Ceaseless Agony

Tale as Old as Time

There was a big crowd in the ballroom, everyone was wearing gowns that were elegant. The place was filled with people dancing, chatting to each other, Clementine was holding my hand while I drooled over about everything. She found me weird acting this way but didn’t ask why. Maybe she’s thinking I'd hit my head so hard that I forgot those things.

She stopped walking in front of a woman wearing a gold gown. “Mother, we’re here. I am very sorry for the delay. I had to wait until Fleur woke up. We waited for her to regain strength before heading there, but dolefully, the horse is sick and the chariot was broken causing us to walk and consume too much time.” She explained. I almost fainted as I saw mom wearing a gold gown with a vintage design. Her hair was curled perfectly, she was wearing a gold hairpin that held some parts of her hair, she was holding a silk gold fan along with her gold necklace, bracelet and shining earrings. I could almost not recognize her. “Fleur dear, are you fine now?” she asked, putting her hand on my head. “I am…” I said to Clementine, then said the word ‘mother’ without a sound. “M-mother..” I said looking at my mom, I honestly can’t process this anymore why is everything weird? I need answers! Then a familiar face caught my attention.

It was Ms. Martha! Wearing a black and white gown with embroidery all over it. I needed to ask her but I can’t just shout, so I slowly walked behind the old lady, not losing my sight of Ms. Martha. As soon as mom shifted her gaze to the crowd, I walked fast, not looking back so they wouldn’t notice I had left. I bumped into some people and apologized for it couldn’t lose sight of Ms. Martha.

She was heading to the grand hall and no one was there. “MS. MARTHA!” I shouted, since it was just me and her and a few guards, I did not hesitate to get her attention. She stopped and looked behind her while me, on the other hand, was running towards her.

As I reached in front of her, I took a breath for a while, the dress I’m wearing is very heavy. “Ms. Martha why are you here?” I asked, still catching my breath. “I see you’re already here Lunox, or should I call you Fleur now?” Why is she so weird and ends up asking me but not answering my questions? “Why am I here Ms. Martha? And why is everyone calling me Fleur? Why am I dressed like this? Where are we? Who are those people? And why is Laura here?!” my voice slightly raised as I asked those questions. I was so frustrated because everything didn’t make sense and I needed answers, not a rebound question. “This is your story, Lunox. You are meant to be here, you have to be here.. You need to continue this story and maybe put an end to it.” She said, but I still can’t understand her.

She took out something behind her—and I have no idea where she put that thing because her dress didn’t look like it had a pocket. She gave me the book I was reading, titled “Ceaseless Agony”.

“You have to finish the story Lunox, you have to end the waiting and stop the cycle….” She said, her voice was serious “… end it well Lunox..” she added, gently squeezing my hand.

I was looking at her processing her words and everything that’s happening right now. “Fleur? What are you doing here? Mother’s looking for you….” She said, walking toward us “..and who might you be, madame?” Clementine asked Ms. Martha “Oh me?..” she chuckled a bit before continuing “I’m Fleur’s acquaintance.” She said smiling to Clementine and she looked at me with a questioning look. Ms. Martha excused herself and Clementine took me back to the ballroom where her—our parents were waiting for us.

We’re heading to a different room with Clementine, the old lady and mother. I can’t help but think about if dad’s face would show up but in a different fashion.

I saw the big oval dining table in the center, people with stunning gowns were sitting on both sides. Sitting in the center was a bearded tall man, maybe in his late 50’s, wearing a white—I honestly forgot what it's called, but it had a cream suit on the top of it with embroidery on the sleeves. His pants matched the color of his suit.

He was laughing with another man— who I found very familiar, wearing a black suit with a gold garment underneath it. I feel happy that I got to see my family even here, but some are sad because they weren’t really my family. They’re Fleur’s family and I’m not Fleur; I’m Lunox Winters and the wrist of that is, I need to write her story..

I sat beside mother and Clementine was beside me, we were on the left side of the table while father was on the right. I noticed that all the girls were sitting on the left and the boys were on the right side.

There was a vacant seat across mine and I saw Mr.—Lord Philip’s eyes scanning the room. He then called one of his servants using his hands and whispered something to him. The servant bowed and left the room. I was eager to eat these food, which I find quite strange found but the room was filled with the scent of different foods in front of us. “I’m sorry for thr inconvenience, I just don’t want to start without my son, who is the main reason why we’re celebrating.. he said faking his laughter, the servant arrived escorting a tall man and he was very familiar. I remembered where I saw him, then it hit me.

He was the one in my dreams, the one I saw at school calling me Fleur. I automatically felt the beat of my heart. Does he know me? Should I ask him later? What would I ask him? Why is he in my dreams? I have so many questions for this guy. “Don’t look at him like that or else he’ll melt” Clementine said, laughing silently. I didn’t even notice that I was staring at him.

He made his way and sat across me I on the other side, still puzzled about this guy in front of me. I looked at Clementine and whispered “who is he?”, making it as quiet as possible, “He’s, Bleu’ Laurent, the second son of lord Philip and Lady Caroline Laurent. He’s studying in London but he went home having the highest grades. He is also known for his art, music and looks. Almost every girl in his school, including here, are obsessed with me. Well, I can’t blame them.” Clementine whispered, “Ladies stop gossiping and start smiling”, mother flashed her eyes at us.

We sat properly and Lord Philip stood up with a wine in his right hand lifted in the air. “To this season’s harvest and to my son!” He motioned a toast to the air and everyone imitated him.

