Ocean-Eyed Noble Pt.1

Reeves has always humbled himself, especially around his very high classed friend. However when he finds out about her feelings, he tries his best to deny his own.

The cold air and rain surrounded his body. The chill of the cold brick upon his hands and knees. And blood, trickling from the body, slowly became colder by the minute.

Trembling hands upon his cheek. He knows exactly who she is but he dares not to call her name in case of ill omen.

But instead his name is muttered. “Mister Reeves…”

Eyes shoot open, the familiar room revealed to him. It was a dream.

A knock. “Master Erland”

Reeves rises from his bed, rubbing drowsiness from his face. “Come in”

A maid enters. “The lady has come again today, Master.”

“Already?”

She nods. “Shall I fetch your water basin?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Reeves stood from his bed and began to dress himself. He then heard faint giggling from outside of his window.

Summer was supposed to be uneventful for Reeves Erland. He wanted nothing more than to polish his brandishing skills but instead he was regularly visited by the daughter of the Philia Estate: Aristelle of Philia.

At first he did not mind the visit, the others seemed to enjoy her presence as much as she enjoyed the unwieldy vast garden of the Erland mansion. However it soon became an annoyance as rumors began to fly around.

Is the Barefoot Princess in love with the young noble?

Reeves tried to turn a blind eye to the rumors after all, it was in his power to deny everything he could.

X

It was a situation unlike any other, but amongst ladies like Aristelle of Philia, she was perfectly normal.

Reeves looked at the towering branches of the tree Aristelle had perched herself on and sighed. “Milady”

“Yes?”

“Have I ever done you wrong?”

“Wrong?” Aristelle echoed. She tilted her head innocently at the question before turning her gaze at Reeves. “No, you’re quite far from that word. If anything you’ve done more than treat me well.”

Reeves raised a brow.

“You don’t believe me?”

“I’m trying to”

Aristelle giggled. “You’re quite silly aren’t you?” She then raised her arms towards him. “Would you mind?”

“As you wish,” said Reeves, reaching his arms out as well. “Although I am curious how you got up there in the first place.”

“It’s a secret,” said Aristelle. She energetically leapt from the tree, catching Reeves off guard. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he reached out to cushion her fall.

With a gentle thud to the grass below, Reeves had just barely managed to keep his body upright. “Are you alright milady?”

But words were quickly stifled as Aristelle’s round brown eyes met Reeve’s ocean blue ones. They were close enough to brush lips upon cheek.

“Oh my,” said Aristelle, retracting timidly from his gaze. “R-rather naughty aren’t you Mister Reeves.”

Reeves rose to his feet and offered a hand. “You’ve done me much worse than that before milady. I don’t see why you’d get timid about it now.”

Aristelle pouted. “Perhaps I have more of a girlish heart than you think Mister Reeves.” She took his hand, eyes still glued to his.

Reeves returned her curious look before averting his gaze. “It’s getting late, milady. Shall I fetch you a carriage?”

She does not answer.

“Milady?”

“I am in no hurry to leave Mister Reeves. Will you walk with me?” Aristelle’s gaze does not waver.

He closes his eyes for a moment before offering his arm. “As you wish.”

The Erland garden is less of a garden and more of a forest, pathways made with raw stones and local flowers sprouting everywhere with abandon. The past master had often told stories about fairies and how they preferred the scents of local flowers and moss to dance upon.

To Reeves, the Barefoot Princess was the closest person he thought of as a fairy. She would dance and run in the garden like she had returned to a place she knew of as home. She would eagerly wait for the flowers to bloom and be distant when they would leave. She loved it all.

“Mister Reeves,” said Aristelle.

“Yes milady?”

She turned to face him. Suddenly she reached up to touch his cheek.

Reeves was surprised by her sudden touch, but he did not avert his face from her.

“Have you been crying?”

“Crying?” Reeves echoed. He recalled the dream again: rain pouring down causing Aristelle’s red-brown locks to stick to her face, her empty chocolate eyes.

“Mister Reeves?”

He placed his hand over hers and looked at her with a distant gaze. “Lady Aristelle.”

Hearing him say her name caused shivers down Aristelle’s back. She studied his face warily. “Yes?”

Reeves removed her hand from his cheek. “I’m not crying.”

Aristelle’s brows furrowed. “That look again.”

“What are you talking about?”

She took her free hand and pressed it on the other side of his cheek. “It’s like you’re looking at a dying animal. Do I look like a dying animal to you?”

Reeves raised his brows.

Aristelle then stepped back and crossed her arms. “Hm, that’s better.”

“Milady, saying stuff like that doesn't make it sound nicer.”

“But it’s true,” said Aristelle. “I’m not a dying animal, I’m a healthy young woman.”

“Right…” replied Reeves.

“I’ll prove it to you,” said Aristelle, grabbing his hands. She then pressed his hands on her cheeks.

Reeves couldn’t turn away.

She grinned. “See? I’m very alive, good sir.”

He dropped his head to the ground in defeat. “Alright, you got me.”

Aristelle put her hands on her hips and puffed her chest up. “Aristelle reigns victor today.”

Reeves couldn’t help but laugh. “What are you, a child?”

Aristelle pouted. “I’m no more of a child than you are Mister Reeves.”

He then pressed his forehead on hers. “Alive…you’re alive Lady Aristelle.”

She tensed from the sudden touch but did not resist. Their eyes met again.

“Ah…I’m sorry I didn’t mean to…” Reeves began to retract his hands.

But Aristelle was faster. She took his hands in hers and lifted her chin to meet him. Just as quickly as their lips met, they parted.

“Mi…lady…?” Reeves looked at her with surprise

Aristelle returned the same expression. “S-sorry I…I didn’t know what came over me.”

Reeves' face hardened. “I’ll…I’ll call for a carriage.”

“Alright…”

Just as Reeves left Aristelle alone in the garden, she slumped to the ground covering her face. “Oh dear, what have you done Aristelle…”

X

Reeves returned to the estate breathless. He wanted to beat himself up. How could he have touched Aristelle so carelessly? He wanted…no he needed to distance himself from her. She was bound to be wed to another, someone superior to him in status and wealth. How could he? How dare he?

“Master Erland?” One of his maids interrupted his thoughts. “Were you…running sir?”

He took a deep breath. “Fetch Lady Aristelle a carriage.”