Rebecca's POV: A Prisoner in Her Own Home
"ปล่อยฉันนะ" {Let me go!} I didn't have to understand the words to know what it meant as she let go of my grip and turned her back to me. Tears streamed down my face, but like I always do, I simply wiped them away and composed myself before starting to walk.
"รีเบคก้า" {Rebecca!} My mother tried to hold my hand, but I simply pulled away.
"Thank the heavens, 'tis over! Let us be gone," my father said, as he always does, like nothing happened. He treats low-class people's emotions as a waste of time or a joke.
I trudged into my room, the weight of my family's expectations suffocating me. "My will shall be thy law. Stay here, Rebecca." Father's command echoed in my mind.
"By all that's holy! What dost thou imply?" I asked in disbelief.
"Mind me, Rebecca! Thou'lt stay in thy room till I say otherwise." His voice was firm and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. I felt trapped, suffocated by his control over my every move.
I saw my mother just standing outside my door. I heard them argue, and I saw how my father slapped her, which made her fall to the ground. She tried to run in my direction, but my father quickly pulled her away and pushed her away from the door. He commanded the maids to lock my door.
Tears streamed down my face as I collapsed onto my bed. Why couldn't they understand? Why must they control every aspect of my life?
And it happened. Days passed, and I remained a prisoner in my own home. A maid would just bring food and help me clean myself, and then lock me up again. I have no news of Miss Nam, Irin, and most especially Freen. They don't let me speak to anyone. My only way to cope is this diary. I don't know how many tears I have already shed. I don't know what day it is. I can only hope that one day someone will find this diary and understand the pain I am going through. Perhaps then I will finally be free from this prison of silence and isolation.
The other day, people came here and made a fitting of my dress for an upcoming dinner with the Maurer family. That would be the first time I've been allowed out of this room in weeks. I can only pray that this dinner will bring some relief from the loneliness and uncertainty that have consumed me. I miss everyone on the mansion grounds, and I long for the freedom to roam and socialize once again. Perhaps this dinner will be the first step towards regaining some semblance of normalcy in my life.
But thinking I will see George, planning and talking about marriage with his family, makes me sicker than staying in these four corners of my room.
Just as I thought I couldn't bear it anymore, a soft knock came from the door.
"Oh, for goodness' sake! 'Tis locked, ye numbskulls! Canst thou not see 'tis barred?" I said with a sarcastic tone. I was so done with all the people here.
"Rebecca, it's me."
"Nop?" I called out, surprised.
The door creaked open, and Nop slipped in. "Hey, cousin, I heard what happened."
"Heh, 'tis fortunate thou holdest the key, for I possess none." I said as Nop approached me with a sympathetic look on his face.
"I brought you some food; I thought you might be hungry," he said, handing me a cake.
"At the moment it's not what I need, Nop," I said, just looking at the cake he was carrying, and he awkwardly put it on the side table.
Nop sat beside me, his expression empathetic. "I get it, Rebecca. I really do. You feel trapped." He looked at the diary I was writing in, and I simply closed it and put it in my drawer.
I sniffled, and he handed me his handkerchief.
"I'll talk to your father, okay? I'll make him understand. I swear upon my honor, Rebecca, I shall set things right," Nop promised.
"Heavens praise thy promptness, Nop! Why didn't you do that at your place when all this started? You are weeks late, Nop." I said, not believing his concern.
"I know, and I feel bad about it. That's why I am here to change it. I'll do my best to convince him." Nop's eyes were filled with determination as he spoke, making me feel a glimmer of hope. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but having his support meant everything to me.
I just hope he is serious.
"I guess I'll be going now," he said, standing up. He looked at me with a reassuring smile before heading towards the door. "I am really sorry, Rebecca, I assure you, and I was really serious when I told you I regretted what I did before. And I want to make it up with you and Freen." He said that and got out of the door; I heard it click, which means he locked it again.
I slumped against the bed, my mind racing. I miss her so much, and I wonder if he truly means it this time. I understand what she did back there. I know she did it for me; I just hope she is doing fine.
Freen's POV: A Painful Farewell
My heart broke as I turned my back to her, but it was the best thing I could do. "ผม/ดิฉันเสียใจมาก" {I'm deeply sorry,} I whispered. My steps were so heavy as I walked away from them. I headed to the back of the palace and weakly leaned on a tree when I was already out of their sight.
My eyesight became blurry, and tears started to stream down my face, the weight of my decision settling heavily on my shoulders. I knew that leaving was necessary for her safety, but the pain of separation was almost unbearable.
And from there, I saw the carriage of my beloved Lady Rebecca.
I will always just be loving you from afar, my Lady Rebecca. Only from afar, never having the courage to approach you again. The memory of your smile will forever be etched in my heart, even as I walk away from the life we could have had together.