Except You're Everything

Scary stuff

Elizabeth awoke the next day to puffiness around her eyes, for a flash of a moment she was confused as to why, but then she remembered last night, the nightmare. She has had many before. She shuddered at the gruesome events that occurred during it. She got up from the bed and walked into the bathroom in her nightgown to see a monster looking back at her in the bathroom mirror. Eyes red and puffy, nose looked swollen and red, cheeks looked soaked from her anguished tears. Elizabeth sighed and turned on the faucet so the cold water was splashing in the sink, she put her slightly shaky hands underneath the cold water allowing the water to wash over her hands and send a shiver throughout her body, at the refreshing coldness of it. She cupped her hands slightly to make a bowl and the water filled to the brim and spilled over, she brought the overflowing cup to her face and soaking her face in the water, the water touching every part of her face, creating a restarting jolt in her and giving her energy. She took a soft gray towel from the rack and lightly dabbed at her face, sighing into the towel. She put the towel back up to dry and looked at herself in the mirror, shaking her head. She took a brush and started brushing the mess of tangles from her hair to look at least one bit presentable. She smoothed her hair out one more time before someone walked in the door. The person came up behind her and wrapped their arms around her waist from behind resting their chin on her shoulder and proceeding to kiss her jawline.

"Hey darling, how are you holding up?" William whispered into her neck.

Elizabeth just shrugged her shoulders, and her nose began to sting as her eyes brimmed with tears anxious to overflow. William noticed the pained expression on her face and softly began to stroke her hair.

"Darling, it's alright, I'm here," William planted a kiss on her head before standing up and walking to the shower. Elizabeth walked out of the bathroom and sat on her bed for a bit before flopping back, her hair forming a fan surrounding her head. She lay there looking at the ceiling, studying each crack and bump. She sat up again and went to her closet to pick out a dress, but remembered Hannah had already laid out her outfit for today. She picked it up and slowly slipped on every piece of the outfit, the dress itself was a beautiful, soft beige color. It reminded her of summer. By the time she had finished putting on her dress, and Dana (another servant) finished curling her hair, William had walked out of the shower. He was now wearing some black pants,  a white shirt with some buttons unbuttoned at the top, his messy hair was now wet, and forming soft, dripping curls.

"You look, gorgeous darling, love the color on you. Anyways, ready to go down?" He finished buttoning up his shirt and looked to her offering his elbow for her to link arms with him.

"Yes, I am," she softly smiled at him and linked her arm in his. They walked down the stairs, lightly chattering to get Elizabeth's mind off things. 

"Want to go on a walk after breakfast?" William inquired Elizabeth.

"That would be lovely," she replied as they walked into the dining area.

He walked over to where Elizabeth usually sat and pulled out her chair. What a gentleman.

"Thank you," Elizabeth grinned at him and sat down. William merely smiled at her and pulled out a chair next to her. They waited for mother to begin eating, making conversation about anything and everything while they waited. Suddenly a red-faced woman bursts through the door. Mother. She looks happy for once in her life, strange.

"Elizabeth and William, I have the greatest of news," she looked back and forth between the couple. 

"What is it, Mother?" Elizabeth glanced at Wiliam quickly, seeing an equally confused look on his face. 

"We have been invited to the royal ball this evening, and we are going no questions," Mother continued. 

The horror that consumed Elizabeth was unmatched