12 Scandalous

The night is darkening round me, The wild winds coldly blow; But a tyrant spell has bound me, And I cannot, cannot go. The giant trees are bending Their bare boughs weighed with snow; The storm is fast descending, And yet I cannot go. Clouds beyond clouds above me, Wastes beyond wastes below; But nothing drear can move me; I will not, cannot go.

-Emily Brontë 

The Night Is Darkening Round Me

"Emerelda, remember. He's dead, lying peacefully in his grave. Don't give in to the negative side of your gift." Emmett said.

She wanted to scream out. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks. Her brother was right there, she could save him.

It was her fault.

She killed him. She killed him. She killed him.

"Emerelda," Her brother whispers as blood poured down mixing with saliva, "Stop."

She opens her eyes with a gasp. She sat with sweat trying to catch her breath. She hugged herself tight, the blood still appearing before her eyes.

"You gave in again." Emmett sighed.

It was the fifth day they were trying. Every time she thought of her brother, the same image would appear and the same reaction would occur within her.

She ran her fingers through her tangled hair, "I'm sorry." She whispers.

"Don't apologize to me. This is all you."

She pushed her hair back clenching it, "I don't understand. Why do I need to think if him? Why can't I start with using my power?"

He sighs again, "How many times do I have to tell you? The gift of mind is tricky, you must have control over it, or it would have control over you. Your brother is the block and weakness for you. Your gift is using that against you because you didn't grip your power while growing up."

She groans, "This, this is ridiculous."

"It is, isn't it?" he stood up, returning the chair back to its spot, "We'll try again tomorrow."

"How long…" she murmurs.

He leaned on the chair. He wore a different cotton white shirt today, suspenders connected with his brown trousers. This time however, his bottom shirt was half way open revealing a very hard chest.

"Pardon?"

She looked up from her lashes, "How long are we going to do this? Don't you understand we are losing time? It's been five days."

Emmett's eye were solemn, he looked tired as she was. "I know. However, I don't have control over that. This is all you, Princess."

She looks down at her lap, "I'm trying as hard as I could."

"Try harder."

She looks up glaring, although he looked serious. She nods, "Your right."

"Of course I am." He went over to the bookshelf. His finger raised, his arm moving along the top shelf. Finally he stops with an "Ah." He pulled the spine of a book, and a large thick leather book rests on his hands.

"Here we go." He came over to the side of the bed and leaned down to give her the book.

She took the leather book and looked at the burnt words formed into a title.

'The Astonishing Gifts Given to Mankind: The Gift of Mind'

She quickly looked up at him with a shock face, "How do you have this?"

He shrugs, "That is something I can't tell you."

The memory of her Tutor holding the replica of this book in her wrinkled hand was fresh in her head. She wouldn't dare let Emerelda touch it. Once class was finished, she would return it to the Butler's hands who would take it into the locked doors of a secret room, where every hidden treasures, knowledge, and jewels were kept.

She ran her hand over the cover, feeling the old leather hard under her skin, "It doesn't make sense. The ones in the castle were the only copy."

Emmett had his hands in his trousers pockets. He shrugs, "It seems that was a lie. There are two copies each in the world."

She wanted to ask more, though she knew he wouldn't provide her with any answers. She nods, "I supposed I am to read and study from it?"

"Not now," he said smirking, "Right now we are to head out."

She placed the book under the pillows, "Where?"

"To get you dresses," he claps his hands together, "Isn't that exciting, Princess?"

She frowned, "Dresses?"

"Yes, you must go to the tailor. Get you tailored and some pretty dresses."

"Why would I need dresses?" she asks confused, "I left the dresses and gowns at the palace for a reason."

He nods understanding, "We would need some throughout this process. We also have somewhere to be tonight."

"Oh…" she lets that sink, "Where to?"

He grins, "Remember our target? It's about time we should pay him a visit using your idea.""

She looks down at the same clothing she had worn for almost a whole week straight. "How…exciting,"

"Are you not ready?"