Time seemed to move slowly and I started to get bored with all the business talking from the men, and the family bragging about women beside me. I couldn’t seem to find peace in this room, so I politely stood up and excused myself from the room, but before I even said a word, father noticed me and told me to come close. I followed him and walked across.

I’ve never been this nervous! What’s gonna happen? Does he know that I’m not his real daughter? A lot of thoughts are running in my head. “This is my lovely daughter Fleur, she loves to read books and we’re planning to send her to London also” my father, while I stood there like a kid. “That’s magnificent to hear,, my son Bleu will be her tour guide; we don’t want this beautiful lady wonder the big country do we?” lord Phillip said. I can sense that they’re up to something and, whatever it is, I don't like it.

I was walking in the field of tulips thinking about Bleu, I still don’t know why he appears at our school and in front of our house, doing strange things with a stranger. I was walking back and forth still thinking about why that guy is here and why I feel nervous whenever he's around. It’s like sneaking into the middle of the night and going somewhere you’re not supposed to be. “You’re thinking too much, it causes early aging”. A voice broke my thoughts. I turned around and see the guy I was just thinking about.

I looked at him thinking if I should ask him about the happenings around but there was this slight feeling that he didn’t have the answers. Then suddenly the rain started to pour gently, bringing me back to my senses. I looked up and saw the blue sky slowly turning into gray. As the pour went harder we ran towards a shed to hide from the rain. “I’m Bleu… Bleu Laurent, pleasure to meet you” he said extending his hand to me, I’m very hesitant about this but on the other hand I think I’m overreacting “Lun—Fleur…” I forgot Fleur’s surname what should I say? Does he knows Fluer’s last name? should I ask him? No! that’s a bad idea he will suspect me. “I think I saw you before, I just can’t remember where..” he said and this made me think that he also might have the same dreams or whatever its called. “Have you seen me in a weird place? Like a school? Or in front of a house?” I couldn’t help myself, he looked puzzled about the questions I threw. “I’m not sure but I do remember seeing someone who look exactly like you but her fashion is odd, but we never knew my sight might be mistaken” he said. I really want to tell him if he had an idea about Fleur so that I can start writing this story, I really wanna go home. “You caught my attention lady Fleur…” he softly said leaving me stunned my heart was beating as if I came from a marathon , my mind could ni process the words he said. “What?!” I said looking at him weirdly I need further elaborations about what he just said. “I told you, you seem familiar. When I walked into the room I couldn’t help myself but ask if my mind is still sane, for the lady in my dreams has finally appeared in front of me” he said leaving me frozen.

What is wrong with this person?! And what is wrong with me?! Why do I feel my heart jumping and my cheeks are warming?

“I am forcing myself not to ask you questions since we’ve just met, but have you seen me in your dreams?” I feel the cold draping my system as he look directly to my eyes, those ocean blue eyes felt like drowning me, his perfect pointy nose and his small rose-like lips, his perfect shaped face looking directly to me feels like falling into air without fear—uh? Where did that come from? May I ask myself what’s happening?! I gather all my might to answer his question, I looked at him fighting those captivating oceans eyes.

“I’m not sure…” not sure?? What the actual—I feel so dumb for saying that but I think that’s the right thing to do since I still need to know why we both appear in each other’s dream and I don’t want him asking me questions I don’t have answers. He shifted his gaze to the tulips and we both choose silence. Lightning was striking and thunder was roaring and I’m starting to worry because I don’t know the way home, I think Clementine already left with our parents.

How would I go home? Am I even allowed to have sleep over? I can’t help but think if I should ask Bleu to let me sleep in their house since the rain pouring harder and harder “Um.. “ I began to speak but still thinking if I should continue “I’ll take you home” he said as if he know what’s on my mind. Is he a psychic? Or am I too predictable? “thanks” I don’t really know how to talk with people since I don’t have friends except Laura. The atmosphere began to feel awkward as we both decide to stay silent and wait for the rain to stop.

I found myself staring at the ceiling, the r has stopped and the moon is seen again lighting up the town. I was escorted home by Bleu, we waited until everyone in town were asleep to avoid gossips and embarrassment to our families. Clementine was looking at me naughtily as I entered our house but the reaction of Fleur’s parents is opposite.

They were looking serious and I can sense disappointment from them; father and Bleu talked for a while and then he escorted him outside making sure nobody is awake. I went upstairs with Clementine, she stayed for a while in my room to ask me about what happened while having a smirk on her face

“So… where to begin?” she said “We got stuck in their garden because it was raining” I said and I could see on her face that she’s expecting more which I find funny, as we were still talking we both stopped as the door opened and father came in with a serious face.

“Leave us Clementine” he said in a deep serious voice, if dad—my dad would say that to e I would’ve imitate him making us laugh out loud but this isn’t my dad that’s why I need to be very careful not to cause any trouble to Fleur’s family.

He made his way towards me and sat on my bed, he let out a big sigh before speaking “What you did was not right…” he said in much calmer tone “It’s not right seeing a young lady with a man in the middle of the night, not to mention people knew who you are…” he continued. I don’t know if I should explain myself or remain silent because it’s kinda my fault but it was never my fault because it rained.

“I’m sorry… father.. I was wandering around because I got bor—I was clearing my mind and thinking what I wanna be later on” I flashed a slight smile to him but he seems not convince about my explanation. “I wish not to have any incident like this, are we clear Fleur?” he said. I nodded and smile as a response.