The carriage with our Broderick's family crest was waiting for me at the front entrance. I was so excited that I hopped happily towards the door.
"Slow down little miss, you might fall." Flora who was walking behind me said worriedly.
"Don't worry Flora, I'm perfectly in control." I smiled happily.
"Let the little miss play a little." Sir Frank said with a smile. "It has been age since I saw the little miss get excited and happy like that."
Flora sighed. "I know what you mean. I just don't want to see little miss getting hurt or sick again. I don't want to worry the ducal couple, especially now that the duchess is sick in bed."
My mother the Duchess Broderick has become sickly this past month. I have a feeling that her sickness is not something simple. As I remember, in the timeline of the novel the duchess has since departed for the afterlife. This made me think if her current illness has anything to do with her early death in the novel.
"Flora, mother loves eating sweet things right?" I looked back at Flora. "Do you know any pastry shops in town?"
"Well there are many pastry shops located in town. But there is one that is famous for their cakes." Flora said.
"Then let's pay a visit later, okay?" I smiled happily.
"Of course little miss." Flora replied with a smile.
Sir Frank helped me up the carriage and Flora followed me. I sat in the comfy seats inside and looked at the interior of the carriage. The interiors are royal blue in color and the feel of the fabric on the seats are soft to the touch. Being that our family is one of the wealthiest in Argentine kingdom, for sure the carriages are top notch.
"Let's get going." I said while lifting the curtains of the carriage window.
"Yes little miss." Sir Frank said and gave a nod towards the coachman.
I felt the carriage move and was so excited. This was my first time riding a carriage that was pulled by horses. I really am looking forward to the experience. Not to mention I will also start my horse riding lessons when I turn nine years old.
As we go along the road, I looked outside to enjoy the sceneries. The surroundings are full of trees and greeneries that it feels pleasing to the eyes.
Back in my world, all I can see are cemented roads and tall buildings. I was living in the busy city and didn't have the luxury to go vacations in beaches or the likes. Seeing the scenery in the fief is kind of refreshing to me.
The travel time to the town didn't take too long. We arrived in the bustling town full of people doing their business. I looked outside in wonder and awe. I see people walking down the street, I see shops opened for business, it was a normal day busy day in town.
The carriage came into a stop in front of a store that sells knitting and sewing items. Just when I was about to get off, I heard people in the vicinity talking.
"Look, it's the duke's carriage."
"Who might be in it?"
"Maybe the duchess or the little miss?"
"I heard the little miss is currently sick. She hasn't been out of the mansion for a long time now."
'So news from the mansion also comes to the ears of common people.' I thought to myself.
That just means that the rumors regarding Eric are also going thru the ears and mouths of people in the fief. No wonder Eric is a little sensitive in this topic, he must feel anger hearing such rumors. It is not just an insult to Duke Broderick but also to the deceased parents of Eric.
'After fixing my misunderstanding with Eric, I would help father and mother with their relationship and then clear Eric and father with these rumors.' I thought to myself.
I things to do and made a mental checklist. I sighed thinking that my work is piling up.
I get off the carriage and Sir Frank was out front to help me down. Like I thought, the people around were looking at us in curiosity.
"Oh look, it's the little miss of the ducal house."
"She is the spitting image of her mother."
"I am sure she will come to be a beauty when she comes of age."
"It looks like she has gotten better from her illness, thank goodness."
"If I have a daughter like her, I would rather keep her in the mansion than let others ogle in her beauty."
I hear positive talks around me and made me smile. At least the people here are respectful not to talk about negative rumors with us in the ducal family present.
I walked gracefully with the poise of the daughter of the duke. With our high status, I do not want to make any mistakes out in public and start a rumor that the daughter of Duke Broderick has forgotten proper etiquette. I walked towards the shop and Flora opened the door for me.
"Welcome to our shop little miss." A middle aged lady greeted. "I am the shop keeper here. Please feel free to tell me everything you need and I will arrange it for you."
I nodded in reply to the shop keepers greetings. "Good day ma'am. I am here to get some things that are used and needed for knitting. Can you please get me the things I need?" I said with a polite tone.
The shop keeper's eyes went wide in surprise. "Y-Yes of course little miss, right away. You can have a sit in the waiting area while I go fetch it. You lead the little miss to the waiting area."
The shop keeper's assistant led us the way towards the waiting area. I took my seat while Flora stood by my side and Sir Frank stood guard not far away.
"Flora, why did the shop keeper look surprised?" I asked her curious of the shop keeper's expression.
"Well little miss, I think the rumors of your ill temper has fallen to their ears." Flora replied. "Maybe they were surprised to see you so polite."
"Is that so?" I said while in thought. "I guess was really ill tempered and spoiled in the past. But I can't remember at all." This is where my 'amnesia' story kicks in.
"You don't need to worry about that young miss. What matters is the current you now." Flora smiled.
Being Alyssa these past few months, I have worked hard to turn the negative impression of the mansion's employees and my own family's for the better. Now that I have achieved that goal, it looks like I have to show the public the 'me' now who is a 'good Alyssa' and not the spoiled and ill tempered one.
Once again there was another mission added to my checklist of things to do. This will be a long journey to the start of the novel's plot for sure.
Edited by:nalyn