The Governess Chapter 1: An Offer and an Invitation, an escaflowne fanfic

Author's note: Since this is the first chapter, I will have a short author's note to provide some background before you begin.

This is an alternate universe of Escaflowne, so this story is completely original stemming from my crazy imagination. I've decided to try my hands on creating something different this time, compared to the types of stories that I usually write. In the sense that this will not contain any fantasy with angels, magic or sword fighting like my previous fictions. This will be a romance taking place in the late 1700s – of course, since I'm not from the 1700s, I will inevitably make mistakes about how people lived or dressed back then, so bare with me. I haven't had the time to re-edit this as properly as I usually do, so my apologies for the mistakes I failed to pick up during the writing process.

(And if any Sailor Moon fans are reading this: sorry but I haven't gotten very far with the Sailor Wars trilogy - still having a bit of trouble sketching out the story in my head - but I am working on it, just much slower.)

Anyways, those who are familiar with my writing, or familiar with me as the author, know that anything I started will be completed. The longest it took me was one year. Well, enough of my babbling, enjoy. Do give me feedback…love to hear from my readers, always.

Disclaimer: Vision of Escaflowne and its characters and likeliness is copyrighted to its respective company(ies). But the characters I created and this story is copyrighted to me.

Rating: PG-13

The Governess by Cosmos

Chapter 1: An Offer and an Invitation

The gentle pitter-patter of the first spring rain against the window faces filled an otherwise silent room with a pleasantry that comforted a lonely soul and placed a restless mind at ease. The dull overcast sky faintly lit up an extravagant room with rich rugs, dark wood floors and elegant furniture. Seated at one of these luxurious furnishings with his back against a rich leather chair and eyes closed was a young man no older than twenty. His arms were rested upon the hard, well-polished face of a mahogany table with a pen in one hand and a partially written letter in the other.

For a brief moment, the room remained in this dormant state with only the mellow rainfall knocking at the glass panes. All the entropy seemed to be withheld outside in the drenched and dreary world, and only a placid stillness was present with him.

Slowly, most reluctantly, he opened his eyes and gazed absentmindedly at the sodden world—whose image was now blurry like a painting melting off a wet canvas. The distinct lines that separated one object from the next blended together in a wavy, dizzying mess.

With a quick blink, his garnet gaze returned to the letter in his hand and to the task he had initiated an hour earlier. Bending over the letter once more, he continued with smooth swipes of the black inked pen across the beige face of the paper.

Dear Miss Kanzaki,

I have received notice of your enquiry to the position I posted in the newsletter two weeks ago. Before I continue much further, I ask your pardon for not having been there to properly receive you when you called, despite it being my personal request. Nonetheless, the information you left with my maid was delivered to me promptly and, therefore, you can be at ease that nothing had gone awry.

The credentials you disclosed in these documents certainly indicate to me that you are a well-educated woman proper for this position. I am most certain you will be a very able person to educate my charge in the areas of study she now pursues. However, I seek more than simply a high degree as indication of your potentials to fulfill this employment to my satisfaction. You must understand that the individual I will hire must be more than just a tutor and a caregiver but a companion as well. My business keeps me extremely occupied and often distant from home. In my absence, you as the Governess will be the sole company my charge will have in this household. Therefore, I must be assured that you are amiable and compassionate in nature to ensure the happiness and contentment of my most dearest.

Nevertheless, after a lengthy and prudent consideration of your qualifications, I have decided to offer you this position. Do note, however, that you will be under careful scrutiny the whole duration of time you remain within my household. Should at any time I find you to be disagreeable to maintain this occupation, I will dissolve this offer without reservation.

In fairness, I invite you to my home on the eve of this Thursday to give you a chance to see the abode you will reside in and the company you will be amongst should you accept.

My sincere regards,

V. Fanel

She delicately refolded the letter and returned it to the envelope. Placing her hands in her lap, she proceeded to lean gently back against the large trunk of an old oak while her mind processed the content of the correspondence she had just received.

"In four days," she whispered to the gentle wooded environment around her. A calm bubbling brook responded to her with its joyous gurgling as it meandered through the small forest.

Letting out a sigh that was neither content nor soothed, she closed her eyes and lifted her face up to the green curtain swaying high about her. Speckles of sunlight danced across her expressionless features as the delicate fingers of the gentle spring breeze tussled her short, wheat-coloured hair.

"Four days," she repeated with eyes still closed. "Should I accept?"

Slowly, the curtains of dark lashes drew apart to reveal a stormy emerald sea that was deeply troubled with uncertainty and anguish. "But to accept will mean that I have to leave here for a great length of time." A frown forced itself upon her gentle face as she continued in her thoughts, "Mother. Is it all right to leave you?"

