Chapter2

#Chapter2

King of the Jungle

My dear employer made me work twice as much the whole day, but I'm not complaining. When I got home, it was the first time that I was excited for dinner. I was too exhausted, and I needed to eat.

Our dinner consisted of our usual ritual of a scrumptious meal; potatoes and porridge. Except this time, there were more of them than usual. And Aunt Brank is happier than usual. I have no idea about these little changes, but I have a bad feeling about this. Even Ella noticed something was off, and that's telling something.

/"Are we expecting guests tonight?/" Ella asks Aunt Brank.

She beamed, /"Indeed, we are!/" She sounded really excited as my sisters and I occupied the seats in front of the table, /"Ladies, be on your best behavior,/" she adds, giving me a pointed look.

What? I'm always on my best behavior.

/"Who are we expecting, Aunt Brank?/" Gertrude asks, seeming to be clueless as well as Ella and I.

Aunt's face turned brighter than the lights on a Christmas Eve. The glint in her eyes suddenly looked so familiar, I immediately felt a shiver run down my spine. I fought the urge to groan in pain as I realized that we're expecting suitors. Of course, why didn't I realize it before? I would've had an over time at work, and I would gladly do so even without pay. Yes, that sounds better than dealing with suitors.

I guess more parasol victims tonight.

Leadfield, our aged butler, reached our table and served the now cold potatoes. As usual, Uncle Bufford locked himself in his study room, leaving only me with Aunt Brank and my dearest sisters. Anna and Maria were giggling as they talked to each other about tomorrow's ball that we're invited to attend to.

Shame, I asked for a day off only to attend a ball for tomorrow. It wasn't like me to do so; I've detested gowns and suitors for years! Also, I loathe having to feel my feet ache with those blasted footwear. I couldn't see how a woman could survive wearing those. Those shoes were designed to kill women. I could pretend I'm sick and not attend for all I care.

Except this ball is different.

Surely, my hate for balls and social gatherings can be postponed if it is for the celebration of Captain James Carter's years of existence. The world we live in is very, very cruel. I salute him for keeping himself alive and sane, and I guess that's worth celebrating for. I could make an exemption for a friend, even if it means having a day off and no pay.

As Anna and Maria were gushing about how Captain Carter is an eligible bachelor and how good he looks, Aunt Brank looked at me. /"I'm expecting you to not disappoint me tomorrow./"

/"I would never,/" I feigned innocence.

She gave me the 'look', and she was probably enlisting the times I disappointed her at the back of her mind, /"I'm serious, Lillian. You should spend more time with Captain Carter./"

Of course, she is serious. Tying me up with a man is her main goal in life. This is a matter of life and death for her.

Maria huffed, /"I doubt he would waste his time with a girl like her./" She says, as if Captain Carter would want to spend his time with her instead.

Anna added in agreement, /"Seeing as Captain Carter is a man of perfection, I can tell he has a really high standard when it comes to choosing who he talks to./"

Apparently, both Anna and Maria seem to have met those standards, seeing that they both were confident that Captain Carter would spend his precious time with them. By the looks of their faces, they were probably expecting that he would magically pop an engagement ring to marry one of them as early as tomorrow.

Aunt Brank was still looking at me, a wide smile on her face. It was frightful, seeing her in this state. She was never happy of my mere existence. That is, until now. I could practically see the diamonds shining in her eyes, /"I want you to not leave his side tomorrow, whatever happens./"

I guess maybe Captain Carter ending up in front of our house at broad daylight, personally giving us invitations is what got Aunt Brank in a really good mood. A really, really good mood. She was so ecstatic about attending, you'd think she was the one celebrating rather than the celebrant himself.

As I forked the potato and dipped it in my porridge, there was a knock on the door. The potato was in mid-air, halfway to my mouth when Aunt Brank abruptly stood up. She didn't even spare us a glance as she hurriedly opened the door for the visitor. I looked at Ella, who also looked at me with a confused expression on her face. Who was this man that seems to be so important?

A couple of bites from my potato later, my question was finally answered. I looked up from my meal, to a very familiar man smiling directly at me. I had to forcefully swallow the potato down my throat as I smiled back genuinely.

/"Captain Carter, what a lovely visit./"

I swear, Anna and Maria made muffled excited noises, and they sounded really scary. Even a lion would be jealous!