A Woman from the future

Night and Day

The carriage rocked gently making me feel kind of sleepy, we've spent a week at the estate's and now it's time to return to the castle, the king frowned into a book putting his binoculars to good use, I looked at William who appeared to be sleeping, we've been travelling for some hours now, and I have to say that transportation in this century is torture.

William folded his arms over his chest, he adjusted a little and continued sleeping, he actually looked peaceful this way, he is so handsome, his jet black hair looks so lush for a split second I had the most silly urge to feel his hair, but what would I say I was thinking, the man dislikes me.

I settled back and tried to sleep, though it wasn't a deep sleep I dozed off lightly, at a point I heard William talking to his father.

".... she can't, you know" I heard the king first

"and I can't do that, we've been friends and she is not the kind of " I shut my eyes still pretending as if I was asleep.

"there you go again, you do know that explanation won't suffice right" the king took a pause " he is my friend"

nothing makes sense, I can't make out a single scenario from the little detail they are spilling, first it was a woman and then it's a man, what are they talking about.

"would you rather force me" William asked, but I could sense the tension hanging in the air without opening my eyes.

"you don't get to say that to me" his father replied with a final tone

"then what about Arthur, he's the successor, he should be the one you are worried about" William pressed on

the king hesitates before giving him a response " I am worried about you two but Arthur has proved that he can take care of things..." William cuts him off

"but as usual I'm the incompetent one, the child"

"yes, and when you stop being a child I'd let you know" the king said

William scoffed at his father's remark "I knew it, I always have, I was never enough"

"you think?" his father asked sarcastically

now I couldn't open my eyes not even if I wanted to, they might not raise their voices but whatever it is they were taking about, its a sensitive matter, so I shut my eyes for as long as I could.

Later that evening we arrived at the castle, and if I thought the estate's was magnificent then this is simply exceptional, the king took my hand and helped me alight from the carriage.

I looked around, there was a very large portcullis on the left side of the curtain wall, the courtyard was simply spacious and colourful, their gardener had really done a wonderful job, the courtyard alone was a sight for sore eyes.

I was in the middle of admiring every single details of the castle when the grumpy Prince bumped into me, I wasn't expecting to be pushed so I fell forward, but then a strong arm grabbed me from the back, stopping me from falling.

I stood straight as soon as I could, and looked up to thank my saviour, "thank y....." I stopped amid sentence, the man looked exactly like William only a bit taller

he smiled "it's okay, and he should be the one to apologise" he pointed to someone behind me, I looked in the direction he gestured to, oh yes grumpy prince Willy should truly apologise.

William made eye contact with me and then his eyes fell on my waist, making me realise the other man was still holding on to me, I moved out of his grasp.

"oh, I'm sorry my lady, please allow me" he kissed my hand "Arthur Wolfson, I'm the first son of the household" now it makes sense why he looked so much like William.

"thank you" I offered

"there is nothing to thank me for, though I can't recollect meeting you at one of the balls or feast, but we'd get there" he seems quite nice, the opposite of his brother

"This is Miss Eliza, she'd be staying with us, as aforementioned" the king supplied

"Miss Eliza, Eliza that's a rare name, but I like the way it sounds" he offered his arm and I took it, I mean most men in this timeline are not nice, including our little Willy.

I looked in his direction as I took his brothers arm, he turned on his heels then and went inside without waiting on any of us.

"I can see you are intrigued by the castle, I can show you around you know" Arthur suddenly spoke when we entered into the hallway

"really that would be nice, but I wouldn't want to bother you"

"it's no bother" he leaned in a little closer to whisper so that only I would hear "there is nothing much to do while you are still a Prince you see, especially when the king is still hale and hearty" he smiled at me

I couldn't help but smile back, this is the second non-toxic person I've met ever since I've been here, for the first time I really laughed.

"oh and look at that, she's got a lovely smile too" he said

"thank you my lord" I replied

"no, he.. " the Prince pointed to the king who is now ahead of us "he is your lord, I'm just a friend" I stared at him wondering why he is so nice to me.

"is it okay, for you to be showing a stranger around?" I couldn't stop myself from asking

"what stranger?, I really don't think so, father informed us of your arrival before hand and thus you are no more a stranger, and by being nice to you, I'm guessing my brother hasn't been friendly"

"exactly" it slipped out of my mouth

he laughed heartily "that's quite like him, yeah sounds right"

I laughed too, I couldn't help it, I looked at the Prince once more and smiled

"also its just Arthur to you, I'm not your lord nor your Prince, its Arthur"

"I'm not sure that will be a good idea, I'd only be a househelp here, it wouldn't look well" I countered.

