
Pace Island, February 1500.
The cold morning air made Elie wake up, she walked towards the window and opened it wide. The breeze made her hair fly around.
Elie lifted her head out. It was still quite dark outside and nobody was there.
"It seems like everyone is still asleep."
"I thought it was the right time to wake up." Elie shook her head.
He returns to bed, and fixes Sofia's blanket down. Sofia never sleeps well, there are always pillows or blankets that fall out of bed.
"Miss, how did you survive on Hades' ship?"
"I really can't imagine it.."
"Not a bit.."
Elie looked at Sofia who was still asleep. Her heart ached to see her young Miss lying in bed with a bullet wound to her stomach.
"Miss..."
"I'll take you home despite my opponent the Duke of Roseland." Mumbled Elie.
"But.."
"I'd better hear what he's saying so we can get home safely."
Elie stroked Sofia's messy hair.
Tok
Tok
Tok
With a knock on the door, Elie walked up to the door and opened it slowly.
Chris stood at the door awkwardly.
"Mh.."
"Miss Elie.."
"Yes.." Elie raised both eyebrows.
"I'm Chris.."
"Madam Joy's servant.."
"Breakfast will be ready in an hour."
"Ah, I brought two dresses for you and Lady Esme."
Elie looked at Chris for a moment, then she smiled.
"Thank you.."
"I'll bring the dress."
Elie took the dress in Chris' hand quickly, then closed the door again.
CLACKS
Chris scratched his non-itchy head, He was surprised Elie just closed the door.
Hmm
Feeling that his task has been completed, Chris returns to the main Mansion.
Elie hangs 2 dresses given by Chris. One dress is maroon and the other is peach. The dress was very pretty with a few pearls adorning her neck. Elie had never worn this fancy dress before.
"The material is so good, will I be fit to wear this dress?"
"Of course Elie.."
Elie was surprised and looked back, as if Sofia had woken up and was sitting in bed.
"Geez, Miss, you're embarrassing me." Elie covered her whole face.
"You're pretty using whatever Elie..." Sofia smiled sincerely.
Elie walked towards her and hugged her young Miss slowly.
"Did I wake you up?"
"No, no..." Sofia shook her head.
"Thank God.."
"Miss.."
"I still can't believe I'm seeing you again.." The corner of Elie's eyes hurt. The tears already appeared in his eyes.
"You're crying again Elie.."
"I'll cry with you if I do.."
"No Miss, no.." Ellie quickly wiped her tears.
"Please don't move too much, your wounds haven't healed yet." Elie looked at Sofia's stomach sadly.
"Well.."
"Actually I'm fine.."
"Don't worry too much.." Sofia stroked Elie's hair gently.
"Gosh, I almost forgot.."
"What's up.." Sofia opened her eyes wide.
"This dress was given by Chris, and everyone seems to be gathering at breakfast."
"I understand.."
"We'd better get ready."
Elie nodded, then helped Sofia down from the bed to clean her body.
* * *
An hour later..
Tok
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"Chris?" Elie asked from inside the room.
"Yes.."
"Everyone has been waiting, Miss."
"Ah, I understand.."
"Miss Esme will be out in a minute."
The sound of footsteps rang out, Chris had left the Rose Pavilion.
"Elie, I told you.."
"You don't have to make up for me.."
"Oh my God.."
"No, Miss!"
"It's a disaster if you just wear this gorgeous dress without tidying your hair!"
Wearing clothes takes longer. Elie insists that Sofia should perform as well as they did in Roseland.
"Jeez Elie, I look like I'm going to a party!" It had been a long time since someone had styled her hair, and Sofia felt strange looking at herself in front of the mirror.
A pale-skinned thin woman with long wavy brown hair.
"No Miss! You look so simple.."
Elie again combed Sofia's back hair.
"I look very.."
"It's inappropriate to wear this dress Elie.."
"I'm too skinny..."
"What did you say?"
"You're fine, Miss!"
"This Peach color makes your skin look radiant."
They laugh at the same time. Bobby is the name of Elie's pet little cat in Roseland.
"You make me laugh with Elie, look at my tears, they're almost out.." Sofia wiped her tears.
"No, Miss.."
"No..." Elie shook her head.
"Don't get to."
After finishing styling Sofia's hair in such a way, they rushed to the main Mansion.
Elie helps Sofia walk, Sofia is still stiff while stepping her legs.
Chris opened the door quickly as he saw two young Misses walking towards him.
