Roaring 20s Royalty

chapter 10- Intensity

The meadows whizzed past, their crop nearly at full peak. The gentle clacking of the train on the tracks and the chugging of steam above our heads. My hat sat in my lap and my head against the window. We passed over a river on a bridge made of fancy brass design and I could see a small fishing boat enjoying the last warmth of summer.

I could see Jorki in the distance now. The cities large chimney stacks and tall apartments of bland nature laid an interesting skyline. Smoke bellowed into the sky from the industry as was common with most cities of this time.

My hands fiddled together and my head raced. I hadn't actually spoken to him since that evening. What if he didn't remember me? Or thought I wouldn't show and had already left? I hadn't expected to have these thoughts. I didn't like it.

The train slowed as it pulled into Jorki, from here you could see the sea, its white wave caps rolling seamlessly into the shore. The people who chose to swim in the less-cold-than-normal water. I couldn't imagine even trying it.
The buildings we passed were nicer than Manorgotchesk but still didn't match my home, nor the lands I'd heard tales of. The land I was to visit.
People with horses and carts roamed the streets with their goods and crafts. Not every city in Montekino was rich enough to afford vehicles yet. They were a new invention of course, so only those with stable income possessed the revolutionary machines. Most had to stick to the traditional means, and many preferred it that way.

I stepped out onto the station platform and made my way to the street, my suitcase clutched in my hands in front of me. I'd been taught how to act like a Lady my whole life, and perhaps it was better off to use the skills I was taught, or maybe I just didnt know any other way.
The street was a quiet one. People, mostly elderly, strolling along. Straight ahead of me the road led down the hill straight to the shore where the harbor lay. The sun glinted off the ocean's blue waters, nearly like a calling. I could feel the sea air in my lungs crisp and cold. A few trucks with canvas covered backs drove up that road towards me. They turned in front of the station and drove off to my right, but the stab of anxiety I felt at the sight of my Family's Crescent and Sword upon their side. A few contained soldiers, most contained cargo such as food, bullets and weapons, but even though most of them likely didn't know what I looked like, I still pulled the brim of my hat lower. Taking my first steps I crossed the road and headed down that straight road to the harbor. I kept an open mind as there was no further sight of my mother's armies, but still I wore my hat low and kept myself quiet.

My heels clacked on the pavement, my new dress blowing lightly in the breeze. I could hear seagulls, to which I looked up and saw the white birds, gliding high above me. My hair whipped around my face freely.

Once I reached the bottom of the road my heartbeat rose once more with anxiety. It was a big place, militarily usable by size considering the infantry which had unloaded here. I looked around, pushing my hair out of my face after the wind messed with it. My eyes looked out onto the dock, not enclosed by any buildings or gates as it was a public space. That's when I paused. I nearly dropped my suitcase and my heart either stopped or skipped a beat, one or the other. Down near the far end, waiting with his hands in his pockets, standing beside a massive vessel was Henrique Murkyavich.

The sun was setting behind him right out across the water from the dock. It cast a shadow across the ground and illuminated the sky a romantic pink. I stepped towards him, my legs shaky. I clutched my suitcase tighter, nerves building up.in my hands, and my whole body. I saw him check his watch. A crewman from the boat called to him, to which he responded with, "Just another minute, she'll be here!" I could hear him from where I stood watching. His eyes scanned the docks for another second, looking a little disgruntled, but then he landed on me. I had walked about halfway to him and stopped, waiting for him to see me with a massive smile on my face. Realistically I wanted to cry with nervousness and excitement bundled into one, but I didn't. His eyes widened and a large grin formed on his face. He had almost perfectly white teeth, definitely a Lord's son.
He spread his arms wide and I started towards him. I tried to run as fast as I could, granted my footwear made it more of a funny shuffle. I could hear him laughing as I wrapped my arms around his waist, and i laughed too. He was warm, considering the cold wind that stung my bare legs.

"You had me scared." He spoke with relief, "The ship's about depart, I would have had to leave."

I shook my head with a smile and stepped back so I was opposite him, "Not a chance, I'd never let you."

"Come on," He offered me his hand which I took, "We can talk more inside, I have your ticket sorted so we have a cabin where it'll be warmer."

I followed him up the metal gangplank which he had to carefully help me up, my shoes kept slipping. At the top he took my suitcase for me and led me inside the ship. It was warm, and well lit. New electric lamps hung from the ceiling, and the floors were a red and gold carpet. The walls had wood paneling with a beautiful varnish. This was a Missiple ship, no doubt. Our ships were more rustic, exposed metal and all that.

Henrique led me down a stairwell, both of us laughing as we hurridly stepped. I nearly fell multiple times but my adrenaline and excitement made me not even notice.

He pushed open the door to a cabin just down one of the hallways and burst inside. He threw the suitcase onto one of the beds and turned back to me. I was giddy, and well into accepting anything at this stage. His hands grabbed my waist and I felt him pull me towards him, his warm breath on my neck. His scene filled my nose, rich cologne, a dream-like experience. He moved us towards the other free bed and I lay out on my back, my arms linked around his neck. Of course we didn't understand what we were doing, we were only adolescents, I'd turned eighteen two months ago. And, in my hormonal state, I simply gave in to what he wanted. Our lips met then, and I couldn't think of anything else in this sweet world. This was our moment, our chance to make our own lives.