Chapter 2: My Broken Lady
The beautiful autumn leaves rustled softly on the trees that lined the dirt path. The cool wind passed over the wind chimes that hung on the low branches of the trees. A soft melodic tune could be heard by anyone who would walk this path.
But only one fair maiden knew of this path.
The young lady walked elegantly down the path as she admired the magic of the autumn season. She brushed her brunette hair behind her ear as the wind flowed through it, creating beautiful long waves. Her long flowing pumpkin-colored dress flowed with her as well. She twirled amongst the falling auburn leaves as she closed her hazelnut eyes with glee. One would say that she came straight from a storybook. Her entire being carried confidence, yet humility. She took a deep breath of fresh air and sighed. It was a relief to finally get out of the confined walls of her home. She outstretched her delicate arms into the early morning sun and felt the gentle warmth of its golden rays.
"I can't believe a year has already passed since I got my ring. I can't wait to see where it takes me one day." The maiden said with glee as she looked up at her glistening ring. She put her hand to her mouth and gently kissed her precious silver ring. She was a hopeless romantic after all. From all the novels and stories of soulmates finding each other in grand ways, she can't help but fall in love with what may come in the future. The young lady watched, with a small smile, as she saw the colors of the little gem on the ring change different colors. "Hmm...the gem is yellow now. He must be as joyous as I am! The young handsome man I have yet to love must have seen his gem turn pink!" The maiden blushed in embarrassment. She shouldn't be thinking of such thoughts too quickly. She had just come of age. Some soulmates have already found each other at this age while some may still meet at old age.
Nevertheless, the hopeless romantic stroked the ring and smiled longingly. "Finally someone I can lean on. Someone I can trust with my entire being." She mused.
A toll of a bell was heard from a distance. "Esthertia! It is time for your dancing lessons!" The young lady flinched at the sound of her scheduled class. She hurriedly walked towards the grand mansion she lovingly calls home. Time flies quite fast when one is lost in thoughts.
In the distance, she could see her beloved home in between the trees. The grand granite walls that loomed taller than the evergreen pine trees. The windows that shined in the beautiful sunlight. In front of the chocolate brown door, there was her worried nanny, looking around frantically.
"Nanny Leana! I'm here!" the maiden waved to the nanny from the entrance of the garden. Nanny Leana sighed in relief and wiped her sweating brow. "My Lady Esthertia! Please do not run off on your own! Your father would be quite worried if you went missing! Oh my! Your shoes are dusty again. Where do you always go?" the nanny nagged as she led Esthertia indoors.
"Oh, I'm sure I wasn't gone for that long." Esthertia huffed at the nanny's remark. She dusted off her shoes as she entered the mansion. Nanny Leana would scold her once more if dust and dirt got all over the embroidered carpets again.
Esthertia smiled at her prim and proper nanny who walked with composure throughout the grand halls. Her nanny has always been there with her through thick and thin. Even when she causes troubles or mischiefs everywhere she went, Nanny Leana was always there to protect and serve her. "Thank you for calling me, Leana." Esthertia said with a smile. The touched nanny smiled and softly patted Esthertia's shoulder. "Now, now, miss. You must not converse with me so casually out in the open. But, you are welcome either way." The nanny said as she opened the room to her dance lessons.
"Now, I will be off, miss. Please call me if you need anything." Leana said as she closed the door slowly. Esthertia nodded in farewell and turned around to see her dance teacher. The lovely lady seemed to be in her early adulthood yet she stood with such grace. Esthertia must've been staring too long as the woman cleared her throat.
"Greetings, my lady. You must be Lady Esthertia, my student. I am to be your teacher. I am Lady Amatora Odio. Pleased to meet you.", the woman bowed gracefully as she greeted. Esthertia bowed in return and smiled at Amatora.
"Lady Amatora. That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard that from?" Esthertia mused out loud. Amatora softly chuckled and nodded. "I get that a lot and it is true. You may have heard it quite often before. Do you remember the legend of where these rings originated from?" Her green eyes looked deep into Esthertia's hazel ones.
Esthertia gasped and clapped in glee. "Yes, I do! The Goddess Amatora! How could I forget? She was said to have been the most beautiful being to ever exist. Her beautiful long black hair to the waist. Her beautiful green eyes that shown like the lakes. Her skin shone like the sandy beaches yet smooth like a newborn baby…" Esthertia clasped her mouth. She smiled shyly and looked down. Amatora smiled warmingly at Esthertia. "I'm sorry. I tend to ramble on when it is about that legend. It was tragic yet magical." Esthertia said sheepishly and looked up.
"Come to think of it. You look like how I expected the Goddess to look like, Lady Amatora." Esthertia said.
Lady Amatora stared at Esthertia for a while and turned away. "I wouldn't compare myself to the Goddess. In legends, she is great. To me, she is no different than a woman who fell in love at the wrong place and time...with the wrong person." Amatora sighed.
"I suppose, I am no different." Lady Amatora quietly said as if she was talking to herself.
Esthertia widened her eyes at Amatora's comment. She clasped her mouth but did not want to presume the misfortunes that fell upon Lady Amatora's still young heart. Amatora's eyes were looking sorrowfully outside the paned window. The morning light made them shine like jewels. Yet, these jewels were filled with loneliness and were looking far away.
