In the quiet solitude of her opulent bedroom, Charlotte slowly woke, her eyelids fluttering open as the soft morning light crept through the heavy curtains. The wind whispered gently through the room, causing the drapes to sway just slightly.

She stretched, her body moving with grace, and slowly sat up. Her bed, a masterpiece of fine linens and delicate embroidery, seemed to hug her as she rose.

The maid, ever attentive, helped her into a beautiful gown, one of many designed just for her then the servants entered quietly, offering her a steaming cup of tea. Her daily ritual to begin the day. She accepted the warm cup with a soft smile, savoring the calming scent of the tea before heading downstairs to join her family for breakfast.

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But now, the world felt different. The carriage she sat in was cold, its dark interior oppressive. She opened her eyes again, tears gathering as memories of her previous life flooded her thoughts. A life of ease, of beauty, of admiration.

She wiped her face quickly, making sure no one saw her weakness. Reaching into the secret pocket of her dress, she checked once more to ensure the letter she had hidden there was safe.

The other girls in the carriage were sleeping, though their condition was far from restful. Their clothes were torn, their faces and skin stained with the grime of their journey. The carriage rocked as it sped through the night, and Charlotte could hear the sound of others nearby. More carriages, each one carrying girls with their own painful stories. It wasn't just her.

What had happened to her was unimaginable. If it had happened to anyone else, they might have lost their sanity, or worse. Yet here she was, holding herself together, despite everything. She leaned back, closing her eyes as she silently spoke to herself, trying to calm the storm inside.

"I am Charlotte Marlborough. Seventeen years old. From a noble family in Britain. Or at least, I was... In my father's grand palace, I was the center of attention.. admired for my beauty, sought after for my words... I wasn't arrogant, but I had a big heart... My mother would tell me to be more composed, more proud, but I could never bring myself to be that way"

"The luxury, the fine clothes, the jewels.. it was all so easy to take for granted... The wealthiest men in Europe tried to win my father's favor, hoping to be the one chosen to marry me... It seemed like a life written in gold, but then everything changed, six months ago... And just when I thought things couldn't get worse, another disaster struck"

"If my father were here, he would never have allowed this to happen... But in a way, he's the reason I'm here... I want it to end... I want to go home, to Britain, to the life I knew... I want to find love.. to have children... Everyone always said I'd be a wonderful mother, and I still believe that... But right now, all I can do is hold on and hope for a way out"

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That was just a little introduction 🤍