Chapter 20

The ride from the train to the estate took awhile so I slept on the way. Lavi slept as well since he was tired from the train ride too. The ride ended after half an hour.

I woke up and saw that Lavi was still asleep. I woke him up and got down first before he did.

"Welcome home, Alyce," said my brother, Ernest who was standing outside the carriage when I got down. He took my hand then kissed it. "I hope you are well."

"I am doing well, dear brother. I missed you so much," I hugged him after saying that.

"Is that really you, dear sister? I didn't think you would be all that happy to see me."

"I am happy to see. Why shouldn't I? We haven't seen each other for years."

"I guess forgetting made you that way."

"Alyce, that's your brother?"

"Yes. Let me introduce you then. Ernest, this is Lavi. I work with him. And Lavi, this is Ernest, my older brother. He is the successor to father's fortune."

"Nice to meet you, Lavi."

"Nice to meet you as well."

.

*Lavi's point of view

We arrived at the estate then I met her brother. He seemed nice and polite but there was something about him that I didn't like.

I was showed to a room by a cute maid older than me by a few years. After that, Alyce came inside and told me to get ready for the lessons.

We started with a few books on etiquette. I easily memorized it but application was different. It took a few days before I finally managed to not get a mistake with etiquette. After that we started with the dance lessons.

"Place your arm there then hold me here," said Alyce as she directed his arms and placed it where it should be.

They danced but then stopped. Alyce removed my bandanna then placed it on the nearest table.

"You look much better with your hair down."

"You've said that before."

"I did?"

"That's the second time."

"But why do I feel like I've said it for the third or fourth time?"

"I don't know but you might have met someone whom you told that too."

"Probably. Now let's get back to the lessons."

"Would you like to have this dance, my lady?" said Lavi as he offered to take her hand.

"With pleasure, my lord," said Alyce as she took his hand then they danced.

At the end of the week, I managed not to make a mistake with the steps and I've progressed well with other things.

We were in the study, passing time since we've finished early. I was bored with doing nothing and decided to practice.

"Would you like to have this dance, my lady?" said Lavi as he offered to take her hand.

She gave a soft laugh then said, "But there is no music, my lord. How are we to dance without music?"

"There is music, my pretty lady. There always is. You just need to listen for it."

"I'll gladly dance with you then, my lord but do so kindly to direct me to the right steps for I still cannot hear it. And kindly just call me Alyce," said Alyce as she took his offer then they danced.

"But a pretty lady deserves to be called pretty."

"Stop that."

"Anything to please you."

…

'Put your hair down, it's better that way.'

'Anything to please the beautiful lady before me.'

…

'You are so silly, Tyki. How can we dance if there is no music?'

'There always is, my beautiful lady. You just need to look for it and listen.'

…

'Have I not told you to just call me Alyce?'

'You are such a beautiful lady. I just felt like giving the compliment.'

…

Why are they so similar? Yet they are not the same person.

Alyce stopped with a frown and then sat down on the chair with a confused look on her face.

"What's wrong, Alyce?"

"Nothing, Lavi."

"You're lying."

"It feels so weird. Why do I remember someone so similar to you? The events are so similar too ... I'm sorry. It's nothing, forget what I said. I'll go back to my room. We can resume the lessons tomorrow," said Alyce as she got up from the chair then went to her room.

Who did Alyce talk about that was similar to me? She seemed so sad and confused remembering it. Was it part of her past that she didn't want to recall? But who was it? She didn't mention names but she seemed to know him well and would not dare mention his name. I want to know yet what place do I have to ask her? I've only known her for a few months yet why am I feeling so bothered about it? Why am I so concerned for her when I shouldn't be? She is just ink on paper and nothing more. I'm just playing a part, nothing is real.