Time carried on, and there was no denying that infamous smirk he shot at me had a daunting meaning behind it. He being Jonathan Carrington. The man who had caught my curiosity at first with those dark amber eyes of his, but now gave me suspicion. I would not have suspected anything, if it had not been for that smirk of course, that sly smirk of his. It flashed through my mind repeatedly, and it was taunting. He didn't seem the type of man to express himself, but upon our face to face meeting he just became lively and from that point on, cocky. The sudden change of attitude showed me a brief insight to what he could truly be like behind that facade.

The first thing that was done after the introductions, was inviting Jonathan and Henry for breakfast. Despite asking what they were here for first. Of course it was entirely my mother's idea, and of course he had to sit across from me at the dinning table. How predictable that move was

But before we had entered the dining room, our butler had taken his coat and hat off his hands to hang up. That gave me a better look at him entirely. Inconspicuously I began to observe him head too toe

Once he shed the hulking coat he'd been wearing, I could see Jonathan was dressed in a very formal suit, and appeared to be a very expensive one at that. His jacket was pitch black, with a dark grey silk embroidered vest over his white sleeve shirt. He was a tall man. About 6 feet I presumed. His hair was a chestnut brown neatly slicked back. The color of his skin was fair, yet it was faintly tanned. His jaw line was strong, some facial hair could still be seen on his face, though it looked as though he shaved not to long ago. I could picture him actually being a rugged man playing dress up as a gentleman. And I do admit I was wrong on guessing his age, he looked quite younger than I had thought him to be. He must be in his 20's. Very handsome to say the least, but it all seemed so put together. There is something off about him, but it's hard to assume so soon, but he must be a great actor if he was acting.

Presently we are all sitting at the table in the dinning room waiting for breakfast to be served in silence. I looked around the table too urge someone to make a conversation, before Jonathan even thinks of talking to me, but I can tell he's biding his sweet time before he uttered a word. He's staring at me with a smug smile as he tilts his head slightly. My finger tips glide over the fork in front tempted to throw it right at his chest. Just to see if he'd flinch, but I bet even then he wouldn't look away from me. Thankfully our servants walk in with breakfast. Phew

"So Mr. Carrington" Father looked over to Jonathan then to Henry "Henry" then back to Jonathan "What brings to our home at this early hour?" Father asked as his plate was placed in front of him.

Jonathan had been eyeing me when the questioned was asked, father didn't seem to notice. I picked up my fork now, looking down at my plate. With all this going on I didn't feel like eating. I started to flip an egg over and proceed playing with the rest of my food to avoid eye contact with him for a while. I sunk into my thoughts, but still I didn't like the feeling of his eyes on me. It gave me chills.

Then to answer my fathers question Jonathan slowly torn his eyes away from me, and looked over at father to address him properly.

"Well Mr. Volcain I meant no intrusion, but Henry had brought something to my attention that caught my interest greatly and I could not wait, I had to see you right away"

Henry this whole time had been eating as though he'd been starved, he was showed no acknowledgement or care of the conversation. He was just indulging in the free meal.

Odd

"So I simply accompanied him to present my offer to you now, I have been informed you have guests later on correct? So this be the only time I could see you Mr. Volcain, again I apologize for any inconvenience we have caused you" Jonathan smiled, but I sensed wickedness behind it.

Father rotated the spoon in his tea-cup as he stared back at Jonathan.

"Yes yes, we do have guests later on, this would be the only time I'd be available for you to present the offer you have, but wouldn't a letter have sufficed?" My father stopped his repeated motion and to take a drink of his tea still eyeing Jonathan.

Jonathan chuckled shooting a glance at me.

"A simple letter would have not sufficed, I do admit I should have informed you I'd be coming here today, but Henry had insisted you wouldn't mind"

Father raised a brow and shot a glance at Henry who looked up with his mouth full of food giving a blank stare. Father raised a brow and with a sigh just shook his head.

'Well it's quite alright, there is no harm done. Our guests arrive an hour before tea time, I'm sure we'll have enough time to discuss your offer." Father nodded and then picked up his fork and began to eat.

Jonathan bowed his head slightly as he smiled again and then looked back over to me. Now I was starring directly at him, and yet I can feel another pair of eyes on me.

