#Chapter3

Master of Torture

Never, ever judge a book by its cover. One look at my sister Ella, and you'd think she's the most prim and proper English lady. But today, she had shown me her true ugly colours as she did the most horrendous thing someone can do; something so abominable, it should be illegal. She murdered my hair, painted my face, and made me wear those damnable footwear! I love my sister, I really do. But the footwear just crossed the line.

A frown was permanent on my face as Ella convinced me on wearing those shoes, as if doing my hair wasn't torturous enough. It wasn't really all her fault, since my hair is as stubborn as I am and Ella is just doing her best to tame it down. And taming it down requires a lot of hair pulling. But the mere thought that all of the English women have to go through the same torture as I did... It's sad how the world is turning to a cruel, cruel one.

"Get a move on, ladies!" We heard Aunt Brank's loud voice from outside of Ella and I's bedroom, "We are going to be late!"

I rolled my eyes at that, my frown getting deeper. Since I am working with the best tyrant, I am required to have a pocket watch like any other chauvinistic men in England. Apparently, Aunt Brank's definition of being late is not being able to go to the ball an hour before it actually starts. That's how excited she is in attending the gathering. I doubt the celebrant would even be there when we come.

"Come on, Lilly," Ella pleaded, "Wear the shoes. You can't possibly go there with bare feet!"

"I might actually consider that option," I mumbled as I sat on the edge of my bed, kicking the pair of shoes that Ella put in front of me.

"Don't be silly," she says, "Put the shoes on."

"No."

Ella was about to say something, when Aunt Brank opened the door without bothering to knock. She peered at the small opening and glared at me, "Wear the shoes, Lillian! Don't let me make you wear those bloody shoes."

I almost told her where she could shove those shoes up. But then I refrained myself just in time.

After five minutes of Ella convincing me to wear those blasted shoes and Aunt Brank's consistent reminder of us being late, we finally settled ourselves in the coach on our way to the venue. My dearest aunt gave me a pointed glare, "Remember what I told you last night."

Ah, that glare. It has been missing last night, and I didn't know I would look forward to seeing it again. Apparently, seeing her glaring at me is better than smiling at me. The latter is just too uncanny, and it makes me uneasy. But the former just feels so much like home, and nothing is better than home. You just got to love Aunt Brank.

The journey wasn't long, since it only took us ten minutes to reach our destination. But the twins made it feel like we've been riding in forever as they continuously mock me on how Captain Carter would not even spare me a glance. I bit my tongue, trying my best to not point out how he didn't notice the twins last night during dinner. The dinner last night went surprisingly well, even if Aunt Brank continuously gave me one of those looks that tells me to not ruin anything.

I'm proud to say that I was on my best behaviour last night. But it seems like I can't promise I will continue that behaviour today, since having to wear these shoes made me cranky.

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The music stopped, and so did we. After thirty minutes of dancing with Captain Carter, you'd think Aunt Brank would be contented. But the meaningful glare she sent me across the ballroom says otherwise. Besides that, Anna and Maria were also throwing their own glares, sending daggers at my direction. I'm touched, receiving such love from my family.

I was trying to catch my breath as I look up to Captain Carter while he guided me away from the dance floor. "That was fun," I said with a genuine smile.

Which was true. Unlike any man present in this social gathering, Captain Carter didn't hold me like a piece of rag doll. He didn't move me, he moved with me. There's a lot of difference between the two, and the latter is what a real gentleman would do. I could dance with him all day, but these bloody shoes are killing me.

"Indeed, it is," he answers, giving me back a warm smile. He walked me to an empty chair where he let me sit before he knelt in front of me.

Before I could even protest, he took my right foot and took the blasted thing off of me. When he took the other one off, it felt as good as eating solid chocolate. And you know solid chocolate is worth dying for. I have no idea what I looked like, but when he looked up to see my face, he chuckled. "Better?" He asked.

I nodded as he gently puts my feet down before standing up. "Best," I said, wiggling my toes, "I can't feel my feet anymore."

