It wouldn't be too long before I get to meet this supposedly great Alexander Wallace. We had gone up the grand staircase with painted white railings, finished with a gold accent. The place looked like it was from a story book with the white and gold almost everywhere, it was enchanting. I followed the servant's way to the place we were meeting. Johannes was closely by my side while we followed the two.
"May I ask which part of the house we are going to meet?" I ask. One of the servants looked at me while the other one continued walking forward.
"Why, the guest bedroom of course!"
"Why the guest bedroom? What about a spacious room such as a living room?" I looked at the servant suspiciously.
"You'll see Madam." The servant pointed ahead. Alexander was leaning on the wall near the guest room door holding a rose near his lips. He stood up and moved himself off the wall, waiting for us to come to him. He had silky blondish-brown hair to his neck with bangs on one side, styled to give him a sexy, yet handsome image. He also had a tall figure, unique lavender-bluish eyes, and a great taste in clothing. By his looks, I know that I need to be cautious and find out what kind of man this is.
"My, my, if it isn't the young Madam who told off my lovely godfather at the ball!" Alexander graciously bowed before me. My face cringed. So he witnessed that event at that time. What a great first impression he is giving me right now.
I smiled back, putting one of my hands in a fist to restrain myself from violence. He placed the rose in his breast pocket very gently and took my hand that was in a fist, opening my hand and slowly locking his fingers in with mine. His other hand held my waist, pulling me close to his chest. Nothing came out of my mouth since it happened so suddenly.
"H-hey!" Johannes said, coming to grab me out of his grasp. I gasped as Alexander pulled me away to dodge Johannes reach, my back touching the wall now.
"Now, now." He looked Johannes then down at me. "I was only teasing." I looked at him with an uncertain expression. "Shall we begin our meeting, Miss Midford?"
He let go of me and I responded. "Yes, we shall."
Alexander smiled at me and was opening the door while Johannes came up behind me and whispered. "Are you okay? It seems that his behaviour is taken from the Viscount."
"I can tell." I whisper back.
The servants came behind Johannes and I and both held one of Johannes' shoulders. One of the servants spoke. "Sir, let us leave our masters to themselves for awhile. Would you care for some tea?"
"W-what? But I'm always with Isabelle in case something happens." He replied looking back at the two. I turned around as well to see the conversation.
"I assure you our master will not do anything outrageous to dear Isabelle." The other servant replied. Johannes looked at me with a worried expression.
"It's okay Johannes, if anything I'll just be myself." I grinned.
Johannes sighed. "But Isabelle, you are a lady. Remember that."
"Yes. I understand." I replied.
Someone grabbed my hand from behind. I jumped in shock. I turned around to see Alexander.
"Shall we start?" Alexander said, I wonder if he heard the conversation. I looked back at Johannes and waved to him with my free hand. I nodded my head to Alexander and he walked me in the room, still holding my hand. The guest room was nothing like a guest room. It looked more like a lounge than a room. There's a coffee table, couches, chess table, oh. There's a bed, so it is a bedroom.
"Surprised?" Alexander asked as he brought my hand to his lips. I'm glad Sebastian added gloves with this outfit so that I don't need to feel his lips. I wonder how Sebastian is at the moment. I haven't thought about him at all since I arrived here. But since when do I think about him?
"Yes, at first I thought it was a lounge until I spotted the bed." I replied.
"Is that so? Well I guess it does give off that impression." Alexander led me to the couches and sat beside me. He let go of my hand and put his arm on my waist.
"Alexander-san..." I said awkwardly, feeling irritated. "You're being a bit too familiar with me."
"Call me Alex, and I'll call you Isabelle." He looked at me and lifted my chin with his other arm. "Don't worry this is the most I'll do."
He isn't going to kiss me now is he? I thought. My face was beginning to turn red because his face was close. He took his hand off my chin and laughed. "You're interesting."
"How?" I asked. What did I do that fascinated him so much?
"Normally, women would expect me to kiss them and have their eyes closed ready for it and yet you just looked at me." He explained to me in a casual manner. If he's speaking casual and himself, it should be alright to speak in the same manner too.
"Really. What's so interesting about that? You wouldn't kiss a person you met just now would you?" I replied.
"I would." He looked at me with a straight face. I took his arm that was on my waist and placed it on his lap.
"You disgust me already." I stood up and headed for the door. Alex grabbed my wrist.
"Hey Isabelle, you didn't let me finish."
"Are you just saying that to make your truth sound fake by adding "Unless it's you~" crap?" I replied, annoyed by this conversation. So many men I've been introduced to all do the same thing. It's become noticeable for me now.
Alex looked at me, shocked by my language. He gave a mischievous smile. "You really are interesting."
"Let go of my wrist you pervert." I demanded. Alex let go without saying a word. He stood up. I looked at him, pissed off by his existence.
"Looks like being myself gets to your heart better doesn't it?" He said. Alex bowed in front of me. "I'm sorry. I assumed you would have been those women who are easy to capture. But Isabelle, you are now a new challenge I have yet to overcome."
