#4: A Deal for Life

The carriage ride was bumpy and totally uncomfortable, but the maids were so perfectly still as though they were in the smoothest transport in the world. It was only a twenty minute ride but it seemed as though it was over an hour.

Yes, time is relative.

As the door opened, a maid offered her hand and we stepped down, it was a huge wall. I stood confused, then the maids took my hand and we jumped over it. EASILY. It was supposed to be impossible?!

"Let's go Milady.", They said.

"Yes."

They led me to another familiar place from Elizabeth's memory. The Family study in the main building. It was designed fashionably not the kind which you would expect from this century. It was classy and modern.

"Come in.", a voice said from the room within.

The maids didn't follow me in,

"Hello, Father.", I said.

"Hmm.. Father? Not Marquis?", He said.

"uh.. Yes, Isn't that what I always call you?", I said. I was panicking inside, Did he realize I was an another person?

"Who are you? A lookalike?", He asked.

"I am your daughter, Elizabeth.", I said. It's over, he might know something!

"Huh.. Ok.", He replied strangely, as though he were sleepy. But it did seem as though he accepted it.

"You have been fearless lately, sacrificing your life for a mere count's son!", He suddenly shouted.

"I-I a-apologize.", I stuttered.(His voice caught me off-guard)

"Have you forgotten your deal! I hope you haven't! Your life is in my hands!", he said.

"Yes...father.",

Deal? What Deal? There was no deal in the book! Nor in her memories! Come on!

"Now go back to your room! You have achieved your motive of getting sponsored for the knight selection! I hope you don't disappoint the sponsor.", He said in a cold tone and went back to reading some papers.

"Yes... Father. Have a good night.", I said and the maids led me to my room...

It was a long walk, giving me enough time to think about the conversation before. The Marquis and Elizabeth had a deal? I know I may get the memory of the incident sooner or later. But... Marquis was suspicious of me! I could feel it! He certainly figured out the one before him was not his daughter!....

But, instead of probing further, he just changed the topic.... and he didn't seem suspicious anymore... What could it be? Is he covering up his emotions and wants to catch me off-guard? I soon came in front of a room, the door was decorated with blue roses and red thorns.

It was not a perfect design, it seemed as though it were made by a kid, It had rough edges, the blue roses and the thorns were just a rough but eye-catching painting which covered another design underneath.

I tried to see it, but it just resulted in more head aches. I was tired. I had no time to unlock more memories. I wanted to crash down as fast as I could. The maids all stayed back except the head maid.

I guess it was the habits of Elizabeth, I sub-consciously went to the dressing room, had a bath(again) and changed into a chemise dress, with the help of the maid who was brushing my long brown hair. I was looking into the mirror still unable to accept it.

The maids brushing became slower, I felt dizzier... I was tired. I was about to ask her to stop when suddenly, she pointed a knife, at my throat. It was so sharp, it cut through my skin already, a few drops of blood trickling down and staining the pure white chemise.

"What is this?", I asked, mimicking the same tone of authority. But deep down I was shivering.

"Who are you?", She asked.

"I am Elizabeth.", I said. I could feel it... How false it sounded, the name was unfamiliar.

"No! You're not my master! I know that she died!", She said crying and angry at the same time.

"Died? What do you mean? I am alive, fit and fine."

"I know my master!!! I have served her since she was a kid....", She said as she fell down.

I turned, She fainted...

It wasn't enough... even though I gained my desired life, the chance for a new start... It was obvious that the people close to her would know it wasn't her but someone else. But what happened to her?.... I woke her up.

When she got up she was dazed... she flinched a bit seeing the blood. She brought me bandages, cotton, treated it and left. Without another word.

I slept down on the bed, my eyes sleepy. I was in a dream... or the memories of Elizabeth... I saw Elizabeth of 5 years, she was being taught etiquette and manners. She was a prodigy, she was well mannered girl. Her studies was perfect without any complaint, unlike other nobles.

But I could see, Elizabeth's eyes would never lit up seeing some opera or the lady's training sessions, but only when she saw sparring battles between the knights, her eyes would show the brightest hue of blue. She felt more attached to the knights, commoners with no need of noblesse oblige. But she couldn't just abandon her birth.

During a ride through the city she saw, a girl cross-dressing as a guy, to get a job as a newspaper seller but was seen through immediately and almost sold off to the brothel. But Elizabeth saved her, and that girl grew up with her as the maid.

I guess this was where Elizabeth started cross-dressing. The next memories went hazy, but it all became clear at one point. The Marquis was staring at her with quite a furious gaze, Elizabeth began apologizing. This hurt my head too much. I could feel the pain even though it was just a dream.

It was the memory of the 'deal' between her and her father.

"How dare the daughter of mine be roaming about with such an accent and clothes! Your appearance! How filthy!", He bellowed.

"It isn't filthy! It's something I am a part of !", Elizabeth said.

"You're the most noble lady in the empire after the princess! How could you be loitering around... That too dressed as a boy!!", He shouted.

"I have no interest in being a doll, just for being sold off once and forever being an ornament in other person's view. I want to have something I can call mine!", she said.

"I have not rejected any of your wishes.. I let you be free, giving you the privilege of choice even in the terms of your future spouse! I don't mind letting you start a business... but why this filthy habit of cross-dressing to achieve your wishes!"

"If you helped me, It wouldn't be my achievement but something which you have given me. I just want to have an adventurous life. A life where I can feel the urge to survive!"

"I knew it already! This new age... and this new generation! All of you just want to throw away your lives and we should become childless!", He said, angry but a bit torn.

"I never said I would die for this. I want to have both my identity as Elizabeth Ainsworth and Ian. I would never give up on either of them. They are both me and I am them. I swear, Father. Ian will die after tasting the thrill of an adventure and survival. But Elizabeth shall forever stay. "

"How can I believe you?"

"A deal."

"A deal?"

"A deal for Life."

"You know it doesn't end well when you offer such a deal."

"Yes, but that just shows how much I am willing to offer for 'Ian'."

"Fine, Here's my terms... By the age of 23, you, Elizabeth Claire Ainsworth will be wedded to a spouse of my own preference and have no say about his age or wealth or position.

The second, Ian shall not sacrifice and give up his life nor spend nights as Ian anywhere else except for the medic tent and home.

Third, your secret, if known by any commoner, he/she should be killed on spot. If a noble, must be informed to me before any action.

Fourth, Elizabeth must agree to be under my surveillance and not demand for freedom when being Elizabeth Ainsworth. "

"Deal."

"Deal? Then it's done! Tomorrow a drafter of mine will bring the contract. Make sure you sign it, as Ian and Elizabeth."

"Yes. Father."

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