Time Cursed

  * * *

  “Amber! Wake up!” yelled Lilliana as she jumped on the sleeping Arlana.

  Arlana opened her eyes and sat up in alarm. She looked around and found Lilliana sitting on the bed next to her. She narrowed her eyes for a moment but then began to laugh. Lilliana had such a sheepish look on her face that Arlana couldn’t help but be amused by the startling wake up.

  “Sorry Amber, I am just looking forward to going to the village. You must meet my mother and sister! Maybe my mother will know how to help you get your memory back.”

  Arlana smiled at Lilliana and got out of bed. There was something about Lilliana’s enthusiasm that comforted her. It was as though she reminded her of someone she must have known. If only she could remember who it might have been.

  “I understand. Um, do you think Senora Draco would mind if I wore our work dress to the village? Gabriella couldn’t get the mud stains out of my dress. She said the fabric was too delicate. That was my only clothing.”

  Arlana opened the door to her small wardrobe and gasped. Inside was a wrapped rectangular box. She looked at Lilliana quirking her eyebrow.

  “What is it Amber?” Lilliana asked looking perplexed by Arlana’s reaction.

  “Someone left a present in my wardrobe. It wasn’t there when we went to bed last night. Who would come in to our room while we are sleeping?” Arlana replied sounding slightly worried.

  “Perhaps there is a note. “

  Arlana took the package out of the wardrobe and placed it on her bed. She slowly undid the outer wrapping and opened the lid of the box. Inside was a note on top of some thin paper. She opened the letter and read it out loud.

  “Amber,

  I am sorry I could not get your dress clean. This is a spare dress that I never wear. I think the color is most appropriate for you.

  Gabriella”

  Arlana looked at Lilliana in surprise. “That was so sweet of Gabriella.” Lilliana remarked.

  Arlana pulled the dress out of the box. It was a simple dress. Cotton material dyed a dark wine color. Arlana immediately changed into it and was surprised to find it fitted. There was simple white embroidery work done on the bodice that looked like grape vines. How appropriate she thought since she worked at a winery.

  “Amber, you look amazing in that dress. I can’t believe Gabriella would be willing to part with such a pretty item.” Lilliana said in awe. “Come you must see yourself in the looking glass.” Lilliana grabbed Arlana’s hand and pulled her down the hall to the room at the end. Inside there was a full length mirror. Arlana hadn’t understood why there was a mirror here but it was most helpful today. She looked at her reflection and gasped in surprise. It was truly a stunning dress. It was very simple and yet it reminded her of something. As she stared into the mirror she began to feel this was an important dress. It felt as though she had worn it or something like it before. If only she could remember. It was a feeling just at the edge of her vision but she every time she thought she was close to seeing it it danced away…dance, dancing…she looked at Lilliana in surprise. “Lilliana, I think I had been dancing. I don’t know but I think I remember dancing in a dress this color…but that would be silly for a girl like me to be dancing, right?” Arlana said with a small sigh.

  “Amber I don’t think it is silly. You are very pretty and you carry yourself differently than the other servants here. As if you were raised to be a grand lady of a house. What if you are a wealthy girl who was attacked by highway men and managed to get away but fell and hit your head…”Lilliana said at first with a giggle and then she paused and looked at Arlana a little more seriously.

  “Ha ha yes and then a handsome prince comes and tells me that he has searched all over for me through freezing snow and dangerous forests. He has come to rescue me from my mundane life and to shower me in riches and remind me that I am a princess. Ha ha that does not happen to people like us Lilliana. If I were wealthy wouldn’t I have had servants traveling with me? They would have helped me. I wouldn’t have woken up in a bush. It is just wishful dreaming.” Arlana said glumly.

  Lilliana smiled, “Yes you are right. Wealthy girls our age never travel without chaperones. Even our Dona’s sisters, as independent as they are rumored to be, would travel with chaperones. Anyway, let’s get breakfast and head to the village. Mother is expecting us for lunch. “

  Arlana smiled and followed Lilliana out of the servant’s quarters and together they walked to the village.