Back In time

Twenty-Two

"Wake up, Abbey! It is time for your class." Camille smacked my bottoms before tugging the blanket off me.

"What class?" I replied sleepily, snuggling deeper into the softness of my bed. The sound of the curtains was withdrawn and the change in brightness was detected through my eyelids.

"Sir Nicholas' class!" This time, she dragged my body towards the edge of the bed. For a girl with such a small built, she does have massive strength.

"I don't want to go for class. Just tell him that I'm sick." I groaned, shielding myself from the sunlight by burying my head under the pillow.

Camille sighed, "If you do not wake up, there will not be any breakfast left for you." Instantly, I sat up straight and glanced at Camille, who threw me a delightful smile.

"What do you mean no breakfast?"

"Given how late you went to sleep last night, Sir Nicholas knew you that would be exhausted. But he says that lessons are to be resumed as per normal. He also firmly instructed that I was not supposed to give you any breakfast if you decided to skip his class."

"Fine." I huffed, "I won't argue with him over this issue. I will go for class." I stood from my bed and went to freshen myself, allowing Camille to help me change into the outfit of the day.

"You are all set!" Camille made her final touches to the dress by adjusting the bow behind my waist.

"Follow me now." She held the door open, signaling that it was time to start the day's activities.

"Wait! What about my breakfast?"

"Oh, silly me! I was also instructed by Sir Nicholas that you are to join him for breakfast." Camellia giggled. I on the other hand, was staring at her with my mouth hanging agape.

"Why would he want to have breakfast with me?" It was the first time that Nicholas and I shared a meal together. Last I heard; he always had his in his study while I had mine in the dining room. The only time that we ever saw each other was for lessons. So, what's changed?

"He knew you would say that. So, he told me to tell you that today's lesson will be on dining etiquette."

"Oh." I simply replied before following Camille to the dining hall. Strangely enough, a part of me felt disappointed that it wasn't out of his personal wanting to dine with me, but rather for the sake of sharpening my etiquette.

When we finally reached the dining area, there was no one, except for Nicholas who sat quietly by himself, with his eyes fixated on an area of the table. It felt like there was a wall surrounding him, pulling him deep into his sea of thoughts, leaving him completely unaware of our entrance.

"Sir Nicholas, Abbey has arrived." Camille introduced. He finally looked up, his face holding a blank expression, void of any emotions.

"Good. Tell the kitchen to bring our breakfast." His voice seemed so cold. I didn't know why, but it hurt me to see him in this state. He seems so far away, his eyes looked so isolated and empty. I wanted nothing but the hug him out of his sorrows. I wanted him to rely on me, to be his pillar of support.

Is he really okay?

"Judging by the way you look today; you must be dying to impress me."

I take that back; he is definitely okay.

"If you didn't blackmail me into having lessons, I wouldn't have bothered myself to speak with someone of your uh, caliber." I rolled my eyes, only to cause his smirk to grow wider.

"Still, I'm flattered that you hold my words with such thoughtfulness. I reckon that it must be of great importance to you, in right about here." His finger pointed to the region where my heart was situated. I quickly slapped his finger away.