I was startled by his remark. He cared for me but why? I leaned my head on the wall and faced the small opening of the door wishing that I could see his face. I did not say anything because I was afraid for us. What we were doing was against the law. As much as I want to tell him that I wish I could spend my life with him, I couldn’t because it was impossible without putting ourselves in danger. I couldn’t even say back to him that I cared for him too. I didn’t want to give any hope to something that was already dead to begin with. This needs to end before it got out of hand.
“I received a letter today containing the name of my match,” I sadly told him staring at the door as if I was talking to it.
He didn’t answer right away. I wish I could see him so that I ‘ll know what he was thinking.
“No one deserves you Ellie, you’re too good for anyone, and if this was a free world, I would spend my entire life trying to prove myself to you,” he softly proclaimed, “Life shouldn’t be like this,” he added sounding frustrated.
“But it is, so we must move on. Your turn will come, so we must forget each other,” I affectionately begged him with finality and urgency.
“Yes my turn will come but I don’t think I will ever forget you Ellie,” he confessed passionately.
His words felt so good that it melted my heart but at the same time it hurts for I would never know what it would be like to freely reciprocate that kind of emotion.
“It’s time to go.”
“Wait! Don’t you want to know my name?” he asked.
I wanted to tell him that I wanted to know his name more than anything.
“No I couldn’t. It would be easier for me not to know….. if you truly care for me, you’d understand. I just want to remember you the way I remember you everyday….. as the man from across the street, goodbye,” I painfully said my farewell then I stood up and shut the door without waiting for his reply. I stayed for a while thinking that this was the beginning of the end of my life.
The next morning, I woke up late and still tired. I wished everything yesterday was a dream and I was hoping that when I go down, everything would be the way it was. I lazily made my way downstairs without a care for anything and I was surprised when I found that both mom and dad were still at home.
“Mom, dad, why are you still here?”
“Well, your father and I took a leave from work for the Betrothal this afternoon,” mom explained.
“Was it today?” I nervously asked.
“Yes, we received a message yesterday. The Betrothal will be at the Charmant Café three o’clock this afternoon.”
“That’s a very fine and expensive place,” I anxiously observed.
“Yes, that’s why I bought you that dress and you need to make yourself look presentable but don’t worry I’ll help you,” she offered eagerly.
I groaned at the thought that I had to dress up today. I wished I could go just as myself; it was not like they can reject me if I didn’t dress up at all.
We arrived at the café which was located at the northern part. It was an exquisite place full of elegantly designed mirrors and crystals. I couldn’t help but look around admiring the splendidness and uniqueness of the place. We wore our finest clothes, dad was already uncomfortable with his suit just as I was with my dress but no matter how we tried to dress like them, we still stick out. The waiter led us to a private room which it seemed was rented for this event. When we entered, there was a tall man who looks like a few years older than me, with pale blonde hair and light complexion wearing a fine expensive suit and glasses. He stood up when he saw us approaching.
Was this man my match? There was nobody else in the room.
“Please have a seat,” the man motioned us to take the seats across the long glass table from him. But before we pulled the chair, three waiters who were already standing behind did it for us. I was amazed by the fanciness of the place and I wondered if this was also the case where I would stay with my mate. The thought made my stomach churn and I suddenly felt nauseated.
More waiters came and served us tea and biscuit after we sat down.
The man also seated cleared his throat, “Shall we begin?” he asked in a very formal voice, “First let me introduce myself, I am Mr. Logan, the legal representative of His Grace, Lord Andrew Bermule, Duke of Pinewood.”
“I’m Mr. Gertrue, this is my mate, and that’s our daughter Elaine,” dad awkwardly introduced us.
“Please to meet you all,” he nodded but his expression remained blank.
“I..I.. thought we were meeting my daughter’s mate and his family?” dad nervously stammered.
“His Grace and his brother Lord Curtis Bermule wished they could come, but they are preoccupied with other much more important matters, they convey their regrets and send me on their behalf instead,” he explained still with no trace of any expression in his face.
Somehow I found it hard to believe what he just said.
“I understand,” dad remarked.
“Let me read to you the conditions regarding the ceremony then,” Mr. Logan continued while glancing at the paper then read it, “The ceremony will be ten days from now which will be held in Pinewood at the Bermule manor at exactly five o’clock in the afternoon. You will arrive on the day of the ceremony which of course you will be provided a private transportation from your house to Pinewood. Any questions before we continue?”
We sat in silence which then he assumed we had none.
“About the guest or the witnesses for the ceremony,” he continued, “The Bermule family will make all the arrangements and the invitations.”
“What do you mean? You mean we cannot invite our friends?” I blurted.
Mr. Logan turned to me and gave me an odd look as if I was out of place for interrupting but he replied anyway, “It is best that my Lords will take charge of the invitations for safety reasons.”
“But….” I was about to object but dad placed his hand over mine and looked at me then shook his head, silently telling me not to argue which I obliged unhappily.