From the corner of my eye I could see Alexandria was starring me down, in what seemed to be a jealous rage as she began stabbing her fork into her pancakes repeatedly. She must of been fed up with the looks Jonathan had been giving me and not her. I would rather have him had taking an interest her. Anyone, but me.

Not leaving his eyes I picked up my tea cup, raised it to my lips, and took a drink of it slowly. He picked up his tea cup and proceeded to mimic me. My eyebrow twitched by my irritability.

What on earth is he trying to pull? Does he really think I'm going to say something to him, because if that's what he wants I'm not going too. There is nothing I want to say to him, other than begone. We're playing at tedious game here. He looks I look away, why can't he just keep those eyes off me. All I want to know is his intentions, but I already know there bad. Ever since that smirk.

Closing my eyes I set my tea cup down gently. I could hear a clack across from me. My eye brow twitched as my eyes shot open into a glare.

Now this is just becoming ridiculous

"So tell us Mr. Carrington where are you from" Mother asked as she took a bite of her toast, staring at Jonathan curiously.

"Well Mrs. Volcain I'm hail from the finest country in the world" He answered her with a beaming smile as he tapped his hand on the table.

Mother smiled and nodded her head.

"Well, that make all of us Mr. Carrington"

"And from the finest country comes the finest people" Jonathan mused.

Mother laughed "Well said"

I rolled my eyes.

Jonathan chuckled along with her and looked over at me as he did. His eyes with a certain intent. What? Was he finally about speak to me after all the ridiculous staring we've engaged in?

Don't even think about opening your big mouth. My eyes narrowed engaging his eyes giving him warning. The nerve he has. He doesn't act like any man, but rather a boy playing a tedious game. No one has every simply praised our country so blatantly. He must think he's so charming with those empty words he spits.

The instant Jonathan began parting his lips about to speak, Alexandria opened her big mouth beating him to it.

"Jonathan" Alexandria announced loudly as she narrowed her eyes at him with intent.

Jonathan taken a back froze for a minute in surprise, he must have not anticipated the attack of Alexandria, but he simply gave her a fake smile and said

"Yes?" he answered in a collected manner.

"I noticed you aren't wearing a wedding ring, could it be you are not married" She placed her hand under her chin smirking.

At the last word Alexandria spoke everyone had turned their heads toward Alexandria in shock, then to Jonathan awaiting his response.

In shock himself, Jonathan's eyes showed it as they widened, the way he reacted showed he was caught off guard completely, and that confidence he held for so long was now diminished. His eyes averted to his left hand that did not hold a ring. Quickly he brought his right hand over his left to cover it. But there was no point to that. She had him. As he squeezed his left hand, he began fidgeting in his seat, trying to collect himself once more.

Alexandria smirked wider in her triumph, she knew got him. In what it was he was trying to hide and apparently he was not prepared for it to be noticed. But this now opened my eyes to what was the truth.

No, I will not believe it. He CAN'T be here to court us, or rather me in that sense. I should of realized when he gave me that smirk! how could I have been so stupid not to notice all this time.

"You're a very handsome man you know, how on earth could you not be taken already. Surely the ladies must claw for your affections all the time." Alexandria snickered as she leaned forward more awaiting his answer impatiently.

Jonathan seemed to be still be in shock. He blinked a few times, but I knew he wouldn't take him long to recover. This man is a very good at deception if he's gotten this far.

I on the other hand, still in disbelief at what I just came to realize, the reason why he was here in the first place. I would blame this all on Henry, but I don't believe he told Jonathan anything about us or at least willingly. Henry wouldn't do or say anything unless he was threatened. This whole time he was disengaged, not once even giving notice or care to anyone around him. He must have felt guilty. Jonathan was pulling the strings here and I knew it.

My eyes stayed on Jonathan's face as these thoughts clouded my head as I waited. Waiting for his next move, his next lie. Everyone was watching now. Burning for response.

The expression of shock soon faded out from his face and turned into a blank expression. His eyes locked onto mine once again in an deep stare, and then suddenly his head rose up higher as his eyes closed slowly. He took deep breathes through his nose, I could see from his nostrils flaring up as he did. Soon in no time at all. His eyes began to open slowly. As soon as they opened his eyes fixated directly on Alexandria.

