It was Thursday.
This I knew because I asked several time through out the day to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.
My mind going back to "I died on a Monday." .
Which I had and now I had awoken here. In this body.
The body I lived a whole live in but….
Everyone around me moving in a complete blur.
Nothing was in the right place as I remembered but at the same time it was.
The correct word was that everything was "familiar" but "foreign?".
Before me was a large garden, with splashes of vibrate colored flowers. Still in the process of blossoming. All while the chilly weather was now dissipating and the warmer climate was starting to creep in.
Again, everything was where it should be but still… it wasn't.
The feeling was hard to described as I continue to look on in fear it was all just…
A dream maybe?
Or or…..
I sat in front of the round table with decorative cakes, tea, and garnished utensils, while the servants that were strangers bustle about making sure everything was orderly and well placed.
"Miss Reeves, the count should be arriving soon." I skittishly jarred my head in the direction of the shrilled pitch voice that took me out of my head to watch a look of disdain quickly be coverup into a flat mask.
This all felt like a dream. It's been three days, three whole days of just me existing, going through a routine that wasn't even mines to begin with.
When I looked in the mirror earlier I was still Elizabeth, but at the same time younger and dear god a bit uglier in all honesty.
If I had to begin with why my face was horrible, I had to start with the amount of make up the maid starting layering me with for the first time.
Follow up with the horrible meals, filled with a huge amount of sugar, grease and other unhealthy variables.
When I had complained the maid made a disgusted face and mentioned that this was what I asked for.
On the tip of my tongue I was ready to dismiss her and send her packing but I refined from doing so.
The main reason had to do with the fact that I still didn't feel centered with the person that I was at the moment.
Everything about this person wasn't me. When I had asked certain questions to gauge information about my own self.
People would direct me with hostility.
It didn't help that the other half would talk down to me but as I continued on I was putting things together.
I wasn't dreaming. Neither hallucinating. Or drugs or even in some sort of limbo hell where I was making penance.
It really was reality. A reality I wasn't use too as I looked down at my small gloved hands. It was like being dressed up as porcelain collectable dolls that was located in some doll collectors glass dresser.
Looking out.
"Elizabeth."
I jerked my head upwards to clashed with a set of blue eyes so magnificent. I felt my heart start to pound its way out of my chest. After so many years, so many times I could never seem to get use to the angelic being in front of me.
Like watching the first sunrise after being blind for so long I watched the man that had taken over much of my existence stand before me.
Slowly I stood transfixed taking him in, with his hair blond perfectly style back, to his the sapphire eyes that were surrounding by the longest lashed. To the sharp straight nose. Down to the full lips that I had committed to memory once upon a time. Instead of the usual upturn smile that would welcome me. Were mere with a harsher line finally taking me out of continuous gawking I knew I was openly doing so.
My eyes watered as he stood before me even larger than life.
Count Daniel Rowan.
I had forgotten how tall he was now that I move beyond his face to his broad shoulders and lean muscler frame, clothed in an evening ware.
"Elizabeth?!"
This time the voice was female.
My neck sharply turned to the female figure a foot away from Daniel.
"Are you alright?! You seemed a bit lost." The voice sounded concern while the beautiful face was furrowed in confusion. Her glacier eyes pointed at me while one sharply eyebrow was arched in question.
"Mara?"
I swallowed the bitter feeling that suddenly rose.
"Yes, Elizabeth, you were aware that Mara was going to join us today." Daniel voice was sharp. "Had you forgotten?"
Shit, well it was not that I had remembered from the beginning.
"Ah noo…"
I dragged my gaze from her face to the two intwine hands.
I felt my stomach lurched and my mouth suddenly turn drier than sand.
I swallowed again, I had to figure this out but I had an inkling I knew what was going on.
"Alright, let's start." Daniel said his tone indifferent as he pulled a chair out for Mara and I watched them interact.
Her face upturned to his as she smiled a brightly at him.
A harsh feeling rose to a painful level.
That's when every one in the vicinity froze.
The tea cup in front of me cracked and broke apart. Spilling the tea inside.
Everyone eyes trained on it, all confused.
Expect me.
I had to quickly control my emotions or this was going to end bad. Horrible a better word to describe the turmoil inside of me now. My covered hands gripped the metal edge of the table. Some what holding on to something, maybe it could help?
Maybe…
No…
"What was that?" Daniel eyes looked at me now, his gaze alert. The solider in him fully engaged noticing the magic I had just flared out.
Just as fast I had closed it off knowing that this wasn't common for him and me. Dread filled me, hoping he didn't notice much.
I felt like such an idiot, my eyes burning trying to rein the emotions.
It was surprisingly hard.
I mean it wasn't every day you came back to life after dying in each others arms.
I chided myself, tightening my hands on the table again.
Thinking fast I spoke.
"Oh, I heated the glass. I think I overdid it." Using my bubbly voice of ignorance.