Mr. Logan glanced at me then at dad and continued reading, “Miss Elaine, after the ceremony, you will be known as Lady Elaine Bermule. You will reside at the Bermule manor with Lord Curtis and is expected to be at his side as your duty as a Lady.” Mr. Logan stared at me once more waiting for me to react against it but I didn’t because I was too appalled by the thought of it.
“When you become a Lady Miss Elaine, you are required to take a class on how to act and behave as a proper Lady by His Grace’s orders. A teacher will be provided to you and the classes will be at the manor,” Mr. Logan added.
They were trying to make me into one of those snobbish uptight Lady. Well, good luck to that. There was no way I was going to become one of them.
“And lastly,” he looked up from his paper, “Miss Elaine after the ceremony, you’d be promoted to the stations of the Elite so normally you are expected not to be closely associated with any Betas or to share your private affairs to any of them.”
“What?” disgusted by what he said. He was telling me that I would be too good to be around my friends and family when I become an Elite.
“And furthermore, you are not allowed to visit or communicate with your parents unless if His Grace allowed it.”
We were horrified by Mr. Logan’s last statement. It was bad enough that we could not see each other but to have permission, which may never be given, to see mom and dad was the last straw.
“Please, couldn’t we visit her at least once a month?” mom pleaded.
“Or at least send messages?” I second her.
“Once a month is not that often and we promise it won’t be any trouble,” mom added almost crying.
Mom and I pleaded together hoping that he would reconsider.
Mr. Logan was calm and unaffected by our request, it was like talking to a cold statue. Then dad spoke, “Please, could we at least have this? Allow us to visit her, it does not have to be often.”
“Mr. Gert
rue, let me remind you that Miss Elaine will be an Elite and by marriage to Lord Curtis her loyalty is bound only to the Duke of Pinewood which should be absolute.”
We were speechless. If becoming an Elite meant following more rules, then I didn’t want to be a part of it.
“And because Miss Elaine will be an Elite after the ceremony, your presence Mr. and Mrs. Gertrue at the banquet is no longer required,” he said further without any remorse.
It was hopeless, these Elites and their protocols only meant they didn’t want anyone below their station to be among them. I knew Mr. Logan were only following orders but still it didn’t stop me from feeling angry towards him, he was a rich Alpha and not any different from them, and the way he handled himself, being aloof and proud only infuriates me more.
We left the café after everything was settled and rode the bus home. None of us wanted to talk about what happened that day when we arrived at the house.
“I can’t do this dad,” I broke sobbing on his shoulder when he came over to hug me.
Mom was fighting off tears herself.
“Remember Ellie,” he looked at me and touched my chin, “You are strong. There’s nobody else I could think of who is strong enough to do this.”
“It’s okay honey,” mom reassured me while she touched my shoulder.
“What if it will never be okay? What if…. I ran away?” It was an idea out of desperation.
Mom and dad looked at each other.
“Then you’ll be running forever Ellie,” mom spoke.
“Yes but it will be a fate better than what waits for me,” I explained with optimism.
Dad was sadly shaking his head, “That’s not a good idea Ellie, the Protectors will not stop searching for you and they will not stop coming for me and your mom.”
“There is no way out of this is there?” I asked hopelessly.
Dad shook his head without saying a word only meant he cannot help me with this. I had no choice but to accept my fate. There was no way around this without endangering the lives of my family and the people I knew. I had to face the worst to come and there was no room for weakness.
The morning on the day of the ceremony was finally upon us. We made our final preparations for the last couple of days. I resigned from work, I told the staff that I was matched and had to relocate somewhere far from here. We were all sad and in tears when we finally said our goodbyes. It was harder saying farewell to Dr. Cook and Sarah whom I would miss more and probably never see again. I was seated on a chair inside my room in front of the mirror while mom fixed my hair and applied make up on my face. She let my long wavy auburn hair loose and it dangled below my shoulders. Then she placed a silver brooch shape like a flower. I wore a green Lady’s banquet gown that showed my bare shoulders and it had little white stones that glittered on the green embroidery on the long sleeves and chest, with a tight corset underneath and a long wide skirt almost touching the floor; we picked this together yesterday in one of those expensive Elite shops. The price was far beyond our means but mom insisted I wear the most beautiful gown in my ceremony. I didn’t see the point though on spending our money on this expensive gown that I probably was going to wear only once but I was grateful to her, she was indeed a caring mother and despite how many times we argued, I was going to miss her terribly.
“Thank you mom,” I said sincerely, then she stopped what she was doing looking bewildered, “Thank you for everything, for your love and care, I couldn’t ask for anything more,” I continued while I could feel myself tearing up.
“Oh honey,” she happily reacted and gently hug me from behind careful not to crumple my hair or the gown. I touched her arm that she wrapped around me, and we smiled then giggled.
“I love you and I am going to miss you everyday Ellie,” she expressed with tender affection and gently kissed me on the cheek.
I went downstairs careful not to trip. Dad was waiting for us in the living room wearing his black formal suit and mom followed me down wearing her light blue dress that she only wore during special occasions. Dad looked at me in awe and said, “You look beautiful.”