"Well Ms. Alexandria I do thank for your compliment, but I can not accept it" He chuckled waving one hand out in front of him "You see, I don't believe such respectable ladies would stumble over themselves over a gentleman such as I, usually it is the other way around." His lips curved into a thin smirk and continued "Further more, It is true. I am not committed to anyone yet, but there is no rush for such a commitment in my eyes, you see I'm waiting."

"For?" Alexandria quickly replied impatiently

"Connection" Jonathan stated strongly "Someone I don't feel like a stranger with. A fine young lady I can take walks with through the garden having endless conversations, and have a fresh cup of tea as we take a break from all that walking and not have to say a word because when we look in each others eyes we'll already know what we are both thinking. Rather than not know them at all until our wedding day, which is usually the case"

Alexandria, Mother, Father and Brother were all stunned by Jonathan's answer, the answer they all had been waiting on, but did not expect.

For a second I even felt a pinch of sincerity in words, but

I knew it was lie after lie. Nothing this man was going say would make me believe him as genuine. He was a liar, in my eyes at least. I'm sure he could see it in the way I stared, the way I glared. Could he be that stupid or. What he was telling everybody was as though he was reading out of my thoughts in a sense, because those are things I could envision at times. Walking with someone I could connect with in that way. It's as if he was picking through my mind. I was done with it. It was time to get out.

The sound of my chair sliding across the floor was a loud, it echoed throughout the room, so sudden as my action was everyone heads too turn and look at me.

"May I be excused?" was all I muttered standing there with my hands leaning on the table for support with my head down.

"Sophia what's the matter darling?" My mother answered concerned.

"I've lost my appetite"

She then took a quick look over at my full plate of food, it was just pushed around into mush now. She brought her eyes back over to me as she nodded with a half smile.

"Alright dear, I'll have Emma take you up stairs so you can lie down for a bit."

And with that, I took my hands off the table and stood up straight. I didn't look at anybody as I left I just walked out of there as fast as I could. I rounded the corner and took my place leaning back against the wall. I needed a moment.

There was a lot on my mind, being in there made it harder to think. No wonder no one in there was thinking at all.

"Bloody Hell" I muttered to myself, before heading toward the stairs.

"Sophia" Alexandria's voice called as she quickly gripped my hand before I could take another step forward.

What now?

"What is it Alexandria?" I asked without turning to face her.

Without seeing her face at all I could already sense a sour look on her face, immediately following my response she gripped my hand tightly and spun me around to face her.

"What is wrong with you?" She hissed in a whisper as she stared at me sternly.

"Are you that naive?" I said as my ripped my hand out of hers and back up from her one step.

"What? him? Don't be ridiculous Sophia, He was starring at you the whole time because he likes you." She glared at me now.

"And let me guess you are jealous?" I scoffed "As always" I crossed my arms and headed toward the stairs once more. I just wanted to brush her off and had no time for the tedious fighting again.

Just then I could sense Alexandria's hand hovering over my shoulder, assuming to pull me back and fight some more, but my maid Emma had walked in the Fourier just in time to save me from her attack.

"My lady" she approached me with a smile. I responded back giving a quick smile to her then shooting Alexandria a glare the second after.

I slowly yet calmly made my way over to the staircase as Emma followed attentively behind me. Alexandria was staring at me in with anger. She knew chasing after me would do no good, I never listened to her. She'd be wasting her breath yet again.

Making my way to the top of the stairs I kept my eyes on her placing my hand on the rail for support and to secure my balance. She hasn't the faintest understanding of my feelings, I thought No one does. Everyday is becoming this routine. It's hard to catch a break from it. My usually escape is through sleeping, but I shouldn't undermine the power of books. Books help quite a lot actually. I do wish I had someone to vent to about all of this. I can honestly say there is not one person. There are times I wish I could talk with Alexandria though. Just talk out everything. Resolve the conflicts, such as jealously she has toward me. I'm tired of it all. I sighed and turned away from her as I reached the top.

"Emma" I said almost in a whisper. Emma the maid, taken back looked up quickly and responded. I'm surprised she heard me.

"Yes My lady?"

"You may leave me now, I'd like to be alone" I continued to make my way toward my room as I made my request.

With a simple nod she walked back to the staircase and made her way down without concern or question. Thank God.

