"Violet…you're a good child, your heart is pure and I'm sure you can do anything you set your mind to. Promise me, that after I'm gone, you will live ... .a blissful life."
Grandfather….
A soft sigh escapes my lips, my fingers moving to trace the jade amulet resting on the peak of my chest.
My eyes flutter close as I recall the last words of my only remaining family, the weight of it growing heavier with each passing day.
Honestly, I didn't know how I was going to keep this promise, not when loan sharks were hot on my tail, clamoring and threatening to devour me whole.
I barely had enough money for his funeral, and my job as a waitress was nothing to cover up for the costs. Back then, it seemed like a feeble dream–a castle in the sky–I was sure that I was destined to rot in penury, clawing at whatever my hands could find to make ends meet.
But, on one dreary morning, when the sun rose and kissed the clouds with its warmth, I was busy going through my mail for the week, expecting to receive my sorry excuse of a salary, But then I stumbled upon a letter.
"Dear Violet Roseline…"
It read, " We are delighted to inform you that you've been granted admission into one of the most reputable bridal institutes of all Demare, selected as a bride candidate to marry into a prestigious family of high class and status. All costs for your travels have been taken care of and we look forward to having you at our fine institute."
And as if that wasn't enough to get my jaw scraping the wooden boards of the floor, an extra note was attached to the bottom of the letter, its message delivering a heavier blow than the preceding one.
" We surely hope you honor our invitation, and please accept our condolences for the death of your grandfather. Therefore, we offer you a small token of our sympathy.
~Signed, The Aurora.
I had fallen to my knees in pure shock when I saw the cheque that came along with the note, a token that was enough to settle my debt, and cover my grandfather's funeral. And they called it a token, a token?!
I had originally thought that I had to be dreaming. Was this what people called a miracle?
The Aurora, first introduced in the early years by the royal family as a way to create a perfect bond among nobles in the higher society, and sustain long lasting relationships between the them, the first and only bridal institution in Demare
But why would I of all people be selected as a Bride candidate? I had no plans of getting married anytime soon.
All I wanted was a fresh start, A new chapter of my ever tragic story.
But….
"Lady Violet, it's time for your table etiquette exercise."
What was I doing at the Aurora?!!
"Lady Violet?"
With a heavy sigh, I turned away from the window and pulled my famous smile; a smile the men back at the bar I worked at always gushed over.
"I'll be right there, Miss Marinette." I answered politely, and the middle aged woman before me nods her head in approval.
I had cleared all my dept and even purchased a small shop in the middle of the city, I was going to groom and sell flowers. I had everything planned out, also got myself a decent apartment close to the shop. And to celebrate this glorious feat, I went out into the city to explore and treat myself to a good meal.
My first sip of wine will forever be burned into my memory, just like the taste of how the sponge cake melted on my tongue. It was simply divine, but that was it. After that everything else was blank, and the next I woke up in the Aurora, being welcomed by it's headmistress.
The Aurora was situated in the capital city of Demare; Lakelore. And that was about twenty kilometers away from the city I lived in.
"You're improving excellently well Lady Violet, your husband is a really lucky fellow." Miss Marinette chortles and it became harder to keep my smile intact. "Well that'll be all for now." With that said, she stands to her feet, and I usher her towards the exit, bowing my head slightly in respect to her as she leaves the room.
Once she's gone, I straighten up and heave out another sigh. I comb my hands through my hair and turn towards the calendar perched by my bed side.
"Two weeks." I muttered under my breath, my gaze wondering out the window, settling on bright sky once again. I've been here for two weeks and it still feels surreal. I've never been so confused in all my life, from my grandfather's death, to the letter, the cheque, and now this.
Why?
Why was I selected?
How did they come to know of my grandfather's death?
We were no where near popular, certainly not enough to catch the attention of such a dignified organization.
How did I end up at the Aurora?
And most importantly…..
Who am I betrothed to?
A knock on my door pulls me from my train of thoughts, and before I could answer, the double doors swing open, revealing two beautiful women.
