Fall 7
The noon sunlight illuminated into my room as the light, crisp autumn breeze caused some red and orange leaves to tap against my window in a rhythmic melody. I looked over at the two dresses father had bought for me to pick and wear for our dinner tonight. The dinner where Oswald was supposed to propose to me. I sighed as I hoped deeply that the capital's prison guards would arrive on time.
"Rosalind?" I heard my brother ask as his knuckles lightly tapped the door.
"Yes? Come in!" I exclaimed as Max entered my room with a huge smile on his face.
"Good news, Rosalind!" He exclaimed, holding an opened envelope. "The captain has responded and…well, I think you should read it!" He gave me the envelope as I scanned the letter, my eyes sparkled in delight as my face beamed.
"This is wonderful news! I'll let Cecilia know to keep an eye out for the guards this evening." I was so happy, however, there was something I couldn't understand.
"Max? How were you able to get this letter without our father noticing?" Max gave a cheeky smile.
"When I delivered the letter to Byron yesterday; I asked him to have Barrett deliver the response to me, that way, our father wouldn't suspect."
"Oh, that was actually very clever." I replied before looking down. "I just wish we could have let father know about the situation sooner…"
"Well, you know how father is…he's always wrapped up in his own world. I just hope he sees how much you and Jack love each other when you tell him about the two of you." Max said, leaning against my door frame.
"Or…I suppose I should say the three of you." Max corrected himself as I giggled.
"I just hope father won't be too mad." I sighed with worry.
"He probably will be at first, but I'm sure once he sees your love he'll easily give Jack permission to court you." I smiled at my brother. It was silent for a moment before I walked over to my dresses, holding them up with each hand.
"Tell me, Max, which dress screams vengeance?" I asked as Max placed his hand to his chin.
"The red-violet one, definitely!" He exclaimed as I smiled.
"And I can easily hide my belly with that light viking blue sweater if I need to!"
"Excellent! Well, I'll leave you to dress and do whatever else you need to do!" Max exclaimed, leaving my room and closing the door behind him.
I trailed down the stairs in my new dress as my father looked up and smiled.
"Ah! That dress suits you wonderfully, Rosalind! And I do looooove the accent of the sweater!" Father exclaimed as I smiled.
"Thank you, father." I said
"Are you excited for tonight?" Father asked as I nodded.
"More so than you know! Oh, by the way, Cecilia, may I borrow you momentarily? I'd like your opinion on which hair ornament I should use!"
"Of course, Miss! Lead the way!"
I shut the door of my bedroom behind me, turning to face Cecilia.
"I assume you have a plan of some sorts?" She asked as I nodded, handing her the letter from the captain.
"The plan is for you to keep an eye out for the guards and let them in quietly. Make sure they don't knock on the door, I don't want father to overhear their arrival. And, have them wait outside of the dining hall. They should arrive around our meal…when we finish and you come to collect our plates, give me a wink to signify they're here." Ceci nodded as I continued.
"I'm going to pressure Oswald to confess. If he does, the guards will make their entrance, if he doesn't confess causing a big scene…the guards will also enter, either way he'll be punished for his crimes. The guards will know what to do at their arrival, you just have to let them in and have them wait in front of the dining hall's entrance."
"I will keep an eye out for them!" Ceci exclaimed confidently before looking me in the eye.
"Also, thank you, Miss. I believe Mana will be able to sleep comfortably as soon as the arrest is made…and I know you're probably furious at me for telling Mana and Alicia. I was hoping Mana would be more compassionate about the situation, because well…" Ceci paused, looking down.
"And I know she really likes Jack too. She couldn't stop talking about him the day he came to town. I can comprehend her feelings…the feeling of loving someone but they stop loving you back, or maybe they never loved you to begin with." Ceci's eyes began to fill with tears as she wiped them with her apron.
"Ceci…" I began, embracing her.
"There was a boy with whom I used to play with when I was younger. I think he might have had a huge crush on me and I liked him back too. When I was a teenager, I traveled to Trampoli to learn the ropes of being a maid, and while I was gone…a girl moved into town…and…" She began to sob as I tightened my embrace, understanding what happened.
"You're a wonderful woman, Ceci…anyone would be lucky to have you. Life just sometimes likes to throw obstacles at us to prepare us for something better up ahead." I said with compassion as Ceci broke the embrace with a smile on her face.
"You really are a wise woman, Miss Rosalind. Now, would you like me to fix your hair?" She asked as I nodded, sitting at my vanity, handing her a few mint green ornaments.
"Use whichever ones you see fit!" I exclaimed as Ceci began to brush my hair. It was silent for a moment.
"I think Mana should leave Alvarna." Ceci said as my eyes widened.
"W-what? But I thought Mana was your friend, Ceci!" I exclaimed in horror as I saw Ceci smile in the mirror.
"She is…and that's why I think she should leave. I think she would be much happier somewhere else. I know I haven't been in this town for very long, so I don't know how true this is, but she told me that she has always wanted to be a teacher, ever since she was a little girl."
"Oh? She still wants to do that?" I asked as Ceci nodded.
"She does! I know when she became pregnant with Matthew that dream became bigger. Even though he was conceived through assault, she loved that little boy. And when he was born…" Ceci looked down in sorrow.
"Not only was that dream shattered but her whole world as well. So, maybe if she moves to a larger city, she can find happiness again. Since, I know there are schools in the city."
"That makes sense. And I doubt Alvarna will ever have a school. It would take a miracle for one to be built here." I said as Ceci giggled.
