The Best Room in the House

"Miguel stop being so loud." Jane mumbled as she eventually woke up and got hit by a strong headache right away. She still felt dizzy and her vision was blurred for a moment so it took her a little before she realized that she wasn´t anymore in the apartement she was currently renting together with her friend nor that she did the location at all. With eyes wide open she rushed out of the bed just to fall back right after since she moved to quick.

"Fine." She nervously whispered to herself. "Don´t freak out Jane everything will be alright. Just try to focus again."

After a few minutes she slowly got out of the bed again and headed right to the next wall to get some hold. Luckily though she didn´t need it anymore. However as she took a look around her new surrounding she gasped and took a step back in surprise. Obviously she wasn´t alone. In fact though she even did who she apparently was in the room with together yet she would have never expected this.

It was the famous duchess Isabelle Blackwood, which she get to know roughly due her parents connections, who was right opposite to Jane and right at the door. "Uhm duchess Blackwood? May I ... would you be so kind to tell me what is going on?"

Isabelle faltered as she heard a voice whisper it's way to her from the bed. Her eyes darted over to where a sleeping figure lay, brown hair tousled over her face. Izzy's heart thumped hard in her chest and she stood paralysed. Instinct made her reach for the handle again, fingers struggling to pull it once more, but it did not budge.

Instead, she pulled herself together and stood tall, holding her head high. This girl could be her kidnapper and Izzy refused to let go of her dignity by showing panic. Though once the girl began to talk to herself, her brow furrowed. She sounded scared, her words were barely audible but Isabel managed to decipher 'don't freak out'.

That didn't make sense. This girl could not be her attacker, but rather another victim. Isabel didn't move, it could also be a trick. She watched as the girl fell to the floor and stood perfectly still.

The girl struggled to her feet and grabbed a hold of the wall to steady herself. When she looked up, her eyes widened with recognition. So she knew of her, well that wasn't too much of a suprise. Isabelle was a Duchess after all.

Izzy scanned her mind and suddenly found, she knew of this girl too. She was actually fairly fond of her on the few occasions they had met, though her name escaped her now. So many people she had to meet and greet, so many formal introductions. Yet, with this girl, they had talked for hours and she had not felt exhausted by her droll conversation.

Still, Isabelle hadn't failed to notice the camera peering at her from the corner of the room and her mind had followed it to a shaky conclusion. Someone was watching them, and she would not show weakness.

'It appears neither of us know that,' Isabelle responded. 'Who are you? Apart from someone who has a serious lack of knowledge regarding fashion.' Izzy eyed the girl up and down with an edge of disgust plain on her face.

For a moment Jane smiled while she started walking to get closer to the duchess. At least she wasn´t alone and on top of that she even knew who she was locked up with even though she didn´t know all of her personality and behavior yet. However Jane could remember that the last time they met they got along rather well and could talk for hours.

Yet the duchess didn´t appear to remember her at all which Jane had to admit, hurted her. Indeed she was almost used to not being remembered or ignored in the first place due her shyness and fear to shame her parents at big happenings. But still it hurted not less.

When then Isabella as well criticized her favorite piece of clothes, her beloved red dress she put on due her friendsanniversary with Miguel, Jane looked down and hugged herself. Was her sense for fashion really THAT terrible?

However it appeared that in the end she couldn´t change her wardrobe right now anyways so eventually Jane tried to look rather friendly that insecure and approached the duchess once again. "I am Jane Carter."

Isabelle watched the girl's smile drop and her stomach twisted itself in a knot. She felt little guilt usually when criticising those around her, but this girl had been nothing but kind. Or perhaps she had just been drawn into her facade. Either way, it was best to play it like this.

Izzy tried to assess what motive there would be to bring them both together and lock them in a room. Jane was no Duchess, she was rather plain really. A wallflower. Unnoticed by most but when you look, rather beautiful. She watched as the girl hugged her figure uncomfortably and Isabelle sighed. It had been too easy, this girl needed to toughen up rather fast and care significantly less about what people thought of her if she wanted to survive this world.

Though when the girl reinstated her smile and stood taller, Izzy tilted her head to the side intrigued. Perhaps, she wasn't as weak as she initially had presumed. 

Ah, Jane.

Yes, that was it. Jane Carter, daughter of academics. That explained their previous intellectual conversation that had maintained her interest. At least she should not be bored during her time here, she would have hated being roomed with an ignorant twit.

'So Miss Carter,' Izzy kept her face blank, thankful for all the training she had received in deception from being a Duchess. She had enough self-control to prevent her eyes from flicking back to the camera, but she still shifted under its incessant watch. 'It appears we may be here for a while.'

Looking at the situation, being held against her will in a strange location with clearly no acceptance of hers, Jane surly could have thought of being forced to stay in this unfamilar place for quite a while. Yet in the end she didn´t and just stared at Isabella for a moment with eyes wide open. Just what got she just thrown into, Jane thought to herself as she tried to breathe slow to calm her down. Panicing would obviously be no help at all.

"I see. Do you maybe have any kind of memories of what happened before you came here? All I remember is that I was in an appartement I rent with a friend and was preparing for our anniversary that day." Jane then said with a heavy heart and a shaky voice at the end. Just what would Miguel do when he found the appartement without her? Would he wait for her for the time being? Would he get mad? Would he worry about her? Poor Miguel, Jane thought to herself just before she fell on her knees and had to cry a little while she held her necklace with both of her hands. Right in that moment she missed him more than anything and just wished to have him near.

Memories of before she came here, Isabelle froze. Where had she been exactly before these events had unfolded? With John, at his bar. She was sure of it, then a strange woman had come knocking at an unseemly hour and that was it, blank. That was all she remembered.

Her face contorted in puzzlement as she strained to recall what happened next. Nothing. Blank. Then, she had awoken dizzy and disorientated in this place. She wondered over to the window, peering through the bars. There were no clues to where exactly this place was either. She just hoped it was still England. Her heart skipped at that thought. She could be anywhere.

Isabelle's throat tightened, she wanted to call for John or her guards but she knew they would not come. She was alone. Though she was not helpless, and that thought comforted her somewhat.

'If it is money you require,' Isabelle spoke in the direction of the camera. 'I am sure you are aware I have plenty. I can pay you. Just provide me with an inconspicuous address and I need not know your identity.' Her voice was clear and unwavering. 'Just let me...' She glanced briefly in the direction of Jane, and knew despite her better judgement, that she would never leave her behind. Not when she had been one of the only decent people she had encountered. 'And Jane Carter here, leave this place free and unharmed. That is my only request.'

Isabelle held her head high and gazed firmly in the direction of the camera, unmoving and patient as she awaited a response.

Is she talking to me, Jane thought as she looked at the duchess with red teary eyes as Isabella duchess spoke again. However soon enough it was obvious that it was not Jane but someone or rathing something else to which the speech was directed to. Still kneeing on the floor Jane got inspired as well as touched by Isabellas words and tried to wipe away her tears as soon as possible. If Isabella could stay strong, then Jane would at least try to do so to. She honestly liked the duchess. Not only that they were in this kindnapping together but also Isabelles personality and behavior.

Eventually Jane stood up and walked over to Isabelle. At first she only stood right next to the duchess until she took a deep breath and took Izzys hand to squeeze it. In that moment Jane was simply unsure of what would be wise or not but she had the natural feeling to try to somehow let the duchess know that she wanted to be there for her as well and not only because they were locked up together.