The Countess And Her Knight

Milly Windsor was a young woman, only a few years younger than Caroline, but bȧrėly old enough to even be considered one. She had a slender frame and wore two long, red braids on both sides of her head. Her skin was pale, almost sickly, but her cheeks were rosy and covered with freckles. She wore a simple, dark brown dress under a spotless white apron, reflective of the fact that this was still a new undertaking for her. She didn't quite know the full layout of the estate yet, so she got lost easily and was often late.

She appeared timid around the Count and the rest of the staff, but when she was alone with Caroline, she was more open and energetic. At times, it was hard for Caroline to even get a word in.

Milly had come to the estate only a few months prior to Caroline's engagement to the Count. Previously, she had worked at her family's bakery in a small town up north. After her father's passing, they had no choice but to shut the bakery down. She managed to get a job at the estate to support her mother and younger brother; she sent them all that she could, which wasn't much, but it was enough for them to get by.

As she dressed Caroline for supper, she had told her all of this and more.

"My lady," Milly squeaks, halting Caroline's daydreaming, "You're just about ready. You just need to pick out some jewelry."

Milly brings out three different necklaces, all of which would pair with her dress almost perfectly. Instead of picking among these, Caroline grabs a small emerald necklace shoved in the back of the box. "This one."

"My lady," Milly asks confused, "are you sure this is the one you want? It doesn't go with your dress."

Caroline flashes Milly a small, bittersweet smile. "Yes, it's special to me."

Milly sees the sadness in Caroline's eyes and doesn't push any further. She gently places it on Caroline's neck, just as there's a knock at the door.

"Lady Boushley," the knocker asks, "may I come in?"

"Y-Yes," Caroline stammers nervously. The door opens to reveal Edmond, the head butler."Are you ready for supper?"

Caroline glances at Milly, who looks as nervous as she did around the Count, before looking back at Edmond. "Yes-"

He cuts her off, "Good, follow me." She reluctantly trails behind him out of the room as he leads her down the dark hallway. If not for Edmond's lamp, it would've been pitch black. There wasn't a window or candle in sight.

As they walk farther down the hall, she spots a dim light in the corner of her eye. She looks over to see where the light is coming from, but Edmond steps in her line of vision.

"The dining room is right this way," Edmond says, motioning towards his right.

"Oh yes, of course. Thank you." Caroline follows him into the dining room, but she can't quite shake the feeling that something is greatly awry at the Van Estate.

Caroline looks around the dining table in an optimistic search for the Count, but much to her dismay, he is nowhere to be seen. Edmond pulls out her chair, and she sits on the left end of the table. "Is the Count coming?"

"No," Edmond says, "the Count eats dinner in his study every night."

"Oh," Caroline says disappointedly, "okay."

"Supper shall be out shortly." Edmond bows before exiting the room, leaving Caroline alone. She lets out a long-awaited sigh.

Just as she thinks she can finally take a moment to think everything over, the door bursts open, and Edmond walks in with her meal. He places the plate in front of her.

"Ring for me when you are ready." He bows once more and takes his leave.

Caroline stares down at her bowl; it seems unappetizing at best. The soup looks strangely chunky. She hesitantly takes a sip, and it's just as bad as she thought it would be. She eats as much as she can without getting sick before ringing for Edmond.

Within seconds he arrives, "You called?"

"I'm ready to retire for the evening." She stands up, and he pushes in her chair.

"Are you quite sure? You haven’t even received the main course yet.”

“Of course, right this way."

He leads her out of the dining room and back down the hallway to her bedroom. He opens the door and lets her inside. "I'll send for Ms. Windsor," he says while bowing.

Before Caroline has the chance to thank him, he leaves the room. Only moments later, Milly stumbles into the room. "Sorry for the wait," she squeaks nervously.

"It's fine," Caroline says softly, "I'd like to prepare for bed."

"Oh, of course," Milly says nervously as she walks over to Caroline's wardrobe, "I'll find you something to wear."

Milly picks out a frilly blue nightgown from the closet and helps Caroline change into it. Caroline doesn't recognize the garment but thinks nothing of it until she lays down and sees the initials "CA" embroidered on her left sleeve.

Milly insists that it must stand for Caroline Van, but an eerie feeling creeps up in the back of Caroline's mind.. She simply can't shake the thought that someone unbeknownst to her may be living just a few halls down.