Laying in bed, Dixie contemplated some more until someone barged in without knocking.
Rude. As expected.
A maid walked in holding a small bowl of water. She placed it on the broken vanity table and glanced around scornfully. She's surprised to see Felicia awake and staring directly at her. The little lady would usually be curled up in bed. Also, she never looked up at anyone. Her gaze was always on the floor.
"The Duke has summoned you to his office. Wash up quickly and go." Her lips twisted into a sneer. "Gosh, why don't you clean up your room every now and then? How can you just accept living in such filth? Are you truly a noble born lady? Tsk!"
Dixie's rolled her eyes. She's saying all this as if the responsibility of cleaning up my room isn't hers. What is the purpose of a personal maid?
The maid walked out and slammed the door loudly behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw Young Master Alexander walking towards her carrying a bag bursting with hot food.
She quickly bowed. "What brings you here, Young Master?"
"I'm here to get my sister." Bonnie's tone is cold. She recognized this maid. She was assigned to take care of Felicia but her loyalty was only towards Tyren. Hence, she locked the door each time she left and only served Felicia bread and water.
"I already informed the first miss of His Grace's order." The maid replied.
"Good. Leave now because I need to have a private conversation with Dix--Felicia before I escort her to my father's office."
The maid was baffled. Since when did Young Master Alexander engage with the first miss? He avoided her completely and only doted on Saintess Helena. Everyone in the family did. The first miss was scorned by everyone ever since she'd killed the late Duchess Moniqua. She'd been confined to the annex for years now because of her abusive behavior towards Saintess Helena.
The beloved, second miss was Duchess Tyren's only child and daughter and had been adopted into the family since the marriage. Both the Duke and his son loved and adored her, as did all the servants.
Unfortunately, the first miss hated her and constantly bullied her out of jealousy.
Consequently, the Duke and his son avoided the first miss completely. The maid was surprised when she heard of the summon and even more so seeing Young Master Alexander coming over to personally escort her. What had happened? Had the two men had a sudden change of heart?
Knowing it was not her place to question, the maid bowed again and ran off with this juicy bit of gossip.
Bonnie walked in and closed the door behind her. Or maybe she should have left it open because it smelled like mothballs.
Dixie glanced at her and smiled. "Hey, girl! So you brought me something to eat?"
"I sure did. I just assumed Felicia would be hungry." Bonnie placed the bag next to Dixie and sat down on the broken bed.
"I'm starved, not simply hungry." Dixie replied, pulling out a water flask and gulping down half of its contents, some spilling down her chin.
Bonnie doesn't speak as she watches Dixie wolf down her meal. Her heart ached seeing the sorry state of Felicia Viviane Del Montague. This room, this bed, her clothes, her hallowed cheeks and tiny frame, it was simply too much. Nobody should have to live like this. No one should ever go hungry.
Especially not a woman born into such a wealthy family!
A shudder passed through Dixie as Felicia's body was unaccustomed to eating so much food. She swallowed without properly chewing and collapsed back onto the bed as her chest ached from it.
"You're not supposed to eat that fast when you've been starving. You have to slowly ease your body back into it or it'll overwhelm you," Bonnie cautioned.
"I couldn't help myself." Dixie pressed her hand to her chest and took long, deep breaths to manage the pain.
Bonnie gently stroked her hair. She frowned. It was too thin. No need to guess why. Even the color appeared a bit dull. More like faded red, than actual red.
"Bonnie, have you already eaten?"
"Obviously. Alexander isn't the one facing food insecurity, remember?"
"So you have all of Alexander's memories?"
"For the most part, yes. There is a great deal about their lives that was left out of the book."
Dixie sat back up, her face growing grim. "According to the Goddess, this is all real. We're here as real people from the past. That story wasn't just a story. And we have to find the clues she left for us."
"I guess our dreams are pretty much synchronized." Bonnie noted.
"How long has Felicia been trapped here? Her memories are so disoriented, I can barely grasp the passage of time. And I doubt she has been keeping track." Dixie rubbed her eyes.
"Well, judging on Alex's memories, about 4 years." Bonnie replied.
Dixie quickly did the math. "That means Felicia is 19 years old right now. This is when she gets engaged to that tongue happy Clown Prince. It's the catalyst that leads to her doom. Helena is going to amp up her slanderous stunts so she can have the prince for herself."
Bonnie's lips twitched in response to Dixie's reference to all those moments in the book when Felicia walked in on the Crown Prince french-kissing Helena. She had the poor fool wrapped around her finger. Felicia never really had a shot in winning his favor. Helena had already poisoned his mind against her.
But this time, it would be different. At this current moment, Prince Constantine doesn't even know Felicia. They will soon meet and hopefully she can successfully not earn his ire. Although, the bad rumors about Felicia are rampant. Courtesy of Tyren. Does he believe them? I guess we'll find out.
Draining the rest of the water flask, Dixie walked back to her vanity table and eyed her musty appearance disdainfully. She needed a hot shower ASAP! The water the maid brought her was barely enough to wash her face and not only that, it appeared a bit murky.
That bitch actually gave me unclean water to wash with? The nerve! These servants are far too comfortable disrespecting the Duke's daughter. One of their masters! I'll have to correct this as soon as possible. I have to reestablish Felicia's place as the true daughter of House Del Montague.
Reluctantly using some of the murky water to rub the sleep out of her eyes, she realized she doesn't have a toothbrush or toothpaste. Why didn't the maid give me any? What do people even use in this era to clean their teeth?
"Bonnie, do people use toothbrushes in this century?"
"They sure do, but it's not called a toothbrush. It's called a miswak. Also, the toothpaste isn't meant to be rinsed out. It's a weird crunchy, herb mixture which you just eat. It's more of a breath mint."
"I'll have my own personal supply once I get a proper room back in the manor." Dixie said, dismissively.
Bonnie nodded her head. "Yup. Now let's go meet that asshole you have for a father, oh and me too, I guess...you know, the way Duke Roelle treats Felicia is not so dissimilar from how our own father has become."
"Yeah, I noticed that too when I was reading the book. And we've got a rotten step-mother as well. Thankfully, we didn't also get a brat like Helena."
"The parallels must be the reason why we were brought here. Goddess Kartara chose us for a reason. I think that book may have been a portal in disguise. I think the infinity symbol acted as some kind of gateway into the past. We've got one hell of a job to do. We have to defeat a Demon Lord and save this kingdom."
"We also have to save ourselves. The danger is very real," Dixie stated with a hard look. "Now we really must go before the Duke grows impatient."
The ladies chuckled and proceeded to walk out. Even amidst the confusion and anxiety, the sisters find security in each other. As always.
Bonnie wrapped an arm around Dixie's shoulders and lead her out into the sunlight.