In 1939-1945, Ophelia Mariè Baudelaire, a French ballerina studying at the Teatr Wielki, in Warsaw, is caught in the crossfire as the Nazis overrun Poland. Hoping to survive long enough for the nations to make amends, she aids away with the help of...
April 1st, 1940 Marburg, Germany 214 days into the war
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If there was anything Ophelia liked to remember about the day Norway and Denmark were officially invaded, it would be the overwhelming burgeon of sweet woodruffs that flowered alongside the Lahn River. Ophelia awoke believing the first of the month would be like any other day in her refuge in Marburg. Lured downstairs by the smell of blackberry jam on roasted toast and bitter creamed coffee, she joined Leonard and Savanah around the small wooden table. The taste of sweet berries was still on her lips when the static of the radio, only slightly audible, could be heard breaking through from behind them. Ophelia watched as Leonard stood from his place and raised the volume, both girls leaning in to listen as well.
"—FOR THE FATHERLAND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE! ¡NO LAND IS TOO SMALL, NOR TOO WEAK FOR THE GAIN OF US WHO ARE IDEAL! TODAY THE KINGDOMS WILL KNOW THAT GERMANY WILL NOT RENDER TO LIGHT THREATS! WE WILL SEE THAT ALL KINGDOMS ARE GRAZED BY THE NAZI DREAM, WE WILL PREVAIL AND WE WILL TAKE ON THE GLORY OF NORWAY, DENMARK AND ALL THOSE WHO STAND IN OUR WAY!—"
Ophelia never did know what Hitler would say after that as Leonard ultimately turned the radio off, neither of them desiring to overhear any more news on the war. The once light mood of a new morning was now tainted by the image of violence. Ophelia turned back in her chair and sighed. The edge of her fork hovered over the seeping yellow yolk of her unfinished eggs. It wasn't until she felt a hand reach across from her that she looked up and met the anguished glance of Savanah and Leonard. Their hands were joined, and both had their arms stretched out for her. Ophelia felt the tip of her nose itch as her emotions heightened. Licking her lips, she set aside the egg-covered silverware and grabbed ahold of their waiting arms.
Together, they lowered their heads as Ophelia led them into a prayer. Her words were brief but all the sincerest. She asked that God protect the afflicted nations and their people and see to it that war ends soon. She also prayed for the loved ones of her friends, like Savanah's fiancé who was surely being sent to the battle against the kingdoms. Ophelia prayed that God forgive the German nation as they were not one but many—and not everyone believed in the credence of propaganda.
Once they were done, it seemed as if no one was in the rightful mood to eat, and with emotions grim, they cleared the table. Ophelia would later leave the house in hopes of gaining some fresh air. The Sun had sheltered behind the thick leaves of the trees by the time she had reached the river. Many of the town's people also seemed affected by the news. Some laughed and cheered, applauding the Nazis for their strength, whilst others seemed to look over their shoulders and frown. Displeased with their country's retaliation against the world. Taking a spot near the water's edge, Ophelia raised the ends of her dress, knotting the length just above her ankles before lowering her bare feet into the water. Her distorted toes swiveled the water around them, causing a few of the baby fish to swarm around her. Though the sensation of the cool water was a relaxing feeling in contrast with the warming spring air, Ophelia still could not help but worry. nations were at war; her country could be next, and all she could do was wet her feet. There was nothing more frustrating to her; knowing she had no power, no control of anything that was happening around her. Annoyed with the world, she grabbed the nearest rock and stood up, tossing it against the surface of the water. She then joined the rock and allowed her body to sink into the river. The squatting of her hands and feet pushed her down intentionally as Ophelia wanted to merely drown out the world. In the same way, she was able to mute the city whenever she walked into Mr. Gronski's Blue Garden. If she could freeze herself so that she may never walk out into the chaos again, she would—but the will and lungs inside of her fought against such an outcome. She needed to breathe, she needed to remember why she was even trying to sink to the bottom of a German riverbank. That thought alone caused her to react and she alone broke through the surface. She gasped as her head peeked out from the waters and she dragged her damped weight out back to the edge. Falling flat against the freshly sprouted woodruffs she let the Sun bask against the shimmering reflection of her wet skin.
