Chapter 1: Memories Past
20 years later…
Lady Nicolet, known as Nikki to friends and family, ran down the hallway to her room, pulling her hair out of it's ponytail. She burst into her room to see her lady-in-waiting and best friend laying out her garments for the day.
"Kay! You are a life saver!" Nikki exclaimed changing out of her black cloth pants that she used for her training.
"That is my job." Kay replied helping Nikki with her corset.
"Thank God for that!" Nikki laughed stepping into her dress, "I got so absorbed in my fencing that I completely lost track of time."
"Again…I might add." Kay handed Nikki her shoes, "Sit down, I'll do your hair while you do your make-up."
Nikki did as she was told and in no time she was ready. She looked over herself in the mirror to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.
Her brown hair hung in ringlets framing her face. She had on a full-length lavender gown, which was simple yet very elegant. She had matching high heels. She wore her ever present locket from her father the day before he was killed. She starightened one of her pearl earrings before turning around pleased.
"It looks as if I won't be late for tea after all. Too bad, Grandfather is just trying to set me up up with another suiter." Nikki said heading towards the door.
"Well, the best of luck to him, I know how stubborn you can be when it comes to marriage." Kay said tidying up Nikki's vanity. Nikki flashed her a smile before leaving the room.
Walking down the hall towards the tea room Nikki idly played with her locket. She mulled over the inscription like she had for many years. On the right side of the locket was a normal inscription that wished her a happy birthday. However, the left side was another story, the inscription was something she couldn't understand, it read:
Owl
1809
1-7 3
392
Nikki started thinking back to the night her father had been killed but shook her head forcing those memories back. It wouldn't do to walk in to tea crying.
She entered the tea room wearing a fake smile while sizing up the new suiter, wondering how she would scare this one away.