Days passed since the roses had arrived. Camille's mother was angry about the fact that they were taking up her sitting room, but her father thought it was amusing. After a while the house staff had started distributing the vases throughout their mansion to add splashes of color to any place they could. Partially to get them out of the sitting room, but also to liven up the place.

Camille had taken most of the lavender roses and put them in a vase in her room with the card poking out from under it. Every morning she would wake up and see them. It still bothered her that she had no clue who they came from, but it was nice to know someone was putting forth the effort to charm her instead of win her parents over first to force their hand.

This particular day, the girl found herself wandering the mansion in a cream colored long-sleeved button-up shirt, brown skirt, black thigh-high stockings, and a high ponytail adorned with a brown bow that matched her skirt's exact shade of brown. She was bored and that was putting it mildly. It was times like this when she would start to wonder what the hosts were up to. They were likely enjoying their vacation before having to go back for the next semester while she wasted her time cooping herself up in the mansion before she met her first suitor today.

It had initially surprised her that her parents wanted her to meet with someone in such a hurry, but she knew they were just anxious to get her to make a decision. The whole situation had made things strained between them all since her arrival and to make matters worse she had taken up her vow of silence again. Call it a stubborn act of a bitter girl, but she was hoping the suitors would see it as a sign that she was not interested and her parents would have no choice but to let her do as she pleased. What would have pleased her was to be back in Japan with her friends instead of this hell hole.

A few more hours of wandering found her in the gardens out back of the mansion. Flowers and fountains towered over her as she chewed on her lip nervously. The suitor would be here any moment and she was a ball of anxiety. Part of her felt like being sick while hoping that he would not show up.

Those thoughts were dashed as a butler called out to her and told her to come back to the gazebo for tea. Tea meant that they had guests and guests meant that she was going to be sick from her anxiety. Let's get this over with, she huffed mentally before starting her slow walk back to the gazebo.

-----

Suitor number one turned out to be an eighteen year old boy by the name of Yukiho. He had lightly tanned skin, blonde hair, and was extremely tall. He was nothing bad to look at, but he was dumber than a box of rocks. By the end of the conversation she felt like banging her head against a wall repeatedly while crying in frustration.

He had spent the first few minutes sitting there quietly as if he was expecting her to say something first before he had introduced himself. When he had received no counter-reply from her, he had grown awkward and nervous. At first she thought it was amusing, until he started talking to keep himself occupied.

She learned he had a dog and a cat. He was studying to be a veterinarian and his favorite food was broccoli. She hated broccoli and she hated this one-sided conversation. Part of her hoped she could be sick as to make an excuse to leave, but her anxiety had given way to boredom and the sickness had melted away.

After two hours of hearing Yukiho prattle on about nothing in particular, Camille found herself sitting with her elbow on the table and her hand made into a fist against her cheek to prop her head up. A yawn escaped her mouth just as a throat was cleared behind her, making her perk up and turn to the maid who had announced the arrival of the flowers just days ago.

"Miss, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is a parcel for you in your room. I thought you may want to open it because of the sender." The maid gave her a pointed look, hiding a smile.

Camille practically tripped over herself as she launched herself from the chair in the gazebo. She rudely left the guest behind for the maid to deal with as she ran across the pathway back to the house. Once inside the house, she made her way to her room.

Fumbling with the door in her excitement, she practically broke the wooden slab down in her attempts to push herself inside. Red-brown eyes darted around the room for several seconds before she inhaled sharply at the sight of a medium sized box sitting on her bed. The peculiar thing about this box was that there were several circular holes in the sides and it had an odd sound emitting from inside.

Her feet hesitantly moved over the carpet toward the box, her hands gripping the lid to slide it open. Upon opening the box, a white figure launched itself at her and she was forced to catch it under it's little front legs. She blinked in confusion several times before she realized that what she was holding in her hands was a small, white ferret. The thing was no bigger than half the length of her forearm and appeared to be quite happy about being out of the box.

She stared at it for a few moments more before it squirmed and ran up along her arm to situate itself on her shoulder, nuzzling into her neck with a few cute squeaks. She giggled softly, the first noise she had made in hours, before she noticed a purple envelope taped to the top of the box.

Her hands gripped the edges of the envelope as she pulled at it to free it from the thick cardboard lid. As it gave way to her pulling, the corner of the envelope tore off to reveal a lavender card poking out of the hole. She mentally cursed herself for not being careful before pulling open the envelope to read the contents.

An exotic pet for an exotic lady. I hope this gift makes you feel a little better. Keep your chin up beautiful. I will be seeing you very soon.

The last line of the card made her shiver, goosebumps covering her skin as she tried to think of who would say such a thing. If she did not know better, it would seem as though she had a stalker. Though what kind of stalker would send her sweet gifts with no intention of hurting her?