Nacre's Promise

Chapter X : The big changes

Cuevas-Blancas, 1897.

The year began at the same time as the beginnings of the war for the preservation of the conquests of the Spanish Empire. Many young men were requisitioned in all regions to defend an overseas land they did not even know existed.

At the estate, only one was enlisted. With a brawling temperament and old enough to go to war, this young man had always maintained that he hated the profession for which he was destined. No one except his mother tried to hold him back. Here, the workers lived to the rhythm of the phases of the sun and the moon, and distant conflicts touched them very little. In this country ruled by the church, the people devoted their entire lives to work, stopping only on Sundays to attend mass and pray for the soldiers who left for the colonies.

Isabel was a believer. However, his Cartesian mind could not integrate the fact that in order to serve God, the Catholic Church needed all these lives and also so much wealth.

She had only been to Barcelona once to the cathedral and wherever she looked she had seen only signs of the Church's opulence.

His faith had been shaken. There would always remain deep inside her this question to which she would probably never be able to answer.

In the fall, an event, albeit tragic, nevertheless brought him hopeful news. Consuelo, one of the kitchen maids of Doña Elvira's parents, was swept away by an unknown disease. Although very shocked at how quickly things had happened, Doña Elvira had Carlina inform Isabel of this opportunity.

Everything was concluded without delay, with Ernesto's agreement and Carlina's blessing. Her two younger sisters didn't even have a hint of sadness. Indeed, they could not imagine that they would not see Isabel for a long time.

They may envy me, she thought for a moment, thinking to herself that she would miss them.

They were however very curious and did not leave Isabel a moment of peace by asking her many questions about this work.

— What will your job be in Barcelona, ​​Zaza?

He would also miss this cute little nickname. It was only her sisters and Diego who called her Zaza and they meant a lot to her.

— I do not really know. The position corresponds to a service job, but is it a maid, a kitchen clerk or a cleaning lady, I don't know! If I were going to an unfamiliar house, I would certainly have asked for more details on the job. I didn't need it because whatever it is, I know I couldn't beat it. Whatever the Campos offer me, it is certain that it will be adapted and that I will be treated well, assured Isabel.

— Will you have time off, can you come back to see us from time to time?

— I don't know, don't ask me any more questions, I won't get any more answers until I start. Don't worry, my two little bitches, and Isabel walked away smiling.

She was torn between her joy at discovering something else and her sadness at leaving far from her family.

After many recommendations and warnings, Ernesto and Carlina, with wet eyes, bid him farewell. She was twelve years old and was leaving for the unknown, well almost. He was pretty sure her parents wouldn't see her again anytime soon if she couldn't come back and see them on her own.

Isabel was also crying in her Sunday dress. She promised to try to come home to celebrate Christmas with them if she could get time off. Indeed, Doña Elvira's parents came to spend the holidays at the estate and she could, with a little luck, also enjoy the trip!