To the Town

Morning came.

Ashley woke up early and got ready. Mary helped her dress in a casual ankle-length blue dress with a high ruffled collar and long sleeves, matched with a boot, a brooch and white gloves. When she finished dressing, she rushed to the breakfast room to eat before she set out.

When she entered the breakfast room, she saw the  Count and Countess Harriston sitting in their usual chair.

"Good morning, F-father." She greeted him. Ashley couldn't get used to calling this man her father because he had never been a father to her. Then she turned to the Countess across her. "Good morning, Madame."

Countess Reeva just ignored her as if she was an air.

"Good morning, child. Have a seat." Ashley sat down. Then the maids brought the food and put it on the table.

Ashley was about to gobble the bread when she remembered what Lord Bennet had taught her yesterday while they were having lunch.

"Goodness, Milady. A lady should not eat like that. Cut the bread into bite-size pieces, then chew it slowly and quietly like this. Then you should not put your hand on the table and-"

It was a long lecture she had to endure yesterday. But she was still thankful to learn all of it.

The Countess frowned as she saw her behaving differently today, while the Count proudly nodded as if he was impressed by what he saw. The Countess gritted her teeth silently then the Count spoke.

"Now that you are going out, where do you want to go?" The Count asked.

Ashley swallowed what she was eating, then answered. "I am planning to visit Port town."

"The Port town, huh? It could be dangerous to go now, and travelling there will take you four hours."

Ashley frowned upon hearing him. Then the Count continued. "You see, pirates have been attacking lately on the ports. Although we had raised this issue to the emperor, it did not stop them from stealing our goods. That's why I said it's dangerous for you to go."

"But, you said I could bring a knight with me. Isn't it enough to protect me?" Ashley asked.

"Pirates moved in a group. Thus, bringing one knight won't be enough to protect you."

Ashley silently ate her food as she thought of a way to persuade him when the Countess spoke.

"Let her go. If she got into trouble, then it was her fault. I won't even mind if she got killed."

The Count glared at her, which made her shut up. "That's why I'm trying to stop her to avoid getting in trouble."

Then they stopped talking. No one spoke again, and the only sounds heard were the clink of kitchenware and the chirping sounds of birds outside the windows. Everyone remained silent until they had done eating.

"Ashley, I already told Carl to prepare your carriage and assign the knights who will protect you." The Count said as he stood up from his chair. "I suggest that you should go to Wels town. It's much safer there, and it's not far away."

Then he walked out of the breakfast room, leaving Ashley dejected. The Countess sitting across was looking at her with disgust.

"Enjoy the days he was still favouring you. When the time came, and he considered you useless, I would drag you to hell again." She gave Ashley an evil smirk and then walked away.

Ashley felt terrified upon hearing it. But she dismissed it immediately.

'Don't mind her. Stronger. I'll be stronger. I won't let you hurt me again.'

She exited the breakfast room and proceeded to the carriage porch where Mary, Carl, two knights, and her carriage awaited.

"Ash- My Lady. Are you ready to go?" Mary ran towards her while asking.

"Yes. But the Count didn't allow me to go there yet because of the pirates. He said I should go to the Wels town instead."

They walked towards the carriage where Carl and the two knights were waiting.

"My Lady, these are the two knights I  assigned to escort you today. Despite being new, they are dependable, trustworthy and strong." Carl introduced her. "Sir Carl and Sir Gil."

They both bowed to her while Ashley observed them. 

'New faces.' she thought. 

It seems like they are the ones who replaced the knights who the Count fired when Elizabeth disappeared. Ashley was in her deep thoughts when Carl spoke again.

"My Lady, I am the one who suggested the Wels town. It seems like the town was having a harvest festival today, and you might want to enjoy it."

"A festival? Sure, it would be nice to see it. Thank you for suggesting it, Mr Carl." Ashley smiled.

"I'm just doing my job. That's all."

Ashley looked at the carriage and then at the old coachman, whose name was Elon. Their eyes met, and the coachman smiled at her.

"A good girl like you is now blessed because of your patience and kindness. How have you been, Ashley?" The coachman asked her with a warm smile.

"I've been doing fine lately, Grandpa Elon," Ashley cheerfully responded as she caressed the horses.

The old coachman once caught her getting hiding in the stables. When he saw her for the first time, she was just around ten years. She looked like one of the children who begged in the streets because of her sunken cheeks, malnourish body, thin arms full of scars, untidy hair and shabby clothes. He felt sorry for the child's state, and every time Elon saw her, he would give Ashley a slice of bread. Then eventually, they would talk to each other whenever Ashley was in charge of cleaning the chamber pots or if she visited the horse during her break time. Their bond grew more eventually into more likely a grandfather-granddaughter relationship.

"Mitri and Ater missed you." The coachman was talking about the horses that she was caressing.

"It seems so."

"You are such a good girl, after all." He chuckled. "We should get going now, or you'll miss the festival."

Ashley ascended the carriage with the help of the knights. The carriage may look ordinary outside, but the inside has a touch of luxury. Ashley sat comfortably and then looked around inside. It's a four-seater carriage, and the seats were comfortable. Mary sat next to her, who looked excited while handing her a shawl.

"It might get colder later, so wear it," Mary said.

Ashley nodded. "Thank you." Then she told Carl to give the two knights a shawl too. So Carl gave them black cloaks.

Then they left the mansion happily.

Carl returned to the Count's office after sending them off. When he came inside, he handed the Count an envelope.

"Master, this is from Doctor Johnson." After handing him the envelope, the butler passed a glass bottle to him.

After reading it, the Count nodded and then turned to Carl. "How was the search I assigned with the knights?"

"I'll update you if there is progress. But, if you were going to declare Milady's death, shouldn't we declare her disappearance?"

"Hmm… I am considering announcing Elizabeth's death because of an illness, but you have a point. And Owen already knows it. I bet even Count Lottway know it already. Then let's do that."

"We found a body in a forest near Port town. She has the same features as Lady Elizabeth, but her body is already decomposing that we can't recognize it."

"Then let's proceed with the plan. I don't care if it is Elizabeth's body or a fake one. She's dead anyway."