Ophelia approached the castle in her carriage, feeling some butterflies in her stomach but unable to put her finger on what it was exactly. Absentmindedly, she smoothed out the skirt of the white dress that she had made herself, its embellishments glittering faintly in the dim light like little stars. Her chestnut brown hair was tied back loosely, a floral pin resting on the left side with wavy strands framing her face and thick locks falling down her back. Over her dress, she wore a white frock coat that she had also made herself. Her fingers idly traced the skin of her slender neck, missing the feeling of the cool chain of her delicate silver necklace that she always wore. Having to let go of her prized possession was one of her deterrents from accepting the invitation, even if it was just for a short time. However, after much deliberation, she had allowed herself to trust a little more freely in hopes to get an enjoyable night out, away from all the stresses and worries of her work as a seamstress. She loved sewing and making clothing, but whenever it started to become a source of stress, she always tried to take a step back before easing back into the rhythm. The host had even graciously provided her a fine carriage as she had no suitable means of transportation, so she believed it to be foolish to turn down such an offer.
Tilting her head slightly, she stared out the window, mesmerized by the lush gardens that were passing by. Flowers of every color dotted the meticulously trimmed bushes, their vibrant hues of crimson and azure and amber standing out against the dark, rich greenery. Floral archways decorated the smooth stone pathways and a magnificent marble fountain stood in the middle of it all, its flowing water sounding like soft piano melodies. An ethereal aura radiated throughout the entire premise, and she felt like she had been transported to a different world, one of fairies and magic and not of worry and hopelessness. Even though she had hardly been there for very long, she felt an odd longing arise within her to stay in that place forever, to relish in its security and fall deep into its tranquility.
The clip clop of the horses' hooves gradually died down, coming to a halt as she arrived at her designated gate. The intimidating iron gates towered over them, a golden number 2 perched at the very top indicating she was in the correct place. The host had specifically picked out gates for the guests, and although seemingly strange, they were asked to comply. She gripped the skirt of her gown out of both excitement and nervousness, silently staring at the majestic castle beyond the gate, its tall towers and terraces of stone harboring forest green vines in its crevices. A welcoming orange glow of lights shone through the massive windows, as if beckoning her to come and join them inside. Her footman opened the carriage door, offering his white gloved hand to help her out. Placing her hand in his, she arose from her seat and stepped off the carriage, feeling the cool evening air tickle her skin. She watched as the iron gates swung open and two attendants in finely tailored white suits came forward to welcome her.
"Lady Ophelia, please come this way," one spoke, gesturing with his arm toward the door.
She paused, surprised by the title by which she was referred. "Lady?"
The attendants smiled. "Yes, my lady. We thank you for coming tonight."
She nodded gracefully. "Please give the host my gratitude, both for the invitation and for this carriage."
"Was your travel satisfactory, my lady?"
"Very much so. It was more than I could have ever asked for."
"Most excellent. Now, if you would follow us, we will take you inside."
Ophelia obliged, thanking her carriage driver and footman one last time before following behind the attendants. Holding onto her skirts, she daintily stepped up the marble stairs as the attendant held the large oaken doors open for her. Once inside, her breath was completely taken away at the sight she beheld. Intricate paintings covered the high ceilings and grand glass chandeliers illuminated the large, open room. The floor was of polished marble and a winding staircase led up to the next level, its banister gilded with gold. Large windows lined the hallways with their velvet curtains pulled to the sides. Ophelia followed the attendants down one of the hallways to one of the side rooms, unable to contain the childish smile on her face. It was so beautiful that it almost felt like she was in a dream that she never wanted to wake up from. It seemed that in that moment, her jaded, hardened exterior or had melted away, its dark stains disappearing and allowing her hope and happiness to shine through. She felt like a young girl again, wide eyed and breathless at the sight of such beauty. The attendants stopped at a gold handled door, swinging it open to reveal an elegantly furnished sitting room with blue cushioned couches and chairs and more large windows. Lanterns lined the walls and another glass chandelier hung overhead. A grand fireplace was at the side, a flame lit and crackling, sending shadows dancing across the dark stone walls.
"Please wait here, Lady Ophelia, and we will bring you your trinket. We will gladly take your coat as well."
She nodded, undoing the buttons and slipping it off to reveal the form fitting top of her dress. One of the attendants handed her some blue morning glory flowers from their gardens to wear as a corsage and she took it graciously, thanking them for their kindness.
As the attendants left, she wondered why she was alone and where the other guests were, but she chose not to ask. Perhaps they were late? Her dark eyes shifted to the tall grandfather clock ticking in the corner. It was only a few minutes past the sixth hour, so there likely wasn't anything to worry about. What was the worst that could happen anyway? She settled down on one of the blue couches, patiently waiting for the attendants to return with her necklace.