She sighed again.

"I don't really have to take this position," she debated with herself. "He is providing us enough to live day-by-day and…" She paused briefly, a sudden gust of misery swept through her heart as the dreaded thought surfaced in her mind once again. "And in a year's time, I will have the means to provide for us both.

"But…but I don't want to be indebted to him any more than I am," she thought bitterly. "I don't want our lives…no, I don't want your life to be his price as well. If I accept this offer, at least I can live later knowing that a small part of our lives are not owed to his benevolence," she stressed the word with loathing sarcasm.

Casting the train of thought aside, the young woman stood up and brushed her dull-brown dress gently, loosening off the strands of dry grass that clung to its hem. Turning around, she headed off to her home with her mind having arrived at a conclusive but difficult decision. Giving a brief glance down to the letter in her hand, she thought specifically of its writer, "It will not be easy, but at least he was straightforward about the nature and expectations of this position. At present, I can speculate that much about this gentleman's nature."

The thudding of horses' hooves and sloshing of thin metal wheels upon a dirt road, recently muddied by a passing drizzle, were the only sounds that broke the silence occupying the content of the crowded coach. It's occupants busily focused on the problems plaguing their lives and avoided any social interactions where civilly possible.

She was fortunate enough to have the window seat, which allowed her some small entertainment in view of the melancholy scenery that passed drearily by. Her dark blue bonnet and travel cloak hid her face and form from the prying eyes of the other travellers. Looking on ahead, she noticed the skyline of a city coming into view over the horizon line. Finally, she thought, after three days of travelling I can stretch my feet again.

As the carriage entered the city, she quietly admired the change in scenery. The bustling and noisy metropolis with its multitudes of people and cluttering shops greatly contrasted to the quiet bleak grassy land that occupied her eyes for the past three days. The excitement in the air that usually exists in large cities jolted her nerves awake; since most of her life she had only lived in a small, rural town. This was a pleasant change. However, her stay in the city would be limited to a few moments of gasps and awes before she must leave it behind, because her employer's residence is situated on a private land in the rural outcrop of the city hem.

Once the horse-drawn coach had halted, the door was opened and she took the hand offered by the footman as she stepped out. After retrieving her single, small baggage filled with the only descent pieces of clothing she had, the young woman turned upon a small worn path leading south out of the municipality. She began her arduous four-mile walk that would take her to the destined estate. The journey there was uneventful but terribly exhausting. The muddy earth made it difficult to walk and it took her much longer to reach the mansion than had it been dry. Nevertheless, she carried on without complaint.

It was only after a mile into the leg of her journey that the young woman began to notice the change in her surrounding. The cluttering shops along with the polluted air and hordes of people gradually faded away to be replaced by large, beautiful mansions with tall ornate gates that enclosed well maintained landscapes of green carpet-like grass and fine Roman-style sculptures. Charming stone-laid paths originate at the gates' foots, winding seemingly in a stochastic manner toward the breathtaking residences standing formidably in the backdrops. For a brief moment, the young woman stopped to take in the unbelievable scene around her. Never had she witnessed such show of wealth, which only stood to remind her of her own misfortune and misery.

Ignoring an instinctive heaviness rising deep within her soul, the young woman clutched her small belonging tighter and continued on with eyes now settled only upon the dirty road in front of her. After several more hours of drudging through the mud and soiled puddles, she was finally able to gaze upon the property that she would soon call "home" for the next several months. To her astonishment, this residence was by far the grandest and largest property of all in this region. A tall gate, similar to ones she previously saw, hovered over her like a giant. However, unlike the other gates, this one was a more intricately designed structure. On the face of each gate arm were delicate silver rods carefully warped and twisted into the shape of a magnificent wing. When the gate was closed, like it was now, each wing came together forming a fantastic silver pair that seemed to glow in the dreary light of an overcast sky. Awestruck, the young woman dreamily approached the heavenly structure to place a gentle hand upon the cold wet metal, tracing its smooth curves in admiration.

The gentle neighing of a horse close behind abruptly pulled her out of her reverie. Turning around in surprise, she looked up to find a young man gazing down at her atop the back of a magnificent black stallion. His dark ebony hair, drenched by the rain, clung to his face—framing an austere expression.

"What is your business here, Madam?" the gentleman queried coldly.

Pulling her composure together and straightening her back, she responded in a civil but strong tone, "I am here to see the master of this residence."

His expression remained unchanged as he asked further, "For what purpose? Do you have an invitation?"

"Yes, I do," she responded calmly. "I have it right here."

