(sorry for the previous one liner but i'm going to be gone most of the weekend)
"We lived right next to the beach. We used to be obsessed with scientific journals regarding the sea and spent every free moment exploring the shallow waters," Valentina recalled, smiling fondly.
(It’s no problem!)
“The sea…” Amelia’s curiosity only grew. She had never seen the sea. “What was the sea like? Tell me more.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw several glowing white wisps forming, and smiled. The ghosts had come to hear Valentina’s story. One by one, they formed, silhouettes and flickering shapes of children, but they were extremely faint in the sunlight as they floated over to sit at her feet.
Valentina shivered, feeling a cold breeze whoosh into the room. "I'm sorry, it's a bit drafty in here all of a sudden… Anyway, I don't think you've ever been to the sea, so I'll try and describe it as best as I can. It never stops moving. It goes out beyond the horizon. It's fluid, but incompressible. You can feel safe on it, next to it, or even in it. But you aren't. Its aquamarine waves will kill you in moments if you don't respect its mass, its power, its ability to do things you can't imagine. It has no will, but it can overcome yours."
Amelia was enraptured, and she wasn’t the only one. The spirits at Valentina’s feet shifted excitedly, murmuring amongst themselves. She almost closed her eyes to try and picture it all, but then she remembered she had company. “It sounds… beautiful. Spectacular. I’d love to visit one day.”
"I could take you there," Valentina offered.
"Someday. If you and I are married, of course," Jonathan jumped in hastily, glaring at her. How long will it take before she grows out of her hedonistic nature?
Amelia’s eyes flickered between the two, a faint pink spreading across her cheeks. “Of-Of course,” she managed, thoroughly confused. What were the siblings competing over?
The phantom children are Valentina’s feet quickly grew bored now that story time was over, and faded away one by one, leaving Amelia alone with the two baffling twins.
The lords came back into the room, looking in interest between the talking teenagers. "You are welcome to stay until we finish our negotiations," Lord Swan said. Valentina noticed that despite his welcoming tone, his eyes were cunning and sharp.
Amelia nodded in acknowledgment of her father, noting with apprehension that his mood seemed to have quickly shifted. Lord Swan, in the household, was known for his sudden changes in personality, usually at the worst possible moments. Like right now.
“Will Lord Rembrandt and his family be staying for the month?” Amelia asked politely, rubbing her knuckles nervously and casting a glance to her mother, who was standing, emotionless, off to the side
(bump)
(ahh i'm sorry)
"Why so many questions, Amelia?" Lord Swan asked. Although the question was innocent, Valentina could tell that he was clearly irritated. She unconsciously shifted closer to Amelia on the couch, as if to protect this beautiful faerie of a girl. Her father saw and frowned at her, subtly shaking his head.
(it's no problem!)
Amelia swallowed, bowing her head. "I'm sorry, father. I was just wondering," she hastily apologized, stomach twisting. Her father sighed, pinning her down with a look. "Yes, we've made accommodations for them." His words held a hidden meaning; that this had better be the last suitor, because they were staying for the month and that was that.
Lord Swan gestured over a servant, and pointed to Jonathan and Valentina. "Take them to the west wing (idk how manors work). Amelia, go with them. I trust that you will not become too… intimate with our guest before the courting starts." The two shared an apprehensive look.
"Go on," Lord Rembrandt encouraged, nodding at his children. Jonathan shrugged and was the first one to move, heavy sword swinging at his side.
(lol me neither)
Amelia's face flushed at the comment, and she trained her eyes on the ground, swallowing. "Yes, father." She was the second to get up, motioning for the Rembrandt siblings to follow her. Oh god, I hope Jonathan didn't take that to mean that I'm– naughty. Oh god.
Once they were safely out of sight from the adults, Valentina wiggled her eyebrows. "Jonathan, you naughty boy. I didn't know that you participated in hedonism," she whispered.
"That would be you, if you could get away with it," Jonathan muttered back.
Amelia blushed furiously at the comment leading the way through the hallways. "I– I don't think it would be proper– to do anything– I'm sorry if it offends you, Jonathan but I'm not particularly comfortable with intimacy."
"No, that's alright," Jonathan said quickly. "I'm a firm believer of purity until marriage, unlike my sister."
Valentina pretended to look insulted, placing one fluttering hand on her chest and leaning back. "Me? Never."
Amelia's eyebrows shot up, her eyes darting to Valentina. Truth be told, she didn't exactly look like….. well, a virgin. "I see," she said, swallowing again. Then, deciding to partake in a bit of fun and tease her suitor, she dipped her head close to Valentina's ear. "How many times?"
"Four," Valentina whispered back, trying to ignore Amelia's warm breath on her cheek. "And those are just the ones that Jonathan knows about. Why, do you want some advice?"
Amelia almost choked on her response, holding her hands behind her back and sneaking a glance at Jonathan. "Just curious, it seemed to irk him, which I found funny.."
"Well, I do have a habit of messing around… places that I’m not supposed to be inside of,” Valentina said, trailing her fingers up Amelia’s arm and giving a small smirk.
The two jumped apart when Jonathan suddenly made a loud cough, glaring at Valentina. “None of this… nonsense here, okay, Len?” he said, hastily drawing Valentina aside. “I know that Father thinks that it’s just a phase, but you have to snap out of it before you’re burned at the stake. I’m your brother! All I want is what is best for you.”
Amelia drifted to the opposite side of the hall, unsure of why her arm was suddenly tingling. She glanced back at the siblings, who seemed to be engaged in an angry conversation. Feeling like she was intruding, she forced her gaze to the carpet. What is wrong with you? Stop right now.
"Look, I can't help it if she's cute," Valentina whispered, annoyed. "And I know that you just want what's best for me, but I know what I'm doing. I know what will happen if I get caught. You're not my keeper, and it's definitely not just a phase." She looked around, suddenly realizing that her voice had risen to a half-yell, half-normal tone. "You don't even like her anyway. You're just doing what Father tells you. So shove off, Jonathan."
Amelia couldn't help but over hear the tail end of Valentina's sentence. "…You're not my keeper, Jonathan. And it's definitely not a phase."
What on earth could she mean by that? Amelia furrowed her brow, thoroughly confused by Valentine Rembrandt. Not a phase? What?
Valentina and Jonathan returned, cheeks flushed and refusing to look at one another. "Sorry about the argument," Jonathan said, struggling to keep any remaining bitterness from leaking into his voice. "It was rather trivial. Now, on to the bedrooms, shall we?" He then realized what he said and flushed a bright red. "No, not like that, I mean-"
Valentina rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto her face. "Don't give her a free baby, Jonathan. No one needs one of those little nightmares."
Amelia flushed once again, biting her bottom lip. "I hope your argument has been resolved. And– um– It's fine, Jonathan, I understood what you meant. Careful to keep her eyes fixed on his face and not Valentina's she continued to lead the way, passing several ghosts, until they finally arrived at two adjoining bedrooms in the West Wing. "The one on the left is for you, Jonathan, and the one on the right is yours, Valentina. My room is just down the hall, the one with the brass lion knocker. I'll leave you two to get settled."