Walking through the hall I slid my fingertips along the walls making my way to my room as I contemplated my great escape. Sooner or later they'd come up here and make me sit down with him, along with the other fools after tea time. In no time I was standing in the doorway of my room.

My eyes scanned my room right to left. Everything was perfectly clean and organized. So dull, I thought to myself before entering, making my way to the edge of my bed.

My hands got a tight grip on blankets on my bed. I torn them off completely, even to the last sheet. I carried them over to the window seat and set them up in such a fashion, it looked as though someone laid underneath. I slipped the pillows under just to give the blankets something to shape around. It made it look fairly believable.

Content with my work I smiled to myself and made my way back over to my bed. I knelt down and extended my arm under the bed feeling around a bit until I felt it. The little red book I always held dear. A diary, which held my deepest thoughts and a few drawings. Last night I had to nearly toss it underneath my bed since my mother came into my room last night to wish me a goodnight. Shockingly enough.

Once I was back on my feet I looked around in drawer after drawer for a pen, and sure enough there was a drawer with quite a few. Convenient. I thought.

Now that I had everything I needed to keep me occupied, I peeked my head out of my room giving a glance to my left and right before I headed out my room making my way to the staircase. There was no one around thankfully so there was no need to be toooooo cautious, but I couldn't be entirely sure Alexandria would be lurking to stop me again just to get in my face. So I took quiet steps as made my way back to the bottom of stairs.

Finally I had reached the end of my stair obstacle and headed toward my destination. The Garden.

Occasionally escaping to the garden is what keeps me sane. To be honest without it this little piece of heaven, I truly would have no escape in reality. My hand clenched the knob tightly to the back door and slowly twisted it. The warm breeze rushed in and made my hair whip back over my shoulders and I took a step forward.

Sure just like sleep provides me time away from reality, it has to end just like my time in this place does. My eyes scanned my surroundings taking in the sights of the nature around me. It gave me comfort.

At times I would try and find comfort in burying myself underneath those blankets of mine. Thinking I'd vanish into the dark, I soon came to realize I hated it, being consumed. Shrouded within darkness makes me feel more trapped than I already do. Darkness only consumes, as does my life consume me. It's a cruel reminder of how trapped I truly am within my own skin. It's what I detest the most, but can't change.

I made sure I was deep within the garden, so far that no one would make an effort to venture as far as I did to come looking for me. I knew no one would anytime soon. No one cared enough.

As I made my way deeper I could smell the roses strongly as I took a deep breath in, it was a wonderful scent. One scent that I loved beside the smell after rain just to name one. It eased my shattered nerves. The whole garden was vibrant and more alive than I could ever hope to be. Once I reached a tree that provided the most shade I spotted a beautiful pink rose bush out of the corner of my eye and made my way over to it. Leaning forward I closed my eyes and inhaled it's scent. Lovely. Breathing out I instantly shuttered as I felt a deep chill in the air as winter had flashed through for a brief moment and gone. I turned my head toward the sky and I could see crows fleeing the trees from my garden toward the directing the air had blew in from and only one thought crossed my mind.

Death, Somewhere out there some has escaped.

I lowered my head back down and made my way back over to the tree. I sat there for a few moments in silence collecting my thoughts, before opening my little red book and began to write.

When will the crows fly too me. Will they descend upon my window ledge as I lay dying old and frail warm in my bed after a long tedious life, or shall they be circling above me on a cold winter night as I jump into the froze waters of the sea. Will death choose or will I overrule deaths choice. I believe it's easier to give in then let go, but I've lost my nerve to live in the bliss of ignorance. When I know what's behind the curtain.

All these thoughts had given me quite a weird chill, so I shut my book closed and laid back onto the warm grass clenching the book tightly between my hands and let my eyes close the world around me. The last thought I had, before sleep overcame me was

A nap would be nice. And nap I did.

For I never dreamed, only darkness greeted my unconscious mind , unkindly. Always just as realm of black nothingness. Which suites me the best I suppose. But strangely emerging out of the darkness were two faint green flames. At first that's what they were to me, but as it drew closer. They were eyes floating to me in the abyss. Beautiful.