"With magic?!" Daniel tone was accusingly like he didn't believe me.
Fuck…
Of course. Realizing my mistake as I looked at Mara face become one of incredulous. I shouldn't have magic, let alone know how to use it.
I mean this body shouldn't, full aware now of everything and the gravity of why Daniel was acting strange.
The Elizabeth I was now was a stupid villainous. One that didn't have the affinity to magic. I was back inside my past but one that wasn't even mines.
"When did."
"Just recently, I thought I show off but I messed up." I cut Daniel off, fanning my hand in front of me in dismissal.
Quickly gaining my composure.
I snapped my finger.
"Ferra, please replace the cup and refill it." Both Daniel and Mara looked at each other and a looked pass between them.
Daniel pushing in Mara chair but looking at me with a troubled expression. He walked around taking a seat next to Mara. All this with his brows furrowed.
I had to make this meal fast and not waste me or my guests time. Stealing a glance at Daniel face before I focused on my own dilemma.
"Why don't we move forward with this meal and skip tea time."
Yes, signaling the maid to bring out our food, Mara lips pinched.
If I remembered correctly this was the part where she would take her time to underhandedly make herself shine. At my expense of course.
The maids started to put the food and other things in front of us, rearranging the plates better suited for the meal we were going to dig into.
As if the awkward silence was too much to handle, which it was.
Mara cleared her throat and started speaking.
If I didn't know how much of a bitch she was I would have kissed her at the moment.
"So Elizabeth, Daniels mother told me you're looking to add more flowers to the garden." Ah here it was, picking up the new cup of tea I smiled at Mara, hiding behind it and shaking my head up and down.
"Oh excellent." My eyes landed on her dainty manicure hand landing on Daniels forearm.
The urge of chopping it off was strong…too strong as she continue talking about different flowers I could add. Most of them not even to my liking noticing the surrounding.
These flowers freshly planted were going to wither within a week. They were all out of season, sighing inwardly. Of course Elizabeth wouldn't notice or be aware of what was in season.
Basically all of them were chosen because this Elizabeth wanted to please everyone else.
"How about some sunflower or lilies?" I watched her look at Daniel who was reclining in the iron chair. He reminded me of large jungle cat, relaxed but ready to pounce given the initiative. His eyes still trained on me with indifference.
He could have fooled anyone but I already knew him too well noticing the glint of suspicion in them.
I tensed and turn to address Mara idea. She was directing the approval to Daniel which made me note something else.
I wasn't in control of my own house.
"No." I shut her down. Her shock expression evident while Daniel frame froze and his brows glowered at me.
"Am sorry if I overstep.." Mara softly said, sounding genuinely hurt. What a bitch. So this was how she was going to play this game.
Swallowing I added "I wanted to add some snowdrops and some red camellias."
"Elizabeth…" His tone cold ready to come to Maras defense as if I insulted her.
"For my mother. They were her favorites." I followed up, making sure to keep my tone innocent.
"Ahh..oh." Mara said. A bit tongue tied of how to use this to her advantage, I saw.
Looking between the two I gave them a half smile already wanting them to leave.
"So where will you two be heading out to?" I hated my self instantly.
In trying to change the conversation.
I just provided Mara with the prefect ammunition just then.
"Oh…we're going to the Amires play." Her tone merrily. If I could stab someone, it would be my own damn self.
If I remembered Daniel took me to that play, before… in another timeline, and afterward…
I reached over to the glass of wine… to wash away the memory.
"Elizabeth!" Daniel raised his voice. Shit what did I do now? His eyes pinned on the cup of wine I had half way to my lips.
"Yes.." My voice cracked in return. What now?
Mara intruded.
"Elizabeth you don't drink…" She paused as I looked my glass on hand and the two individual."After the incident."
Shit, my mind raced and trying to find out about the "incident" Mara just mentioned. Closing my eyes, I remembered.
Holy shit! Ohhh remembered it alright. The feeling of embarrassment rose up. Even my own cheek felt a bit to warm for my liking.
The drunk incident in question was me. Or Elizabeth, raging at a party. Just not any party.
It was Daniel birthday and Elizabeth made a scene. Not just any scene. No it couldn't have been that easy. It was the one where Elizabeth declare her undying love to Daniel. Only to end up vomiting all over herself with the amount of wine drank. Poor Elizabeth didn't remembered any of it because Daniel had covered up all the news articles. The rumors though were spread behind her back. Cringing in mortification, I silently nodded at them.
Placing the glass down, I gave them both a wayward smile of a child caught in the act.
"Ah yes sorry, completely forgot about that." I didn't, but I remembered reading it, and even then it was cringeworthy enough to make me judge Elizabeth. Hard.
I had to cut myself a break right now.