"Lady Amatora?"
Esthertia's voice broke through Amatora's daze. Amatora looked around as if she had forgotten where she was. Her eyes were wide in bewilderment until she saw Esthertia, who had a worried look on her face.
Esthertia extended an unsure arm towards Amatora. "I'm sorry if I said something that was not necessary, Lady Amatora. I did not mean to make you uneasy." Esthertia apologized sincerely. Amatora forced a smile and shook her head. "I'm sorry for worrying you, my lady. You did not do anything that hurt me. Rest assured, Lady Esthertia. I am quite alright now. I was just remembering something from a long time ago." Amatora assured her while holding her hand tightly.
Esthertia clutched her chest and sighed with relief. She did not want to hurt people in the first meeting. She always believed that first impressions were important, like what her father taught her. Esthertia let go of Amatora's hand and twirled around the room. "I'm glad, Lady Amatora!" Esthertia said with glee. Amatora softly laughed and clapped.
"Alright, my lady. Ready for your first lesson with me?" Amatora asked. Esthertia nodded with glee.
Lady Amatora and Lady Esthertia spent the rest of the morning dancing away. They must have been having much enjoyment while learning together as time quickly passed. When Nanny Leana came back for the lady, they were startled to realize it was time for luncheon already.
"Oh my! I'm sorry for keeping you for so long, Lady Windly. I had such a lovely time teaching you how to dance. I should be taking my leave now." Lady Amatora said hurriedly. Lady Esthertia waved her hand with a smile. "It is alright, Lady Odio. It has been a pleasure being taught by you." Esthertia said while bowing farewell. Lady Amatora smiled. They hadn't realized they were talking casually to each other earlier and decided to only formally talk when in front of others, for the sake of status and manners.
Lady Amatora bowed and said, "The pleasure was all mine, Lady Windly. Farewell." Amatora proceeded to walk out the door, leaving Nanny Leana and Lady Esthertia in the room.
Nanny Leana turned to the young lady. "Miss? Were the dancing lessons to your liking?" Leana asked with anticipation.
"I loved them, Nanny. Tell the head butler he chose a remarkable instructor." She said as she took Leana's two hands and twirled her around the room. They both giggled when Esthertia was done dancing along. "Nanny Leana, I am quite famished. Is luncheon ready yet?" Esthertia asked. "Always, Lady Esthertia. I will lead you to…" Leana gasped in shock. Esthertia followed the terrified gaze of Leana. Her eyes fell upon her ring. The gem that once glowed and changed with life and color, was now dark as the void that suffocated the lady's heart.
Esthertia fell to her knees clutching her left hand. Her eyes widened at the horrific sight before her. Her shaking hands brushed against the silver ring that felt cold on her finger. She shut her eyes tightly and opened it once more. It still didn't change.
"No...no...no...no…this is a mistake...it must be a mistake...", The trembling maiden repeated over and over in soft whimpers. Her nanny backed away slowly and ran to a passerby servant. "Call the head butler! Tell him to alert Duke Windly. It is an emergency concerning the miss. Quickly! Go now!" Nanny Leana shouted at the servant who quickly ran for the head butler. She went back to the trembling Lady Esthertia. "My lady, I'm sure this isn't what it seems! There must be a reason for this!"
"A black gem…a black gem… it can't be." Lady Esthertia mumbled to herself.
'A black gem. A black gem on a soulmate ring. It can't be. Just a moment ago it shone with joy and warmth. There was no way that it could happen so quickly.' Esthertia thought to herself.
Endless thoughts of doubt and fear entered her mind. Tears fell down Esthertia's pale cheeks. She shook her head in denial. She wailed as all her dreams and wishes were shattered in a snap. Not only her dreams and wishes but also her hope of having someone by her side and understanding her. The hope of finding someone who perfectly matched each part of her. She took a shaky breath and examined her ring through a blurred vision. Tears dropped onto the ring and though it shone with tears, it was still dull and lifeless on her finger.
Nanny Leana wiped her lady's tears and held her other hand tightly. She softly whispered words of assurance but she knew deep down it was useless. No one can stay themselves when that desire to meet your other half is gone. That deep longing to find that person who makes you feel complete. Leana looked upon the lady's sad and trembling figure and hugged her tightly. "I'm sorry, miss." Leana whispered at last.
Esthertia shook her head in denial. She would not surrender to the sign that her other half is gone from this realm.
How could her other half die all of sudden? Something doesn't feel right. Esthertia knew that her other half was still alive. No matter what Leana whispered, she will not believe it. Esthertia still feels that gentle tug in her soul towards her soulmate, although it has become faint.
Footsteps came pounding through the hallway outside the room. "Esthertia!", a man in uniform, adorned with medals, said as he barged into the room. Esthertia knew...that if anyone understood what she was feeling now, it would be him. "Father…" Esthertia choked through the lump in her throat. The duke ran to his daughter and hugged her tightly. "I am here now. It is alright." He whispered reassuringly. Esthertia hugged back tightly and let all her anxiety flow out. She would always be able to lean on her father...but it just wasn't the same.
Esthertia softly whispered into her ring, "Please…"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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