Chapter 1

 

'I don't believe it!' I spoke with shock as I tried to comprehend whom I was seeing before my very eyes.

'I beg your pardon, My Lady, I'm so very sorry. I did not mean to spill your jug of water, I will get a cloth to clean up the mess I have made at once,' the maid apologised several times, not daring to meet my eyes directly as I was hoping she would do. She placed the jug on the table as I looked on in amazement.

'No please don't go,' I called out quickly not wanting her to leave and hide herself away from me, due to the punishment she was probably expecting at my hands due to her clumsiness.

'Yes My Lady, was there anything else you would like me to do for you?'

I exclaimed as she finally lifted her head up to me, and I felt myself shiver as I saw very familiar emerald green eyes.

'It's extraordinary....I would not believe it if I was not seeing it for myself.'

'Sorry, My Lady, is there anything wrong?' she looked at me with a clear expression of confusion.

'What is your name girl?' I asked quickly with curiosity.

'It's Jess My Lady.'

'Jess, are you telling me that you are not taken aback standing here and facing me....in the same way I am affected when I look upon your image in turn? Can you not see what is right in front of your very eyes?' I spoke trying to disguise my frustration.

'I am sorry My Lady.....I have always had a weaker eyesight compared to others, perhaps if I were to come closer, I can get a better understanding of what you mean.'

'Well, that is at least something that we don't share. Yes then come closer....in fact come stand beside me by this mirror at the back of me.'

I watched as Jess reluctantly came to where I stood as I had eagerly requested, I could not help but feel immediately triumphant as I watched her green eyes widen with shock in her reflection, as she turned to me with wonder. Giving almost the exact same stunned reaction I was sure I had given just minutes before.

'So you can see what I see now, can't you?'

Jess at first nodded as she struggled to speak. A charged atmosphere engulfed us as I took the opportunity to stare hard at her now she was so much closer to me. Taking in her thick hair that matched my own dark brown colouring, as did her heart-shaped face with high, delicate cheek bones, a button nose and small full pink lips. We were also of around the same height and shapely feminine slim build.

'But how is it possible......how did you come to have my face?' She finally loosened her tongue.

'And you my own face.....I don't know either how to explain our uncanny resemblance. I arrived here yesterday to wed my fiancé I was not expecting my visit to be so eventful in other ways, to meet you and have my own face staring right back at me.

'Have you lived in this province for a long time? Where and who are your family?' I had so many questions I now wanted to ask her.

'I do not know who my real family is My lady, I am an orphan, I was abandoned in a field then adopted by a kindly farming couple who found me. And going back to your first question I have lived in this province for as long as I can remember. And now have been finally lucky enough to get a position here within the Lord's fortress...it's my third day in his service though I do not know for how long, I am not doing a good job with my clumsiness as you have already seen for yourself.'

'That is so very peculiar....no birth parents you can think of?'

Jess nodded her head at my questioning.