~~~
Chandler hastily buttoned the cuffs of his black jacket while taking furtive glances out of his window. The rows of houses previously flashing by his carriage were replaced by a long expanse of open fields which he hoped meant he was at least on the castle property. It was a beautiful, clear night with the stars twinkling brightly against the dark sky, but he hardly paid any notice. He knew he was running late and tardiness always made his skin crawl and his stomach feel queasy. Digging his hands into his pockets, his fingers came in contact with the soft fabric of his handkerchief and nothing else. He had developed a habit of flicking his pocket watch open and closed as a way to give him something to focus on when he was anxious, but now his inability to do so only increased his unease.
"Can we go any faster?" he called out, hoping his voice would not be carried off by the wind.
"I am going as fast as I can, sir," his coachman replied, sensing his passenger's discomfort. "We have arrived at the Caerhayes Castle, and we just need to get to your gate."
Chandler nodded, knowing the other man could not see him, but needing to reassure himself. "Alright, alright."
Looking out the window again, he took in the grand structure before him. He had been to many different castles before for his work as a renowned doctor, but this one still managed to amaze him. For a brief moment, all his worries and anxieties dispersed as he focused on it, its high towers reaching up to the sky and its stone walls encasing so many mysteries and fantasies. There was just something about it that emanated a feeling of serenity that seemed too ethereal to be true. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied another carriage heading in an opposite direction from himself. Ever since he received the invitation, he had wondered why the host had strictly ordered them to arrive at specific gates. It was a rather odd request to say the least, and it made him think that perhaps something fishy was going on. He never liked not knowing exactly what the situation was nor having things out of his control. Although he knew that there would always be things out of his hands, he felt most comfortable when he was on the one top, making all the decisions.
As soon as he saw the golden 2 perched on top of the iron gate, his hand was already on the handle of the carriage door. The vehicle had barely even come to a stop before he was outside, not even waiting for assistance from his footman. Two attendants in white suits were there waiting for him, smiling warmly as if nothing at all was wrong in the world.
"Good evening, Lord Chandler. We are pleased you could make it."
"I am so sorry for being late," he apologized, smoothing out his suit and straightening the hat on his head. "My pocket watch. Do you have it?"
"Peace, Lord Chandler. It will be returned to you shortly. Now, if you would follow us, we will take you in."
He nodded quickly. "Of course. My sincerest apologies once again. I hope I'm not disrupting any schedules."
The attendants only smiled. "Worry not, Lord Chandler. Everything is running smoothly."
At a calm, unhurried pace, the attendants led him inside, through the grand foyer and down one of the gilded hallways, stopping at one of the gold handled doors. Chandler glanced around at the elegant furnishings briefly, but he was too anxious to really take anything in. He found himself needlessly straightening out his clothing, needing to occupy his hands with something. The attendants paused before entering the room, turning around to face him. Chandler looked at them expectantly.
"We can take your overcoat and your hat, Lord Chandler," one spoke kindly.
He obliged, removing his outerwear and handing it over to them. In return, one of the attendants extended a few blue morning glory flowers to him. "Here's a little token of gratitude from the host, carefully cultivated in our own gardens."
He took flowers gingerly, tucking them into the front pocket of his suit like a boutonniere. "Thank you."
The attendants smiled. "Now, just wait inside here, and we will bring you your pocket watch."
He nodded. "Thank you. I apologize again for the trouble."
Once he was left alone, he exhaled loudly to himself. He was sure that he would cause a disturbance for arriving so tardy, but the calmness and kindness from the attendants surprised him. At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder what the host themself would think of him or if he'd ever get to meet them at all. He sighed quietly, knowing that there was nothing he could do about it but unable to quell his worries. Swinging the door open, he expected to find it full of people but instead stumbled on a single girl in a sparkling white dress standing near the fireplace.
Ophelia turned her head at the sound of the door opening and her eyes fell on the man in the doorway. His light caramel colored hair was parted at the side with soft curls covering part of his forehead, and his baby blue eyes were wide with shock. In a moment, she was transported back to when she was younger, an eager young girl madly in love with a charming young boy. She still remembered his smile, his laugh, his voice, his touch as if it was yesterday, even if she hadn't seen him in many years. The candlestick that she had been admiring slipped from her hands and fell to the floor with a clatter, but she barely even noticed, too shocked to pay any attention to it. The world seemed to move in slow motion when their eyes met, neither saying a word out of the catharsis of emotions both were experiencing.
"Chandler," she gasped, his name falling from her trembling lips softly. She subconsciously took a step back, suddenly feeling faint. Her hand came in contact with the back of one of the couches, and she used it to steady herself.
"Ophelia," he greeted, his voice soft and unsteady. He shifted out of the doorway, shutting the door behind him quietly. "It's been a while."
"What...what are you doing here?"
He shook his head in disbelief, walking farther into the room and pacing around the edges. His voice sounded breathless, as if he was on the verge of fainting. "Same reason as you I suppose. I received the invitation and decided to indulge myself in just one night out."
"B-but I...I thought you were abroad. Across the sea and far away from here."
"I was."
"So, what brings you back? I thought you'd never return."
Chandler laughed a little to himself. "I wasn't planning to originally, but I suppose I just wanted to give my hometown a visit. I haven't been here since I left more than fifteen years ago, you know."
