SHADOW

The daughter

Sha blushed all shades of crimson remembering the ride they had toward her new home,  turning and tossing in the crisp white sheets on the beautiful bed she now slept in, her mind filled again and again with images her soul had to purge out of her sistem, to sirvive the night. After all the burning he had stirred in her heart—after all the squeezing, pressing, and rubbing that mixed her blood into a boiling kettle like only the worst books ever did—the carriage stopped. He straightened his shirt, now missing a few buttons, and sent her away with his butler to her room.

Well, she didn't think it was proper for her to be with him—they were unmarried, and all that daughter matter was still worrying her. Even so, she still couldn't understand her own heart and mind—how she could just jump on him like a madwoman and kiss a total stranger. And by total stranger, she meant totalus—not even his name. She didn't even know his name.

Good universe, how could she be so... brainless?

It was impossible to think that a rational being would act like a mindless pumpkin and kiss a man she never knew—and even pine after him. It was the fault of her books. All that romantic nonsense, all that love at first sight nonsense, had stirred all sorts of dreams and mirages. She was in love with characters, and now she was adding him to the list, probably envisioning him being noble and making her the queen of his heart.

Lol.

"Good morning, miss," an old maid entered her room and silently placed a dark blue gown—very similar in color to the one she wore last night, but less frilly—made of a fine, sturdy, warm material. She also laid out beautiful white undergarments. Another girl, younger, named Sonya, entered the room, and in no time rolled her into the garments, combed her hair, and tied a blue ribbon into it.

Afterward, she ate alone at a very long dining table—a good meal—and was instructed to go to the study room.

There sat a middle-aged man with white hair that seemed more appropriate for someone of at least seventy or eighty years old. He wore round glasses and a green, efficiently cut suit. He stood up and pointed her to a sturdy oak table piled with books and papers.

"Come in, come in, Lady Sha. I am the secretary of Count Ambrosio, and I will assist you with the completion of your contract and preparation for court."

Sha sat at the table, not knowing what to say. She knew she had to sign a contract, but she was surprised that someone had already prepared one.

"You have to sign here and here..." the man pointed with great efficiency, a bit annoyed that she wasn't signing the papers immediately.

"May I read them first?" she asked, pursing her lips.

She hoped he wouldn't protest. But she would not sign something she hadn't read. It was her life, after all.

The man sighed and left the room.

She hoped that meant he agreed, even if he looked vexed. She started to read and couldn't believe her eyes at the beginning.

It was a contract in which she agreed to become Count Ambrosio's daughter.

To her surprise, on her left, she could see her adoption papers—signed by her parents and Count Ambrosio himself. She could not believe how efficient he had been and couldn't understand the purpose or the rush behind these matters. She looked at his incredibly curly signature and the official stamp, which was very proficient and intricate. She didn't know how one managed such calligraphy—but anyway.

The matter of being his daughter was very peculiar, even more so after their kiss last night. Well, kiss plus some hugs—romantic hugs and squeezes. Anyway, to each their own.

Becoming his daughter meant she would gain a good level of protection, and she wouldn't end up in a labor camp or worse. If the crazy man needed a daughter, then a daughter she shall be.

Maybe now she could visit Floriana, now that the matter was settled.

She closed her eyes, sighed, opened them, and with a fast woosh—before she lost her courage—signed the papers and hoped he didn't need a daughter for some ritual sacrifice.