Suddenly, I felt someone watching me. My head snapped up to my aunt's direction, giving me the brightest glares. Those glares were holding such intensity, she deserves an award. I never knew she loves me so dearly. I never even knew someone could love another with such passion. Then, someone she knows spoke to her, and her glare immediately vanished and replaced with that of a smile.

I didn't know Captain Carter was following my line of eyesight until he spoke, "How is your relationship with your aunt?"

My head snapped at him as he looked down on me, expecting an answer, "Great," I said, "She's so adorable, you'd think she's an angel who fell from heaven." Face first.

Captain Carter chuckled lowly, "She's been glaring over your shoulder since you came."

"Ah, motherly love," I said, "What am I going to do without her."

"And your uncle?"

"As long as I don't ask for money, we're good," I shrugged my shoulders. It's true. And if I say so myself, Uncle Bufford seems to love me more than the rest of my sisters since I was the only one not asking for allowance. Cheap men like him are easy to deal with.

Except Mr Ambrose. That man is very hard to deal with.

He smiled at me, but then there was something in his eyes. Hesitation? His warm eyes regarded me like it was only I that mattered, "I had a great time last night."

"So did I," I smiled, before I added, "And so did my sisters."

As soon as the words left my mouth, my eyes landed on the other side of the ballroom where my twin sisters were standing. Maria was talking with a lieutenant and Anna was talking with another. Even so, they both keep on throwing me glares every time they have the chance.

I looked back at Captain Carter, "My family's an adorable bunch, aren't they?"

He nods, looking at the twins's direction. Immediately, Anna and Maria's face softened at the sight of Captain Carter. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at that. He looked back at me, "They scare me."

I chuckled, "I would be lying if I say they don't scare me."

"And you put up with those kinds of horror every day?" Captain Carter asked, trying to look like he's really scared.

I had to really laugh at his face. Aunt Brank might glare at me for laughing like a man, but it was getting hard to contain the laughter anymore, "Yes, I deserve an award for surviving."

Captain Carter's gaze warmed on me as he took one of his badges off of his uniform. I watched him as he did so. Before I could ask what he's doing, he took my hand and placed his badge there. I stared at it with an open mouth as he said, "I give you my full respect," then he gave me a mock salute.

I gave a salute back, a smile on my face.

Captain Carter and I talked for a while before I decided that my feet isn't aching as much. And that my back is already burnt with my aunt's glares. Captain Carter helped me in wearing my shoes before I stood up from my chair. Our favourite music came on, and our heads snapped towards each other.

"May I have this dance, milady?" Captain Carter beamed at me.

I curtsied like a true English lady that I am. Aunt Brank would be so proud at how graceful I looked, "The pleasure is all mine," I said before I took his hand and he led us back to the dance floor.

As we reached the center, I heard hushed voices when we passed by a trio of gossiping ladies. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, since that would be very much unlady-like. And I've always been about being graceful, ladylike, and polite. Even Aunt Brank could testify to that. However, you can't blame me for having a pair of ears as a part of my body.

"That financial magnate has come!" One woman with an irritating high-pitched voice whispered.

"Is he the one rumoured to have been involved in illegal business?" The other one answered.

"I heard he has never wasted his time in social gatherings," the third woman chirped in.

"Then why waste his time now?" The high-pitched voice asked.

I didn't catch much on the end of their conversation, since Captain Carter was very much eager to dance in the middle of the ballroom. He smiled down on me, and I could almost feel my aunt's smile around somewhere. Suddenly, I felt like someone was eyeing my soul as a shiver ran down my spine. At first, I thought that was because of my aunt, watching my every move with an approving smile. Because, let's face it, Aunt Brank's smile is a true horror.

But then I looked over at Captain Carter's shoulder, and my eyes immediately landed on an icy pair of eyes directly staring at me. Everything suddenly feels so cold and familiar. I blinked twice as his name registered in my mind. Without even thinking, I mumbled his name under my breath.

"Mr Rikkard Ambrose."