Yes, My Lady- Sebastian Michaelis x Fem! Reader

1230

   On a brisk and wintry day in London, that fair city of Old England, a young noblewoman by the name of Kerena found herself within a nearby haberdashery, gazing upon the myriad of sumptuous fabrics and exquisite gems that adorned its shelves. As her gaze fell upon a resplendent red jewel, she perceived the quiet whispers emanating from behind her. "Have you heard about the Bloody Forest?" Inquired a lady. "Indeed, I have! Yet the reason for its ominous name eludes my comprehension," Responded another lady.

   "What do you mean? All interactions emerging from that forest end with a death not even three moons(months) after," The women continued chatting about this forest as the clerk presented Kerena with her parcel of textiles. "Yet, none of the accounts concluded with blood," she concluded, provoking gasps from her companions. "If only women were allowed to venture out of the kingdom without their husbands." They all nodded in agreement as Kerena left the shop.

   As she returned to her estate, her father welcomed her back with a loving embraceas her scant attendants set about their duties. Gathering her parcels and soothing her weary legs from the promenade she had just undertaken. "How was the trip, my daughter?" Her father, Count Loyer, asked as Kerena sat on a nearby settee.

   "The same as always. Heeding the whispers of society and discovering the latest in elegant textiles." Kerena let forth a gentle sigh as a maidservant unfastened the elaborate coiffure that adorned her raven tresses. The shoulder length black hair fell to her shoulders and the maids and servants all left, leaving the woman with her father.

   "What kind of gossip today?" Her father asked, pouring a cup of tea. "Something about a 'Bloody Forest'." Kerena shrugged. Count Loyer's already white skin turned pale. "Father?" Kerena sat up on the couch, holding her father's hands. "That forest... is where your mother died." The room went silent.

   "Mother?" Kerena repeated. The tales of her mother were always hushed around the estate, so this was about the most her father had ever spoken of his late wife. "Indeed. She ventured into that ghastly forest to write her own article about it." The count held his daughter's hands and looked down at them.

   "After a week without hearing from her, I took it up on myself to search for her. Yet, when I found her... all that was there was her pale, lifeless form." Tears threatened to pour from the old man's face. "Promise me you'll never go to that forsaken forest, Kerena." The Count pleaded, looking up at his daughter. Without actually thinking, she nodded. Color returned to Loyer's face and he stood from where he sat, wiping his non-teary eyes.

   "I'm going to cleanse myself and clear my head before dinner. Until then, dear daughter." He bestowed a gentle kiss upon her forehead and departed. Kerena, in solitude, reflected upon what dreadfulness might come from this forest, which had claimed so many lives. Even more grievous now, as her mother too was ensnared within the horrid tales of this wretched woodland.

   While her father was gone, Kerena set out to the dimly lit stables. "Why hello there, Dorein." She said, addressing her noble steed, a white horse bedecked in black spots. The creature whinnied gently, tapping its hooves upon the ground, as it extended its head towards her. With tender grace, she caressed the horse's nose, causing its tail to sway lightly.

   "It might be a bit late... but how about a ride, hm?" That sounded like a good idea to Dorein as she trotted in her sizeable stable.

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   The pair rode around London for a while until they reached right before the outskirts of the city. Kerena's mind raced from the earlier interaction with her father and the gossip from the young women earlier. "How bad could it be, right Re?" Kerena asked the horse. Dorein puttered and trotted in a circle. "I'm not sure either." Kerena chuckled, looking towards the forest as the sun set behind it.