"Master, m'lady is getting to marriageable age and her and Estridsen's young master seem to like each other.
I even heard him proposing his loyalty to her!" Nina smiled.

"Yes, I do suppose Aisha is getting to that age.
I already know that James Estridsen and his kid are going to bring it up..
Speaking of that, did the kids get called?" Bill asked.

"Yes, sir.
I believe the young miss is getting ready." Nina replied.

...

Aisha's Point Of View

"Jack, help me find something to wear." I sighed.

"Do you really have to dress up just for dinner?" Jack asked.

"Yes, I do have to dress up.
This is one of the ways that I win my father's favor.
Now help me pick something nice." I replied.

Jack wandered over to my dark oak closet and opened it, his eyes aimlessly wandered through the clothing.

"How about this? The dress I got you that you haven't worn in front of me yet, m'lady." Jack grinned as he held up a dress.

A dark blue and black velvet dress.

"Speaking of that, why don't you ever wear it?" Jack asked.

"Because I don't have a corset for it and women need them. And Nina told me that women need them so they can show the only necessary curves for a man to see."
I sighed.

"My woman doesn't need a corset.
I had this tailored so you don't need one.
Those corsets are bad for you and plus, you're already small and you're not broad either."
Jack hugged me.

"JACK! WHY WOULD YOU SAY THAT?!
YOU ARE SO WEIRD!" I screamed.

"Aisha, I am just saying! I love all of you! I will always love you! No matter if you do or do not have hair, no matter if you do or do not have a broad frame, even if you were mute, I would still love you." Jack smiled.

"What if I was a commoner, would you still love me?" I asked.

"Of course I would still love you! Even if you were a commoner, and even if I had to lose my noble title to marry you, I would!
Because you're the only lady for me, Aisha!" Jack smiled.

"Okay, then you need to get out so I can get changed.
I'll call Nina to help me." I smiled.

"No, wait! I can help you!" Jack quickly replied.

"Jack... You are a guy." I huffed.

"And you are my fiancée, so what's the difference?" He smiled.

"You're not gonna give up are you?"
I asked.

"I will never give up!" Jack smiled.

"Fine.
Do you know how to tie the dress?" I asked.

"Yes, I know how to tie the dress.
I have two girl cousins.
I've been doing this for years, m'lady." Jack grinned.

"Okay, fine.
You win.
Turn around for a minute." It was better to let Jack do it. I trust him. I know he is a good person.

I got undressed and slipped into the blue velvet dress.
I turned around and looked in the mirror, and what I saw was unbelievable. The dress had fit me perfectly.
I turned back around.

"Okay... You can zip it and tie it now."
I could feel how red my ears were.
I could only imagine how red my face was.

"Yes, m'lady...." Jack replied.

Coldness touched my skin and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"S-sorry that my hands are cold." Jack stuttered.
"It's fine.... Just hurry up!" I could feel my ears turning red.

After Jack was done I turned around and was faced with Jack's red face in shock.
"What???" I asked.

"You - you're ver- very beautiful, m'lady!
And I actually got you something too!"
Jack stuttered as his ears grew redder.

Jack pulled a pouch from his pocket and pulled out a glittering blue heart-shaped necklace with clear stones around it.

"May I have the honor of putting it on you?" He asked.

I simply nodded my head and moved my hair out of the way.
Jack put it on me, stood back and admired me as if I were a work of art.
I brushed my hair to the side and put on my heels.

Jack took my hand and we made our way down the hall and down the East Staircase.
We walked into the Dining room, my father, as always, sat at the head seat.
I went to take my place down the end because it usually seemed that Father didn't prefer that I sat by him.

"Actually, Aisha." My father stopped me.

"Yes, father?" I asked, wondering what he wanted.

"Why not sit beside me?..." My father mumbled.

"Oh, okay." I peeped back at Jack as a signal for him to sit beside me.

At first he didn't understand what I meant by looking at him, but fortunately, he caught on quick and sat beside me.
Mr. Estridsen sat on the left table side of my father, across from me.
Dinner was silent.
Jack and I just looked at each other while I sipped my orange juice.

"So, Bill. Would you let your daughter marry my boy?" Estridsen asked.

I coughed, nearly choking on orange juice.

"Aisha! Are you okay?!" Jack asked.

"Yeah, I'm FINE!" I said, nearly wheezing.

