Spring 27

I heard a gentle tapping sound as I groaned, looking over towards my clock. I closed my eyes before shooting them open again. It was already noon? I tried to get out of bed, however my limbs decided to get tangled in my blankets as I landed on the floor with a thump. My bedroom door swung open as Cecilia rushed in.

"Miss Rosalind! Are you okay?" She asked worriedly. I blushed as she helped me off of the floor.

"Ah, ye-yes, Cecilia! I'm fine! I just didn't sleep very well last night." I admitted.

"Oh? Is the lamp grass not working?" My eyes widened as I felt my heart thump out of my chest. I was having trouble sleeping over my worry about Jack! But since he was fine.

"Ah! J-Jack!" I straightened my back, he blushed fiercely. His eyes gazed to the side.

"Ah, how about I let you get dressed and I'll meet you downstairs?" He began walking away flustered, I blinked a few times in confusion before looking down; realizing I was in my nightclothes and I wasn't wearing a bra. My face became red hot.

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed flustered, covering my cheeks with my hands. Cecilia became nervous.

"I am so sorry, Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia began, "I had no idea you were still asleep."

"Ah, n-no, no! It's no problem, Cecilia! I'll just get dressed and never show my face around Jack again." I said in defeat.

"Don't be ridiculous, Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia snapped, "I know how happy Jack makes you! I can see it in your eyes! Ever since he's moved here, you've changed for the better! You're more ecstatic! Your face makes such a glow every time you see him! And when he comes to the manor, he's always so depressed looking when I tell him you're out somewhere, and his face beams when he sees you." I blushed, my heart began to thump.

"R-really?" I asked as Cecilia nodded.

"Make sure you let him know before it's too late." I looked to the side, pushing my hair back flustered.

"Anyway, I'm going to let you get dressed. Don't keep him waiting." Cecilia teased, leaving my bedroom and closing the door behind her. I rushed to my wardrobe, trying to pick out a nice outfit! I wanted to impress him by standing out, but be subtle at the same time!

I eventually picked out a red fishtail midi dress, accessorizing it with a pale blue denim jacket. I strapped on my worn heels, groaning slightly. The heel part of the left shoe was starting to detach.

I slowly made my way down the staircase, trying to keep the heel attached for a little while longer.

"Hello, my darling Rosalind!" Father bellowed out, "Jack is in the dining hall! He says he has something for you!" I blushed, imagining him presenting me with the bouquet of 100 geschule roses like the knight from my fairytale! But…then again, it was way too soon. I would just have to keep on dreaming until the time was right!

I entered the dining hall as Jack looked up from his glass. Cecilia had apparently offered him a drink.

"Hi, Rosalind!" He exclaimed, slightly blushing, "Your dress looks really nice today!"

"Oh? Thank you, Jack!" I blushed, "My father said you have something for me?"

"I do!" He exclaimed, placing his rucksack on the table pulling something out. "Here's the small fleece you wanted!" I gasped in delight.

"Thank you very much! This is perfect! Now that I have it." I took the fleece from Jack's strong hands.

"Rosalind, if I may ask, what are you going to use the small fleece for?" I blushed slightly.

"I think it's okay to tell you." I blushed, "And uh, this is embarrassing to say, but I'm the shortest person in my family." My cheeks reddened. "And I've been wearing high heels to appear taller than I actually am."

"And you kept that a secret?" Jack asked, placing his hand to his chin. "Actually, now that you've said that I do realize you look a little taller than when I saw you in your bedroom!" I blushed.

"Anyway!" I said, trying to forget that Jack saw me in my nightclothes, "As you can see, my shoes are getting quite worn out." I stuck my left ankle out, allowing Jack to notice the detaching heel.

"And because my shoes are almost ready to fall apart, I've been trying to find a replacement! Unfortunately, this style of heels is no longer being produced. And it seemed like I would never be able to find another pair." I sighed.

"So, I asked Byron to use his connections to find a collector, willing to part with one of her pairs!" I noticed Jack nodding as if saying, I'm listening.

"But the one collector who was willing to part with her pair, was asking for a ridiculously high price!"

"I see." Jack said, "But what does that have to do with the fleece?" I smiled.

"If I could get my hands on the right materials, I could repair them myself!"

"You could?" Jack asked bewildered as I giggled.

"I'm actually very skilled in sewing and craftsmanship! And I knew that if I put requests for the materials on the bulletin board-…"

"That I would be happy to lend a hand!" Jack exclaimed.

"That's correct! I knew I'd be able to repair my shoes with your help!"

"But what happened with the collector you contacted?" Jack asked in concern.

"I had already sent her a letter, turning down her offer. Thankfully, she was understanding and accepted my sudden cancellation without any objection."

"Oh! Was that the secret document you had me deliver to Byron?" Jack asked.

"Yes, it was!" I exclaimed, as Jack gave a curious look.

"But why are you only interested in that style of heels? And how old are they if they don't make them anymore?" I blushed.

"The heels I'm wearing now, they actually belonged to my mother. My father gifted them to me on my fifteenth birthday! I was never going to throw these away to begin with, they mean a lot to me! But, I guess, I just want something that reminds me of her."

"Oh? Whatever happened to your mother?" Jack asked curiously as I looked down in sadness.

"She passed away from illness when I was about six."

"Oh, I-I'm so sorry, Rosalind!" Jack exclaimed nervously as I looked into his eyes, smiling.

"Don't be. Being able to talk about her again feels nice! You know, she was actually the mayor of Alvarna until her passing!"

"Oh? And then did Byron take over?" He asked as I giggled.

"Not quite. Byron didn't move here until I was fourteen. So, believe it or not, our town didn't have a mayor for almost nine years!"

"Byron's not from here?" Jack asked in surprise. "Where is he from then?"

"Ah, actually, no one knows where Byron and Barrett are from! They just arrived one day and started a life in Alvarna! Similar to you!"

"I'm glad the people in this town are friendly!" Jack exclaimed.

"Me too." I said.

"Anyway, I have a bit of field work to take care of. I'll talk to you later, Rosalind!" He started heading towards the door to leave the dining hall.

"Oh, Jack?" I asked as he stopped in his tracks.

"Yes, Rosalind?" he turned to face me as I grabbed his face, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you." I said softly with blushed cheeks. Jack's face was also flushed and his eyes were wide. His face changed to a more calm demeanor and he made the most handsome smile.

"You're welcome, Rosalind." He said gently, "I'll see you later." And with that he left the manor. I placed my fist over my chest, where my heart was thumping happily.