If Thorns Were Roses~

Chapter 1; Morning Rays

"Just as roses come with thorns, so will every beautiful experience you seek come with it's arsenal of troubles; so be prepared to fight for what you want." 

---

It was a fine morning; the sun's glare shown brightly through my thin, white curtains when my eyes fluttered open. As my vision cleared the familiar mustard-yellow walls of my room came into view. I yawned, wishing desperately to fall back into the peaceful slumber I had awoken from. But alas, the sun had spoken. It was time to rise, as today was an especially important day. 

I slipped out from under my thick quilt and smoothed the fabric back down onto my wooden bed. The floorboards creaked as I skipped lightly out of my room and down the spiral stairway, hanging onto the banister for support.  The wood on the banister was polished and slick, which made it slippery and hard to grasp. But I managed to get down without falling, and then proceeded to slide across the floor wearing my cotton socks. It felt like ice skating, and reminded me of the times my father would take me to the rink in the winter. Memories came flooding back, but came to an abrupt halt when I slammed into my butler. 

"Miss L/n, we've discussed this! It's quite unladylike to behave in this manner, not to mention it's very dangerous! A-and where are your dress shoes?! And why aren't you wearing your bustle?!?! We have an important ceremony today, Miss L/n! We all expect better from you." Sir William Counterwill, our family butler, was quite the... appropriate type. He liked things to be just a certain way, and followed thousands of old traditions. He's been our family butler for decades; helping to raise most of us in this household. Mother says I'm lucky; he was a lot more prudent when she was my age, though I almost find it hard to believe. 

"I'm sorry, Sir William. Just excited for the big day!" I picked myself up from the floor and began to waltz away, but Sir William stuck his arm out to stop me. 

"Go put your bustle and dress shoes on before you go anywhere. And good heavens, go find a proper dress, too! You'll need a corset and a hoop skirt if you want to look anywhere NEAR presentable-" before he could even finish his sentence, I had slipped from underneath his arm and hurried up the staircase. I heard him mutter something along the lines of "She needs to learn how to be a proper lady," as I rushed upwards. I brushed it off with a giggle, and wandered the top floor. I could smell breakfast being fixed from the top floor, and was already feeling hungry. However, I still needed to find the seamstress to help me get ready, so breakfast would have to wait.