The characters from the game belong to Capcom.
A/N:I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
The birds chirped announcing the arrival of the new day. Welcoming the sun. Flying from tree to tree, from tree to the ground. The warm breeze of the end of the Spring announcing the Summer.
Angelique opened the curtains and stayed at the window of her bedroom admiring the beautiful scenery she loved about that house in the "middle of nowhere" according the others' opinion– her stepmother and father.
The contrast of the beautiful Nature's work contrasted with her inner mood. Since the unpleasant visit of her stepmother's brother, she seemed to have lost part of her positive mood. She hated that. wasn't that enough to have lost her mother?
She looked down in sadness and sighed. Will she ever be happy or free? She wondered. Being submissive to her father's dominion alongside his witchy wife was slowly taking the best of her.
Marriage seemed to be the only way out. But who will marry a clumsy and boring redhead like her? she did have talents, but men usually didn't like that in a spouse. Women cannot be independent and thrive on their own.
Unless you find a more open-minded man – the rare ones- and she didn't seem to have such fortune. In fact, she was used to her disgrace and dark future as if she ends up marrying to leave her father's negative influence and submit herself to another man's domain and wishes. Surely she will not have the luck to find a good man who will fall in love with. A man that will like and accept her the way she is and love her back. No. that will not happen to her. Her misfortune is what defines her fate.
It was still early morning, the sun was rising between the mountains and the crystalline water reflected its shine as the same time some of the lake's depth was revealed in a glorious magic.
However, that was not what really captivated the young redhead woman's eyes. It was him – her guest, the 'fugitive' – Christopher Reed swimming naked in the lake shore. She could feel her cheeks burning and most probably, they were very red. She had never seen anything or anyone like that before. Much less a man!
Curiosity, awkwardness and excitement got the best of to keep her so attentive to every detail in that muscular man's body. He wasn't fat and his muscles were evident. She liked that. She enjoyed her view despite not being so sure if she could be doing that. Right or wrong. Spying? She just couldn't stop looking at. Admiring from afar. He didn't need to know that, right?
She laughed a bit and hid herself behind the curtain. A few seconds later, she looked through the curtains again. Her attention didn't stay for long as her eyes widened when they spotted the man's full frontal as he left the lake. She blushed again closing the curtains immediately and took some deep breaths in hope he hadn't seen her.
She sat on the chair and waited. She heard his moves, noticing he had gone to his bedroom. She opened the door to leave hers. The scare took her off guarded as Christopher opened his door again. Her eyes immediately focused on his bare chest. She avoided looking down until she realized he was wearing pants. A slight relief. His nakedness was still fresh in her memory. She blushed again.
"Are you alright?" he asked
She nodded, "Yes. Why do you ask?" she tried to disguise her nervousness
"You look different…"
She laughed, "Different how?"
"I don't know…did you have contact with a member of your family again?"
She shook her head in denial, "No. I think it's just your imagination"
He shrugged lifting his eyebrows, "Maybe…"
She cleared her throat, "Do you need anything?"
"Yes, a clean towel. I was about to get it"
She walked away slowly, "All right…Now I'm going to have breakfast and do my chores. Will you want breakfast too?"
"Yes, sure. I'm going to change and will help you with the wood"
She smiled in agreement and turned around without saying a word. Christopher watched Angelique walking away. He knew it wasn't anything from his imagination. Surely he will not force her to tell him anything, but he couldn't help but staying intrigued. She was a bad liar, but he found her cute. Unconsciously he smiled as she disappeared in the stairs.
O'Gregon Castle
Spring was considered to be a beautiful season by many people due to the beauty of the trees and colored plants. The fruits season, but along with it the heat and the rains come too. But for Katarina Spring and Summer were not her favorite seasons as due to the weather change, her allergies came along and she hated her nose because of that change of climate and pollen. Not to mention the sweat of the heat.
Her luck was to have a doctor friend named Vladimir Talbot. He used to attend the high classes and mainly the king. He was favorited by him due to his wide knowledge and improvement in his techniques as he used to travel a lot and learned important cares with the Chinese.
The allergies were not an obstacle nor an excuse to not take care of herself and keep the beauty routine for Katarina. Her vanity was a keen trait about her and she made sure to always look beautiful even by staying home. All the pampering had good results for her as it helped in her getting whatever attention she needed and special favors from the male side
In her bedroom, Katarina was assisted by her maidens to help her get dressed and wear makeup. She chose a beautiful long brocade pink dress, gloves length to the forearms, heels and a white and red umbrella and perfume.
