Decades

Chapter 2

Bella's POV

I awoke in the morning to Lady Lucy already preparing my outdoor gown. It has been two days since the proposal dinner, and life will be rampant and rather depressing from today onwards. The other servants that show only on Sunday's, the day of church where we host lunch, are also on the property. My family will be needing their services as there are many errands to run such as cleaning the entire property, manning the gardens, acquiring groceries, daily hair washing, foot polishing...I never understood why I couldn't plan in the garden myself, clean myself, wash my own hair, polish the shoes. It is not like I am injured or do not have the strength to do so. Besides, I have observed the servants doing these tasks, and have memorized their routines since there is not much to do now that I am no longer in school.

Even so, I was dressed by Lady Lucy, my long hair completely down at my request with a simple bow at the back because I find that pretty. I wore some of my finest bracelets upon my wrists so that I may give it to Sir Taehyung and Lady Lucy after our trip into town to make up for how grueling this process is going to be. The merchants at the stores will be persistent in me trying on various wedding gowns, veils, shoes...and I'm sure they will be bored.

"Miss Bella, you don't want to wear makeup?" Lady Marcel asks, an older servant that tends to the gardens asks me as I walk through them before the carriage arrives.

"I will be trying on many gowns today, and I would feel bad if I were to smudge pigments on them." I say sadly. Thankfully, my mother and father have left for the morning. They will not be there to comment on my current state of dress, how I am not wearing my gloves or makeup, and how my hair is down instead of up, long instead of short.

"You are a kind woman." Lady Marcel comments, bending down to inspect the strawberry plants. I bend down as well, seeing that they are ready to be picked. I wonder if Sir Taehyung likes strawberries. I wonder how he is treated with the Jones family.

"May we pick them now?" I ask, using my fingers to gently move the leaves to get a better look.

"Of course, Miss Bella! They should be ripe and sweet."

"And could they be packaged to bring along in the carriage?"

"Of course."

"Thank you, Lady Marcel." I say kindly, frowning at the sight of her legs shaking as she stands. It is quite sad that she is at this old age, tending to something that requires such movements. I wish she could rest. I pry one of my bracelets off my wrist, tapping her arm as she is turned around. "Here. Sell this. I hope you make a great fortune." I whisper, quickly shoving into her pocket as some of the valets for my father have arrived to begin inspecting the house for the engagement party that shall take place about a week from now. There will be paintings and statues placed inside, and while I do not want to be engaged, I am excited to see the pieces of art.

"Oh Miss Bella. Master and mistress will soon catch on to your jewelry being missing." Lady Marcel says with a sigh but continues to walk to grab the basket from a log nearby.

"I will fib, tell them I simply lost them while out in town." I say simply, glancing down at my gown to make sure I have not soiled it with the lose dirt. "Should they ever accuse any of you for stealing, I will gladly take the fall." She stays silent, picking up the basket and crouching down to pick some strawberries. Lady Marcel has been with us since I was a little girl. She truly is more of a mother to me than my own, as I remember her bathing me, dressing me, holding my hand as I was walked to the old school nearby. Once I am married, I will be living with Leo in another home that resides between the middle of the town. Lady Marcel will no longer be a servant of mine and will tend to my mother and father. I hate to even think about it. "Lady Marcel?" I call out quietly, holding the basket for her so she can use both hands to move the leaves around.