Unbecoming of A Lady

Prologue: The Secret

Hey guys! This story was supposed to be my project for school, but then, I didn't finish it in time so I passed a different one. :( 

But that's alright! Since I get to share this with you guys. :) I'm trying to edit it again, or what I manage to write before anyway, so it'll probably take me long to update. Not to mention that school's starting again! Waaaaah!!!! Noooooooooo.

Oh well.

Don't worry, only the first part of chater is going to be in 3rd person point of view. The rest is in 1st POV. :)

I'd appreciate comments/reviews. :) If you somewhat like it, please vote! 

Hope you enjoy!

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(3rd person POV)

“Get a move garl!” A bulky man, wearing a worn out and dirty general’s uniform with a sneering face shouted, roughly pushing the little girl down the snow. The little girl coughed dryly then tried to wipe the brown, dirty snow off her face, but it stuck like glue much to her dismay. Her frozen hands tried to push her tiny body up, but it stopped cooperating the minute she was forced to endure the cold, long walk without any cloak, scarf nor gloves, but only a flimsy dress protecting her body from the cold.

“Hey, move‘t already! I won’t be waiting for anybady, ‘specially ya!” The ugly man cackled out a boisterous laugh, as if feeling proud that he was insulting the young girl on the ground. The girl continued to try getting up, while the guard continued mocking her. “Aw, poor lit’tle baby. Whare’re yar mommy and daddy? Lost ya on the way to the park?” The guard grinned triumphantly when he saw tears spilling down the little girl’s face. 

“Stand up!” His singsong voice shifted to his natural cruel tone. He started kicking the little girl while she shielded her tiny body from the attacks. She moaned from the pain, and clutched her sides, but the general never stopped. 

“Ya clumsy-“ kick “-stupid-“ kick “-wee-“ ki-

“Stop!”

A young boy, at the age of sixteen with golden blonde hair peaking through his bowler hat and high-class society clothes, consisting of a loose fit coat, long sleeved shirt and pants, all made from expensive material, shoved the guard mid-kick, then took the trembling little girl in his arms, trying to soothe her. The guard, regaining his balance, quickly turned on him and grabbed his back by the collar. “Who d’ya think ya are, boy? Just ‘cause you’re some stinkin’ rich kid doesn’t mean ya can-“ The boy cut him off with a hard glare, pulling the guard’s hand off of his collar with surprising force, despite his small frame. He put down little girl behind him, trying to shield her from the cruel man. 

“Pardon me, General Jason, but our little chitchat must be cut off for I am running late for my scheduled dinner plan with a very important person.“ The rich-looking boy said in a business-like tone. 

He then faced the little girl and asked in a gentle voice, “May I know your name?” The little girl looked at him shyly then muttered “Clarice” in a small voice. The boy smiled a kind smile then offered the little girl a hand, “Well then, Clarice. What would you say about a full meal and some small chitchat by a heated fireplace?”  

General Jason turned red with embarassmant from being ignored. He grabbed the boy at his shoulders then started shaking him. “Ya insolent boy! How’dya know my name, huh?! Answer me!” 

The boy still looked at him cooly. “General Jason, I think it would be wise of you to let go of me right now or else,” This time the boy smirked. “my father would not be very happy in hearing that one of his generals mishandled his heir in the middle of a road.” The guard froze, all the color draining away from his face. “D-duke Carter Beaufort?”

The boy’s smirk widened, “Oh, no. That’s my father. My name is Sir Carter Beaufort II.” Carter faced Clarice then once again offered his hand. “Well, we shall be off then. A good night to you, sire.” He bowed to the pale general, still rooted on the spot. They started to turn away, but then he looked back and called out. 

“Oh, I almost forgot. Do not fret about the little incident that happened today,” the general let out a big sigh of relief, “I’m sure my father would be delighted to hear about it.” He continued and he smirked at the paler figure of the general, then continued walking beside the little girl, Clarice.

*** 

(1st person POV) 

I sighed exhaustingly as I entered the hallway leading to my chambers. I just finished depositing Clarice on a trusted orphanage downtown after treating her to a fancy dinner. I learned from during dinner that her parents were killed during the war, thus making her an abandoned child with no relatives left. General Jason found her inside their abandoned house near the woods, starving and lonely. He then decided to bring Clarice to the black market, planning to sell her as a servant. It really is a lucky chance that I was just looking for a hidden place to practice sword-fighting when they happened to pass by me, or else, who knows where Clarice would be right now? 

I trudged down the hall, mind still occupied with what happened earlier, when one of the doors quietly opened, revealing a blond, lean man dressed in a plain, white polo, cuffed at the ends, paired with loose trousers. He looked like he was just about to change his clothes. His eyes, a startling forest green that screams of mischievousness. He smirked, as he looked at me, still oblivious of his presence.

Then, he tossed a white cloth straight to my face, taking me off guard. I looked at the cloth, revealing it to be a plain, white corset, then I stared at the blond boy leaning on the door on the left side of the hallway. 

“I believe, that is yours, my dear Carter.” He said and I blushed at the used endearment. “Please, the next time you plan to intrude in my room, do not leave your clothes and especially your undergarments there for everybody to see, it is really unbecoming of a young lady-” he paused grinning “-I’m sorry, I mean a young lad, like you.” 

He walked slowly, closer to where I stood. I started backing behind until I met the hard wall. He stepped closer to me, levelling his face with mine.

“We wouldn’t want the maids to make assumptions when they see Lady Carolina Beaufort’s clothes in Lord Michael Mason’s room now, would we?” He smirked, pulling my hair free from the clips under the hat, realeasing my long, wavy blonde hair, then swiftly turned around, leaving me red and breathless. 

He was just about to close the door to his room, when he paused then turned back, facing me. “Oh, and I really need the shirt you are wearing back by tomorrow. I plan on using that for the gathering your father scheduled three days from now.” At that, Michael gave one last grin to my red-faced face then quickly shut the door of his bedroom. As I was left alone in the silent hallway, I couldn’t help but wonder whether it really is better for Michael to know my secret or not.