Into the Deep

Part 3

The evening sky was a silken canvas, drenched in the evening hues of the setting sun. A soft shade of blue intertwined with various shades of orange, as the salmon-pink clouds framed the horizon. The forest fauna an evening hymn, the birds sang their final songs. The stealthy crickets drummed in an anticipation of the Moon's reign while the river that tangled between the forest canopy seemed to quiet down as if to mourn the dusking sun. The first signs of tranquillity diffused into the forest surrounding the Kassmeyer manor.

The calmness of the outdoors was opposite to the rush inside the manor. The Baron though a nobleman since birth, worked hard to acquire most of his wealth. Owning a big amount of coal mines he took on a burden of inspecting and controlling the production process while scavenging for potential landmarks rich of this  "black gold".  Majority of the servants ran about preparing the Baron's arrival and the date his wife had planned.  The stables were prepared to welcome his black steed, the front yard was broomed out, while the main foyer was dusted with a bling. Daffie took on a responsibility of lighting the candles recently scattered around the  Baron's room, while her companion polished a grande silver table placed in the middle of the chamber, preparing it for the myriad of dishes and drinks.

As Marina opened the curtain the remaining sunlight bounced onto the wide windows of her room. A mixture of pink and gentle red colour illuminated the room. Marina observed the outside surroundings in anticipation of her husband's return. Even though Marina told Daffie to notify her when the Baron would arrive she couldn't help but take a peak, after all this was the day him and she would finally bond. The Baron would arrive at any minute. As she broke away from the window Marina pranced to her vanity, to complete the unfinished details of her look. She already put on the recently bought dress, simple in design but magnificent in execution the dress perfectly hugged Marina's delicate waist. As if mimicking the room's illumination, the dress was a perfect combination of pink and gentle red. A sheer red fabric tightened at her bust transitioning into loose off-shoulder sleeves, elegantly draped across her arms, exposing the majority of her marble-like skin. While the skirt grew into a pink satin that draped across her hips, the abundance of the rose material covered the floor appearing as a blossoming flower. The whole ensemble was complemented by a beige corset, that glimmered under the dying sunlight, due to the gold elegant golden thread that ran across the circumference of the corsetMarina approached a mirror, observing herself, she brushed out her hair into a luscious stream of glistening waves that ended at her corset.

The chamber was almost ready, her look was almost ready, yet Marina doubted her readiness. Even though she and the Baron were married for three months, the last 'conversation' they shared was the exchange of vows at the wedding. Yet Marina felt obliged to mend with her husband, it was the least she could do. Even though Marina recognized the appeal of her face this could not raise her confidence, the Baron made her feel vulnerable, he was a young, stately nobleman who certainly didn't lack in attractiveness. Additionally, his surrounding brought her to shame, the Baron was oftenly surrounded by ceremonious men and women that Marina could never compare to. She may have tried her best, read myriad books on etiquette, meticulously observed the mannerisms of the noble ladies and educated herself on numerous topics, such sciences, geography, literature and world history. Yet as she viewed herself in the mirror, the only individual she saw, was a poor, uneducated farm girl of mediocre looks. Even though the terrible whisper's of her past were muffled by the luxury, the echoes of self-disregard still lingered in her thoughts.

As Marina lingered in her own doubts, Daffie burst through the door with the words.

"Mrs, I can see the carriage, the Baron is on the way!"

"Alright Daffie, I have one last task for you today"

"Anything Mrs."

"Observe him and tell me when he enters his chamber and then immediately notify me."