His bride

The ship sailed for three days until we were at the shore of the great Old Americas, the City of Vy. 

For the first time in my dreadful life, I had crossed the borders of Western and appeared in a foreign land, like Vy. 

The amusement enclosed its entirety; the trade and commerce were vast. I didn't think that it would be this bustling. 

 "Uncle Bear, this is… this is beautiful. Beautiful place. I have never dreamed of such perfection," I said truthfully, with my blue eyes scrutinizing the environment. 

 "It is a city of broad trade. Do you understand why I hate to visit Western? Shallow-minded nobles do not explore, they exploit," he stated, and I couldn't agree less. 

 "My mistress, this is heaven. Now I wonder what the duke's estate will look like." Maria squealed with excitement. 

 "Oh no, it is nothing you have ever seen before," Uncle Fletcher said. One of my uncle's stewards ran to us with haste and bowed. 

 "My Lord, the carriage is ready to depart," he said.

 "On the way," my uncle said, as we followed in the direction of the carriage.

I had so many eyes scanning my presence. Of course, I appeared like a true foreigner. Western dresses had halter necks and puffy pads around the shoulders. Unlike the bits I was seeing here, they were off the shoulder and exposed so much skin and cleavages as well. 

I kept looking and looking until I was inside the carriage. It was large enough to carry all four of us, that is, including my uncle's assistant. 

 "You have a title in Vy? That is very impressive. Uncle, I really, really wish to be like you. You have a great passion for independence. Your alacrity knows no bounds," I said with a curious smile. 

 "Thank you, Rosette. When you are born with nothing, be sure to leave a legacy before you die. Your generation must never forget who you are. Little beginnings should not be taken for granted, dearest," he explained carefully, as the carriage moved at a steady pace.

Meanwhile, it was almost dusk. I was exhausted and hungry, although I had eaten some food and fruit. 

The rest of the ride was silent except for the gallops of the horses ahead and behind us. 

Such a city was full of gifts and nature. I loved how it smelled. I was curious to know more about it. Because of admiration, I fell asleep until I felt a light tap on my arm. 

My eyes opened at once and Maria spoke. 

 "My mistress, we have the estate," she said. I parted a small fraction of the curtain as my uncle stopped me. 

 "Not yet, Ava, no one is allowed to see your face yet. Not until your groom sees you first," he said. "Maria? The cloak," he instructed her, and she pulled out the cloak from her bag and wrapped it around me—shoving the hood over my head 

Then, the carriage stopped. 

 "We have arrived at the house of Willem, in Kent," someone announced from outside, and I remained still trying not to make a mistake. 

The door opened, and my uncle held my wrist thoughtfully. 

 "One more thing, I am Lord Fletcher Barton and not your uncle," he sternly said while I grew confused. I couldn't understand and agree to that piece of information. 

 "But… but why?" I stuttered. 

 "You must make your stay worthwhile in Kent. As time goes on, you'll find out, but for now, good luck with your new life in the City of Vy," he said, and rubbed my hand lightly. 

 "Will you always be there for me?"

 "Always, but for now, you must pretend not to recognize me," he said, and a footman from the environment approached, offering me a hand. 

I placed mine in his as an aid to step out of the carriage. Meanwhile, my face was properly hidden—and Maria made sure of that.

 The building before me was like that of an ancient castle that had lived for over 100 years; it was too huge for a Duke, I thought. It seemed more like that of royals. I expected to see something else, but not as big and unusual as this. The atmosphere carried heaviness, darkness and quietness. 

The pocket watch hidden in my glove began to overheat. I wondered what was wrong and how a common watch could accumulate such heat. 

 "Lady Ava? Good to have you here." a reputable man approached, and I bent a little. 

 "Thank you, my lord," I calmly said. I was very nervous and scared suddenly. Maria also bent, and she held my hand after she noticed how nervous I had become. I was breathing heavily. 

 "Lord Barton," the man said to my uncle, and they shook hands, smiling a little. 

 "Lord Gilbert, I see that you fare well," my uncle, or should I now say, Lord Fletcher Barton said to the man. 

 "Your voyage, you made it back quite early. Welcome." Lord Gilbert said to him as his gaze shifted to me. "And your guest, she is interesting. I look forward to the reveal tonight. Is she aware of the—"

 "I fear that your mouth will lead you to your death, Gil, not now." my uncle interrupted Lord Gilbert with a slight tease in his tone. Something was not right, I gathered. 

