Juliet Juliet

Durham 1838

I get into the phaeton that has been prepared by my close friend Andrew. In this world one thing I will always be avoided is marriage, at least for now. I ride the phaeton with Andrew that has waited for me to go to  harbour and get into the ship that will take me to another world, it's called Siam.

I used to be a wallflower in the seasons, it wasn't like that I was ugly or anything, but I didn't like involve too much with strangers. I meant that they were not really strangers, they were the same circle as my family,  noble family in England. In my Debut, many men attracted to me, it wasn't I had outstanding beauty, but I knew my charm so well. But in the end I turned down all the dance offers although I had already written the list of my dance partners on the card. They felt humiliated by my action, so no men in the second season tried to ask me to dance with them.

My mother was so frustrated about her daughter, the only daughter she had from her marriage with an Earl, Earl Of Durham that was my father. So after the last season of mine, I was about 22 years old to 23 years old, my parents arranged marriage for me, with a Viscount that suited me as my father than husband. I knew that I had no power to fight against my parents, so I arranged to run away on my wedding day with the help of my peers Andrew and Michael, my childhood friends who were also my cousins.

Michael is waiting for me, he is my cousin from my mother's line, his father is a Viscount, and Michael is only second child, so he doesn't inherit the title, it goes to his older brother. But Michael doesn't mind it, he loves his freedom too much, he doesn't like any responsibilities of a nobleman, he is free spirited guy and careless, that's why he is here to explore new world. While Andrew doesn't come along with us.

I  change my clothes into a proper one when I get in my cabin. I dress as a guy, people will think that I am just 12 years old thin boy who clings to my brother.
I like books I mean novels too much, I love reading, and intend to be a writer. Having a husband and family worry me, that it will be an obstacle in my future.

I admire Jane Austen, she's my role model, recently I read The Mansfield Park. My parents don't like the idea of me being a novelist. A woman should marry to man and settle down, build up family to continue the bloodline. Since no man dare to approach me because I am cold and frigid woman, actually I am just acting cold, they will stay away from me.

I feel comfortable with Michael and Andrew they are open-minded people. Sometimes I think it's good to marry one of them, but when I see they habit that change woman like change clothes, I withdraw my thought about marrying one of them, it's too scary.

Sometimes friends should stay be friends, because sometimes when friendship shift to another level to romance, the atmosphere also will change whether it's good or bad. And if it turns out to be bad, we will lose our friend, and I don't want to take a risk.

I am about to go to the restaurant for luncheon when I see that beautiful face, alone, sits with the hand supports her chin. She has beautiful big brown eyes, and full lips, those beautiful eyes are wandering to somewhere I don't know, she seems out of this world, has her own world. I know she's not Caucasian as me, she's Asian, but with big eyes and double eyelids? She has smooth white skin, not too white as Chinesse. I am drawn to her beauty, and my heart trembles, what is this? I have never felt this strange feeling before. I want to approach her yet I don't have any courage to do so. So i am just stunned here, staring at her, and seems like she senses it, her beautiful eyes finally notice me.

We look at each other's eyes, and that draws me to her. She smiles at me, my heart skip a beat, and then she pats the chair beside her, as if ask me to join her. I walk towards her unconsciously as my eyes still fix on hers.

"Where are your parents, boy?"

She asks me once I sit on the chair beside her.

I stutter, I don't know how to answer this beautiful lady's question, his English accent not bad with a nasal sweet voice of her, she must be a princess from some countries, I don't know exactly where.