LAVENDER

To say this woman was an enigma would be almost rude to those who claimed that title, she was far worse, she was baffling, beyond comprehension, and overall, insane. 

Part of me had thought to push her in front of that carriage, the other reached for her and pulled her close, I had never understood women. 

“Oh dear count, have you not had enough of this town? Shall we head back?” She said with a little grin. 

I didn’t know what she was thinking, or why she looked so overjoyed to be here, clearly it wasn’t some petty love like most noble women came to me with, or a mere attraction, it was more as if she was a puppet in a play, but so was I. 

Sighing I stepped closer, offering my hand, while I despised linking arms with her, if I were to not rumors would no doubt fester. 

“Come along then, return we shall.” I said clearly. 

But hearing me speak only brightened the color on her cheeks, as if any time I voiced a syllable she was a mere pet being praised. 

Creepy was one to describe it, doll like another, she had the softest looking gestures I’d ever seen, she didn’t wear much makeup and always smelled of lemons and honey. 

And why am I thinking of this woman? 

Struggling to not reach for the bridge if my nose, I walk her to the carriage, and upon entering, she looks back to me and asks. 

“Do you think I’d make a pretty corpse under a carriage?” 

I didn’t know if she was serious or not, rolling my eyes the thought caresses my mind, her body splattered on the pavement would be a delight, but not pretty. 

“Well….” Yet I was quickly interrupted.

“Actually Nevermind, I know what you’ll say, to home shall we?” Roughly entering the carriage, she sat down and I quickly followed. 

What does she mean by that? Is she claiming to predict what I can say?

My feathers now rather ruffled, I straighten my posture, uncomfortable in my seat. 

“What do you mean by that?” I demand. 

Looking at me, she leans into the palm of her hand as her elbow sits on the window. “Why I mean what I mean good sir.” 

“Will you not tell me?” I say with a rather charming smile, yet to my dismay, she only grinned at the attempt. 

Twirling her hair with her finger, she looked to the window, and for a second I could have sworn she looked….empty.

Corpse-like even, as if her very soul had been whisked away. 

“Because I do, after all, I’m getting in the way of you meeting a fine gentleman~ of course I wouldn’t look good as a carriage corpse~” Flailing her hand about dramatically, she made quite the fuss.

But I begged to differ, she would make a stunning corpse, not that saying that would help any, it would only invite her to act out. 

Looking out the window, I could help but steal glances at her, she truly seemed to enjoy life, the sun, the clouds and even the grass made this woman brighten up, as if she was a child. 

Well, I suppose she is, last I checked she was a mere seventeen, and she never debuted when she turned sixteen either so she has no acquaintances in high society, she was to be married off soon. 

Staring at the girl before me, I felt as I began to tick, I wanted her dead, yet she was so mysterious, at almost felt like a shame to kill her without knowing why she isn't like the boorish women of nobility. 

“Lady Al-“Cut off again she looks my way. 

“No, I’m not unhappy living here.” Looking into my eyes, I was stunned. 

How did she know I was going to ask…?

“Despite being isolated? You’ve never even been to a party last I recalled.” Having Wilkins do his research, I know for a fact this woman has always been fully isolated. 

“Why would I need to dine with swines dear sir? When I can dine with cats and sparrows of the fields.” Clapping her hands, she grins. 

Swines, she’s not wrong, that’s a rather decent way to address nobility.

Crossing my legs, I lean back when I catch a rather…pitiful gaze turned my way. 

“Yes…?” I say, expecting an answer. 

“Crossing your legs, how tragic, I never knew you were so small, now I understand why you seek a girthier mate.” 

I had never fixed my posture so quickly, this woman! How dare she! 

Slamming my feet to the ground, I promptly sit in what could be deemed, a more manly position. 

I feel as her eyes walk down me, stopping at my pants, a smirk finds its way on her face and her eyebrows raise. 

“Well then, put on a show, why don’t you.” She says with a satisfied breath, and then, looks to the side. 

“Oh look at that~ we’re home, thank you for the wonderful morning stroll Count.” The coachman helps her out and I sit, flabbergasted. 

I don’t even know what to say, leaning over I set my head in my hands. 

“My Lady….Are you flirting with me or harassing me….?”

Either way, my ears tinted pink the rest of the day due to shame, and I got a proper teasing from Wilkins. 

Now, in the safety of my room I sat in a chair near the curtains, I felt as the breeze swam about, today's whole ordeal was a waste of time. 

Leaning back in the chair, I felt as my headache began to spin even more, that woman truly is the worst in this entire manor. 

“Wilkins, how long must I wait?” I said as I looked over to see him making a cup of tea for me. 

“Another three days, I believe then, is the best time master.” Nodding his head, he offers a cup to me and I gladly drink it. 

The tea was sweet as lemons, a wonderful taste. 

“The tea is the Lady’s favorite, it reminds me of her.” Wilkins said. 

And now the tea is ruined.