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 had another idea to get tangled up in my blankets, causing me to land on the floor with a thump. My bedroom door swung open with Cecilia rushing in to aid me.
"Miss Rosalind! Are you alright?" She asked worriedly. I sensed my cheeks becoming pink as she helped me off the floor.
"Ah, ye-yes, thank you, Cecilia! I'm fine! I didn't sleep very well last night." I admitted in a fluster.
"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 because of my latest and dangerous request that I had for Jack! I needed him to gather a small fleece from a wooly. The monster that only comes out at night. But thankfully, Jack seems to be fine! He's strong; I shouldn't have worried! But still...if something had happened to him, it would be my fault! I would have lost the man I've fallen for.
I shouldn't think like that! Jack is fine!
"Ah! Hello, Jack!" I exclaimed, straightening my back; his face turned a fierce shade of red as his eyes gazed to the side.
"Uhm, 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 still in my nightclothes and I wasn't wearing my corset! 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 that 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 muttered in defeat.
"Don't be ridiculous, Miss Rosalind!" Cecilia snapped; her stern eyes looked into mine.
"I know how happy Jack makes you! I can see it in your eyes! Ever since he's moved here, not only has the town gotten better, you've changed for the better as well, Miss! 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 whenever he sees you." I blushed, and my heart began to race in excitement.
"R-really?" I asked as Cecilia nodded.
"Make sure you let him know before it's too late, Miss." She told me harshly. I looked to the side, pushing my hair back in a fluster.
"Anyway, I'm going to let you get dressed. Do you need help with your corset, Miss?" I shook my head.
"No, thank you, Cecilia. I think I can manage." Cecilia nodded her head once, giving me a curtsy and walking towards my bedroom door's frame. She turned her head towards me and gave me a playful wink.
"Don't keep him waiting, Miss." 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 being 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 left my bedroom andslowly made my way down the staircase, trying to keep the heel attached for a little while longer.
"Hellooooo, 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 for him to be giving me that. He was definitely just going to give me my requested item. I would just have to keep on dreaming until the time was right!
"Thank you, father. I'll go meet with him." I entered the dining hall as Jack looked up from his glass. It seemed that Cecilia had offered him a drink.
"Hi, Rosalind!" He exclaimed, his cheeks turning pink in color. "Your dress looks nice today!"
"Oh? Thank you, Jack!" I blushed. "My father said you have something for me. I assume it's my requested item?"
"Sure is!" He exclaimed, placing his rucksack on the table and 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. That magical surge that I felt when Jack gave me the lamp grass came back when our fingers touched again. I wanted to touch his hands again to feel that feeling more. But I resisted. No need to make him uncomfortable.
"Rosalind?" He began, snapping me from my thoughts. "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 said, feeling the heat rise to my face. "And uh, this is embarrassing to say, but I'm the shortest person in my family, and I've been wearing high heels to appear taller than I actually am." The heat on my face became so hot that I was sure water would evaporate if it hit my face.
"And you kept it a secret?" Jack asked, placing his hand on 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 moments before. "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 heel 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 their 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, furrowing his brows in confusion. "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.
"Not only am I talented in science, I'm also 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.
"Exactly! 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 me a curious look.
"But why are you only interested in that style of heel? And how old are they if they don't make them anymore?" I blushed.
"The heels I'm wearing now once belonged to my mother. My father passed them to me on my birthday when I was a teenager! I was never going to throw these away to begin with; they mean a lot to me! But, I guess, I want to keep 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 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 thirteen or fourteen. So, believe it or not, our town didn't have a mayor for about seven years!"
"Byron's not from here?" Jack asked in surprise. "Where is he from then?"
"Ah, they're from the Republic of Eucraft! They arrived one day after a fire destroyed their home and started a life here in Alvarna! Similar to you!"
"Oh? Well, I'm glad the people in this town are friendly!" Jack exclaimed.
"Me too." I said.
"Anyway, I have a bit of fieldwork 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, kissing him 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.
"Yes, I'll see you later, Jack." I softly said in a small whisper.