All These Things That They've Done

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nicolette felt the familiar heat of
the sun on her face. Her body was warm
and while she felt a dull aching in her body, she was oddly comfortable.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> She shifted beneath some of the softest
blankets she’d ever been wrapped in and expected to see her love’s face beside
her. However, when her eyes opened, she
was alone. As if that weren’t enough to
pique her worries, she had no idea as to where she was.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The room was bathed in sunlight and the bed
she was in was deep red in color. In
fact, much of the room was decorated in red and gold. The furniture that was very ornate and obviously expensive was
dark mahogany, and by the looks of the windows and walls, she guessed that she
was in a place very much like a castle.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Oh, Miss, you’re awake!”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> An older woman’s excited voice rang in Nic’s
ears. “We’ve been terribly worried
about you.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> She swallowed hard.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> “Where am I?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> The older woman smiled, the creases
in her face noticeable. “Harstone
Manor, dear.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Why?” It was the only word Nicolette could come up with.style="mso-spacerun: yes">

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “It seems that you got caught up in
the uprising outside, dear. We honestly
thought you dead at first.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “My…friends…my…Jake!!”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Oh, you poor dear.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The woman brought a stein filled with water
to her. “From what I’ve been told, the
people you were with either fled or…passed on.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Fled? Passed on? No!style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Jake wouldn’t have left me and he…he’s not
dead, he…” She began to cry.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Now, now, dear, it’s all
right. You’re not alone, after
all. How about a warm bath, hm?style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Cleaned you up the best I could, but I
didn’t feel it right to get…intimate.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “I don’t think I…”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Nonsense, dear, you’ll feel so much
better. Come on then.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> The woman extended her hand and Nic took
it. “I’ll make sure that the sheets are
changed while you bathe.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Her mind unfocused, she felt her
feet cross the cool, marble floor. She
barely realized that she’d been led through a doorway when the woman spoke
again. “I’m certain this will make you
feel better, dear.” The woman
smiled. “May I ask your name?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “N…Nicolette.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “My, how pretty.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Nic looked around, yet again taking
in new surroundings. She was in a large
bathroom, almost purely white in color.
In the center of the room, a pedestal was built up and a deep, round tub
was built into the floor. Two young
women were filling the tub with steaming water and scented oils.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Despite all that was happening to her, she
couldn’t help but find the sight inviting.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Thank you girls, let us leave her
now.” The woman gave one last glance to
Nic. “My name is Henrietta, dear.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> I’ll have a gown ready for you once you’ve
finished.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “A gown, but…”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> But Henrietta was gone.style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Nic sighed deeply and surrendered to the
water before her. Once she sunk into
its warm depths, she succumbed to her emotions. She began to sob into her hands, not understanding why life had
taken such a turn on her. Jake was gone
– either having died, or somehow, even worse, abandoned her.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> Her thoughts swirled so rapidly that
soon, her mind became numb. She stayed
in the bath until the water cooled, then dried off. She walked back into the bedroom and saw a black gown spread out
on the bed. Not having anything else to
wear (the clothes she was wearing had been taken), she put on the gown and
looked into the full length mirror on the wall. Henrietta reemerged and immediately tended to the young woman’s
hair, pinning it into an intricate up-do.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You’re a beautiful young woman,”
she said sweetly.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Um…thank you.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Nicolette was disconnected from herself
now. Her life was torn apart and she
couldn’t understand why she was in this strange, yet somehow wonderful
place.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “You must be famished, yes?”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “A little, I suppose.”style="mso-spacerun: yes"> Truth be told, she couldn’t remember the
last time she’d been so hungry.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Well, I promise you a grand meal,
dear. Oh, you’ll adore Prince
Harstone.”

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Prince?” Nicolette blinked as if it would make a difference in the word.

style='mso-tab-count:1'> “Don’t be scared by the title,
dear.”