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𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒘𝒐
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Arabella sighed as she tied the strings of her dress up, wiping her sweaty palms on the fabric. Cora had already left her task list on Arabella's nightstand beside the candle. Arabella peeked out of her window, grimacing as she saw the bright sun. Knowing that the day would be hot, she put her hair into a braid, tying the end into a knot to keep it held together. She quickly made her way out of her room and into Lottie's, finding the girl still in bed.
"Lottie, you must get up. It is nearly the afternoon,"
Lottie groaned and sat up, "Did mother request me?"
"She requested that I wake you, as for what, I am unknowing."
Lottie yawned and stood up, holding her nightgown up as she stumbled about the room, "Would you please let Abel know I am in need of some assistance with my corset. Mother bought the newest ones from Europe and the women there apparently don't have ribcages."
Arabella chuckled at her stepsister's hatred of corsets, "I will go fetch Abel."
Arabella made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, yelling Abel that Lottie was in desperate need of help. The woman chuckled and went upstairs. Arabella grabbed the tea that had been prepared, taking a cup upstairs. She entered Fannie's room to find the girl seated in front of a mirror, taking her time to brush through her hair. Arabella gave her whatever smile she could muster up at the sight of Fannie, "I have your morning tea."
"You may put it on my nightstand," Fannie responded, not even bothering to give Arabella a small glance. Arabella nodded and placed the tea down, exiting the room as quickly as possible.
She went to the kitchen and grabbed the next teacup, taking it to the study this time. Cora sat in a fancy dress, reading a book, "That took far too long Arabella."
"My apologies, I was,"
Cora quickly interrupted her, grabbing the girl's face, "I didn't ask for your excuses. How do you expect me to make a wife out of you with that spiteful tongue?"
Arabella bowed her head, admitting her defeat as she always did. She placed the tea on the table and left the room, her jaw slightly sore from how tightly Cora had held it. She rubbed the sensitive skin, walking back to the kitchen. Arabella walked out the back door in search of Gus. She headed to the stables, knowing very well the man was probably tending to the various horses. Gus was exactly where she expected he would be, petting his favorite horse Adonis.
"Gus!"
Gus turned around at the sound of Arabella greeting him, "Ella! How are you this morning?"
"I am well,"
Gus immediately had Arabella's face in his hands, his fingers tracing the forming bruises on her jaw, "Ella,"
"It is nothing, Gus,"
"She leaves bruises on your skin Ella, that is not nothing."
"I have only a year until this is over Gus."
"You do not need to endure any more suffering at her hands,"
"Thank you for looking out for me. But, I know what I must do. Once I am of the proper age, Cora will be forced to give me what is mine."
"You mustn't have to be harmed for that to happen."
"This will all be just a faint memory one day Gus, I can promise you that."
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Arabella was scrubbing the floors of the home, her arms growing shaky at the chore. She sighed as she sat back, permitting herself a duration to rest. Her eyes shut as the feeling of complete exhaustion took over her body, her body feeling limp. A scoff made her eyes snap open. Fannie was standing in front of her, "Taking a break are we?"
"Just for a mere moment,"
"I would get back to your labor if I were you," Fannie moved aside, revealing the muddy footsteps behind her, "I just returned from riding and didn't notice that you were cleaning the floors. My sincerest apologies."
Fannie snickered as she made her way upstairs, looking down from the stairs to smirk at her work. Arabella sighed and began to scrub the floors yet again. Cora came sauntering into the hall, appalled by the mess. She tugged Arabella up by her arm, "What is with this mess in my corridor?"
"Fannie just returned from her riding lessons."
"So you desire to blame this on Fannie. You spineless girl," Cora raised her hand, smacking Arabella across the face, "Do not disrespect me."
Arabella nodded, knowing that an argument would be useless, "My apologies."
"You disgrace,"
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Arabella held the bottom of her skirt just above her ankles as she walked up the steps of the Gilbert residence in search of her best friend. Clara Gilbert and Arabella Smith had been best friends since the two could remember, the two were inseparable. Clara often got herself in trouble with her sharp mouth and blunt mannerisms, quite the opposite of Arabella.
"Ella!" Clara came rushing out of her home, engulfing Arabella in an airtight hug, "I am relieved to see you escaped the witch!"
Arabella chuckled, "You look lovely."
Clara smirked, twirling around to show off the green dress she was wearing. "I tailored it myself."
"I see my lessons have come in handy then,"
Clara nodded and pulled Arabella inside, "So are you going to confess to me how those bruises came to tarnish your beautiful skin?"
"Clara, I guarantee you it is nothing to grow worrisome about,"
"The wrench believes that it is her place to put her hands on you violently, that thought does make me worry Ella."
"Do not fret,"
"That is certainly reassuring," Clara gave the girl an unimpressed stare to which she snickered.
"My apologies,"
"You are too lovely for this world."
"Why do you speak such words?"
"Ella, you have undergone some of the most unfortunate circumstances and yet you sit beside me with a smile on your face."
"This world may be cruel," Arabella tugged Clara to the window, "But at the same time it is so beautiful. You recall the vow my mother made me make when she fell ill, don't you?"
"I do," Clara clasped Arabella's hand in her own.
"To live my existence to the fullest potential and to most importantly, make it epic."
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Word count: 1087
I do not own The Vampire Diaries.
All rights go to Julie Plec and Warner
Bro's. I only own any original
plot and characters.