Chapter Six

“My name is Alina.” The raven-haired woman said as we left the dancing group of locals and my friends behind.   Alina’s voice was mature, despite she looks like she was around the same age as me, at only around thirty. An elegant dash of lavender is so graceful you would almost not notice it in the breeze as she walks, and it suits her perfectly. If she told me her name was not Alina, but in fact Lavender it fit perfectly for her. The dark green stem of the flower with its violet petals was even her color, even if she chose the dark crimson red like her shade of lipstick and dress. To see her in a purple lavender gown would be a marvelous sight.     “Laura.” I gave my own name.   She looked at me over her shoulder and her eyes fell to the dress I was wearing. Again, I have a feeling of disapproval at my sculpted figure in the corset, but it doesn’t bother me. What other people think of me has never bothered me. I have been hit on everywhere I go since I was sixteen and all my assets came to fruition. I know I am simply blessed with a beautiful appearance. In the last two days alone, I have been reminded my Nicolae, Robert and now Dorian, that my beauty is striking to so many. Sometimes by judging stares such as Alina just made, I consider it more of a curse.    She led me far from the sounds of the music to the absolute line of the village houses. One building, almost at the end completely from where we had driven in by carriage. An old English style construction was four stories high. I looked along the frames of the other buildings which were all similar in architecture. I thought that this village would look more, well part of Romania’s history. It just did not. It was a combination of all of Europe. It just felt… old. The walls were rough white plaster, a brown wood framed each floor and dark circular windows were covered in cast iron. This village most definitely had a set place in history.    A wooden sign swinging with a creak in the air above an open door was carved in cursive red and Romanian: Tradafirul Rosu.    “The name of the inn is The Red Rose.” Alina offered the translation of the sign.    She walked in the open door and headed towards two figures at a bar. A man who was having a drink of some mulled wine having left the festivities, and a much younger girl was pouring it for him. That man was dressed in leather pants with a straw cotton shirt similar to Carl and Eddy’s under a pair of suspenders. He was big and looked like a logger that could easily cut a down a massive redwood tree into a million pieces. Just to top off his cliché appearance as a European barman, a bushy black and grey beard was just as wild as the rest of his hair falling to his shoulders.    The young girl pouring him more wine was a petite blond. She was wildly gorgeous. Long straight blond hair was brushed to her shoulders, almond eyes may have been the same as the deer’s in the forest. Not a touch of makeup left her completely natural as beige freckles danced over her nose and upper cheeks.    “Alina!” She shouted like a school girl who had lost her mother in Alina’s direction.    She immediately came over to us nearly dropping the pitcher of mulled wine against the barman.    “Christina.” Alina spoke and it sounded as though she did not approve of the girls outburst at all.    “It has been too long since you have visited.” Christina gathered her emotions quickly and pouted.    “Step outside. I will speak with you shortly.” Was Alina’s cold response.    The young gem, Christina looked at me, and I dared not to say a word. Perhaps Alina was her mother, but her age at only around thirty made that impossible. Aunt perhaps, or even older sister then? She nodded to Alina and stepped unsatisfied through the door we just entered.    “Lord Lark would like to have quarters prepared for his guests invited to tomorrows dinner.” Alina now addressed the barman.    Whatever Dorian Larks position was, he was the equivalent of a British Lord. Upon dinner tomorrow, I want to ask where he is actually from and of what royal ancestry.    “More guests…” The man looked up speaking English.    He was intently looking over some paperwork with a pencil in his left hand next to his cup of wine. He then eyed me and his brow lifted.    “Of course. How many more?”    “The addition of another four to add to the three visitors that are already here Grigori. Please make all the necessary arrangements.”    Seven? Who else was going to be staying here. Damn it! I frowned. Looks like I will have to work harder tomorrow to avoid Robert. I am sure that him and his two lady friends are the other three that were staying in the only village inn on offer.    “Of course, Miss Alina.” He said with a bow of respect to her.   “If you will, please this way…” He set down his cup of wine, took hold of several keys and started up a set of stairs.    “Goodnight, Miss Laura.” Alina said to my back as she turned her attention to the pacing blond now outside waiting for her.    “Goodnight.” I shyly added and began to follow the inn-keeper Grigori as he started up a narrow wooden staircase.   I took a welcome breath as Alina left feeling much less on guard. She was just as intimidating as Dorian Lark in the way that they both held the space they were in. I first thought that they were together, but he did not touch or look at her that way when they were at the party. Perhaps they are brother and sister. With their equally attractive dark features, I could believe that. Either way, I felt drained being in their company and I have never felt that way before. I did not know what to say, comment, or even how to act around them. I did not feel like myself at all.    