"In this world of unnecessary death, it is soothing to know happiness does indeed exist. And I have found mine in miss Ella. A woman who has endured too much tragedy this past year, but I intend on replacing those dark memories with good, pure ones. Which is why I am asking for your hand in marriage." A man said as he held the hand to a beautiful ivory skinned woman whose dark hair flew as she quickly moved to head so her eyes met with him.
"I would be delighted." She said as she smiled. He pulled her against his chest hard before whispering in her ear. "Good." When they pulled away, he slid a large ring upon her finger before the group of people surrounding the table began to applaud. The women rose from their chairs and hugged Ella as the men shook the newly engaged male's hand.
"Thomas..."
"Yes my dear?" He asked as he shook the final hand.
"I am feeling quite lightheaded-"
"Again?"
She nodded. "Would I be able to rest? I have been having nightmares of the-"
"Yes my darling." He kissed her hand before she excused herself from the room and moved her way up the stairs. Pushing the door open, she placed all of her body weight against it before locking the door by removing the key on her side. She placed it upon the vanity before then exiling the pins from her hair and attempted to place them on the surface but they had fallen to the floor. Ella's breath grew quick as she felt as if the air was growing thin around her. She shuffled towards the window and unlatched the iron locks before sitting in front as the evening air swept her hair behind her.
"I wish I knew the path you wish for me to take..." She said to the stars before her eyes met on the village diagonal from her window. With her cheek rested upon her arm, her eyes met with a man who had been leaning on a fence near a tavern lit bright with high torches. He lifted his mug to her as she shot up and smirked. Feeling as if she were a child who had gotten away with something forbidden, she shut her windows as Thomas made his presence known at her door. Quickly, she tore her dress from her body and placed it in a large vat on the opposite side of the room before placing the key in the door and running behind her divider in only her corsets.
"Why had your door been locked?"
"I was changing...." She said truthfully before he saw her new engagement ring upon her vanity-something she had not realized she had taken off. Her cheeks became flushed as she grew uncomfortable having to lie once more. "I was planning on taking a bath darling..."
"I shall not keep you long. I only worry when you feel ill. I feel as if there is a more serious condition underway..."
"I doubt it...I have not slept well in some time and-"
"Perhaps sleeping beside me will accomplish a full night's rest..." He said with caring eyes before awaiting her response.
"Perhaps it may..." She said before hiding her relieved gaze behind her divider and hearing the door clothes. She peeked around the divider before seeing he had indeed vacated. Ella set herself on the edge of her bed before hearing a commotion outside. Peeked with annoying curiosity, she fetched a gown and redressed in a subtle color before then snatching her hood and escaping through the back stairwell as the engagement party continued without her. She moved quickly through the streets before coming to men with torches chasing after a few other men who had been far more athletic and clever than those who were chasing them. They duck around a corner as she kept her distance, but followed safely behind to see the moments unravel.
Finding herself at a dead end, she turned to find someone snatch her from behind and cover her mouth.
"You make one move and I silence you for the rest of your life." He threatened low in her ear as men chased in front of them. The man slowly crept from the alley before moving towards the shoreline and towards horses who were tied to posts on the edge of town. He was keen to release her before seeing torches move in the distance. Then, he turned her so her back hit against his chest hard enough as she felt his tough torso on her back. He placed a blade on her neck as she saw his facial expression in the reflection of the blade; crazed eyes, a wicked smirk, and even a sickly paleness.