She was climbing down the stairs when she met her father on the way.
He looked at her with a serious face, "Where are you going?"
"I am going to see my doctor, Vladimir"
He looked her up to toe making a face, "Do you need all that just to go see a doctor?"
"You know I do!" she answered convicted
"Won't it be easier if he comes to attend you here?"
"I cannot barely breathe! Cannot wait for his availability… Why are you questioning me? I am not doing anything wrong for going to see a doctor when you know I have allergies during this season! You should be used by now…"
"Are you sure you are not going to see another man?"
She laughed, "What are you talking about? You are not making any sense to me my beloved father"
"I have heard rumors about your conduct with that knight…Pierce"
She exhaled smiling, "My lovely father. I am a woman whom gets attention wherever I go without even doing anything. People get jealous and talk shit about my persona" she laughed, "You shall ignore that and be used to all the people talk. Pierce is my friend and you know that!"
"They say he has feelings for you"
"So what?"
"So what is that he's not a man for you! I've heard he had other women and as a man I tell you he has other intentions with you and those intentions are not allowed for a woman of your class who shall marry a Duke in the least…"
She rolled her eyes, "I am not a whore father! Nor a child! I know how to defend myself and Pierce is just a friend to me!"
"You are still a woman, Katarina! Some men don't deal well with rejection and he'd better never touch you otherwise he will be a dead man!"
"But he has touched me father…"
"What?!" the man widened his eyes in perplex
She couldn't help her laughter after seeing his face, "When we shook hands father! Will you kill him for being a polite gentleman?" she spoke jokingly
The man exhaled angrily at her play, "You know where exactly I'm referring!"
"It is exactly where I want him to touch me and more…" She thought smiling, "Yes my father I know and you do not worry about it, and your lovely daughter here will only belong to a special man! Now I should get going before I run out of air, excuse me!" she spoke smiling and left the man without even looking back
"Bon sang! what century is that are we living when women cannot choose their ideal partner! I do not belong to this period and I cannot stand such retardment!" she thought frowning in disgust, "Of course I can belong to only a special man, but as long as I have not found the right one, I will continue my search but that does not mean all of them will have me!" she spoke to herself as she headed to Vladimir's in a hurry on her horse
"Mademoiselle Katarina O'Gregon. What brings the lady's pleasant visit?" the blond, blue-eyed tall man and fair skin asked with a large smile as he watched the brunette walking in.
"I need special and quick treatment for my allergies. I have big plans and allergies shall not be an inconvenience" she replied as she sat on the chair
"What kind of plans exactly?" he asked in curiosity as he sat in his chair
She rested her back crossing her arms above her belly, "You know I have a close friend and I will need some of 'those covers' too"
He frowned and exhaled biting his lips, "So the rumors are true?"
"What rumors?"
"You and that knight named Pierce… getting friendly…" he replied nearly rolling his eyes
She could sense the displease in his voice tone, although she pretended she did not notice it his expressions, "Not so far… He is hard on the fall and is a man full of principles…"
"Although still a man! Just push a bit harder…"
She smiled in agreement, "Yes, which is the reason why I need the sheaths"
He laughed, "It's funny you having to use your last strong card again… If my memory won't fail, he's the second man that seemly rejects you"
She rolled her eyes exhaling bitterly, "He has not rejected me! I know he wants me and he confirmed it, but his stupid principles get in the way!"
"What about Christopher? He didn't have such principles and rejected you the same way!"
"Christopher is dead! And he did not reject me… the mistake came from my part as I took longer to make a move and then when things were about to settle accordingly, my parents screwed all the progress up when they arranged my marriage to that moron Fleming without my consent!"
"A moron you used sheaths…" he couldn't help the irony in his tone
She beat her hands on the wood table, "Shut the hell up you bastard! You have no rights in talking to me that way!"
"I'm your doctor and I have kept your intimate secrets with me! I'm still the one who lies to your noble parents when I have to report about your 'health'…"
She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, "You are well paid for that!"
"Yes and it's about time to get some adjustment. You are aging, your parents are concerned about your marital status and the rumors are increasing… I'm having to increase my convincing skills to assure them that their adorable daughter's flower is still intact…"
"You do not need to use the cynical route with me. You want more money I will give you! I am certain that the poor do not keep you running and my contribution helps you keeping the luxury that does not belong to you" she spoke in sarcasm and a mischievous smile
"Money is not the only way to pay bills…"
She laughed loud, "I advise the scumbag to not take that route with me! I still have a very special card in hands and I am absolutely certain that I can convince anyone else with my artistic roots that I have been attacked by my doctor or anyone else!" she spoke mischievously, "And the king… Ah the king! Such a great friend of my family's and mine! He will not tolerate any harm to his innocent petit."
