Ella stared at the rain that trickled down the windowpane, each droplet blurred the garden beyond into streaks of grey and green. It has been three days since the wedding, and she hasn't left her room yet.
"I haven't seen mother for a while…" Ella muttered sadly, looking down at her fancy clothes. Her reflection on the glass looked back at her—a girl wrapped in lace and ribbons, but with eyes that no longer sparkled.
After the wedding, Eleanor finally became the Viscountess and resumed her duty managing the household and other affairs, leaving Ella all alone.
Ella looked down at her dress, fingers brushing the embroidered hem. It was beautiful, too beautiful for her liking. "Fancy clothes," she muttered, her voice trembling. "But my Mama's designs are still better."
Her room, though grand, with velvet curtains and carved furniture, still felt suffocating. Ella didn't feel as if she was at home.
A soft knock echoed in the hall outside of Ella's room. A servant's voice followed, muffled yet polite, "Miss Ella, would you like anything brought to you? Tea, perhaps?"
Ella hesitated, glancing once more at the rain-streaked window before turning away. "No… no, thank you." Then, after a moment's pause, she added quietly, "Actually, could you take me to Cindy's room?"
The servant blinked in surprise, then was replaced by nervousness, but bowed slightly. "Of course, Miss Ella. This way."
Ella clasped her hands excitedly as she composed herself. The servant waited until Ella was done preparing herself.
The corridor was silent except for the soft patter of rain against the tall windows. The walls are lined with paintings that were both creepy and beautiful.
'Ah, I'm so nervous,' Ella thought to herself. She kept her hands clasped before her, her footsteps echoing faintly against the marbled floor.
Then, the servant stopped before a pale blue door and gave a light knock.
"Come in," came a gentle, composed voice.
The tone was kind, but there was a thin vein of restraint in it, like politeness practiced too often.
The servant opened the door, stepped aside with a light bow, waiting for Ella to enter.
"I-I just wanted to visit," Ella said, clutching her skirt nervously.
Cindy barely glanced at her as she continued brushing her blonde hair.
The servant gently pushed Ella inside the room before closing the door behind her. The silence was deafening, making it difficult for Ella to escape.
'Ah, why did I even come here? What was I thinking!' Ella thought, wanting to boink herself.
"Do you need something?" Cindy asked coldly, but kindly, looking at Ella in the mirror before her.
"I don't have anything to do. So I thought of visiting you. We're sisters after all," Ella stated, her tone was calm, but she couldn't hide her nervousness.
Cindy nodded, setting her brush down. "That's very thoughtful of you." Her gaze lingered for a moment before flicking back to the mirror. "Mother has been busy, hasn't she?"
"Yes," Ella murmured, walking a few hesitant steps into the room. "I haven't seen her since the wedding…"
"Neither have I," Cindy replied softly. "She's been speaking with father most of the time."
Ella nodded, unsure what to say next. She looked around Cindy's room, trying to hide the fluttering knot in her chest.
"It's beautiful," Ella muttered silently.
The walls in Cindy's room were a pale shade of blue, lined with delicate ivory trimmings. The curtains, embroidered with silver threads, swayed gently in the breeze, carrying the faint scent of lavender.
A vanity table sat by the window, its surface neat and polished where bottles of perfume and glimmering jewelry rested like treasures on display.
Ella couldn't help but be amazed, especially by Cindy's bed. A large and soft-looking, covered in lace and silk, its pillows arranged perfectly. Even the carpet beneath Ella's feet was thick and spotless, patterned with gentle florals.
"Your room, it's so beautiful," Ella repeated. Her fingers brushed against the edge of the velvet chair. The fabric was smooth, much smoother than anything she had in her own room.
"So this is what it's like… being the daughter of a Viscount," Ella stated as her eyes darted toward Cindy, who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Father had it arranged when I turned fifteen," Cindy smiled faintly, continuing to brush her hair.
"Y-you're fifteen too?" Ella gasped, placing a hand on her chest. "I'm fifteen too. We're the same age!"
Cindy only smiled as she dismissed Ella's excitement.
"That brush… It's lovely," Ella stated shyly, eyeing the silver brush.
"This belongs to my late mother," Cindy replied coldly and went back to stare at herself in the mirror.
Silence fell between them, and Ella had no clue what to say next, feeling awkward standing there. She squirmed a few seconds before deciding to wander around the room. Her eyes looked at each corner in both envy and awe.
"Do you have any hobbies?" Cindy suddenly spoke, turning around as she stared at Ella again. Irritation was evident on her face, but she hid it with a smile.
"Oh.. uhh.. hobbies…" Ella was taken aback by the question and nervously thought of an answer. "I like c-collecting…"
"Collecting what?" Cindy asked, placing the brush on the table as she stood up, facing Ella.
Ella stared down as she couldn't hold a gaze against Cindy. "Umm. I like collecting round things… circular ones… like balls."
Internally, Ella wanted to slap herself due to extreme embarrassment. Her mother, Eleanor, always thought her hobbies were rather weird.
"Round things?" Cindy raised an eyebrow and giggled, although it sounded a little bit like mockery. "I have a few balls here. Do you want them?"
"Yes! I like balls!" Ella exclaimed, her eyes twinkling. The idea of her sister giving one of her items was already such a massive gift for Ella.
Cindy walked toward the cabinet in search for the balls.
However, Ella's eyes were focused on the delicate silver brush lying on the table. Its handle was engraved with tiny florals, beautiful and intricate, unlike anything she'd ever owned.
'I want to see it up close,' Ella thought as she couldn't help but reach out.
Before Ella's fingers even touched the brush, Cindy's reflection shifted—her eyes snapping towards Ella.
"Don't touch that!" Cindy's tone was sharp enough to cut through the quiet room.