In a smooth and dignified manner, the young man got off his mount and approached her. With one hand holding the reigns of his horse, he extended his other hand to her. "Allow me to see it."

She hesitated briefly before digging into her pocket beneath the heavy cloak and pulled out the wrinkled envelope. She placed the valuable item into his awaiting hand. Without a word, he removed the letter and briefly glanced through its content. The young woman watched those reserved garnet pupils scan quickly over the words as she questioned the identity of this stranger and what relation or position he held in her employer's estate. After a brief moment, the young man looked up and returned the envelope with the letter to her while giving her a scrutinizing gaze. Silently, he turned and unlocked the gates. As he pushed one arm to the side and stepped through, the gentleman turned and spoke over his shoulder, "Come with me."

Nodding, she followed him onto the estate. The distance between the gate and the doors of the manor was quite long. It would certainly have been quicker had he rode his horse, which he would normally do. However, out of civility for his guest, he chose to walk silently beside the young woman instead. But that was as far as his courtesy would extend because he made no effort to initiate a conversation of any kind. The silence between them was not unbearable but it was certainly not comfortable either. She glanced briefly at him from the corners of her eyes as her mind attempted to decipher the man's purpose and relation to her employer. He's certainly an upperclassman, she thought. His dress and countenance proves him so; but to have such authority as to permit me to enter another's estate as freely as he did must suggest that he is also a residence here, or a very intimate guest. Perhaps a relation to Mr. Fanel. That would certainly explain the situation clearly.

Nevertheless, she paused in her thinking as she returned her gaze to the approaching manor with a frown, such reservation is almost bordering incivility. I do hope that not all the residences or connections in this place are this supercilious and ill-mannered.

"I will take my leave, Madam," he suddenly said. Turning around, he gave her a stiff bow before leading his horse off around the bend toward the back of the mansion. He had left her no time to return his farewell or give him a polite curtsy.

Ill-mannered indeed.

Turning her attention to the building looming a short distance before her, she gasped in surprise at the size and beauty of the place. It was a stone-face manor with magnificent green vines climbing along the outer edges of its face. Impressively large windows dotted the home's surfaces all-around with one distinct oval glass pane bulging out from the left side, rising to cover half of the wall. This oval window was framed with various crystals that created a kaleidoscope of colours on days when the sun shown through it. In front of her stood four massive marble columns, which supported a beautiful ornate roof. Looking to her right and left, she noticed the marble columns extended down either side, creating an elegant veranda.

Stepping onto the cold, wet surface of the green marble floor of the veranda, she raised her hand to knock on the two closed doors that marked the front entrance of this elegant home. However, the entrance opened just as she was about to grab the silver knocker hanging on the rich, heavy wood doors. Standing inside, was a regal old man around fifty years of age with twinkling greyish-blue eyes and white moustache. Dressed in a formal black and white tuxedo, the old man gave her a courteous bow before stepping aside and asked her to enter.

"Do come in, my lady," the old man spoke in a gentle voice. "My master is expecting you."

Once inside, she could hardly withheld a gasp of surprise at the breathtaking beauty of the home's interior. If the exterior gave the impression of a royal palace, the interior certainly represented the image of the home of a God. Rich red carpets with beautifully coloured designs lay beneath her in four directions, covering gold and grey marble. Like the back of silver dragons, two grand stairways with silver railings led from the large foyer toward the upper levels of the West and East wings. The back wall between the two stairways was made of glass where the image of the very same pair of silver wings was inlaid in stained glass. A grand chandelier the size of her own home twinkled merrily above her.

Enraptured by the elegance and luxury around her that the young woman almost forgot the purpose of her being here until the old man's voice interrupted the wonderful moment.

"May I take your cloak and baggage, my lady?"

Turning around, the elder man observed with tender amusement the expression in her emerald eyes that were still twinkling from the excitement of the beauty around her. Upon hearing his question, however, the light immediately died away as she looked down upon her soiled, worn attire with barely hidden holes and mud-adorned hem. She had never felt such self-pity as she did at that very moment, as her impoverished appearance contrasted painfully with the elegance and wealth in the surrounding. However, she was not a woman to allow such useless emotions to overcome her for long. There was one thing in her life that she was grateful for, and she would not allow the selfish desire for luxury to make her forget that.

"Yes, thank you, Sir."

"Please," the old man said with a kind smile, "call me Thomason." As he took her baggage and cloak, he continued, "Do follow me, Miss Kanzaki…"

"Please, just Hitomi, if you will," she said.

Thomason smiled and nodded. "Very well then…Miss Hitomi, please follow me. My master is waiting for you in the conference room. It is only a little ways down this hall."