She glanced up at him, "I'm ready. All those exercises would come in handy."

"Hmm, I'm glad to hear that. Now before we leave I need you to change."

"I beg your pardon?"

He points at her, "You wore those clothing for five days straight with no shame. As much as appearance doesn't matter to you, appearance matter to me. I'll give you some clothing to wear."

She shook her head, "Such a prideful person."

He smiled, "I'll take that as a compliment." He whispers and starts to walk away waving an arm, "Undo yourself in the bathroom, my dear Princess!" he instructs heading out.

Emerelda stared down at herself in front of the fireplace. She looked back up at Emmett who was staring at her as if he created a fine piece of art, "Perfect." He murmurs.

"This is scandalous." She said in disgust.

He laughs, "You had got used to the beautiful gowns and dresses growing up. I think you look fantastic."

"Of course you would, you wear this every day. Every gentleman all over the world does! This is highly inappropriate for me, and for my dignity."

She looked back down at the almost too big black trousers and the white button shirt. Straps of her suspenders went over her shoulders, and at the back of her trousers. Emmett had to adjust and assist her with it. On top she wore a long black coat, a red jeweled pin at the center between her collars.

"Those trousers were for a wee small boy and the boots as well. They fit almost perfectly on you." He was clearly making fun at her. Emmett then raised his hands, and pushed back her hair behind her ears. Emerelda stood still as stone as his cold skin brushed the top of her ears.

He peered down at her, his eyes unreadable, "There, scandalous enough."

As for Emmett, he wore a black brocade waistcoat. A black tie tucked underneath, the black color against the white shirt. He wore a long black coat on top, topped with a silk hat. His black shiny boots glittering as his dark trousers were tucked inside them.

"We won't have to worry about those who might recognize me. I am unrecognizable." She said, her voice dull.

Emmett laughs stepping back, "That is very much true, Princess. Now before we leave remember what I said?"

"Of course, act as if I'm from the place you were raised."

He raised his eyebrows in shock. He didn't look too surprised however. "I said to act as if you're not from Garlin. This type of fashion woman wore is rare in England, but not quite. I also figured you would find out where my past lays due to my accent, and your mother being from England as well."

Emerelda narrowed her eyes, "Not many know of that information."

He smirks, "I am not of that many group." He turned his back at her to the door, grabbing a long black walking cane that was leaning in the corner as he opened the door. He turns his head, "Shall we?"

Emerelda stared at the open door, the fresh air from the meadow coming in. She saw the clear blue sky, the swaying green grass, and the trees ahead. She smiles, "We shall."

As they walked in the streets, Emerelda was surprised no one recognizing her as everyone stared at her. They were probably staring at her clothing. Her clothing didn't shape her breasts or her hips. They hung lose, making her seem less feminine.

She walked with pride after a while, she felt comfortable. There were neither bustles nor corsets that would hold her tight. No heavy skirts as she moved sometimes clenching them in her hands to lift them up. Her long hair wasn't tied back in a tight bun, but hung freely and lose above her shoulders. She felt almost…light.

When they arrived at the shop the lady who worked there stared at her horridly, her eyes wide in shock as her eyes ran up and down at Emerelda's disgraceful clothing. Emerelda smiled, she seemed to love the idea no one knew who she really was and their expressions. It was almost humorous.

"Well," the woman said at last, "I could see why she would want to get some dresses for herself. Come along…dear." She walked to the fabrics and Emerelda and Emmett shared a witty look.

Once that was done, they strolled along the streets of Garlin looking for other materials for tonight. Emerelda had never walked along the streets of Garlin without being recognized, nor has she ever strolled along without anyone to watch her from behind for her safety.

Except during the night for her own purposes.

The sound of carriages, the loud chatter of people, the pace people walked; either hurriedly or slowly. She soaked that all in, feeling a feeling of freedom within.

The emotion didn't last long. She thought of her brother and thought if she even deserved to feel such thing.

She shouldn't, she didn't deserve it. Misery came rushing back at her, and the small faint smile on her lips vanished away.