"Oh really. Thanks for the compliment." I boasted, crossing my arms. My pride started getting to me. One of the bad habits of mine.
"You know...I'm surprised we are to marry under no exceptions." Alexander smiled, holding my shoulders. "But I'm satisfied. At least I'm marrying such a beautiful, unique woman like you."
"What do you mean? No exceptions? What are you talking about?" I asked, shocked to hear this.
"You didn't know? That's odd. I thought your parents told you beforehand." He looked at me, surprised.
"Those bastards!" I shouted. "No wonder they went out today!"
"Isabelle," Alex held my chin again. He looked at me with a curious expression. "If I kissed you for every time you spoke unfeminine, would you stop?"
"I'm afraid that's impossible." I laughed, pulling his hand away from my face.
"Well, I guess my lips can keep you occupied then."
"Gross." I looked at him. Smooth, corny lines always disgusted me.
"Here." Alex said, changing the subject. He took the rose from his pocket and held it out to me. I took the rose, it was lavender, close to his eye colour, and felt something cold touching my hand. I looked down and saw a silver ring.
"I don't have a ring for you though." I said.
"Because I already have it." He smiled showing me his left hand.
"Since when?" I asked. I never recall buying a ring unless my... I glared at him.
"My parents right?" I said. He nodded. I sighed. I took the ring off the rose's stem and began to place it on my left hand.
"Let me do it." He said, taking the ring from my right hand. He bent down on one knee and took my left hand, sliding the ring on my ring finger. He looked up to me and smiled. I couldn't help but think of Sebastian whenever you ask him for a request. He would always go down on one knee and smile at you, gladly accepting the task.
"That's interesting. You're blushing." Alex stood up once again.
"N-no, I was just..." I looked away. I can't possibly tell him I was thinking of Sebastian. "...Embarrassed. Since this is the first time someone put a ring on me."
Actually, Johannes was the first one to put a ring on me in that matter. As a child, he gave me a promise ring to promise his duty as a butler and to teach me about men so I would know how to act in case he wasn't there to protect me.
"When a guy does this," Johannes said one day while we were in the garden having snacks. He was going on one knee and placing a ring on my ring finger. It was a silver ring with a silver designed flower on the top. He looked up at me and smiled. "It means he is proposing to you and wants you to be his wife."
"You want to me to be your wife, Johannes?" My eyes widened with curiosity. I was 10 at the time.
"N-no Isabelle!" Johannes was flustered; his face became deep red in seconds. "I'm your butler. This is my promise ring. I promise to be the best butler you can ever have and make you know so much about men that you'll never be in trouble."
"It's pretty," I stared at the ring with amazement. "Will the promise break if the ring breaks too then?"
"W-well..." Johannes laughed awkwardly. "You aren't thinking of breaking the ring are you? It's a promise between me and you. So only you can wear this ring." He tapped my nose. I flinched. Johannes let out a small laugh.
"Okay." I replied obediently. I hugged Johannes. "Thank you Johannes!"
Johannes replied. "N-n-no! Thank you! I mean, you're welcome!"
"Are you okay? Your face is red. Did you have too much tea? A fever?" I asked looking up at him. I let go of him. Johannes covered his mouth and mumbled.
"No, it's nothing." He looked away from me and stared at the scenery.
I waited for Alex to respond. He kept avoiding eye contact with me and started fidgeting.
"...Is that so?" Alex became a bit red in the face as well. "Well that was the first time placing a ring on a woman as well."
We both couldn't face each other at the moment. There was a knock on the door.
"Master." A voice said.
"Y-yes!?" Alex replied, startled by the sudden knock.
"It is time for Madam Isabelle to leave. Her chauffeur is waiting outside. It is also time for your next meeting in a bit."
"Oh, is it?" He said.
"What meeting are you going to?" I asked out of curiosity.
"W-well." He stuttered, unable to keep a straight face. "I have to meet the Viscount regarding some family matter."
"Really. Then I guess I'll take my leave first. Bye Alex." I smiled at him. I couldn't help but doubt him, as if he's hiding something. It was just an instinct, but I couldn't quite get it out of my mind.
"Bye Isabelle." Alex replied, blowing a kiss. The servant opened the door and I walked out. I heard running from across the hall.
"Isabelle!" Johannes cried out to me, running in the hall to come toward me. "Are you okay? Are you?"
"I'm fine. Let's go. There are some things I need to discuss with my parents." I looked at Johannes with suspicion. "...unless you knew beforehand as well and didn't tell me."
"Tell me in the carriage then." Johannes smiled, taking my hand and guiding me to the entrance of the Wallace household. The carriage was waiting outside for us.
"Don't tell me you waited here this whole time, Chauffeur-san!" I looked at the chauffeur. He never once told me his name because every time he would tell me, "I am not of great status to tell you my name young lady." So since then he's been Chauffeur-san to me.
He looked at me and smiled gently. "Of course not, Lady Isabelle, please don't concern yourself over me."
Johannes lightly pushed me, signalling me to go into the carriage and the carriage began to move a minute later.
"Susanna?" Alex asked the servant who was at the guest room. "What about her?"