A maid, who seemed like the chief housekeeper, walked over to us. She was wearing a long-sleeved dress that had a bit of partition on the chest. Her hair was rolled up and with less adornment. And the other maids were dressed like her, but you could tell by the authority that she carried given that she was much older than they were. 

They stood in a very straight line on my left and the males on my right. 

 "Lady Ava, you are highly welcome." she bent, and the other females bent too, while the males bowed their heads too. 

How is it possible that I already carry so much power? I asked myself. 

 "Mrs. Lenore, see that our guest is attended to with haste. The Dowager Duchess should not meet her like this." I heard my uncle tell the chief housekeeper. 

 "Yes, Lord Barton. With haste," she said as two maids scurried towards me and took me hand in hand as they led the way. 

 "And you are?" 

 "I am Maria, the lady's handmaid," Maria said. 

 "Oh, things are different here. I will assign who becomes the lady's handmaid. But… I will let you tell the chambermaids what exactly they need to know about our lady. Is that fair?" the woman asked, raising a brow Maria. 

 "Your wish, Mrs. Lenore," Maria said, but I could tell that she was unhappy about it just like I was. They were conversing right behind me. 

 "You see, I do hope that we make a great acquaintance around here. We will both need it for the future duchess's sake," Mrs. Lenore said and Maria chuckled dryly. 

After ascending the flight of black carpeted stairs, we were in my chamber. It was beautiful, well-ventilated, and spacious, it felt like I was a princess, a queen rather. 

I have never dreamed of anything close to this, such wealth was not me. 

 "Lady Ava, we are set to prepare you for the upcoming reveal party. I will have someone bring in some food for you. Might you need anything at all, my lady? I am quite reachable and at your imminent service," said Mrs. Lenore. 

 "Of course," I said. 

 "For now, I shall let your handmaid cover your face properly before you are dressed for the reveal party," the woman added, and I nodded lightly. 

 "Thank you," I said, and the woman bent before they all left.

Maria locked the door behind them as I hastily and angrily uncovered my face, tossing the cloak onto the carpeted floor. I began pacing from side to side as I let out. 

 "What is all this? What have I gotten myself into? Duchess, what bloody duchess? I did not bargain for any of this," I snapped. "I do not understand it at all. I feel the intense oddity here. Something is not right, Maria, can you not feel it?" I paused, staring at Maria pensively. 

 "I would be damned if I understood, my lady," she said. "But I do not," she added. 

 "Are you telling a joke now, are you going to call me that even when we are alone?!" I complained as my eyes rolled, placing my hand flat on my forehead and then sat on the soothing bed. 

 "My lady, I may not know who stands and listens behind that door," she almost whispered as she drew closer and sighed. "I feel the oddity too," she whispered. 

 "This place is beautiful, my lady, it is heavenly beaded," Maria said loudly and I shrugged. I understood what she was doing. 

 "Whatever that is for, I had better wash my body and wrap up my face again. I am constantly told what I should and should not do. Even him, he hides a great deal from me," I stated, walking to the other corner where the blurred curtains were a boundary. 

…

I was silent even when Maria kept talking about the things she had seen at the border where we arrived. 

She helped me wear my undergarments, corset and a golden veil over my face, the one that the chief housekeeper kept for me. Maria adorned my hair with flowers and hairpins that had wings on the edges. After she had rolled up my hair into a half updo, she also left a few strands falling across my face. 

Then, there was a knock on the door. 

 "I shall get it." Maria hurried to the door and opened it. I didn't know what I looked like because of the veil over my face. I could barely see a thing. 

I could not wait for things to end as my chest clutched with thoughts. 

 "Please come in, the dress should be worn by now," I heard Maria tell the woman. Mrs. Lenore. 

 "Great. You are quite efficient, I might just reconsider speaking to the dowager to let you serve the lady instead." Mrs. Lenore said as they approached. I could hear countless footsteps.

 "She is pretty," the woman said. "The dress, bring it forward," she ordered, and I heard the rustling of the most expensive fabric I have ever seen.

Soon after, I was dressed in a large dress, nothing like I had worn before. I could feel the embroidery, the hems, and the details. The texture was smooth and costly. 

I could guess how pretty I looked even without staring at the mirror. 

 "I wish to see myself," I said. 

 "My deepest apologies, my lady, it isn't time yet. We must obey the tradition and wishes of the dowager duchess," Mrs. Lenore explained calmly. 

I was disappointed, but what could I have done? The chest area of the dress was bizarrely open, and the necklace was a bit weighty. 

