L'Allemand et l'alliée (Englisch, Reylo)

chapter 1

First of all, the question that arises today is 'Has it been the best or worst day of my life?' Of course, I couldn't really make up my mind, otherwise I wouldn't have asked myself the question at all, but I know that without him I wouldn't have survived it.

"Reyanna are you coming, we have to go to church", my mother-in-law called me and I sigh. My fingers lie quietly on the keys of the piano and cannot produce a sound. I can't play even if I wanted to. Nobody would teach me and right now would just not be the right time to get lessons. The war had broken out here in France. The Germans came to take our land from us. We were one of the few villages that had been spared. I only hoped dearly that this war would end soon.

"That stupid piano." She pulls me to my feet and quickly locks the piano. Frantically she stuffs the key into her jacket pocket and asks me to finally follow her. I lift my skirt and quickly follow her down the stairs. Since my husband is gone, it's so empty here. The house is way too big for just the two of us. We live well, quite wealthy for a house in a small village.

"Wait Florille," I call out to the older woman and quickly get into the small car. "You always take so long, and you're dreamy too. I don't understand what Claude saw in you that he married you," she gripe and I look at the floor, embarrassed. "I'm sorry, won't happen again," I say meekly and with a nod, she starts the engine.

Claude has been at war for some time and we haven't heard from him yet. I just don't think he's bad. He still has to live. I would love to know where he is so I could write him letters. I miss him very much and I would like to let him know. We were only married two days before he was drafted into the war and had to leave us. It's been several weeks now and the house is sadly empty. His mother is pretty strict, but at least she offers me shelter. My home was destroyed and Claude insisted on living with him and his mother in the big house.

"Come on, get out now. It won't take the Germans long to get here. Let us pray for all of our lives." She gets out quickly and walks briskly but feminine towards the church. She opens the doors big and just waits for me to come in after her.

"Dear Congregation, a great tragedy has befallen our nation," says the priest and we sit down quietly. "Millions had to flee their homes, thousands have lost their lives and the generation of brave young men remains uncertain. Only God knows what will come of us, and the land that is no longer our land. We all have to now stick together, every quarrel with the neighbor has to be settled, let's merge into a unit, a family, God's family. Let's pray," he said and we all sat up from our seats. I look around worriedly, and other suffering faces weren't sure how to survive this either. Our land was taken away from us, now it belonged to the Germans.

"Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our debts that we also forgive our debtors and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil", But immediately he stopped and we all looked up to the ceiling of the church. Loud engines could be heard, but I wasn't sure whether it was cars or even planes.

"They are here", my mother-in-law Florille whispers to me and leaves as quickly as she came. I followed her uncertainly back out through the doors, but the sight that was now offered to us took everyone's breath away. Loud tanks, lots of cars and several marches. The Germans came to claim their land.

"Under the command and signed by the Marshall, a new constitution is effective immediately for the French state. In recognition of the rights of work, the family and the fatherland. You have been defeated and from now on we have to say that. All people who receive officers go home and prepare their arrival now." Shouted a slightly shorter man on a tank and I looked up at Florille, who only met his gaze. "What does that mean?" So I asked quietly. "We should worry about one of their lieutenants. I will not bow to these monsters." She hacked me and pulled me back to the car. "How long will they stay?" I shyly peck and look back one last time. "I have no idea."