The blond man remained in silence. He knew Katarina was fierce enough to sustain her words or threats. However, she should know better that she didn't need to use those words towards him as the real price for his silence was already keeping his lips sealed. His feelings for her and in name of that he could never do anything that will harm his petit night-blooming cestrum.
As days passed, Angelique seemed to have hid herself into a shelter. She was running out of time and the sadness occupied her sensitive heart. She had to return to the nightmare and hell of life the next day. But what hurt her the most was to leave behind that genuine man.
He had never disrespected her or tried to cross any limit of interaction, somehow much to her unhappiness as he had made her feel things she never felt before. She couldn't explain whatever she was feeling for him, she only knew she liked him a lot and wished they could stay safe in that house forever.
Because of him, she had written several poetry texts in her diaries. Because of him she had crazy dreams about them, but at the same time it was scary.
He was an older man. He was 4 years her senior and had many experiences she didn't have. He had travelled, met other cultures, other lifestyles, he lived at the court of Bohma. While she was just a stupid young unexperienced dreamy woman with a dark future.
He had made her feel that she could have a different faith. Although that could only be possible if they stayed together
Stay together, she and him? What a stupid and crazy idea! Christopher will never look at her with a man's eye. As a wife for him. She doesn't the class for that. She doesn't have the appeal for that. His respectful and kind way towards her was only due to his gentleness.
She could never be like those classy and fancy women of the court. Beautiful, smart and wealthy. The best candidates to be the wife of a man like him.
It was already late night, Angelique could not sleep and after moving restless in the bed, she stood up and walked to the window to admire the clear night sky full of stars. Inevitably, she cried as the phantoms haunted her. The last night in paradise. The last night in safety. The last night in peace. She saw a shooting star and made a wish. A crazy wish, but full of hope.
The life in the countryside was calm, simple and relaxing. A lifestyle Christopher Reed was learning how to enjoy. A life so different from the tumultuous, annoying and intimidating of the court. It was all about the king's wishes most of the times and following such authoritarian prerogatives used to be boring and tiring, although he adjusted his frame of mind and convinced himself that there was a higher cause behind all that. Somehow, there was.
However, spending most of his time dedicating himself to battles, politics and the king tended to bring the loneliness, the doubts, the questionings. He still was a young man and surely, he wanted more. At the same time he wanted to make a difference in the world, in the other hand he wanted to start a family, to settle down.
And that was a way more difficult task to achieve. He did meet several women, some were pretty, some were kind and most submissive. There were "women's of life" who were fun but didn't serve to be housewives or didn't deserve it. There were the classy women and noble ones, but those used to be very annoying most of the times. With exception of Katarina O'Gregon who was beautiful, entertaining, had a strong personality, an independent spirit and demonstrated a passionate personality that some times used to confuse him about what kind of woman she could really be or what values she really had. He liked her determined way, but her temper could be easily turned into arrogance and he disliked that in a woman.
Perhaps he was a demanding man and because of that, he was willing to sacrifice his settling down dream because he hadn't found any woman interesting and good enough to suit his ideal type until he met Angelique.
She had the traits he looked for in a woman. She was beautiful, kind, polite, skilled, funny and independent. She knew how to count, read and write. However, it was her simplicity that captivated him.
Since the day of her announcement to go back home, things had changed between them and more exactly inside him. He wanted but didn't know if it will correct to open up his feelings for her. He was aware he was attracted to her, but her way to be was also an obstacle for him and that used to bug him at times.
And since that day, a strange distance grew between them. Angelique seemed to avoid him and didn't treat his nearly healed wound like she used to. She only limited herself to prepare the moisture and told him to pass himself. He hated to hear her crying in the middle of the night and feel powerless to console her.
"Tomorrow I will return home"
He felt the outcast with that statement. He was aware he needed to find a new shelter. Probably it wouldn't be so difficult as he had some other abilities and didn't mind starting over in a new place. However, something else spooked him – to be recognized.
He didn't know how the battle had ended. He didn't know how the others reacted to his disappearance. Staying in the countryside had that advantage or disadvantage – depending on the point of view – of being deprived from fresh news and gossips. Not to mention the lake house situated in a more isolated area. No close neighbors. Good to hide, bad for help.
Angelique had finished harvesting while Christopher was cutting the wood. He heard footsteps approaching the stable. His eyes followed the redhead carrying a basket to feed her horse.