 "Your shoes, my lady," one of the maids said as I gently slid my feet into the shoes. It felt like glass against my hose. 

 "Maria? Can you hand me the watch? I do not wish to lose it just yet," I said, and she nodded and placed it into my hand. I tucked it under the glove in my right hand. 

 "May I ask a question, my lady?"

 "Go on, Mrs. Lenore," I said. 

 "The watch. Where did you find such an... Interesting antique?" she asked. 

 "A gift. Does it bother you?" I asked, raising a brow. She forced a smile and continued. 

 "Far from it, it is a thing to admire. You see, Willem's household once had that type as an heirloom, and it has been missing for some time now. Anyway, keep it safe. It is more than just… a watch. It feels what you feel," she said with a smirk. A knock interrupted while her words sunk into my mind questionably. 

What did she mean? I wondered. 

Someone passed a message to one of the maids outside the room and then passed the information to Mrs. Lenore. 

 "My lady, it is time. The guests are waiting," she said to me in a very low tone, and then she forced a smile. I turned to Maria. 

 "It is well, my lady, you can do this," Maria said to me as we furthered. 

Again, two maids held my hands as we headed out. At this point, I could not tell if Maria was coming along or not. 

 "My lady, you must not speak to anyone. Only to your betrothed, please." Mrs. Lenore said to me and I nodded very lightly. 

…

I could feel my feet in the middle of the ballroom. The hall. My heart was thumping almost loudly. I was scared and clueless. 

I could feel the heat that was emanating from the watch in my glove. It became warmer and warmer as time passed. The music from the orchestra played, while the operatic singer was at the top of her voice. Despite the heart-dropping rendition, my mind was uneasy. 

I had no idea why I was asked to stand in the middle of the hall while everyone watched me like a statue. Immediately, the music stopped. 

 "May you live longer, Dowager Duchess Victoria Willem," someone announced, and there was applause from all around. 

 "I am excited to have you all come forth to witness the arrival of my son's bride, Lady Ava Rosette, from the house of Baron Cunningham of Maynard," the woman's confident voice escalated as there was another applause. 

Not just that, how was I the offspring of a strange baron? What did my uncle tell them? I asked myself as I composed myself. 

 "Let the ritual begin!" she said, and the violinists began to work on the chords, producing such calming yet dark, sad harmony. 

 "Let the Duke of Vy, the house of Willem, and the residents of Kent, the great city of Vy in the country of the great Old Americas, proceed with the reveal of his bride. Alaric Willem," she announced, and the whole room was covered in light screams and heavy applause. 

Again, the watch became too warm for me to sustain. It burned my wrist until I could not resist it anymore. 

I instantly pulled out the glove and the pocket watch fell to the floor. 

By now, I could feel the eyes of people on me and the strange presence of someone right in front of me. 

Someone familiar, his smell, his aura, his…

 "Here."

He said, interrupting my thoughts. That voice is one that I remember. Very husky, rough, raspy, and overwhelming. Wait, it is also possible that I could be out of my mind. He placed the glove in my hand as he gently unveiled my face while I tried to wear it

At that moment, I was speechless, confused, and in a daze. 

It was him. The stranger. The traveler. The ghost. The father of my child. 

He didn't look surprised, he was just expressionless as I swallowed up. My heart crumpled, my chest was tightening at once, wondering why this moment had to be the moment to see him. 

 "It is you. The stranger. It is you—"

 "You must be… confused, I do not know you," he interrupted firmly. "I am Duke Alaric," he said as he turned to everyone and turned back to me. He took my hand and placed a kiss on my knuckles. It was soft and light as a feather, but the burden that he left was as heavy as a mountain. 

 "May I have this dance, My lady, the Duchess of Vy?" he asked of me. Everyone was staring at me with a plunging and curious gaze. 

 "Ye- yes, yes, your grace." I snapped as the pocket watch from my glove fell off before I could catch it. 

Both our eyes locked for a moment in shock before our gazes shifted down to the pocket watch. My heart dropped too. 

His gaze was pensive and so was mine. He picked it up again. 

He split his gaze between me and the watch as I quickly wore my gloves back, but his countenance changed—like a frown. 

 "There is no dance," he replied angrily and placed the watch in my hand and left me there—to my fate.

 In front of too many prying eyes, tears crammed my eyes. 

Not only did he reject me openly, but he denied having met me in the past. 

Why? Where was the nice man I met some time ago?