Bringing home strangers

"Okay, big brother. Can you tell me more about my mother, father and the Kingdom?" I asked. It felt somewhat weird to call someone who was in reality younger than me 'big brother'. "Of course, Lyss." He said agreeing. For the next hour or so he talked about the Kingdom, the four powerful noble families, Rosewood was one of them.

"And that's all. I need to go now." He said standing up to leave but I grabbed ahold of his hand. "Please stay. Big brother, I am scared and lonely." I said in the cutest most possible voice. "Fine, Lyss." He said sitting down once again.

For the next week, me and Demetrius grew close. Finally the doctor allowed me to leave my bed. "Big brother, where is father?" I asked. To which he replied. "I think he is busy preparing for the winter ball." 'Winter ball' What was that?

"What is that, big brother?" I asked. He paused to think for a few seconds and then replied.

"It's like a ball celebrating the coming of winter. Duke Ashword is from the Rosewood family. Each year one of the four families holds a winter ball to celebrate the coming of winter. This year was Rosewood family's turn." He said explaining.

I got the concept pretty quickly as it was not too difficult to understand. If I remember correctly that the crown prince was the second male lead. Whatever happens in the future, I have to make sure I don't run into him. He is said to be a heartless, cruel person before the main female lead arrives into his life. A pretty common plot in romance novels.

"Will the Crown prince come to the party?" I asked Demetrius. "Chances are yes. Why do you ask, Lyss?" He replied back with a question instantly. Demetrius was of the greatest help to me but sometimes he asked too many questions. "No reason. When is this, winter ball?" I asked.

"In two days," He answered. "Whaaat?! Is it necessary for me to attend it, big brother?" " I said. I needed to avoid attending no matter what. If I die here, I die in the real life too, I think. Better be safe than sorry. "Of course, Lyss. You're the duke's only daughter. It's a must you attend. Do you not want to attend?" He said. Uhh seems like my only way would be to get injured. I wouldn't be able to purposely harm myself in the Duke Rosewood's mansion though.

An idea came into my mind and without anymore thinking I thought to put my new plan into action. "I want to visit the town, big brother." I adorably said. "I-I w-will ask uncle for the permission. You rest for now." He said running off. His face had become slightly red.

It didn't take long for Demetrius to get Duke Rosewood's permission to go out. The duke insisted we take Nina (my personal maid) and Perfial Adam (my father's knight) with us. The carriage was quickly taken out. for a ride to the town.

It was my first time riding in a carriage. It was a blissful journey to the busy town where people had set up many shops. The streets were bustling with people mostly men minding their business. I heard some people whispering to each other as the carriage went deeper in the town.

"Who do you think is in the carriage?" One said. "I think it's the young lady of the Rosewood family." The other said. "No, it can be. I heard she is amnesiac. Duke Rosewood wouldn't allow his precious daughter to come out in that condition." The first one said. " 'Precious' and her, I heard she is only a child but is vicious. She is spoiled and tortures people. It is even said that she has even committed murder of one of her maids."

I could see their point. Alyssa wasn't exactly nice despite her beautiful appearance. She tried pushing her cousin off. I could feel Nina's eyes on me. She was shivering. Was she cold? No, it was more like she was afraid of me. She didn't dare meet my eyes. "Don't be scared." I said putting my hand on her shoulder. She looked up at me and for a second our eyes met but she quickly looked downwards. "Whoever I was in the past. It's not me anymore."

She stopped shivering and Demetrius smiled looking at me. The carriage stopped and Nina got out. She then gave me her hand and helped me get out. "Where do you want to go, Lyss?" Demetrius asked. I thought for a while. I would first eat some sweets and then get hurt. "Pastry shop, big brother." I said smiling.

"There is good pastry shop here, owned by my sister, Young Miss." Adam finally spoke up. Me and Demetrius both stared at him. He thought he had done something wrong, so he quickly apologized. "Sorry for speaking when unspoken to, Young Miss." He said. "No, it's okay. Let's go there then, Sir." I said.

We walked to any elegant looking pastry shop. It wasn't a big shop but it was the most elegant shop I had went to. Everything was elegant. The owner after seeing me, rushed to me. "Welcome, young lady. What are you looking for today?" She said politely greeting me. "Thank you, Miss Adam. You must be Sir Adam's sister. I would like to buy some pastries." I said.

"You don't have to call me Miss, young lady and of course follow me." She said. "I insist. You are older than me. I must show respect." I said following her. Demetrius and Adam followed me while Nina stayed near the gate. "These are all the flavors." She said showing me the pastries on display. "I'd like to have 3 of each, Miss." I said. They were 15 flavours and all looked delicious. "Please wait, it will take a while. You can sit down, young miss."

I looked out the store window to see a boy all beat up ,lying unconscious on the ground. I left the store quickly without anyone noticing.

The poor kid was about a few years older than me from the looks of it. It seemed like someone had beat him up. I checked his pulse. Thank god, he was alive. I took a napkin and pressed it on his stomach to atop the bleeding. "There you are, Young Miss." Adam said. He looked at me and then the bleeding kid. "Please help him, Sir Adam."

Adam carried the unconscious guy to the carriage and we went back to the mansion at a lightning speed after taking the pastries.

When we reached there. The poor guy was taken to the guest room and our family doctor was tending to his wounds. My father approached me and Demetrius, outside the guest room.

"Alyssa, I thought you knew better to run off to the streets of the town alone. You could have ended up like that guy. You don't get it. Do you? Let me tell you something. We don't bring random strangers we find in the street, home." He lectured. My eyes filled with tears and I started crying.