Nodding, she followed him quietly down a long hallway, one of two that ran the length of the manor on either side. The magnificent windows she saw from the outside hung like paintings to her left while mysterious doors aligned on the right. The soft clicking of her dirty shoes on marble echoed in the silent corridor. She gazed down at the gold and grey marbles to find her reflection looking back up at her. Very well maintained, she mused. Certainly another character of the owner.

Noticing her uneasiness, Thomason decided to strike up a conversation with her. "Did you have a good journey, Miss Hitomi?" he asked.

She looked up and replied sincerely, "As good as it can be, I suppose."

Thomason gave her a surprised look before letting out a light chuckle. Befuddled, she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Do forgive me, Miss Hitomi, but I was taken aback by your answer."

Suddenly realizing how rude her words might have sounded to a stranger, she immediately apologized.

"There is no need to apologize, Miss Hitomi. Your frankness and honesty is very much appreciated. Indeed, I would certainly be surprised had you claimed it to be a wonderful journey," he said sincerely, "because those coaches are just horrid to ride in."

Hitomi smiled at his comments.

"Ah, here we are," Thomason said thoughtfully.

She turned to look at one of the mahogany doors that sat on the right wall. Thomason opened the door and stepped aside while gesturing with his hand for her to enter. The faint glow of lit lamps escaped from within the room along with a familiar professional voice.

"Come in, Miss Kanzaki."

She turned to Thomason and gave him a curtsy while whispering, "Thank you, Thomason."

"You're most welcomed, Miss Hitomi."

From within the room, the occupant watched the scene with reserved eyes. After Hitomi entered, Thomason closed the door with a gentle click. Hitomi withheld her shock when her gaze fell upon the host standing on the other side of a long conference table. The well-polished surface of the wood reflected their images on its dark face.

It's him, she thought in astonishment.

No longer heavy with water, tendrils of ebony hair now cascaded over his eyes like foliages from a tree, behind which the same indiscernible garnet gaze fell upon her once again.

He is the man I met at the gates.

"Please have a seat, Miss Kanzaki," the gentleman said, pulling out a chair near him.

Nodding, she went over and sat down. "Thank you."

Once she sat, he took his seat as well. "Let us get down to business, shall we?"

"Yes, of course," she responded.

"You are probably well aware of who I am, and I am quite certain of who you are; so there is no need for any introductions," he began.

Straightforward, she thought before adding, and ill-mannered as well.

"I have explained my expectations in the letter I sent to you," he said as his business-like gaze held hers. "You are not here simply to teach my sister the academic curriculum, although that is part of the requirement, but you will also be her nearest and constant companion as well. As I have mentioned, my work often takes me far from home and during that time, my sister will have no one aside from the servants to keep her company. Should you accept this position then her welfare, education, and contentment will be your responsibility."

She gave him a look that implied she had discerned as much, carefully hiding the astonishment that it was his sister he had referred to in his letter. Whatever his reaction to her gesture might have been, he did not show it as he continued in a graver voice: "I will add that my sister's happiness means everything to me. Therefore, my expectations from you will not be any less than what I would expect from myself. Should I find anything disagreeable in your conduct, I will not hesitate to terminate this contract. It will be to my sole discretion and any objections from you will not be acknowledged. Now that you have heard of the conditions under which you will work for me, do you still accept my offer?"

Without hesitation, she said in a steady, confident voice. "Yes, but if I may add…" She paused, waiting for his response.

"Yes?"

"That your judgement in my conduct for the days to come be fair."

He gave her an astonished look, one that he felled to hide due to the suddenness and unexpectedness of the response. For a brief moment, he did not know how to answer properly. A part of him was greatly irritated for such a bold statement but another part of him admired such audacity.

"Very well," he said, meeting a gaze that refused to back down to his own, "you have my word that my judgement will be impartial." He noticed a brief hesitancy in her expression that prompted him to add, "Do you wish that I put that down in our contract?"

"No," she said immediately. A smile crept to her lips as she continued: "I will take your word for it."

He nodded after a moment's scrutiny of the young woman before him. "Then I should explain what the remaining details of the contract entails. I will cover all the expenses that involves your position as my sister's Governess; this includes your personal needs and accommodations during your stay here. A room had been prepared for you nearest to my sister. Thomason probably has your baggage delivered there as we speak. As my sister's Governess, you will have unrestrained access to this house as well as any other that my sister decides to reside in. I will leave you the liberty to schedule your business as you please so long as you maintain the responsibility I have spoken off earlier. You will also receive monthly payments for your work. I believe that covers everything. Do you have any questions?"

"Just one."