Eyes of Death

It was then I felt the breeze glide across my skin, but there was quite a cold chill running with it. The sunlight cast upon my eyelids harshly as the branches swayed, so now I could hear the rustling of the leaves. All of it was irritating me. I felt I hadn't drifted off to long and demanded my time by refusing to give in. I turned over on my side in frustration, But even though my eyes were closed and I unconsciously see those eyes were vividly staring at me once more.

Were they were calling too me?

My eyes unwilling began to open, the heaviness wasn't easy to fight. Once my vision sharpened those eyes were not just an unconscious thought. They were real.

Through the rose bush, I could distinctly see them buried among the branches staring into me as though I wasn't a stranger in their eyes whoever they were. Whatever they were. They knew me.

I decided I would approach. I suspected they'd be waiting for me to react in a way anyone would. Scared or shocked, but I was neither. I was curious, and then it that very moment I heard a voice muttering low. My narrowed trying to make out what they said.

There wasn't much I could hear from where I stood whatever words they spoke were about me obviously. I stepped closer as my curiosity carried me forward, but stopped as I caught the faint smell of blood in the air through a violent breeze that blew in around me and I turned around instantly feeling a bit uneasy as another crow in the tree above me shrieked and descended. Before I knew it there was loud rustling as I turned to see whoever was hidden in the rose bust running away, all I saw was black. My body instantly reacted and I ran after.

Every time my foot hit the ground it was though if I was becoming heavier... slower. It wasn't that I was getting tired, although I must say running in quite a heavy dress was no easy task. Maybe it's all in my mind, could I still be under that tree soundly asleep. Imaging such occurrence, chasing a mere shadow. I came to a complete stop and my feet planted firmly on the ground as I reached the tall black gate that surrounded my home. There was nothing. The wind blew from behind me causing my hair to wisp past my flushed cheeks.

The scent of blood brushed across my nose once more, the smell was so strong and unnatural. I immediately brought my hand to my nose gently pinching it. So odd, but for all I know I could still be dreaming. Wait I did just pinch myself. Well maybe pinching your nose doesn't count. Ugh.

Hesitantly I brought my free hand over to my opposite arm and pinched it quick and tightly. Nothing once more.

No way.

For some time I lingered there. Sitting admits the grass recording what had happened in my red book. How strange was it, to happen so fast it didn't feel as though it happened at all. Although the only thing that assured me it did was the smell of blood still floating in the air, and it was worrying me. Should I be out here alone much longer?

But what was to be so afraid of

It was only the right thing to do. I forced myself up off the ground and headed back toward the house as quickly as I could.

I hung my head down flipping through the pages in my book to find a empty one I could bookmark for now until I got inside to start writing in, but out of clumsiness/being in a hurry I dropped it on the ground.

I knelt down to pick up, but a pale hand reached out to it and lifted off the ground before I could extend my hand. I blinked out of confusion and looked up slowly in a bit of dread hoping it wasn't a face I had no desire to see, but it was surprisingly a face I've been hoping I'd see. The only one who didn't judge or mock. Charles my brother. Then with a smile he offered his other hand to me.

9:45

It wasn't long after that time, Charles and I went back inside having a brief conversation a long the way, before dropping me off in the library. He had told me it was somewhere no one would come looking, but I wasn't convinced.

"Read for a while, it should get your mind of things." he said turning the knob to the door, not looking away from me. Naturally I smiled and agreed, with his suggestion.

"Alright, I'll try my best" I rolled my eyes in my head.

"Good" he smiled back "I would recommend Shakespeare, I know you love his work."

He was right, but that's not what I wanted to do with my time. Every book play or poem I would want to read will fail to distract my thoughts.

"Could you stay with me awhile?" the words came rolling off my tongue straight from feeling rather than thought.

Charles's brows furred together looking a bit confused and concerned in the same moment. I suppose he was never use to me saying things without thinking first. Not just that, but I never prefer the company of others. Even him, my own brother.

"You must be troubled" He stated, my eyes kept to his and his turned soft as he spoke "You shouldn't be, Sophia" He pulled back the door closing it silently. Charles never really uses my name, he must be trying to be serious.

I broke our eye contact, crossing my arms "I'm not troubled by what you think" I leaned back against the wall. "I'm just..."

"Annoyed" He finished.

"Yes" I confirmed.

"Jonathan"

"Well besides Alexandria"

"Agreed, but"

"Yes?"

