Dreams

Catherine was so shocked by what she heard that she didn't notice she was blushing so hard, her head looks like a ripened tomato. Albert notices that what he said might be too straightforward and inappropriate, he apologized hastily.

"I'm so sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable. I was just complimenting you that you look good when you're laughing."

Catherine came back after hearing what Albert said. "Ah… It's okay. I was just too shocked that you've said that all of a sudden." the two sunk into a stale silence.

"I like it. Thanks." Catherine was the first to break the silence.

"Huh?" Albert looked at Catherine in confusion.

"What you said earlier, I liked it, thanks." She repeated, giving Albert a sweet smile with her doe-eyed shining brightly.

"I see."

The two of them chatted once more before it was interrupted by Hendrix.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation, but it's time to go home. Ah… Hello, Lord Moriarty." Hendrix emerge from the shadows with a smile and placed a hand on Catherine's arm. Albert just nodded in acknowledgement before replying.

"It was lovely chatting with you, Lady Catherine. I shall take my leave. Lord Faucigny." Albert bowed once more before leaving. It was only that both siblings couldn't see his figure, that they started walking.

"It seems you've enjoyed yourself, had fun conversing with Lord Moriarty?"

Catherine nodded "Yeah, he's fun to chat with. I like his humour."

"Ah… It seems like you've also fallen to the charms of the Moriarty brothers. I heard from someone that the women who wished to become part of the Moriarty Family could queue up to South London." Hendrix just chuckled after giving his comment.

"What 'fallen to the charms' are you talking about, I was just saying that I had a good time talking to Lord Albert. That's all, no more, no less." Catherine gave her brother a side glance.

"Okay… if you say so." Although Hendrix said that, his expression says otherwise. He was trying hard to contain his laughter and that made Catherine blushed once more. Having been teased by her brother, Catherine walked faster and entered the carriage hastily, without waiting for the coachman's assistance.

Hendrix also followed inside and after making sure that everything is ready, the carriage started rolling. Inside, both of them are only gazing outside the window silently. Catherine was still in a foul mood due to his brothers' teasing while Hendrix didn't really have to say. After a few minutes, Hendrix recalled something and faced his sister. He coughed twice to get her attention before saying.

"By the way, Catherine, Do you still remember Lord Zachary of Lancaster?"

"I think so. I had an impression of him. Why?" Catherine forgot her woes and listen attentively.

"I met him earlier at the party, and during our conversation, he mentioned that St. Mary's Hospital for the Public has been looking for eligible Nurses and Doctor apprentices to volunteer. I figured it would interest you, so I asked My Lord for the details of the application. Didn't you study medicine in France for three years? There's a big possibility for you to be chosen. What do you think?" Hendrix inquired.

It took a while for Catherine to digest the information. Because it was a dream that she did not dare to achieve. Her brother's words shocked her to the core and the words seem to be stuck in her head.

"Can I really Volunteer? You know that our father is always against my love of learning medicine. Especially when I volunteer to feed the homeless."

Hendrix sighed "True… Cathy, If you really want to pursue that dream, it would take you some real hardships. And it would take a long time for you to achieve that. But it doesn't necessarily mean that you'll just give up. The more things may seem impossible, you should take risks. Someday, you'll be able to achieve it regardless of what other people say. Even father. For it was destined to be your fate."

"I didn't know I had a brother who believes in fate."

"It doesn't mean I'm a believer of fate with those words. I am just trying to cheer you up and encourage you. I have an ambition too. The only thing that matters is if you have the courage to fight for it."

"You're right. I just… sigh. Is it really wrong to help the poor? To give them the rights that they deserve? Why do aristocrats act as if like I did some immoral and unforgivable things when all I did was to help the poor." tears started to form in Catherine's eyes

"Hush now, my dear sister. I offer no words, it will not help or comfort you in any way. All I shall say, good luck on your journey."

And silence prevailed once more. The ride was more or less comforting. Catherine's mind is in chaos. She didn't even know how she'd arrived at her room. There is a part of her who really wants to fight what she wanted yet, she didn't want the possibility of things might change.

Catherine laid to her bed, staring at the ceiling for who knows how long, her body was stiff. Even though it was cold at night, her body was covered in sweat. She didn't realise her face was wet with her tears. She slowly gets out of the bed, went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face. Looking at herself in the mirror, all she could see was a figure in a blue nightgown with dishevelled hair, wet face with the rim of eyes that shouts red.

She fixed her appearance before grabbing her jacket on the bedside and went downstairs. She didn't disturb the maids after seeing the time. She just lighted one lamp and used it as the only Light source in the hallway. Yet, when she arrived at the kitchen, she was shocked to see the room all lit. Curiously, she sneaks a peek to look whose inside only to see her brother holding a bottle of wine while leaning on the counter.

"Brother? Why haven't you gone to bed yet?" Catherine approaches him.

"I could say the same thing to you." Hendrix gave Catherine a smirk then downed another glass of wine. Catherine avoided his gaze as she walked towards a cupboard and went to grab a tea set. She then proceeded to heat up some water. While waiting for the water to boil Catherine sat on a chair near the window. The two were silent for a while before Hendrix asked Catherine a question.

"Can't sleep?"

"Huh?" Catherine turned to look at her brother for a few minutes before answering.

"Yeah. Hmm."

"Why?" Hendrix inquired.

"I rather not say."

Hendrix just smiled wryly at Catherine and did not ask further. If she didn't want to say it, then he would not push the matter and let it be.

'Who doesn't have things they want to keep?'

Another silence, irony, feels comforting rather than suffocating.

Catherine ignored her brother and went to make a cup of tea. She also grabs a bunch of snacks before bringing them to the garden. But before she walked out of the room, she looked at Hendrix and hesitated a little before asking him if he wants to join her in the garden for a drink. Hendrix, who drank half a bottle of wine, nodded and followed her to the garden. They both sat at a stone bench near the fountain. She served a cup for her brother before hers. Hendrix, after drinking the tea, sobered a little. Looking at the tea, he took another sip.

"Is this Roselle tea?"

"Yes. Not up to your taste?"

"It's alright."

Catherine chuckled at her own thoughts and Hendrix just watched her laugh. Catherine put down her cup of tea before turning to look at her brother seriously. Hendrix raised an eyebrow while smiling, clearly amused at the pace of how his sister's emotion change emotion at a flick of a switch.

"I have decided. I wish to live the life I aspire to be. I wish to save and help the poor." Catherine stated.