The Rose That Never Withered (Wattys 2017)

‡Chapter 19 - More than a Mate's Attraction‡

"In the classical spiritual definition, a soul mate is someone that you have reincarnated with many times. You find each other in many lifetimes" - Frederick Lenz

My eyes fluttered open. It took several seconds for my eyes to adjust to my surroundings.

It was already morning in the manor.

I tried to move upwards from my position, receiving a sudden soreness upon my neck. My arms felt numb from supporting my head while my bum, on the other hand, is sore from sitting on the chair all night.

Well at least there wasn't a line of drool from my mouth this time.

I remember now. The dream I had was so long that I felt like it happened for a whole day. Now I felt as if I've been sleeping for a day and a half. My body felt heavy and my sight was just beginning to adjust to the warm sunlight peeking through the windows.

I tried to yawn but quickly covered my mouth, noticing Julianne lying on the bed. He had a peaceful expression on his face while his chest rose up and down with each steady breath. Why does he have to be so perfect? Even in sleeping too.

A soft knock sounded on the door, startling me that I almost shrieked.

"Master Julianne" the woman spoke. I could recognize it as one of Greta's kitchen helpers.

As it took a moment for her to continue, I answered in Julianne's behalf.

"What is it?" I didn't mean for it to sound rude. My grogginess had rather put me in a grumpy mood.

"Miss Rose!?! I- forgive me!" she sounded as if a taken back. I could almost imagine her red face behind the door.

What exactly was she thinking?

"It's fine." I assured. I attempted to ask the question again with a nicer, friendlier approach."What is the trouble?" I asked, delighted when my voice came out softer than expected.

"Well miss- I er..." she seemed uncertain- almost doubting, to tell me.

"Yes?" I pressed.

"Mr and Mrs Grimoire... arrived this morning."

I swear I just felt my head flying off somewhere. Mr. and Mrs. Grimoire.

The Mr. and Mrs. Grimoire? Regan's parents? Why? What are they doing here? Is Regan with them?

Oh God, I had to know.

I went to the door hurriedly to avoid making any further noises that might wake Julianne up, cautious to make little silent steps towards the door a meter away. I slightly opened the door to ask the uncertain helper on the other side, once again to confirm what I had heard earlier.

"Come again?" I questioned.

"They arrived unannounced this morning milady." She looked back down when she met my gaze "and uh... Master Regan was with them too."

I stood frozen in my spot, staring out-mindedly at the petite girl's face. She was quite beautiful too if you look closely, with a few freckles visible on her cheek with a natural rosy blush, along with her pale complexion. She was beautiful in the form of simplicity.

Regan.

He's here.

Could it mean I called for him? I have so many questions for him left unanswered. He barely even scratched the surface when he dropped the bomb in my dream. Questions like where he was all this time and why'd he leave in the first place boggled my mind.

"Tell them I'll be coming down shortly, Julianne's not in proper condition to converse" I whispered through the door.

"Yes milady." she said before curtsying.

The girl scurried away hurriedly out of sight that I worried she would trip and fall.

I felt giddy as I straightened my dress, facing the full length mirror on the way down.

Good enough to pass, but my hair though, that's a different story. I had removed all the pins and let it cascade up to my hip and brushed it a bit. It softened and regained its natural waves.

I breathed in a heavy sigh and finally went down, my light steps echoing through the pristine marble floors of the Vilgrain manor.

"Miss" it was the same freckled girl minutes ago, "They are waiting for you at the lounge."

"I see, thank you" and she left. I took my time to close the distance between the lounge door and me. I took a deep breath as I approached the entrance. It strangely smells like lilies.

Then the door opened and what greeted me were the smiling faces of Mr. and Mrs. Grimoire standing on left side of the wide lounge room, but that wasn't what caught my eye, no. At the other end of the room, standing just meters from where I am, a familiar face comes into view.

He smiled.

"Hello Rose" he greeted.

My lips tugged up to form a smile as the familiarity sinks in.

"You little weasel."

-End-