"I suppose…but, you know what they say? Never say never!" It was silent for another moment.
"Finished! What do you think, Miss?" Ceci asked as I looked at myself in the mirror with awe.
"I love it, Ceci! It's simple, yet elegant!" I exclaimed.
"I can see why Jack loves you. You're not only physically beautiful, but you're also very smart and your personality is striking. The baby is lucky to have you and Jack as parents!" She said as I blushed, she began to walk out of my room, but stopped midway.
"Oh, by the way! Whenever you tell your father and whenever you find the time, Alicia wants to offer you a gender prediction." Ceci announced.
"Oh? Yes, I'll get in touch with her soon then!" I exclaimed happily as Ceci gave a curtsy, leaving my room. I looked at my appearance in the mirror again. It was almost time.
I entered the dining hall with my family and the Beauregards chatting about something, my father looked up with a beaming smile.
"There you are, Rosalind! I was afraid you had gotten cold feet!" Father exclaimed as I giggled.
"No, I just wanted to make sure I looked perfect for tonight!" I exclaimed as Calvin gave his hand a clap.
"This is going along nicely! Shall we eat first? And then we can put into effect step one of our union!" Calvin exclaimed enthusiastically as my father nodded.
"Yes, let's enjoy this delicious meal! We can also discuss plans for the union after the first step is taken." Father said as we all began to eat. This is going along very well, and no one suspects a thing. I gently tapped the photograph that was tucked away in the pocket of my sweater.
We had finished our meal as Ceci entered, picking my plate up first. She gave me a wink as I nodded subtly.
"Ah, that was wonderful! Now, let's get to the important part! Oswald, sweetie!" Cindy exclaimed as Oswald nodded, lifting himself from his seat, making his way towards me. He got down on one knee, presenting me with a very nice and expensive looking ring.
"Rosalind Lenore de Sainte-Coquille…will you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming Mrs. Rosalind Lenore Beauregard?" Oswald asked as I gave a sincere smile.
"Hmm…I don't think I should marry you." I said, taking the photo of Matthew out of my pocket, placing it on the table. Everyone's eyes widened.
"I-is that…Matthew?" Father asked in shock as I nodded.
"So, tell me Oswald…how does it feel knowing you ruined the life of a young girl!" I exclaimed as Oswald sniffed in annoyance.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about." He said, rather nervously, crossing his arms.
"Oh, really?" I asked, my eyes darting over towards his parents who were looking at Matthew's photo in shock.
"Really!" He exclaimed, "I-it's just a coincidence that that baby looks like me!"
"So…Mana's behavior at the general store was just an act?" I asked as Oswald nodded.
"Of course it was! W-why would I do something like that with a commoner? And why would I t-tarnish my family name?" He asked as I placed my hand on my chin. A smirk came across my face. His mind was getting weaker…and I knew just how to make him confess.
"Okay, one more question, Oswald..." I began as he nodded, "On our outing the other day, you said the pond should have been closed down for being dirty? Why would you even suggest that?" I asked.
"Because that's where I had my way with that who-!" Oswald stopped, covering his mouth with his hands. The door to the dining room swung open as the guards entered.
"Y-you bitch!" Oswald exclaimed, knowing what was to come as a couple of guards grabbed his arms. "I could have given you everything!" I crossed my arms and smirked confidently. My father gave a look of disgust and fear.
"Get him out of my sight!" Father commanded.
"You heard Mr. de Sainte-Coquille! Let's get this creep out of here!" One of the guards exclaimed as they began to push Oswald towards the door. Oswald began to struggle in their grasp.
"Father!" Oswald exclaimed as Calvin looked away from his son in disgust, Oswald's eyes widened in horror.
"M-mother?" Oswald asked a little more softly as Cindy just looked at her son in shame, tears streaming down her face. Oswald gave up as the guards pushed him out of the manor.
The last hour of the Beauregard's stay was awkward. Calvin and Cindy thanked us for our hospitality and apologized profusely. Though their son's actions wasn't their fault, I could tell they were embarrassed.
They left as soon as their carriage arrived. They never asked a thing about Matthew nor Mana, though, I think they were still in such shock.
Father, Max, and I watched the carriage depart as father pulled me into him. He was shaking. I looked up at him crying.
"F-father?" I asked worriedly.
"I am so sorry, Rosalind! Your safety is more important to me than anything! I can't believe I never noticed the similarities between Matthew and Oswald." He embraced me tighter.
"We'll find someone for you someday." He said as I blushed. I should probably tell him about Jack and the baby, but now probably wasn't the right time.
Night had befallen us as I looked at my reflection in the vanity's mirror. A knock from my door echoed my room.
"Rosalind?" Max asked as I smiled.
"Oh! Come in, Max!" I exclaimed as he walked in with a huge smile.
"You did well, little sister!" He praised as I smiled. "However, why didn't you tell father about Jack?"
"Ah, I don't think he would have handled that very well at that moment. Considering with what just happened." I said as Max nodded in understanding.
"Well, try not to put it off for too much longer. As you know, father has many ties." Max warned as I nodded.
"I'll try to bring it up tomorrow." I said as Max nodded, heading out of my room.
"Good night, Rosalind. And good night to my soon-to-be nephew or niece." He said giddy-like as I smiled.
"Good night, Max." I giggled as he shut the door behind him.
I looked down at my belly that was slightly bulging in worry. I still haven't felt it move. Shouldn't I have felt it by now? Maybe as soon as I tell father about Jack I'll get checked out by Natalie.