HUMAN - The Son

Chapter 4

Syltje's Diary

My dear diary,

Where should I start?

I often write about my mother and her brilliant ideas. For example, it's good for a two-year-old to be already engaged. I also often write about our social advancement or the hope of being a witch. I write a lot about Aili. Mom's favorite child. She doesn't care about the rest of us at all. Unfortunately, I can't be angry with Aili for Mom favoring her. Aili is the witch in the family. And for that, she gets a little more attention from our mother, who likes to be absent.

Did I ever write to you that I was once her favorite child? Unfortunately, I can't remember what was certainly a wonderful time. According to Dad, I was a very quiet baby. And Mom liked that. But at the age of three, I found joy in my voice... I can remember that. I liked to stand in the hallway screaming. My scream echoed wonderfully. I remember listening to the reverberation of my voice. That's why I screamed. Mom wasn't thrilled about it and I must have officially lost my status as a favorite child.

Now, like my other siblings, I am nothing in my mother's eyes. Apart from demands, she doesn't have much for me. Syltje? Do this. Syltje, marry him. Syltje, do you finally have magic? No? Pitty.

And Dad? He loves us. He spoils us all. There is no questioning about that. He brings us gifts. He listens to us. But he's always on Mom's side when it comes to one of her stupid ideas. Dad never stands up to Mom. So what should I complain about?

About my fiancé?

Well, my dearest diary, I can trust this to you. My fiancé doesn't like women. Girls. Arion von Rosenberg's heart beats for Hector von Immergrün. The two have been together since they met at a party hosted by the Immergrün family. Since Arion is my friend, but certainly no more than that, I keep his secret. And it's a secret! Our parents look forward to our wedding, whenever it is supposed to take place, with too much joy to accept a Hector in my place. Mom wants us all to get a place back in the nobility. Just like her father, who has not lost his title. Why? Wasn't he friends with the so-called tyrant? The first witch queen?

We haven't seen our grandfather, Baron von Steinhof, for a long time. I can hardly remember him. Mom says he was just as unfair as our queen. Since then, we have had no contact with him. It's her fault that we lost our title and our property. That much I know. Not our grandfather's fault. And certainly not the fault of a queen who has only been on the throne for a while, well, more than ten years. 14 years, perhaps? My history teacher said it once, but I forgot. I always fall asleep in history class.

I would like to be a noble lady.

How nice it must be to be able to attend a royal ball. To be courted by beautiful ladies. I would ignore the gentlemen. What am I supposed to do with them? Getting bored? Laughing at the strange thing between their legs?

Aili left today. To the Academy. I don't envy her. Or do I? At least now she doesn't have to pack any more packages. I always get slightly dizzy from the white powder. Iker also complains about this. And it itches in the nose. But mom freaks out when we sneeze into the precious good. Or if even a crumb is lost.

Aili went to study for another year. And after that? In two years? Presumably, she will marry her Oswald von Blaugrau, whom Mama has chosen for her. Right after school. As far as I know, he is addicted to gambling. And he looks down on women. I can only advise Aili to run away. Titles of nobility or not. He will eventually ruin himself. And then she goes down with him. This is not a desirable marriage. But Mom only sees the title. She thinks he's going to grow out of the gambling. And from his character. But in front of our parents, he is always friendly.

Growing out of gambling addiction? Certainly not!

Aili talked to Dad about Oswald's behavior a few days ago. Oswald was visiting. When he and Aili were alone for a moment, he was rude. That's all Aili told me. Mom categorically does not listen to this topic. Dad promised to talk to Oswald. Whether he did, I don't know.

I could ramble on and on about our fiancées.

Celia von Bernstein: Sixteen years old, mortal, not very pretty, laughs like a horse. Engaged with my brother Birger, who laughs comparatively strangely. Their children will probably be true horses. The fact that Celia didn't become a witch hit Mama hard, but she sticks to the engagement. The relationship with the Bernstein family is very important to her. They helped Mom and Dad buy the fields and the barn for their secret business and get some of the powder in return. Or something like that. I don't know exactly. Mom and Dad are always very vague on the subject.

Xaver von Tanne: Seventeen years old, mortal. He has beautiful, dark skin and hair like cotton wool. When he first met my sister Gitte, he called her a stupid, ugly goose. Well, he was only six at the time. But he still doesn't think Gitte is pretty. I would therefore not expect any children from these two. Xaver's family is also a sponsor of my parents. Somehow.

Elora von Bernstein: Twelve years old. She is very cute. And she's way too smart for my little brother. Iker would be hopelessly inferior to her. When she tells him something, he always stares at her perplexed.

Roy von Tanne: Xaver's ten-year-old brother. All he's interested in right now is dissecting insects. With this, he has already made little Camilla cry.

Neil von Rosenberg: Arion's three-year-old brother. An adorable little boy who wants to be a princess one day. Maybe not a good fiancé for Alma, should it stay that way. In addition, the two are far too young to be engaged. Like most of my siblings. Like ME!

Arion supports his brother's wish. He made Neil jewelry out of wooden beads. Neil was more than just happy. But his parents burned everything. Can you imagine, dear diary? Who BURNS something that means a lot to their child? Neil is only three! Arion is still angry about it.

Today a new maid arrived. The illegitimate daughter of our housekeeper. A scandal. My parents were so kind to give her work.

Adriana Skal. She is fifteen years old. Exactly the same age as me. And... What shall I say? I only saw her briefly, but... She's wonderful. She has beautiful hair! And she is very polite. She briefly played tag with Alma. Alma is very enthusiastic about her. I could have watched them forever. Adriana Skal. I hope we can be friends.

Or maybe more?

Oh! I'm silly again.

(c: sasi)