"Violetta!" I'm suddenly engulfed by thin yet strong arms, almond brown hair tickling my cheeks as a delighted giggle bounced off my ears. "Let's take a walk in the northern gardens!"
It was none other than Samantha Milliana, one of the bride candidates enrolled here. She was a high class noble, being related to the prime minister of Demare.
"Don't go latching unto people like a lost puppy Samantha, where are your manners?"
Trailing closely behind Samantha was Martha Milliana, she wore a disapproving frown at her younger sister's behavior, but Samantha payed no mind to her and faced me instead.
"Violetta doesn't mind." She begins, her brown eyes pleading as she looks up at me. "Do you mind Violetta?" She asks me, her innocent tone and sparkling eyes made me want to pat her head, so I did and she responds by smiling brightly.
She was really like a puppy.
The Milliana sisters were fond of me some reason, one of the mysteries I've yet to comprehend as well. Not only were they elites of society, they also possesed astounding beauty and grace.
"Come on, the northern garden is one of the places I haven't explored yet." Samantha presses on, and Martha shakes her head at her persistence, casting me a glance as if to say it was my call.
"Sure why not" I finally say and Samantha's features glow in happiness, never thought her smile could grow wider.
"Yay!" She cheers, and with that we all head out to the northern garden. On our way, Samantha tells us about how she'd received letters from her betrothed, and Martha scolds her; telling her that she wasn't meant to be in contact with him till after her training.
As the sisters bicker, I silently enjoy the view of the beautiful array of flowers, strolling towards the bush of sunflowers, I crouch down to admire the colourful petals.
Honestly, my stay at the Aurora hasn't been bad, apart from the daily excercises, it was mostly peaceful.
Peace.
Such a fleeting feeling, one that flickers like a candle out in the open, there's no guarantee that it would last forever.
Picking a flower, I bring it to my nose and sniff, a melancholic smile pulling at the corners of my lips as a wave of nostalgia washes over me.
"Live a blissful life….."
I still don't know what is going on, and as unsettling as that may be, I want to enjoy this short moment of peace. I deserve that much.
While I admire my flower, I catch a sight of a little butterfly from my peripheral vision. It's wings were as yellow as the sunflowers, catching my attention as it settles on my flower.
I try to greet it with my finger, but then it takes off again. Intrigued, I follow it on its path; feeling the excitement of a little girl as I chase it.
I follow it into a deeper part of the garden, watching it disappear between a rose bush.
"I've got you now." Determined, I get on my knees and crawl towards the bush stealthily, not giving a care about soiling my dress as I'm too focused on my current goal.
As I reach the bush, I spot it's yellow wings through the space between the bush, avoiding the thorns, I part the bush.
A rush of wind brushes past me as a gasp escaped my lips, my eyes rounding in awe as my heart skips a beat.
For what I found was not just the butterfly.
There layed a man, sleeping so soundly without a single care in the world.
His white hair was spread across the grass, fallen rose petals decorating it. His long eyelashes cast a shadow on his pale subtle skin, and his cherry lips were slightly parted.
I was entraced by his beauty, instantly forgetting about the butterfly that perched on his collar. He was dressed in a light silk shirt and dark pants, his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and the rush of wind had exposed his chest, involuntarily causing my cheeks to heat up.
It seemed I wasn't the only one drawn to him, the butterfly must have mistook him for a flower and I clearly saw why, he was indeed just as appealing as a bright red rose.
Unsatisfied with staying on his collar, the butterfly fluttered to his nose and I don't know why my heart sped up when he stirred in his sleep.
My mind screamed at me to take off that instant, but I was unable to look away, not even when his eyes cracked open.
Another gasp.
Violet.
Such pretty violet eyes.
"Hmm.." he mumbled, waking from his slumber. Soon his gaze found mine and my heart stopped for a moment.
His smile came slow, A lazy smile that spelt trouble yet was so endearing.
"Have I been caught?"