Chapter 3

All through the night, I struggled to sleep. It wasn’t the pain of Owen’s betrayal spinning through my mind. It was the man with the German accent. Why did he seem so familiar? His voice, his scent, everything about him screamed aristocrat. He looked debonair. Six foot three inches of well tone muscles, as if he had been working out for several years. This was the type of physique she had seen illustrated in vintage paintings and old movies like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. A classic, look of grace and stature not know to modern day men. As I laid on the floor in dead silence, staring at the ceiling. I felt like I was staring into a vast void of nothingness. My brain puzzle about it, it felt like hours drift past slowly, and I began to sleep.

As I slept, I dreamed. I felt awake though. I noticed myself in a large luxurious room. A king-size bed with an elaborate lavender curtain which adorned the top of the bed. The floors where hardwood with large cream-colored rugs with intricate designs of lavender flowers and hearts.  The furnishings were cream and lavender colored. There was a vanity table, a beautifully designed chamber pot shelf with a lavish look water pitcher with basin. The wardrobe looked similar to the one in “Beauty and the Beast.” The whole room screamed royalty. I arose and started to walk out of the room until I notice I was only wearing a long silk night gown. I nearly screamed when I noted how unkempt I was. I grabbed a silk robe that was pearl colored and began to leave the room. I nearly fainted when she noticed myself in the mirror.

I looked nearly the same but, thinner I looked petite. There was a certain grace to the way I walked and moved. My hands were more dainty. My face a bit more soft and pale.  My lips resembled a porcelain doll. That’s what she resembled! A Porcelain doll. Small, soft and dainty.  I almost screamed in shock! What the fuck happened to my hair! Why am I blond?! So blond, it was nearly pure white. Blue eyes? When did that happen? They were the clearest blue I’d ever seen. Who was she? What happened to my dark mahogany brown hair and her hazel eyes? This was not her? What dream was she in? I could not stop my mind from spinning a thousand miles a moment.

I walked down the hallway I was taking in my odd surroundings. I stopped in front of me. I noticed a grand staircase. There was lavish would carvings on the walls and carvings of roses with vines descending down the staircase. It was beautiful. What happened to my ancestors for the house to become abandoned? As I descended the stairs, I noticed the house was alive with various people. Suddenly, the room went as silent as a graveyard. They turned towards me and stared at my unkempt presence. Suddenly a woman that resembled a servant ran to me.

“Milady Gabrielle, what do you think you’re doing? Has no one come to dress you?” the woman said ushering me back to the bedroom.

“I apologize” I said in a voice that sounded like the coo of a dove.

“Well, now let’s get dressed before there’s any more chance at scandal.” She said in a huff. She walked into a room I had not seen. It appeared to be a walk-in closet. She came out with a corset, a petticoat, and a dress that was pearl white with pink lace. I stood to the side and let the servant do her work. I did my best not to show my struggle when applying to corset. I had never worn such a thing in my life. Women of this era wore them constantly after evolving from a child into womanhood through puberty. I did my best to adjust yet the feeling as if I could hardly breath never left my body. I smiled and tried to maintain my countenance as a noble woman to give the appearance that I was the same girl who lived here daily. We walked past a mirror in the hallway. Lightning struck me figuratively; I was the embodiment of my ancestor. “Gabriele Lefluer” I felt like fainting as understanding dawned on me. I was inside the “Lefluer Chatue.”  I was back in time when the house would a hall of prominence and beauty. Not only that but, I seemed to be possessing Gabrielle’s body. In real life I would never look as beautiful as Gabrielle. That type of beauty was never bestowed to me. I have always looked like “plain jane.” What was going on? Was this really the house looked like once upon a time? How did it become so forlorn? I pondered as I followed the handmaiden out of the room.

We walked down the stairs and I looked in awe at its grandeur. The floors were white and black marble. The railings were dark oak wood. A large diamond chandelier hung in all its glory. Again, this place was built and designed for royalty, it was built for my ancestors of old. I could smell the freshly baked goods coming out of the oven. Walking through the rooms I saw various people impeccably dressed. They all sat at an elegant looking dining table. It was massive and clearly handmade by some fine craftsman. The chairs were adorned with rose carvings and maroon covered material at the seating area. There was another chandelier in the dining hall. With crystal roses hold candles. A large fireplace big enough for someone to walk into stood in the corner of the dining hall. It warmed the whole room with its roaring fire. I marveled at all the wonder in the house. My heart felt sad knowing this majesty in modern time is crumbling apart. I looked around at the vast collection of people. Everyone was seated, drinking fresh juice, eating amazing food. Fresh eggs, baguettes, and fresh fruit. Everyone was talking, laughing and having fun. She had never seen so many people at one meal before. Was this what it’s like to have a real family meal? Everyone welcome not people sitting down to eat only so they can run off somewhere. I wish life were the same as this.

My parents are always so preoccupied with everything. They never visit Grandma; they are always so carried away with their own lives. If my brother Grant were alive things would be different. Everything felt like it changed after he died here at the manor when he was seven years old. He was the reason why my father never wanted me near here. He was exploring as well. Mother said he loved to try and get inside the house. He never was too far away from Grandma’s house though. He liked to explore the house and the old outer buildings. He thought there would be buried treasure. One day, he went missing. I was two years old when it happened. They searched for days for him and found his body lifeless along the bank of the river that’s to the east of the property. He had died mysteriously. His head had been bashed in, his neck ripped open and he was drained of blood. Doctors believe he bled out but could not give account of who took him, how they could hurt him like that or why? I was musing in my mind when she felt a nudge.

“Dear Ellie are you alright?” a man next to her inquired.

“Yes, I just have many things plaguing my mind this morning. I had the strangest dream last night” I said while rubbing my head.

“Let it be past, may I suggest after you have eaten your fill to prepare for today? Perhaps a walk about the garden or into town? Lord Rudolph Hofer will be calling you later, remember”

I smiled as if recalling and walked away from the room. With her heart pounding in her chest, and a scream building up inside of her she made haste to leave the house, and she went out to the stables. They were so beautiful. All the horses were a sight to behold. I had never been on one, so I decided a walk around the garden. I did not want to risk hurting myself attempting to ride a horse.

I walked around the garden admiring it’s beauty. I realized the sun was starting to rise higher in the sky, I percieved judging upon the position it was around ten oclock in the morning. I felt I had been outisde long enough, I walked back towards the house. I saw someone who looked similar, the man from the restaurant. We looked at each other, both speechless. There was a knowing look in his eye, as he approached, I felt everything go black and awoke as if I had been jolted by electricity. I looked around and realized that I was still in the hotel room. The time was five in the morning. His eyes again haunted me, beckoning., calling to me. They stared at me in my mind as if they were filled with secrets. I shook her head at the absurdness that it could be him. People do not live forever.

I laid back down and tried to make sense of what the dreams might be telling me. Clarity struck me, and realized I was not grieving anymore. Why am I  no longer feel heartbroken? Just last night it felt like I could carve out my heart to take away the pain after seeing Owen. Now, it’s like that dream has given her a clean slate. I brushed my feelings aside and dressed for the new day.