"Master, did you not recall saying, "Once I capture the heart my fiancée, dear Susanna and I will have our special anniversary plans!" this morning?"
"I remember now but," Alex flopped himself on the couch and sighed. He dramatically placed one hand on his forehead and the other clenching his chest. "I've been in pain since Isabelle's presence has vanished. Am I sick?"
"No, Master. I believe you are experiencing true love." The servant sighed as if he was tired of his stupidity.
"How does one like you know?" Alex asked. "How can I replace this piercing feeling?"
"By being with her, Master. I once had true love that's why I know."
"William! Cancel today's plan with Susanna then! I will get Isabelle to help me."
"I'm afraid that's impossible, Master. You also told me "Under no circumstances, make sure you don't cancel this plan even if I say so." this morning as well." William sighed. "It's the mark of your first year anniversary with Susanna after all."
"I guess I'll have Susanna to get rid of this disgusting feeling then." Alex stood up. "You think what I'm wearing is alright for today?"
"It's fine. Though you still have some time on whether or not you want to change."
"I see." Alex looked on the table and noticed the rose he had given to Isabelle. He muttered to himself. "She must've left it while I put the ring on."
"Did you say something Master?" William asked.
"No nothing." Alex picked up the rose and put it in his pocket again, walking out of the room with William.
"So? What did you want to tell me Isabelle?" Johannes asked, sitting in front of me.
"Is it true that this marriage would continue on whether I liked it or not?" I asked.
"You have to marry him!? No exceptions?" He looked at me with disbelief.
"Apparently. Mother and father told him we had to. Plus he was already wearing the engagement ring. The one mother bought for the guy I would marry." I placed my right arm on the window sill and rested my head in my hands, looking out in the window. Johannes took my left hand and inspected the ring.
"It is indeed the one your mother bought," he said. "Is it engraved as well?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I didn't check since Alex put it on for me."
"Can I check then?" He asked.
"Sure."
He slowly slid off the ring off my finger, making sure my glove doesn't come off. He inspected the ring closely. He was shocked.
"It is the one your mother selected. "To my dearest Isabelle." It says." Johannes put the ring back on my finger gently.
I sighed. There's a lot of suspicion with Alexander Wallace though. So much I don't know yet so little information given. My eyes began to close from staring at the scenery too long and I took a nap, my hand acting as a pillow. It's a long ride after all. Johannes sat on my side and pulled me close to him, making my head rest on his shoulder. He watched the scenery as I slept peacefully.
Sebastian was in my dreams again. This wasn't the first time this dream repeated, in fact it has repeated ever since I met him. It's as if he's controlling my dreams. My face turned hot whenever I saw him, my mind would go blank, and my heart would race every time in this dream. He would come up to me slowly, hold my face in his hands and kiss me gently, then kiss me harder each time and eventually make his way in my mouth, exploring with his tongue. I would be weak to my senses and willingly give in to him, my body grabbing his for balance. He'd gently place me near something – on a bed, sitting on a table, leaning on a wall, or being held by his arms.
"Are you sure about this, Isabelle-san?" he would whisper in my ears, knowing I couldn't take anymore.
"Mmph." I mumbled out loud. I felt my head resting on something and grabbed whatever was resting my head, which took Johannes by surprised since I grabbed his arm tightly.
"Isabelle-san? Are you okay? Are you even awake?" Johannes asked my sleeping self, looking at me. I felt someone lightly shaking my shoulder and I slowly woke up.
"You can't change what happens once you do Isabelle-san." Sebastian let out a small laugh. His laugh made me weak to the knees and gave me chills of excitement.
I was sleeping on Johannes' shoulder and he sighed at me. "What got you so tired today? I'm positively sure you had enough hours of sleep today."
"I just felt tired, that's all." I replied, covering my mouth as I yawned.
"Welcome back, Isabelle-san." A voice said as Johannes and I got out of the carriage. I greeted the chauffeur goodbye and walked to the front of the mansion.
"Sebastian!? You're still here?" I asked aloud. He was in the front of the mansion welcoming me.
"Why yes, Isabelle-san. Elizabeth managed to convince Bocchan to sleep over for today while he still has a break from work."
I laughed. Only Lizzy is able to convince people to do things her way. "I see. So what are you going to do then?" I asked.
"My job." He smiled. I gave him a disappointed look.
"Well if you're not busy you can always hang with me. By the way, did my parents arrive yet?" I looked at Sebastian. His hair was slicked back and his fringes weren't there. "Actually, you already answered my question."
Sebastian continued smiling. I sighed and walked in the mansion heading toward my parents' bedroom. Johannes wasn't following, I didn't mind though.
"I see it's the work of Mrs. Midford." Johannes remarked to Sebastian laughing. He quickly took out a comb from his pocket and slicked his hair back as well.
"Yes. Mrs. Midford is quite the character. I can see where Isabelle-san gets her personality."
"I thought I was the only one who thought that." Johannes laughed. "Let's go inside, dinner needs to be prepared in a bit after all."
"I'll help assist if you don't mind." Sebastian said.
"Sure why not? The more the merrier." Johannes replied.