Elie goes in first, then Sofia follows. All eyes were staring at him.
Even Richi, he did not blink while staring at Sofia. Accidentally having their eyes met, Richi quickly averted her eyes.
"Well.."
"What I did.." Richi Gumam.
Everyone was sitting around the dining table.
Hades blinked his eyes at Sofia. Sofia ignored him and walked towards the dining table.
There are only two empty seats there. One next to Richi and one next to Joy. Of course, Elie quickly leads Sofia to sit next to Richi. Elie tried to hold back her laughter from coming out.
"Miss, sit here.." Elie rewinds the chair to Sofia.
Sofia glared at Elie, but Elie did not budge, she walked towards Madam Joy and sat down next to her.
"Sit down.." Richi Gumam.
There was no choice but to sit there. Sofia doesn't want everyone to wait any longer because of her.
The atmosphere was quiet for a while.
All seats are fully filled.
GLISTERING
Hades put his palms together.
"All right.."
"Everyone has gathered."
"Let's start eating."
It had been a long time since Sofia had seen this whole dining table.
His stomach suddenly felt empty. In front of it there are roasted turkey, Croissant, Steak, Fish soup and many more foods. Sofia was confused which one to eat.
Richi realizes Sofia's confused look. Richi quickly takes a plate of steak and cuts it, then gives it to Sofia.
"Eat..." Richi Gumam.
Sofia could not believe what had just happened. Where did this change come from? Richie's never treated her like this before.
'Has his head hit?' That's what Sofia had in mind.
Feeling hungry, Sofia does not protest when Richi cuts the steak for her. She eats voraciously, even as Richi adds a few more pieces of steak for her, Sofia eats them all without remaining.
Elie just smiled looking at the two behavior of this prospective couple.
Hades looked at Sofia with an indecipherable look. Richi realized that and looked at Hades with a defiant look.
Hades raised both eyebrows and continued to eat the rest of the turkey on his plate.
"Eat more.." Richi muttered in Sofia's ear.
Sofia's heart was pounding rapidly, her face was already as red as the boiled crab on the table. Richi's face was too close to her.
Sofia flapped her hands in her face. He tried to calm his heart as quickly as possible.
"Is this room hot?" Richie whispered in his ear.
Sofia quickly shook her head.
"Ah, are you having a fever?" Richi rubs Sofia's forehead, Sofia reflexes away in surprise.
"I'm fine.." Answer Sofia slowly.
"Ah.. Eat more." Richi took a piece of roasted turkey on Sofia's plate.
Inevitably Sofia eats it, she doesn't want Richi to ask her again.
* * *
All the food on the table was gone, only a few pieces of chicken and a bowl of fish soup left. Joy smiled with satisfaction when she finished eating.
"Chris.hhl..!"
"Chris.hhl..!"
Chris ran quickly towards Madam Joy.
"You're gonna get a raise!" Madam Joy patted Chris on the back hard.
Chris scratched his non-itchy head, smilingly showing off his row of white teeth.
"Thank you, Madame.." Chris lowered his head.
"Yes.. Yeah.."
"Reply clean up after it's done."
Chris nodded with a ceoat.
After everyone finished eating. Hades stood up first and walked closer to Sofia.
"Miss Esme.."
Richi looked at Hades in annoyance.
"What do you want, Captain?" Sofia looked at him sharply.
"Can you talk to me for a minute?"
Richi doesn't like the direction of this conversation.
"Well.."
"What are we gonna talk about?"
"Something I can't explain here." Hades looked at Richi intentionally.
Richi clenched his hand. He bit his lower lip in annoyance.
"Does that matter?"
"You'll find out after we talk.."
"Well.."
"All right.."
Quickly and without any notice, Hades carried Sofia like a princess. Richi is surprised and pulls Sofia's hand.
"Hades! What are you doing?" Richie spoke half-shouting.
Joy and Elie were shocked by the commotion before her.
"I'll take him for a minute." Hades replied without a tone.
"You can't take him!"
"I can!" Answer Hades calmly.
"You don't!"
"Enough! I'll go with Hades, you better be calm." Sofia looked at Richi with a confused look.
Hades burst into laughter after hearing Sofia's statement.
"Good boy!"
"Let's go!"
"Miss!" Elie called from the dining table.
"I'll be back Elie.."
"Rest.."
Elie was unable to refute, She nodded quickly.
Richi stared at Sofia's departure with a look of anger and annoyance. He clenched both his hands.