Period of Pretties, Petticoats and Power

Four - Mister Principle.

Sorry I updated so late! 

Four — Mister Principle.

“Aunt Alys?” Questioned Isabelle as we strolled through the park. 

I looked down at her in slight surprise. “Yes, dear?”
“Do you believe in Fairies?”

The park was cool, with thick grey clouds and only a ray or two of sunlight. People milled around, laughing and giggling, enjoying the sunlight that was not really sunlight. Lucie was beside the pond, scolding Vivienne who had tried to grab a duck and chase Charlotte with it, who was sitting on the park bench, stroking a dolls hair. Isabelle and I were strolling over the bridge, her arm looped through mine.

My mind flashed back to last night, and questions bubbled inside of me, but I thought about it. I had never really believed in fantasy, in monsters, I had always considered myself much to smart to believe in things that you did not see. But, you did see them—and now I did believe in monsters.

“I do not know.” I told her honestly. “Do you?”
“Yes.” She said without hesitation. “There is one living in our garden. He does not like Papa’s hounds, though.”

I laughed. “I cannot blame him. Terrifying creatures. What is his name?”
“I do not know. He does not like it give it.” Isabelle said, not sounding disturbed at all. Lucie had said that Isabelle often imagined things, and to go along with it.

Suddenly, there was a loud yell from beside the pond and Vivienne was charging towards us. Her hair was falling down like a curly curtain and her eyes held the promise of revenge. Immediately, Isabelle was detaching herself from my arm and nearing Vivienne.
“Vivi, what is the matter?”

Vivienne huffed. “Lottie is a jack-a-nape!”

I felt my lips part in surprise and amusement. “Vivienne, has your mother ever told you not to call your sister an ape?”

“I am sure she mentioned it.” She sniffed, taking Isabelle’s hand. “Aunt Alys, can you take us to the theatre?”
“No.” Lucie said coming up behind them. “We are heading home. Your behaviour is disgraceful and I will not carry around an animal with me in public.”

I choked on a laugh.

Vivianne shoot her mother a freezing look. “I want to stay.”
“And I want behaving children. But, we cannot have what we wish for, now can we? Alys, dear, are you coming?”
I shook my head. “I am going to head to the library. Is there a time you wish me to be home by?”
“No, no, dear.” Lucie said, looking happy. She most likely thought I would meet my true love in the library, who also happened to be rich and well titled. “Have fun. Now, come on, girls before I get upset.”

The girls huffed and left, and Isabelle asked me to get a story about fairytales, which I agreed to before heading away. My shawl was wrapped around my shoulders, keeping away the chill, and my parasol was settled on my left shoulder. I wore a light blue dress, which had lilies along the neck and I also wore a hat which had a lovely blue lily poking from it. My outfit was not cheap, therefore many gentlemen and ladies eyed me as I strolled along.

I ignored most of them, keeping to myself and leaving the park. 

Suddenly, I was hit by a barging force and stumbled slightly to the side, latching onto the metal fence that surrounded the park. A crash followed a half second later, and I looked down in shock to see a young boy—fifteen or so—scrambling up from the floor.

He was filthy, with a dirty face and ruffled hair. But, he picked up his top hat and placed it on his wild curls. He wore a suit of wealth, though it was looking like he threw it on under five seconds. The boy gave me a grin. He a cute, boyish face, which was round with large brown eyes.