Bill's Point Of View

James Estridsen pulled out a piece of paper.

"All you have to do is Sign. Your. Name." Said James Estridsen.

I looked over at Aisha and I asked her, "Aisha, are you willing to marry Jack?"

"Yeah, I guess." Aisha half way smiled as she toyed with her food using her fork.

"Hey, Father, can myself and Jack be excused?" Aisha asked.

"Yes, you may." I replied.

Aisha grabbed Jack's hand, bolted out of the dining room and up the stairs.
I guess Aisha does like Jack.

"Get a dowry and it's settled.
But, you have to wait till she's 18.
They can have a Pre-Engagement and it'll be announced when Aisha debuts publicly into high society when she turns 16.
They'll get engaged when she's 18 and they can get married when she's 22." I sighed.

But it still annoyed me that this bastard was asking this early for engagement and in front of these children.
People don't get married until their 20s these days and I know he's not going to shut his mouth up about this.

"Okay, it's settled then.
James Estridsen, don't you go spouting nonsense to your son or my daughter."
I signed the paper.
I rubbed my eyes and waved him away.

"I will see you another day, Bill.
I will come get Jack tomorrow!
I will see myself out!" Estridsen smiled and left.

"Nina!" I yelled and soon a lady made her way into the dinning room,

"Yes, Mr. Savelli?" Nina asked.

"Has Aisha said anything else about her mother or that?" I asked.

"No, sir. She has not." Nina replied and I sighed in relief.

"Good.
I don't want to have to do it again." I huffed.

"Mr. Savelli.... I know this isn't my place to say this but.... How long are you going to hide everything from the young miss?" Nina asked.

The room went completely silent.
Not even a cricket chirped.

"I don't know.
Just go get the kids ready for bed.
Aisha asked me to let Jack spend the night before they came so he is staying." I shooed.

"Yes, sir." Nina replied as she turned around and walked out.

Aisha's Point Of View

We made our way up the stairs.
My chest felt like it was turning.
No please not again!
I tightly gripped onto the stairway railing at the turn to the West Staircase.

"Aisha, are you okay?" Jack turned to ask.

"J-jack, my c-chest is h-hurting again."
I felt weak. Like my legs could collapse at any second. My vision became spotty and unclear.

"Crap! Nina! Mr. Savelli!" was the last thing that I heard Jack scream as Nina came running up the stairs.
My vision became hazy as everything faded to black.

I woke up in my bed, Jack next to me.

"Aisha, you're awake! You scared me!
I thought it happened again." Jack sighed.

"You thought what happened again?" I asked.

"Nothing! I didn't say anything! You are just hearing things! I think you are just delirious!" Jack awkwardly smiled.

I was not going to question him, he is my best friend, so I shouldn't question him.

So I didn't think anything of it.

.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Jack's Point Of View

"Listen, Jack. You can sleep in the room next to mine. Nina put new bedding on the bed. Sleep for a couple hours and then we'll investigate!" Said Aisha.

"Okay, m'lady. Good night, m'lady." I smiled.

"Good night, Jack!" Aisha replied.

A few hours later...

Jack~
Jack~

"Aisha, just one more hour...."

Jack....

The diary....

Jack, check the diary....

Check the diary....

JACK, CHECK THE DIARY!!!

"Okay, Aish. I'm up.
Aisha?-"

No one was in the room.

"JACK! OH MY GOD! JAAACK!!!!!"
I heard an ear piercing scream from Aisha.

I quickly jumped up and felt around for the match box.
I lit the match and candle and quickly ran to Aisha's room but I moved slowly enough to keep the candle burning.
The candle light flickered as I made my way through the dim hall.
I got to Aisha's door and quickly opened it.

Aisha was on the ground with the diary, chest and her oil lamp. I placed the candle down on her bedside table and slid down to her, wrapping my arms around her small figure.
Tears were rolling down her face as her entire body was shaking in my embrace.

"Aisha, what's wrong?" I asked calmly, not wanting to shake her up anymore than she already was.

"J-Ja-ack.
Sh-she wa-was h-here!
Th-the d-di-ary.
Th-there's more wr-writing i-in it!" Aisha's voice trembled.

The diary opened on its own to a page, and what was written left me in goosebumps.

Alina

A/N: Chapter Heading Plot Twist.
Didn't see that coming?

A/N: Cringe ;-;