A White as Red as Blood (PG 13) (Completed)

Chapter 4: One step closer.

Gretel woke us in the morning, demanding we prepare for our visitor. My mother was eager to have me pruned and perfect. My future husband was coming in order to set affairs in order with my father before he took me as his wife. I hated the idea of it, my body rebelled against the material of the corset as Gretel pulled it tightly, knocking any air out of my body. I couldn’t help over thinking about the similarities between the corset and my future if I stayed. Bound, sore and with no way out. This time, the pinching would most definitely bruise. And yet, she continued pulling tighter. I shouted and squirmed against the pain, and even when she was done I couldn’t catch my breath. She slipped the extensive and itchy dress over my head next, squishing me in tighter. The corset was so tight that it lifted my breasts, which were after growing a few sizes since Gretel started. The new gown showed my cleavage, and I felt exposed. The buffoon, as I liked to call him, was in his late forties. His hair was white as snow and he was very overweight. It made me shiver, thinking about what I would be obligated to do with him as his wife. He wanted me because his previous wife recently became barren, having only provided him with three daughter. He wanted a son, so choose me to provide that for him. I hated it. My father had prepared a dowry for me, which is why he was coming to the palace today, to collect his prize. June too had to be dressed up, which I detested, feeling she was too young for such extravagance. Just as Gretel finished tying my tiny shoes and fixing pins into my overweight wig, a knock came from the door.

Gretel went over, saying something to the servant, and closed it again, returning to me.

“He is here my Lady”

I felt nauseous. I didn’t like this at all.

A half an hour it took to descend the stairs and go to Father’s drawing room, a trip which would usually take a mere five minutes. Entering the drawing room, I saw father signing a pure white parchment.

“Mary-Ann, you look absolutely scrumptious, dear”

I smiled at the old man, repulsed on the inside.

“Why thank you Lord Bolos, you too look rather dashing.”

The man’s hairy white wrinkled cheeks flashed red as he bowed for me. I curtsied back before taking a nearby seat to his one. My father glared at me, not impressed.

“Mary-Ann, please do go to the library or something, we are discussing that which only men may discuss.”

It wasn’t my father who advised me, rather Lord Bolos. Either way, it repulsed me to think that I am a lesser species than that of a man. My heart was screaming on the inside, demanding I rip the parchment up, but common sense prevailed, telling me I shall be free soon.

“Of course, my Lord, I shall leave you two to business then.”

“Very well princess, I shall look for you when matters are assorted here.”

I turned out of the room, my face pulling itself into a weird assortment before relaxing my muscles and leaving the room. Having nothing to do, I decided to go back out to the garden; perhaps I might have another note awaiting me from yesterday. I went to the hole in the stone wall, where the previous note had been.  Nothing seemed out of the ordinary here. The only difference was when I peeped through the hole, I saw nothing. The enchantment was gone. I headed towards where I dragged June from the stream, deciding on checking there, since I had seen Harry there. The stream looked captivated and enthralled, the sun glittering off the surface of the water. It was contrary to yesterday’s dull but beautiful appearance. Our clothing still lay, soaking and covered in brown stains of mud and sea grass. There it sat, on top of the material, folding so it was self standing.

“Mary-Ann,

You now know it is I, yet you do not know the mission. I am not to tell you how I am here or why, all that I am permitted to tell you, is the plan. Marry Mr. Bolos. He holds the key to your freedom, no matter how disguised it is. You shall still hear from me.

Xx

Harry”

I had not realised I was crying until I could taste the tears in on my tongue. If I had not seen Harry, I would have thought this to be an eager servant who wanted rid of me. But I had seen him, and I trusted him.  He was looking out for me. And he would save me. All I had to doo was marry Lord Bollox... I mean, Bolos.

“MARY-ANN?!”

I heard a faint whisper of my name being called. I shoved my new note into my corset and ran as fast as the shoes would carry me, my dress high above my ankles to give me extra speed. When I neared the part of the deforested garden, I saw the man calling me. It was Lord Bollox himself. His pipe was perused between his lips. When I came into his line of view, I corrected my posture, fixed my dress and walked over to him with purpose.   

“You called, my Lord”

“Ahh, Mary-Anna, I simply wished to have a conversation with you regarding our wedding, my dear”

He does not even now my name! It is Mary-Ann, not Mary-Anna. He does not know the first thing about me! Oh, how I loathed this agreement.

“Oh my Lord? What in particular?”

“I was simply wondering what you would like, I have money, so whatsoever it is, do not be afraid to tell me. A woman does only have one wedding.”

He struck another nerve, the nerve which told me that once I am free, I am still bound to this man through the eyes of God, and I cannot break a contract with Him.

“There is one particular thing which bothers me, and that is the future of my gorgeous young niece, June.”

“Ah yes, I think I have met the girl, beautiful creature, really”

“Yes well, she shall grow up in this lonesome palace, without a brother, sister, nor playmate, and I was simply hoping she could come with us and live with us. You see, then she would have a cousin to play with, and he and she would grow up with a companion.”

I used the bait of the son I hoped never to bear with this man, hoping to use what he wants to get what it is I want most. That is, to be with June.

“I shall have to give it great thought, but I cannot see how it would be a problem, considering we should have a son for her to play with.”

YES! I thought, delighted that he had caught my bait like a cat on a string.

“Well, go along then, tell her nurse she can come with us too and to pack their things, after all we have but three days until our wedding day.”

“Thank you ever so much my Lord”

I turned away from him, heading for the house where I shall tell the Nurse to pack her bags along with June’s.

“Oh, and Mary-Ann?”

 I rolled my eyes, composing myself before facing him again.

“Please, do call me Fredrick.”

He took another puff of his pipe and walked away from me, looking around our gardens. I left him there, thinking to myself, finally. I am one step closer to freedom with June.