He wished he could help her. Free her from her abusive family. He watched her talk to her horse. Sing to him. The calmness. Her heavenly voice. Her heavenly presence. Her heavenly perfume. Her simplicity. The complete opposite of the court where the real snakes live. What a beautiful voice but so saddened.
Suddenly a crazy idea crossed his mind. The only thing that might save her from her slave life.
She left the stable and saw that tall man watching her seemly paralyzed. Their gazes met and inevitably and weirdly, they smiled in synchrony.
Walking over to him, she took an apple from the basket and offered him. Their fingers touched causing an electrifying shiver in both of the bodies. It felt so good. Butterflies in the stomach. She missed his touch, him so close. She will miss his protection. His safety. His presence. His magnetism.
"I'm going to prepare the lunch" she spoke with a smile
"Angely…" he held her by the wrist
She turned to him. Their gazes met again. This time there was something different. She could tell that but not what
"I don't want you to go…home" he spoke almost in a whisper
"We already talked about it. You don't have to worry, you can stay in the house. Like you said it will be good to not stay abandoned"
"It's not the house that concerns me… but you"
"I will be alright. From time to time I'll come to visit you"
"I don't want to see you from time to time…"
She made a face of not knowing how to react or to say. Speaking… she hated that. She didn't have that skill either. She was better in writing.
He held her grip and knelt down in front of her. Her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth opened remaining mute. Her heart was starting to accelerate.
"Will you marry me, Angelique Stafford?" he kissed her palm gently and looked up with eyes full of hope. He could impulsive – yes, he had that trait. That wasn't planned or staged. He only followed his heart. His emotions were about to explode. He couldn't keep his feelings in secret anymore much less now they were going to be separated. He needed the risk of giving her a reason to stay or maybe to come back soon enough.
Their hearts were about to jump out of their chests. Her eyes widened and legs trembled as if she could join him on the ground at any moment. Her mouth was dry. Her voice chords failed. She was shocked and could not believe what she had heard.
He watched her trying to read every muscle in her face. Every sign of hope she could give him. He knew that was unexpected and crazy, but her silence was a torture. Wrong timing? Possibly! However, he didn't care! He needed an answer even if the answer smashed his heart.
"Angely?"
She choked, "Yes…Yes…" her face demonstrated several signs as she struggled among the smile and tears and surprise all at the same time.
"Yes? Will you marry me?" he asked again. He needed to be sure
"Yes, I accept marrying you"
He stood up in happiness taking her into an embrace. Their very first tight embrace. They were so close. Their hearts separated only by the layers of their skin and the fabric of their clothing. He wrapped his long arms around her thin waist. She felt small but so good to be is his arms. Her arms laced his neck. He felt big but so good in the safety of his embrace.
There was no kiss, no first kiss. Yet, a special day.
That time things were very different. Intimacy progressed slower despite the commitment. The matter of marriage was different. It was a matter of State. A matter of family. They wanted to do things the right way. The difference was that she was the only one with a family to require permission.
Thank you Herpderp for the review :D
First of all, did the proposal seemed rushed? Maybe or maybe not, but according to my research, back then people did marry "quick" and young. Of course this doesn't mean it was a rule, but generally people lived less, they needed heirs, so marrying their children at tenre age was not a problem. However, that didn't mean that after a tenre marriage the young couple would consummate their marriage. Marriage was more of a contract than a real love bond. Surely, there were marriages for love.
And in the story Christopher and Angelique are young people, and the ones who have passed that age know and might relate that back in our "teenage" days we had intense feelings about everything. An idealistic mind and falling in love seemed to be the oxygen of our lives and broken hearts were seemly a death sentence, but in the end we survived (there are exceptions of course!). And then we learn how to recover faster from deceptions as life goes on. Experiences teach us every time with lessons that in many cases we might need a lifetime to learn, however it's a fact that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
With all that said, it's true that Christopher and Angelique have a love bond that will continue to be built, so take in account that they live in a different period of time "dating" was something different, it was courtship and that surely could take a while and differently of nowadays. And also, usually marriages were arranged, especially in the high classes.
I don't know why I said all that, now that I stop to think that even nowadays we do find people who marry quicker than them xD Now the fashion is moving in xD and it's funny people still treat each other as boyfriend and girlfriend even if they live under the same ceiling for years lol
There's a lot to happen in the story and I hope to really write a good love story, I mean, that I can develop it more beautifully.
Sheath is how condom was called back in those days.
Bon Sang means Geez, according to my reasearch.
Now less but not least...
Stay Tuned! :D