Loving You From Afar

The Kornovicus Estate ~ Chapter 3

     I couldn't sleep, I was stressed. What if my sisters couldn't come? I'd be leaving them alone, I can't do that, I won't do that. Breath. The sun wasn't even awake, so I walked over to the window of my bedroom, staring at the moon and all the stars in the sky. Tomorrow is so important, or is it so late that it's already today? It doesn't matter. I'll be leaving, the last place my family ever felt whole.

    I quickly get out of my bed and walk over to my balcony. I slowly open the oak doorway, careful not to make a squeaking noise. As I opened the door the night breeze flowed over my body, cooling any stress I had. I stepped out, my bare feet curling at the cold planks. My nightgown was flowing in the breeze and I walked over to the railing. I was staring at the forest hoping to have a sign that this is where my life is to go. I lean my body onto the railing. This is it, in the end, I can't marry him. I tried to convince myself. But nothing could better my future.

    I stare one last time at the wood, scanning the trees, the large oaks. For one last chance to not jump. As my gaze followed along the ground of the forest there he was. A man. I hid behind the railing ducking down, hoping he didn't see my gaze. Though it's dark, he was holding a lantern. Why was he lurking in the forests by my aunt's estate? I looked through the crack in the rails. He was walking closer towards my balcony.

"Fair maiden! Why are you awake at such an early hour?" Yelled the mysterious man.
"Why are you lurking around this estate? Have you come to murder us all?" I responded, fearing what he might say.
"I am not lurking, I loaned someone my handkerchief and I need it returned" He responded.
"Oh, sorry that was me, give me a moment" I replied, I scurried into my room and dug through my cabinet, grabbing the handkerchief. I walked back over to the ledge and tossed it down.
"Thank you, sorry for coming so early in the morning but that's my good luck handkerchief and I'm going to need it," he responded.
"Why do you need luck?" I asked curiously.
"Tomorrow something very important is happening and it's important that I don't mess up," he said.
"Oh well, I must be going, goodbye," I stated
"Goodbye, I hope to see you again," he said.

I was happy, I know someone and I trust him enough. I'm not worried as to how he found my estate. It's public knowledge and photos of me can be seen in certain entryways of buildings, when my father was around I was the talk of the town. I'm so glad he came back, it would be good to know someone like him. Though, I don't even know his name.

I went back over to my bed, closing my balcony door and locking it behind me. As my head met the cushion, I instantly fell asleep.

✲

"Up! Up! Up!" My aunt yelled as she poked my waking body.
"We're all packed get up breakfast will be at the Kornovicus Estate," She said smiling
"I'm awake, let me change and I'll be ready in time," I responded hoping it would get her out of my room.
"Good, I've picked out your outfit, and drawn your bath, I'll be leaving, be quick" She responded happily walking out of my room.

Last night I thought about taking my own life and now I am leaving to meet my fiance and his family, this is outrageous! Regardless of my thoughts I slip off my nightgown and enter the bathroom, I step into the tub and wash away anything that the Kornovicus's could find alarming.

I got out to dry off and changed, my aunt returned and did up my hair, in a braided loose bun. I was wearing the gown she picked out. It was an emerald-type green and felt to grow, it was sophisticated and at the same time simple and elegant. I looked like an angel. The heavens had blessed me with beauty. But my flaw was that Susanna still lingered in my heart and my mind. I need to forget her for god's sake! I am meeting my fiance after all.

    I walk over to the wagon, my little sister's face gleaming with joy, what I wouldn't give to share their happiness right now. They don't understand what's going to happen, and I wish they did. I have no one to talk to, no one to complain to, and no one to cry to. If only they were older, or even more mature I could tell that what burdened me. But sadly, Mary-Beth is only 9 and Juliana's only 7. They are so young, how could my aunt expect me to ever want to leave them? It was my job to raise them, and my duty to care for them! The wagon was turning around a sharp corner and Juli fell into me awakening from my stressful fog.

    That sharp turn led to this grand bronze gate, guarded with a group of armed men, with swords each prepared to draw.
    "We are invited, guests!" My aunt yelled at the guards
After a few angry whispers, the gate swiftly opened and we were welcomed into the lovely front yard. There were mazes of hedges surrounding a beautiful sculpture. And the house, ivy growing over the front, god it was the most beautiful building I ever had the fortune of laying my eyes on.

    "Get out sweety, and stop drooling! They are waiting to greet us" My aunt said, unhappy with my love of architecture.
This building is gonna have a lovely place in my sketchbooks.
"I'm not trying to drool, this place is just so elegant, an artist would be so lucky to create something so beautiful"
"Well lucky for you my darling niece, you get to live here, hopefully, it's permanent" My aunt stated in a threatening tone.
"Well good morning and welcome to the Kornovicus estate, I am the housekeeper and if you will follow me I'll take you to the dining room where the family is waiting," Said a slim, tall and old woman.
My aunt grabbed my sister's arms and Mary-Beth grabbed my hand. We walked in together and were guided down a long golden hallway ending in a large oak doorway that opened into a massive dining hall. My eyes scanned across the room. Paintings filled the walls of people dancing and celebrating, and others of some men that I don't recognize, soldiers but I'm not sure for what or whom they are fighting for.

My eyes were careful as we walked into the room, we were quiet, lost. We've never seen such a surrounding so we didn't understand how to react or interact. I looked at the table, I could only see two people, Mr. and Mrs. Kornovicus, their son and daughter were nowhere to be seen.

"Come, Come, sit I as you already know are Mrs. Kornovicus and my husband Mr. Kornovicus, please sit and enjoy your first meal at our lovely home." Her eyes landed on me and a grin appeared on her face.
"Darling, I've saved a seat for you right here, right next to me so I can get to know you." Her tone of voice seemed alarming but her offer was kind so I gladly walked over and politely sat down beside her.

"Good morning ma'am, I'm very glad you have allowed my sisters to accompany me, I don't know what I would've done without them. Also, I had the impression your children would be joining us, I don't mean to intrude, but where are they?" I was very confused, I was so stressed for nothing.
    "Our daughter is at classes today and our son, well, uhm he's well-"
    "He's practicing his archery, he wasn't told about this breakfast, our mistake, my apologies," Mr. Kornovicus said, interrupting his wife.
    "Girls please eat, you must be starving," Mrs. Kornovcus said.
"And this is your home now too, so please seek comfort in what you have been given," Mrs. Kornovicus said to my aunt and sisters.

I don't trust what they are saying. It doesn't make sense that the duke isn't here and their story really isn't adding up. Something as important as the first breakfast wouldn't be missed, they're hiding something. Maybe he doesn't want to marry me. Also, I thought their daughter was in private homeschooling, maybe I went to school with her. This family has too many secrets to be living in the rich world. I need to find out what I don't know.