"So the play, its Amires second act? Yes or the Marigold?" I started to cut the food in front of me into pieces. "If it's the first I would say sit close to the crowd. If it's the latter the box office seat you would get the full effect of the play." I brought the fork to my lips, shuffling my memories of the production crew. When Daniel took me, he also brought me back stage to meet the them. "Genie, the dressmaker did a marvelous job at the design, added with the light effect…" My voice drifted noticing the eerily silence in the air.
As if I said something strange they both turned to me in confusion.
"Ah did I say…." Daniel was the one to speak up.
"How do you know about the Marigold act?"
Crap, I swallowed again. Shit, and every curse word under the moon.
I put my foot my mouth for the second time.
"I don't follow." Feigning my own ignorance.
"Miss, I have it. I have…" We all turn to see a one of figure moving towards, her words pausing as she took in the others in front of me. My eyes widen when I realized who it was, thanking every deity I could think of for their divine intervention.
Hearing a chair scrapping the floor I turned my attention to Mara and Daniel. Daniel now rising from his chair. His eyes moving between me and the plump maid clutching a piece of paper.
Lia, the maid I sent out the same day I had waken up in this body was finally here. Meaning I was one step towards finally making sense of what was going on. Also in time to help everyone from the death flag that hung on to them.
I drop the utensil and stood too.
"Lia."
The maid whose eyes were opened a bit to big for her small face snapped out of what ever trance Daniel huge frame put her in.
"Ah yes, Miss. The message." Her words treading vaguely.
I reached out and snatched the letter from her two hands clutched near her chest. The poor girl was holding on to it like it was her last meal. Which in retrospect was. I promised her enough money to retire after the letter I had her delivered several days ago.
"A message?" Daniel asked, I turned back and saw him walk around the table.
Making it around, he was close enough to me that I got a whiff of the spicy cologne that was once my favorite.
My body reacting to his close proximity. My heart picked up pace as he reached out and took the envelope in-between my fingers. With no defense on my part he took it from me.
"Whose message and letter Elizabeth?"
My eyes trapped into his. Noticing his eyes become suspicious again. I had forgotten how overly protective Daniel was. Overall I didn't think he was being protective with me now. I think he was suspicious that I was on my way of doing something stupid.
Well not me.
Daniel prefect face turned to the maid.
"Who sent this?"
I swallowed. Hard. As a shiver raced along my spine. His voice deep and velvety. Damn Elizabeth, get a grip! The maid about to expire under Daniel stare.
"It's from Leonard." I raised my voice, sucking in my breathe seeing Daniels eyes turn to me. The full effect of him being near was too deadly to understand.
His brows raised and his eyes widen. Yeah, this was a shock even to him.
I figured not as surprised as Leonard though.
"Leonard." He said weirdly, the name sounding as foreign to him as he said it.
I used that to my advantage, quickly snatching the letter from his hand. Brushing against his palm, jerking back like his hand had been covered in flames.
"Yes, my family member." I sounded offended. Well I tried to sound as much like it. My whole body suddenly waking up from just the feel of his skin near mines.
Damn it !
Back to this issue at hand. Remembering as much information as I could about Leonard.
Leonard and I were not close in this timeline. Leonard, the current master of the Tower, barely had the need to speak to one another. Let alone exchange letters.
I could tell the confusion creep in on Daniel face but he masked it just as fast.
"I see…"
"Yes…we started talking recently."
"Talking?"
"Well exchanging letters."
"Since when…" His brows raising.
"Very recently Daniel." I said. Hoping to sound even more offended than before.
"I didn't mean."
Of course you did, I internally rolled my eyes, because he was right, I just couldn't let him in on it.
Finally my nose catching another whiff of his scent, as if his presence wasn't enough.
I step back feeling him crowding me. My head turning to look behind Daniel and watching Mara face filled with irritation. That's right Daniel never showed Elizabeth any attention, well only the negative kind.
Sighing I pressed my lips in a thin line.
I had to put an end to this lunch tea time crap. One thing I've come to realized is how much I hated these. Not that Daniel care for them either. He was worst than me. He only attended them because it was expected of him.
"Daniel," My eyes looked away to only land on his lips and the stern line they were expressing. Waiting for me to displease him more than I already had.
This time I rolled my eyes in annoyance.
"You and Mara have plans, and it's starting to get late." Four in the afternoon wasn't as late but late enough for my patience and well…
The bit of sanity that was close to breaking.
"Yes it is." Daniel tearing his eyes reluctantly away from me and looked at Mara.
"Thank you Mara again for joining us." I half assed bow in her direction, and turned back to Daniel.
"Enjoy Count." My voice strained and detach.
I swallowed down the hesitation. My body wanting to stay in the radiance of Daniel but my mind knowing better. If I stayed any longer, I was doing myself harm.
I started walking away clutching the piece of paper as if it was my life line. Only looking back to catch Daniel head tilted to the side in question.
I knew why.
This Elizabeth never called him Count.