The Girl Who Liked To Play With Snakes

Chapter 2

The boat ride to England was pretty boring for Arabella. She sadly had motion sickness and the rocking of the ship left her unconscious in her room for most of the trip. Rocco stayed with her for most of the ride, leaving only when he sensed rodents nearby for a meal. He loved being with Arabella. She was calm most of the time, in turn making him calm. When he was first found by her he was surprised by her ability to speak to him. But over a few years he had grown more accustomed to it and decided to stay with her permanently. Though his kind doesn't live very long, 10-17 years, he had learned lots about humans. Whenever he was confused he would go to Arabella and she would explain it in a way he could understand. Like when he saw the servants preparing food. Cooking meat was a new idea to him and after trying it he was thoroughly impressed. 

Coming back from eating a mouse, Rocco saw Arabella stir. He quickly slithered up onto the bed waiting for her to open her eyes. She felt the snake return to the bed, which caused her to smile. 

"Off eating were you?" Arabella said with her eyes still closed. Rocco made a noise of surprise.

"Well, of course. I can't stay here all of the time." He said slithering up beside her.

"I know that." She said matter of factly, sitting up. She held her stomach grimacing. 

Rocco hated seeing her like this. 

"I wish this ship would stop moving." Arabella stood up still holding her stomach.

"Well, I overheard your parents saying the ship would be docking in a few hours or so. Hopefully that is good news." Rocco said in a questioning voice. 

"Oh right. Docking is another word for the ship going to shore. We will be in England shortly." Her voice became slightly more happy. "I must get ready."

She stood up going to her closet. Rocco thought now would be a good time to sleep. So with no warning to Arabella he closed his eyes.

When he was awoken, he was in Arabella's dress and from the sounds, he was in a carriage. Arabella was once again in the dress that her parents hated. She knew they were going right to dinner with her husband to be, so she really wanted to piss off her parents. She did put makeup on the marks on her face, which made her mother a bit happier. 

Her father didn't care either way. He just wanted to get rid of her. This would be the 10th earl that he had tried to set up with his daughter. All the others had turned her down just by hearing about her illness. They wanted arm candy and a skin disease made her not wanted by many. The earl he had found that agreed, was young and had a medical degree. His parents had told him if he didn't marry soon the family land would be given to his younger brother. He was desperate. He knew about vitiligo and didn't mind much. Arabella's father thought it was because he knew how to get rid of it. Not like he cared. This spawn of his was just a way to get money. The bride price was starting to be less of a thing, but this young man's family must still believe it. 

The carriage stopped outside the dwelling of Arabella's relatives. They had agreed to have the meal at their place so they could meet Arabella as well. From the window, she could see two servants waiting to grab her families luggage. Jumping out of the carriage she began the stretch when her mother smacked her arm. 

"Ow!"

"Can you act like a proper woman for once in your life? Show some self respect." Her mother yelled at her. Arabella stared in shock. 

"What are you talki-"She was cut off when her mother began talking again.

"You don't stretch like that in public. Your dress rides up, showing more skin, and then your dress turns skin tight." Her mother's eyes softened for once. "Can you act like an aristocrat for once? I know you were not born for this, but please. If not for me, then for yourself." Arabella stood with her eyes wide open. She was speechless. Her mother was always strict with her, but now she understood. Of course it had to be when she was about to leave her family forever when she understood. Her mother was just trying to help her the only way she knew how.