"it looks well to me, and all I care about is my opinion, except if father has a problem with it" he called out after the king "father will you have a problem with it if Miss Eliza call me by my name" I could see the amusement on his face.

"what sort of question is that?" the king asked completely clueless "she can call you by whatever you are fine with son"

he looked at me and shrugged, he is really sweet, it just baffles me on how completely different two brother can get.

"it's just Eliza then, the Miss sounds too much for me"

"Eliza, Eliza it is".

I was shown to my room, a completely lavish room, twice the size of the room I used to have at the estate, the furniture's were designed intricately, the room was scented, and it truly felt like home, I didn't bring any of the clothes I used to wear at the estate as they were mostly tight and undersized.

but other arrangements has been made here, there were many other clothes arranged for me, I tried one on, and it suits me, I followed the advice of a sweet woman (Rose) and went to the bathroom to shower, coming out I feel refreshed.

I stayed indoor longer testing other clothes on, though some were slightly oversized, but it's nothing I couldn't fix myself with a needle and thread, I was still busy changing outfits when my door was knocked, I went to the door to answer it.

I met a petite young lady at the door "hello my lady, dinner is served, I'd escort you to the dinning hall"

"oh, thank you, please give me a minute" I rushed in to change the dress I was wearing as I felt it was too much for a simple family dinner and maybe a part of me wanted to wear something more concealing, thinking back to William's remark from the other day.

thirty minutes later I was regretting having not wore that dress, I met the Queen who was wearing a gold dress, with shiny pearls embedded in the whole front, i also met an Ann Hamilton in purple sophisticated dress, she was introduced to me by Arthur as a family friend, who happens to be the duke's daughter, and just like the majority here, she is not friendly.

the Queen was different too, she was actually smooth and nice, which makes me wonder where William got his attitude from, she asked me some questions over dinner which I'm unable to provide adequate response to, but I'm thankful she isn't persistent.

After the dinner Arthur offered to walk me to my room as I was about standing up.

"William why don't you walk me to my room too, that would be so kind and thoughtful of you" Ann said bating her eye lashes

William stood up, although I could tell it was against his better judgement, he offered her his arm which she clung to immediately, I couldn't help but scoff at her in my mind.

the pair left the room first and we followed, but closely behind

"Eliza, you might actually like the sight of the garden at night, and the weather is great, what do you say, should we stay out a while?" Arthur asked me

how could I say no, he is going out of his way to make my stay here enjoyable "yes of course, I'd love that"

then William suddenly spoke up from where he stood with Ann by his side "and don't you think it's too late for that, we've had a long day, I don't think you should keep her up any longer brother, she our guest"

what's it with this guy, this has absolutely nothing to do with him "I think she can choose for herself, she is more than a guest to me, and if she isn't up for it she can say that, brother" Arthur shot back subtly

he looked mad, but didn't give a rubbutal before leaving with Ann.

"please forgive me, he can be dramatic sometimes" Arthur offered an apology

"what, are you kidding me? you don't have to apologise to me and trust me I've witnessed his drama first hand" I brushed the apology off.

I sat at the garden with Arthur as he entertained me with series of stories about their childhood, and being the funny guy that he is, I have no doubt I was loud at some point.

"what William really did that?" I asked amused

"yes he did, that scaly little pumpkin"

I threw my head back and doubled over.

"so you see, he is only trying to be a tough cookie, but he is sweet on the inside, just as a cookie should be" Arthur continued

"oh, stop it" I couldn't stop laughing

after a while I decided to go inside as I was starting to feel cold, and I didn't want to bother Arthur again he has done so much for me "I think we should go back inside, I'm a little tired now"

"yes, sure" he stood first and helped me up, he escorted me to my chamber and bid me goodnight.

"wait Arthur" I stopped him "thank you for today, you've done a lot for me you just can't imagaine"

"I'm honoured" he kissed my hand " goodnight Eliza"

"goodnight, and don't change before tomorrow" I commented

he bursted out in laughter " I'd keep that in mind" he then left for his room.

I went in and was about changing my dress when I heard a knock on my door again, did Arthur forget something?

I went to the door and opened up only to find the opposite of Arthur, William.