𝑰𝒗𝒚 | r. de noir

01. the funeral

OLIVE GRACE HELIOTROPE was named for two things which she was not: a symbol of peace, and a portrait of elegance.

The girl had a knack for falling into mischief, and certainly knew how to put up a fight, despite her overall sweet and kindhearted nature. This was no coincidence, as she'd learned at a young age that life is tough, and one must be tough themself in order to survive it.

When Olive was eleven years old, her parents met their fate at the hands of smallpox. The disease had taken them both during the epidemic of 1871, leaving young Olive an orphan. She wandered the cobblestoned streets of London for days, before finding work at a factory in exchange for meals and a bed. Weeks passed, and word of her parents untimely passing finally reached her Aunt Jane. With a heavy heart, the woman kindly took Olive under her wing, and raised her brother's daughter as her own.

Olive's Aunt Jane was a strange woman. She had an odd way with words, and often seemed confused, especially when things happened too quickly. She was also determined to teach Olive the ways of proper society, and frequently muttered disproval of the way that Olive had been raised by her parents thus far. Olive tried to obey the woman's requests, but often found herself in a quarrel with her Aunt over the true importance of such behavior. Perhaps, the most bothersome trait of Aunt Jane's character was that she seemed perpetually plagued with terrible flatulence. As a result, she was constantly passing gas, and was nearly insufferable to be around in closed or quiet spaces. Olive had to remind herself constantly how good it was of Aunt Jane to take her in, or else she might let the disturbing habit of her father's elder sister get the best of her nerves.

When Olive had first gone to live with Aunt Jane, she was intimidated by the London manor where her Aunt served as a governess to the young Maria Merryweather. But in time, Olive found herself feeling.. almost at home with the Merryweathers and their staff, all of whom were very kind to her.

Lady Eliza Merryweather was a soft, gentle spirit, who reminded Olive of her own mother, at times. But Miss Eliza was much more proper, and a little uptight. She often reminded both Maria and Olive to sit up straight, and to behave like true gentlewomen of society. Olive's own mother had hardly ever reminded her of such things before she passed, and though it very well may have been because her mother thought her too young, Olive liked to think her a free spirit. A woman who dared to confront the ridiculous standards of society, and embraced the comforts that impropriety such as slouching, or laughing a little too loudly, could offer.

Despite the differences between Lady Eliza, and her own mother, Olive found a sort of comfort in being cared for by the Lady. Although Lady Eliza never came close to replacing her own mother, as it was rather unlikely that anyone even could, it still broke Olive's heart when the Lady Merrywheather passed away, just two years after her own parents.

Sir George Merryweather was a colonel in the army, so naturally, he was often away on the line of duty. Despite his loyalty to his country, Sir George was equally as loyal to his family, and often came home to visit his wife and daughter every chance he got.. until the Lady's passing, at least. After his wife died, the Merryweather patriarch was never quite the same. His visits grew infrequent, and when he did stop by the estate, he seemed.. haunted, as if part of his soul had left the realm of the living along with his Lady. Young Maria was always delighted to see her father, but Olive couldn't help but notice that Sir George could hardly look at his only child any longer; for she had her mother's innocent, sparkling eyes, and long copper curls.