paul let go a big exhale; then he smiles to Viola. "Welcome home, brother. Hahahha!" he then let go a big laugh.
I laugh with him. "Hahahahha! This is insane! Brother." I lower my voice. Gosh, we avoided beheading!
Paul continue laughing and he is feeling amuse of what just happened "You fooled them, Viola. Even me, you could have fool me! If I didn't know that you're a girl, that you're Viola. I would think that your guy."
Hearing that from Paul; I quickly step in front of a life-size mirror. It is one of the decoration inside the saloon. "Hmmmm…." I examine myself, my face; then I rub my fingers on my chin. And alternately face side ways to look at my face angles. "I look like a guy because of this hairband you know; it enclosed my hair to look like a male bun hair." Examining and thinking about what I look like right now. "Good, I like this hairband style. It provides the exact male disguise."
Paul snap his finger "Here, put this hat on." he then gives to Viola his hat.
"Give me." right then I put it on. "Handsome…" I can't help not to smile looking at myself at this moment.
"Save by disguise." Paul smirk looking at Viola's guy mirror image; he is proud to see her like that. For him, Viola saved them.
It's time to rejoice of my successful disguise. I can dance. "Thanks to Lady Julia, we avoided death" I sounded playful and take off the hat from my head; I'm ready to do a conga dance.
"Mother…" Lady Julia elaborately said the word Mother. "From now on; you will call me, your Mother." She said that; not reminding but commanding. Still she sounds gentle.
Both Paul and Viola get silent to hear that from Lady Julia.
"Come here, both of you. Sit here with me." Lady Julia then sit on one of the fancy chair waiting them to sit as well.
Paul let Viola seated first then he sits on the other chair.
A minute passes by…. Lady Julia is still thinking on what to say to them.
"Both of you did your part very well. I am so happy." Lady Julia warmly smile at them.
"Thank you, mother." Paul is proud of himself that his mother is satisfied of what he did.
"Thank you…" I am hesitating to say the word Mother.
Silence…
Lady Julia is waiting to hear that Viola will call her, Mother.
Awkward but I have to. "Thank you, mother." There, I said it.
"Good, very good. Look at you…" she gently touches Viola's cheeks with both of her hands. "You look like my son." She gently rubs her thumbs on Viola's smooth cheeks. "His clothes fit you well." Lady Julia's face brightens more and she looks very beautiful when she is very pleased.
"You're right mother, Officer Kario and the guards didn't even have any clue that they are looking at Viola, a girl." Paul chuckles, his still feeling funny "Saved by disguise"
"You should always remember, Paul. That Viola, is no longer Viola anymore." Lady Julia
"Eh?" I'm very surprise to hear that. "I am not me anymore?"
"I'm sorry mother, but what do you mean?" Paul is also questioning what his mother just said.
"Viola." Lady Julia look into Viola's eyes and she becomes serious. "From now on, you are my son, Sebastian."
I scowl my eyebrows to hear that. "But why?" I back off and Lady Julia's hand slip down from my cheeks.
"I'm sorry my dear, but you have to do this. If you want to stay in our house, you need to become my son." Lady Julia sounding apologetic.
I look at her; my expression is full of questions.
"His highness the King, and the rest of the royal palace knew that I only have 2 children and they are both male. To have you here in our house as a girl, will only escalate suspicion; people will start to ask question who are you, where are you from. I don't want to reach in that situation." Lady Julia
I'm just listening. I'm starting to understand what she is telling me.
"And also, the authority's description in the decree poster; the spy is a girl. I am sorry; dressing you as my son is the only solution I can came up with a while ago. I have told you earlier before getting inside the house; that the situation demands a lot. I wasn't prepared at all; in saving you that night will cost our lives... And I could not bring myself to hand you to the authorities; I just can't. For me; you have the talent, I don't want to waste it." Lady Julia then, gently touch Viola's hand.
I bite my lips. "I understand." I completely understand now. "I'm sorry, I brought danger…" interrupted.
"No. Don't say that; no one is to blame. Everything happens for a reason, we may not know the reason for now; but let's put our trust into time." Lady Julia softly squeeze Viola's hand.
I nod to agree to Lady Julia who is now my mother. I never experience such dilemmas like this in my life before.
Paul nods as well. He is just listening to his mother. Because things always turn out well if he listens to his mother's wisdom.
"Viola, this will be the last time I will call you by your name; and until the time is right to call you by your name again. You're my son now and Paul is your older brother." Lady Julia
"Okay." I nod as well. I fully understand my situation now. No need for me to react and disagree; our lives is in the line here.
"We bended the circumstances and avoided imminent death. I want both of you to remember; what may the future will bring to us you two both act into our favor." Lady Julia imparting insight to her two sons. "I know, I'm asking too much for you to do this." she look into Viola's eyes; gently and caring. "But you need to be the person. My son, Sebastian."
I also look into her eyes. "Yes, mother."
From now on; I will follow what you want me to do and I become the person… I hope The Person will always protect me while I'm here; in this period of time.