"I'm afraid neither can be helped"

I looked to him again with a look of shock "What do you mean by that?" It soon began to sink in.

One of Charles's hand found the knob of the library door again and took my hand with the other, pulling me inside before shutting it behind us.

But before he could even begin to say what I had already knew. "Why?!" I demanded, one hand began clenching into a fist as my other hand lifted to over my eyes.

"Sophia" He reached out to me, but I slapped him hand away harshly. I don't want comfort.

"Please answer me" My voice was rough as my emotions leaned to anger. The realization stung me entirely.

It couldn't be so, I would never accept such a fate. It all set in so fast. He gave it to me straight.

"It had been arranged for months, I only found out a week ago." He stepped closer to me. "I had meant to tell you sooner, but I wanted you to be at peace without knowing for a while longer." He continued

"I knew I had to tell you today when I saw your manner this morning. You were already suspicious and weary." He paused as he reached me.

"I thought you'd should know since he will be spending a great deal of time here and eventually..." I cut him off there.

"Propose" I finished his sentence with a bitter taste in my mouth. "Becoming his wife on fathers command"

The weight of reality had began to weigh upon my body hard making it difficult to stand there any longer, so I let myself drop to my knees. I wanted to feel the pain of my knees hitting the floor, but Charles caught me before the impact and set me to the floor gently as he knelled in front of me keeping his hands on the sides of my arms.

"Just like that"

"I'm sorry"

"You are not at fault"

He stared at me with pity. We stayed still like this for a while.

Charles still hadn't answered my question.

Why?

My ears could only catch the words that I knew he'd use, the rest lost and mute. And so it was as he began.

He said sorry more times than I could count. Pleading with me to see the brighter side of the situation. Proceeded to tell me how Jonathan wasn't that bad of a man. Told me how it was the way of things and there was to be no other way.

I felt sick.

I honestly appreciated that he had told me, I truly did. Although the fact still remain. They all knew. All of them were lying. Keeping me in the dark. Father, Mother, Henry, Him. Alexandria excluded.

Father... Mother, why couldn't they have just been honest. Told me from the start. I may have taken it better. May have.

Months I repeated in my head like it was the only word I knew.

Time was never a friend.

It wasn't long after that, Charles and I parted, I found myself in my room again. I lay in my bed silent. Somehow I was eventually covered by blankets and my shoes taken from my feet. Curtains closed and candles lit. I could only assume Charles did the favor of telling everyone that I had fallen very ill. Thanks I guess.

The softness of my blankets wrapped me in some sort of comfort. I clenched them tightly, fearing they'd be ripped away. They were all I could grasp. The only thing within my power to reach. A lump in my throat began to form and my body soon began to clench. My eyes shut tightly and I buried my face into the pillows.

My life is this. It has no meaning.

The thoughts which have always plagued my mind surfaced and became truer than before.

"Talk about dramatic" The words that broke the silence. Alexandria

She had slipped into my bed without much of a sound, finding herself under the covers with me. I could feel her getting closer. Then nothing but a gentle hand reached to me and placed itself over my head rubbing it slowly.

It was a foreign feeling now. One that had been lost. It never was so now, but was always then. When we were children young and free the two of us close.

It felt nice.

But why?

"You must be thinking why?" Her voice was low and sweet. Not at all how I'm use to it being. She was a different person when she was kind.

My head turned out of fluffy suffocation to look at her, and she had her head next to mine, laying beside me in a similar fashion I had been. Her eyes soft and blue.

"It was always waiting for us." Her hand stopped, slipping down to my cheek. "It's the way things have always been for us"

I know

My hand soon found itself upon hers and I clenched it very tight. I stared at her as she stared at me and it remained silent for a few moments.

We hadn't been kind to each other like this in such a long time, I didn't question why she was being this way now. I knew, so I acted on it. Hesitantly I moved closer to her and pulled myself into her arms, holding her tightly as she held me.

"You are to me as I am to you"

Loved

"And you have no need to worry any longer, it has all been taken care of sweet sister"

I became puzzled hearing her words, I was to caught up in the comfort her arms for my body to react. I stayed still and just listened.

"He will be mine"

Thanks for reading, Chapter 3 is started. Currently writing now. I plan to finish it soon. So yeah :) Progresssssssssss