Ophelia nodded, unexpectedly feeling the void in her heart gnaw at her again after so many years of trying to fill it up. "Yes, it has been a long time. Many things have changed since then, as expected, but I'm sure you still recognize most of the places here."
"I do. It's odd that some places appear to be completely transformed while others look just as they did when I left." He paused, his gaze shifting back to her again. She herself seemed to fit his aforementioned description of the town, retaining some of the qualities he had remembered from when they were young, but still seeming so distant and unfamiliar to him. Her stance was stiffer and more rigid, her shoulders back and her chin up, and her speech was softer and daintier, no longer loud and unfiltered. He could see how stress and work had taken its toll on her, but underneath it all, he could still see that the free spirit inside her had not been extinguished completely.
"Tell me," he spoke gently. "Do you still live in Acton?"
"Yes, but I've been saving up to be able to move out with William. It won't be long before we move to a nice lot in West Eltham."
"That sounds lovely. How is your brother doing, by the way?" Chandler asked, remembering a young, spry boy who always wanted to tag along whenever he wanted to take his older sister out.
"Will is doing well. He's studying law right now and excelling in all his classes."
"That's good to hear."
"Indeed. He's going places for sure. Perhaps he'll be even more successful than you," she quipped, not able to help herself from poking fun at the stiff and serious doctor. To her surprise, he actually laughed, offering her a slight smile.
"I wouldn't mind that. He's a very bright boy."
She nodded in agreement, as a heavy silence settled over the two of them. She fiddled with the skirt of her dress, not knowing what to say to him. There was no denying that he still held a special place in her heart, even after all this time, but they hadn't exactly left off on the best terms since they last saw each other.
"How long are you staying?" she finally asked, her voice quiet.
Chandler hesitated, thinking over his words carefully. "I...I planned to leave in two days. This invitation came at a perfect time, so I decided this would be my last major stop before leaving."
She pursed her lips for a moment, unable to suppress the dull pain in her chest when she heard his words. "You didn't even plan to pay me a visit?"
His expression turned melancholic, his frown deepening and his eyebrows drawing together. The shame was eminent on his face, and she couldn't help but relish in it a little.
"I...I didn't think you'd want to see me," he admitted, his eyes remaining away from her.
"You think I'd still be angry with you, even after all this time?"
"Well, you very well could have been. I never even tried to write to you to apologize or anything."
She clicked her tongue. "Do you have some kind of excuse for that?"
"Not one that you'd like."
Ophelia laughed curtly at his response, shaking her head in disbelief. Before either could say anything more, the sound of the door opening captured their attention. The two attendants entered, smiling as always, each with a box in his hands. Ophelia and Chandler briskly walked over to meet them, both noting the knowing, almost amused look in the servants' eyes. In unison, the men in white opened their boxes to reveal a silver necklace and a gold pocket watch with a chain. The ball guests stared at each other's trinkets, unmoving and speechless for a moment.
"Lord Chandler, Lady Ophelia, please take your items," one attendant urged gently.
Snapping out of their trance, the two quickly took their respective possessions and thanked the attendants. They smiled and nodded in response, closing their boxes and promising to return briefly. Ophelia clutched her necklace in her hand while glancing over at Chandler again.
"Your pocket watch. How fitting."
He laughed dryly. "I didn't have it with me, so that's why I arrived late. I apologize for the inconvenience."
"You have not changed. Still always stressing about the time, as always."
He snapped the watch shut before slipping it into his pocket. "Yes. Do you have a problem with that?"
"No, not at all, especially since you are probably very busy with work. You can't be missing any important things." she replied, her tone conveying a hint of bitterness. Old wounds left behind by their last relationship were being reopened, and she couldn't help but salt them a little.
Chandler didn't say anything back, but his mind was swimming with thoughts. He knew they were both half trying to avoid talking about the thing that had torn them apart and half trying to come to terms with it, and he was unsure where to even start. More than anything, he wanted to tear down the dam and allow all his pent up feelings to flow out, but he feared what her response would be. Hell, it couldn't even tell if she liked or hated him at the moment.
Noticing that she was fumbling with the clasp of her necklace, he offered a hesitant hand out. "May I help?"
She stared at him for a second, but obliged without a word, handing him the jewelry and turning around, taking care to move her hair out of the way. Gingerly, he pulled the chain around her neck and brought the two ends together at her nape. The silver metal rested delicately on her collarbone, glinting in the light. For that brief moment, he looked at her silently, still unable to believe that his first love was right there in front of him, her beauty more refined and mature than when he had last seen her. Ophelia could feel his eyes on her, but she opted not to say anything, shutting her eyes and maintaining the heavy silence.
At last the attendants returned. "Come, follow us, and we will lead you to the ballroom. We sincerely appreciate your patience."
Looking to the girl to his side, he offered his arm out to her. "I guess we're each other's partners for the night. That is, if you're alright with that."
She tilted her head as if she was considering it before sliding her arm around his. "I suppose just one night wouldn't hurt."