The Drafted Reality and Dreams

CHAPTER 26

After a decade, I finally turned 18. My father—who is overly sensitive along with being stubborn—arranged a marriage with someone who isn't a part of the noble class. From what I know: her looks are not more than average, well mannered, and quite hygienic. To me I can care less who she was or how plain or ordinary she may be. Feeling hatred, disappointment, etc isn't something that is easy for me. Studying emotions for most of my life only led me to being able to read people and only understand what emotion they were feeling.
    Her name was Clarence Everton. That was all I really knew about this girl. Heard that she's a year or two younger than me. Strange how she would get married at such a young age. Is it strange for me to think that she's too young to get married when I'm also young? Maybe, maybe not.
    "James." The same maid from when I was a child, knocked on the door before entering the study. "You will be meeting lady Clarence Everton, your soon to be wife."
    I nodded my head, closing the book with all the new emotions that I have not yet studied. I went outside of the study, walking down the long decorated hallway. I soon met up with the staircase. At the entrance of the mansion was the woman that I would be marrying, Clarence Everton.
    I went down the staircase, soon in front of the young woman. The elderly butler showed respect towards me as soon as he saw me—bowing his head in a respectful manner.
    "This is James Everest, your soon to be husband." The elderly butler said, greeting me to the young woman who curtsied. "James Everest, this is Clarence Everton, your soon to be wife." I bowed my head.
    "I hope our future days with each other are nothing but full of memories that we can go over once we turn old and ready to be met with death." Clarence said, looking down at the ground.
    I nodded my head, examining Clarence and noticed the discomfort. "Do you by chance have a love interest?" I asked.
    "Excuse me?" She looked up with widened eyes.
    "Surprised?" I said, titling my head.
    "A little.." She said, looking back down at the ground, "I have a boyfriend, that's all. I will break up with him soon enough so don't worry about him." She said.
    "I'm not worried at all, I was just curious." I said, "If you don't wish to marry then you don't have to."
    She fiddled with her fingers as she was uncertain. The elderly butler looked at me with widened eyes.
    "What about your father, James?" He said.
    "What about him? He is dying anyway." I told him.
    "Which is why he arranged this marriage to begin with, not caring about class. He hopes that you will be carrying a son who will be the future heir of the house."
    I sighed, "Enough is enough. I'm not forcing a lady who isn't certain about her future."
    Clarence stooped low, not daring to take a glance at me. "I'm certain that I want to marry you, Sir James." Clarence said, finally making eye contact with me.
    I nodded my head, walking away.
    "Wait, James." The elderly butler said but couldn't say anything else as I was already walking back up the stairs.
    "My apologies, lady Clarence. You will be sharing a room with sir James." The elderly butler soon showed Clarence all the rooms and what she may and may not do.

It soon became dark outside, meaning that it would be the first night sharing a room with another individual especially when this individual is a woman. When I first entered the bedroom, Clarence was sitting on the bed holding a lit candle. Once I walked further into the room, I got a better glance of Clarence.
    I watched her as she stared at the candle—lost in thought. Deciding on the emotion she was going through wasn't an easy task for me as she only had a blank expression. But maybe she feels guilt or shame. She soon blinked rapidly realizing that she got lost in thought. She put the lit candle on the nightstand soon realizing my presence.
    "S-sir James." She stuttered, "When did you get here?" She asked, putting a few strands of hair behind her ear.
    "Not that long ago." I said, I went into the bathroom to take a shower.

As soon as I was done, Clarence was already asleep—she was hardly covered by the sheets—I pulled the sheets over her porcelain-like skin. I sat down beside her unconscious body, watching her sleep for a little while. I soon went to the closet to find something that was more appropriate for sleep wear other than a bathrobe.
    After I finished changing, I climbed into bed, covering myself in the sheets. Since I mostly stayed in the study and looked over paperwork that my father was supposed to do. Unfortunately he was unable to since hes currently suffering from lung cancer. Could say that he's locked inside of his bedroom that he once shared with mother. Which isn't true of course. He has grown old and can hardly take care of himself now. He's inside of a never ending maze, stuck at a dead end, if he tries to leave the dead end he will meet death. Just like mother did.