"What would that be?"

"Can I have some leave time during my employment?"

"Yes, of course. You can take a week off per month. However, I want you to inform me of the days you wish to take absence."

She nodded silently. That would only leave me one day, she thought. Being rather perceptive, he immediately noticed the sudden sad expression that rose fleetingly upon her face but decided not to question. Standing up, he beckoned her to follow him.

"I will introduce you to my sister now."

Hitomi followed Van to the last room situated at the end of the same hallway. From within, she could hear the beautiful melody of a piano being played. Van entered with Hitomi a short distance behind.

"Merle, there is someone here I would like you to meet."

Hitomi stepped from behind the gentleman, and peered over at the little girl, no older than twelve, with shoulder-length, light-red hair sitting at the keys of a grand piano. Upon hearing her beloved brother's voice, she immediately stopped and spun around with a large smile and brightly lit eyes.

"Brother!" she cried joyously as she hopped down from the stool and ran over toward him with open arms. The young man bent down and received her with laughing eyes and a beautiful smile.

Hitomi was astonished how his expression had suddenly changed. She recalled his words earlier as she watched the lovely scene before her: "My sister's happiness means everything to me." A small smile crept to her face. So this is another part of his character, she thought.

Standing up, he said to his sister in a tone drastically different from the one Hitomi heard earlier: "Merle, I would like you to meet Miss Kanzaki. She is here to care for you while I'm away."

"No, Van" the young girl cried out. "I don't need another Governess. You can take care of me, brother. I don't need anyone else."

Sighing, he gave her a gentle smile. "But I can't always be around, Merle. You know how busy I am, and I can't stand to leave you alone while I'm out on business. Miss Kanzaki will keep you company and help you with your studies."

"I don't like her," Merle childishly cried.

"But you hardly know her," Van said with a raised eyebrow, clearly amused by the child's nature.

"I don't want to know her. I don't like her, Van."

"Merle."

"I'll wait, brother. I can wait for you to come home."

"Merle," Van said, this time his sister noted a firm tone in his voice. "We have gone through this time and time again. I will not have you grow up ignorant and alone because of my constant absence. Miss Kanzaki is your new Governess and that is the end of that. Now, I want you to politely introduce yourself and apologize to Miss Kanzaki for your behaviour."

Knowing better than to argue with her brother, Merle resided to her misery as she turned to face the young woman standing quietly on the side. Walking begrudgingly up to her, Merle curtsied and said flatly, "My name is Merle Fanel. I am glad to meet you Miss Kanzaki."

Bending down, Hitomi offered her an understanding smile as she responded, "It's my pleasure to meet you, Merle. But enough of this Miss Kanzaki, just call me Hitomi, all right?"

The child looked up into sincere green eyes and found herself feeling at ease with this strange woman. However, she only nodded in response.

"Merle," her brother chastised.

Sighing, his sister said, "Yes, Miss Hitomi."

Standing up, Hitomi smiled gently down at the young girl. Understanding and compassion blossomed in her heart for this child. Unbeknownst to her, Van observed her expression silently.

"Now, if you will excuse us, Merle," Van spoke as he headed toward the door, "Miss Kanzaki still has to settle into her room. You played very well from what I heard coming in but continue to practice that piano piece I gave you, all right?"

That night, Hitomi lay in her room, which she was astonished to find was half the size of her house. Unable to sleep, she listened silently to the gentle fluttering of the transparent blue currents surrounding the opened glass doors that led to her personal balcony. So much had happened today. After they left Merle, Van handed her over to Thomason and disappeared for the remainder of the day. Thomason, the old butler she met earlier and whose company she had come to greatly appreciate, showed her to her room, introduced her to the other servants, and helped familiarize her with the various areas of the mansion as well as proper conducts in the Fanel home. She came to learn that this estate was called Eslaie. An odd name. It didn't sound like it originated from any familiar language she heard off. She wondered what it meant: Eslaie.

A laughter resounded in her mind as she thought of her preconception of Mr. Fanel upon arriving here. He was certainly much, much younger than she had expected. In truth, he could only be three years older than her if she guessed correctly. Since he did only mention his sister as "his charge" in the letter, Hitomi had suspected her to be his child or grandchild. Therefore, she entered the room, expecting to be faced with a white hair, wrinkled old man of fifty years, and certainly not the ebony hair, garnet-eyed handsome young gentleman. Her smile grew wider as sleep claimed her and the last thought that fluttered in her mind. I wonder what Mr. Fanel's reaction would be had he known that I pictured him to be fifty instead of twenty?

Chapter 2 is done, so I will post it next week.

Next…Chapter 2: Mud Pies