The stairs creaked beneath my boot heels as I made my way up the small corridor to a second landing following Grigori. The interior of the inn reminded me of Oxford. Small roof spaces and even smaller little cubby holes were perfect to sit at for tea. This place was far older. There was so much history here and I have to say I was enjoying it. Grigori stopped at one particular single door and lifted up a key.    “Your room for the night as per Lord Lark’s instructions.”   “Thank you.” I said taking the key. “Can I ask how much it will be to stay tonight and tomorrow night?” I asked knowing I was down to just about four hundred euros after buying this dress.    “Lord Lark never allows his guests to pay while staying here. There shall be no charge.”   “Err, that is generous of him.” Forward just like when Nicolae offered to buy the costumes was more like it. Unlike his offer, I don’t even have the opportunity to refuse. “He invited my friends as well. As Alina told you, there are three of them. I am not sure how late they will be out at the feast.”   “I will ensure they are looked after when they arrive. May I ask, are one of these bags yours? Nicolae dropped them off earlier and informed me there would be several guests arriving tonight.” Grigori might be as big and bulky as a trucker, but his voice is tranquil and his eyes are kind.    If I had heard his voice over a phone, I would have pictured him to be some well-dressed butler from a sixteenth-century manor, not the sizeable gruffy looking barman in front of me.    I looked to where he was now pointing and each of our four bags were laid on a wooden bench in the hallway. I walked over and grabbed my own. Nicolae had brought them here knowing that we would be staying at the inn tonight. Grigori also knew Nicolae by his first name. Maybe I was wrong about him. Maybe he could be trusted. I wonder why I had not seen him at the festival actually. I had not even seen him since he dropped off our things. He did say that he was going to return and find us right before the carriage rolled away. I thought that he would have wanted to show us around to ‘share his home’ like he said he was intent to do. Perhaps he just got caught up with friends or family. I am sure that whatever the reason, I will see him tomorrow and be able to thank him for all of this.    “Yes, thank you.” I said throwing my backpack over my shoulder.    “Goodnight miss.” Grigori gave a slight polite tilt of his chin and began to descend the stair case once more.   “Thank you.” I repeated again walking into the room.    It was small with a single bed but the room felt like country charm and I liked it. There was not even a bathroom. Rather, a simple white vase was full of water next to a large round white porcelain bowl that matched it. Next to that was a mirror not larger than my hand. There were no paintings, or ornament at all in fact. The bed was a single and covered in a white cotton sheet below a warm looking thick brown cover. One window let in the light of the full moon outside. I walked over noting that it offered a decorated white lace drape.    Below, Alina and Christina were talking with one another and it looked much more cordial then when she had spoken to her downstairs. They began to head in the direction of the festival once more and Christina’s light saunter in that direction was a direct contrast to the high pride that Alina’s body made with each of her own steps. It confirmed their differing personalities. Alina walked with purpose with all those around beneath her. Christina was innocent without a care in the world.    I spotted a bit of dust on a table. I suppose these rooms were not used that much. Who really ever would travel here for hours by horse and carriage to visit? I think that given the way we arrived you can only get here by an invitation from someone like Nicolae. How strange. I have no idea where in the forests we are. Wherever it is, it is simply breathtaking.    Still not really trusting Nicolae, I opened my backpack and shifted through my things to my wallet. All the money was still in it and my passport was right next to it. Good, we were not robbed.    Now an invitation from some old royal line to dinner. I smile to myself, definitely the experience of a lifetime. I thought about meeting Dorian back at the streamside and then the festival. I wonder if meeting any person who was descended from royalty was like that. He was so powerful and appealing.    What would it be like to date a man like that? I found myself trying to imagine such a thing. That is not going to be the case, Laura, I firmly remind myself. You are only here for two nights not a romance with a Lord. I am still not certain if he is with Alina or not. The two of them matched each other perfectly but she seemed to serve him inasmuch as be in his company. This is not some fairytale, as much as it might feel like it at the moment. It must be the mulled wine that has me fantasizing such crazy things about a handsome stranger.   I removed the dress and got in the bed. I guess I will be wearing this tomorrow for dinner as well, I thought looking down at the gold and black garment. First, I am looking forward to spending the day in the village. I close my eyes with a smile. Being here was like stepping back in time just like I hoped it would be. I am so glad that my friends convinced me to come.