I smiled then went to him and straightened his suit, “You’re not bad yourself dad,” I complimented. Then he glanced at mom gleaming, “You look stunning my dear, just like the first time I met you.” Mom smiled then gave dad a small kiss on the lips.
“Are we ready? The car is waiting outside,” dad asked.
“We’re ready,” mom declared.
Mom and dad went out the house first. I stayed behind for a bit looking around one last time. I will miss this place, all the happy and sad memories. I will miss my room most especially, where I found my solace whenever I was down and the only place I was free with my thoughts but that was over, it was time to let go. I said my silent goodbye to the place but it was more of saying goodbye to my childhood and the familiar. I followed mom and dad outside where they patiently waited beside an expensive looking car. I was not allowed to bring anything with me; Mr. Logan informed us that everything that I needed would be provided as soon as I arrive at the manor. The driver in his silver uniform was waiting outside the car door, and he immediately open the back passenger side when we approached. It was our first time to ride such a luxurious vehicle. The neighbors noticed the car which clearly stood out around this neighborhood then small crowd started to gather to watch, and whisper among themselves before the car slowly started to leave. Gossip of a Beta who was matched with an Elite started to circulate among the neighbors since a couple of days ago and I was sure that would be what they would be talking about for days to come until they grew tired of it. I didn’t notice the man from across the street. I was avoiding him since that night he came over but I knew he was there but there was no looking back as we drove farther away.
We stopped at a shuttle dock in the city where a shuttle was waiting to take us to Pinewood. We were greeted by two smiling women who I thought were the servers when we boarded. It was a large silver shuttle, bigger than our house or any other house in the neighborhood. I started to feel anxious when we took off because I hated flying but it disappeared when I couldn’t even tell if we were ascending or if we were flying unlike the public shuttle we rode before where the ride was noisy and rough. There was a silver table which was full of treats and drinks laid out by the servers. They asked us if we needed anything from the table. I told her that I would like to take a look first since I was not used to being served. Everything in the table looked amazing and delicious that I didn’t know what to choose. The female server must have noticed then she respectfully told me that I can pick anything or even everything I want since it was just all for us. I was amazed by the display on the table that I wanted to try everything but my nerves for the ceremony got the best of me that I lost my appetite. We were silent for the rest of the trip, our nervousness was to blame but I entertained myself to take my mind off what was to come by looking out the window admiring the clouds of different shapes and sizes but when the server announced that we will be flying over Pinewood, I started to feel incredibly uneasy. This was it, I never felt so nervous before. I would be meeting my mate, his family and every Elite acquainted to them. It was going to be my first time to see so many proud and vain Elites. What was I going to say to them? The only Elite I have talked to was Lady Georgina and she was terrible. I saw some of the Elites when I was at the Yuvaika Institute before and they were the type of girls who I would never want to be friends with. I was sure that my mate would be the same. My palms suddenly started to sweat, how long was this going to be?
I looked down the window and saw nothing but green. Trees and grasses were everywhere. The sight of horses running freely across the grass as the shuttle passed made my heart skipped a beat. I have never seen so many of them in one place before. Although the sun was shining and was made to be a lovely day but nothing could cheer me up. Maybe if this was any other ordinary day I would be excited to have visited a beautiful new place such as Pinewood but not this time, I want
ed to leave this place instead. The female server announced that we would be docking soon. The shuttle began to descend then finally landed. There was another car waiting for us when we went down from the shuttle and we rode without knowing where it would take us. We passed some more trees and flocks of birds flew over, this land was obviously a sanctuary for many wildlife I thought. After a few minutes, we arrived at a large tall gate made out of black steel bars with artistic design. It automatically opened as we stopped in front and closed after we went through. Tall trimmed trees were aligned on each side of the road and it went on and on like they were guarding the path. We finally slowed down near a garden and at the center of it was a large white structure with no walls and was made out of white marble. It was supported by large pillars with a hint of silver designs like roots crawling on them but gracefully. In between the pillars were white thin see through fabric that dangled from the top all the way almost touching the floor and covered the entire sides of the structure and it dances when blown by the wind. The car stopped a few meters away. I was starting to breath heavily; I could see that there were people already inside. Dad noticed that I was terrified so he took my hand and gave it a soft squeeze. A man in fine silver coat approached and opened the car door for us. My heart was pounding and it felt like it was going to leap out from my chest.
“Please, this way,” the man holding the car door instructed us and gestured his hand showing us the way.
We went out the car reluctantly and followed the man who led us to the white structure but asked us to wait first just outside.
“Before we go in, the parents should enter after the Lady but would not join her at the Pledge table. You are to turn to the left side when you reached the front. The Lady then proceed until she is beside the Lord and wait for the judge to begin the ceremony,” the man explained to us with preciseness.
He paused for a while and glanced at us one by one trying to see if we heard him and understood.
“After the ceremony, the parents may say their goodbyes before leaving. A car will be waiting to take you to the shuttle docks which will take you back where you came from,” he continued.
The Premortals (The Premortals Series Book 1) Page 8
