Tides of Rivertale

Elliana's Tale

𝟏𝟖𝟗𝟖   ❙❘   England
Victorian Era ╻ Hampshire

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❙❘   Over the course of this era, it has occurred to this lady how complex and a complete paradox kin are. With how they desire things but still opt to squirrel away. Some settle to disregard their feelings for the sake of others, whereas others have become disdainful, for they prioritise their own fantasies and feelings over others. Some may say you have to value yourself more, as how will you be able to give love when you cannot do it to your own true self? Perhaps others would say otherwise. But anyone would be called foolish for opposing the aforementioned. They wouldn't oppose verbally, of course. But they wouldn't be able to uphold just the same. 
 
A young lass reached for the quill that was left aside to continue quibbling in her journal. It was her way of silencing her thoughts in shambles. It's amazing how one's brain can accommodate tonnes in one single moment, isn't it? However, one will indeed find it both fortunate and unfortunate to have a refined mind. To view moments differently, deeply, holistically. 
 
“Elliana, come downstairs! You must make haste! ”A sudden voice called upon her. Oh, mother really has her way of disturbing me in my solitude. She thought. She put her quill down and arose from her seat elegantly. She reached for her book, which was placed on the right side of her desk, before making her way downstairs. 
 
On her way, she saw her mother conversing with a uniformed gentleman. She gasped. It’s the palace’s royal messenger and kingsman. What in the world are they here for? She made a few quick steps to come close to her mother and the unwanted visitors. 
 
“Mother? ”She called. "Oh, here you are; come, come. A letter has arrived from the palace.” Her mother reached out to her. 
 
Ladies her age would be eager to hear that, but not her. The palace is the last place she would think of, and she absolutely does not wish to be in that place. She never had the capacity to comprehend the concept of hierarchy. It was perplexing. Entirely. Perhaps, bewildering. 
 
She walked across the distance between her and her mother, slowly in the process. She was unable to comprehend the occurrence before her. She would have never thought the morning she woke up that she would be given a letter, much worse, from the palace. The royal family themselves. 
 
She offered the guard a small smile before looking at her mother. “To whom do we owe the pleasure of receiving a letter, with much surprise, from the palace, mamâ? ”She enquired halfheartedly. 
 
“I have not read the letter just yet, dearest, but the gentleman right here conveyed that it came from the queen herself! She is inviting you to her afternoon tea party.” Her mother squealed eagerly. Oh, that sounds terrifying... indeed.
 
“And may I know the reason for this sudden invitation from Her Majesty, the Queen? ”She turned to the royal messenger. 
 
“Apologies, Miss Pensville. Her Majesty, the Queen, had not expressed her motive for this sudden invitation. Although the letter that Queen Victoria wrote herself may have carried the response to your inquiries, ”The royal messenger, Mr. William, if I'm not mistaken, expressed signalling for the letter her mother has been holding for a while. 
 
“Very well, then. Let us read the letter at once,” she said to her mother, nodding in approval of what Mr. William had pointed out. 
 
“Lady Pensville, Miss Pensville,” the palace guard courtesied before leaving their drawing room. Not after the two ladies uttered, “Mr. William” with a bow in unison.
 
The ladies sat down thereafter before Lady Pensville unveiled the letter eagerly, oblivious to the edginess of her daughter. 
 
To the residents of Pensville, 
     Greetings to the house of promising scribblers. I, Her Majesty, Queen Victoria, request an audience over a cup of tea with Miss Elliana Pensville, daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of Inksville. If you would be such a delight as to attend the aforementioned, I would be glad. 
Yours, the Royal Palace
 
The letter is far from responding to her inquiries at all. It is not of great help—in fact, if anything—it just added to her worries about what might be the important matter that they shall be discussing, so much so that the queen herself wrote the letter. She's heard some royal scribblers wrote the royal letters, so Elliana is pretty sure the matter is private and should be concealed. 
 
The tea party shall commence on the fortnite. It has become a tradition that at least once a month, or perhaps a week, the palace shall host a tea party, inviting the ladies in town. The queen would then personally handpick the ladies, whom she knew for sure had underlying intentions. Whether as to probe into something, I am not so sure. But one thing is for sure: there has to be a reason why her Majesty would choose a lady from the house of scribblers.
 
Perhaps it was because of the infamous society papers that were released yesterday that the author had the guts to question the norms of this society. Elliana cannot help but be amazed by the thoughts of the author. Only a few stand against the norms, and to bravely do so, one must know how much danger they will put themselves in. She cannot help but wonder what made the author publish such a paper. Nevertheless, it bemused her, as that was something she only dreamt of doing but never had the power to do so—or she believes that is. She will have to put her family at risk by doing so.
 
Elliana stood and glanced at her mother. “I shall be in my room, mamâ. If you would be such a delight as to not disturb me unless it is a matter of life and death, I would appreciate it.” She expressed it not so happily.
 
“My, you spent all of your time indoors, dearest. When was the last time you've been shed with the warmth of sunlight?”Mrs. Pensville asked with a hint of worry lacing in her voice. “You must henceforth go outside. Will you? ”
 
Elliana thought of it for a while. She has to admit she missed going outside, occupying her favourite spot on top of the hill where she can see the vast field of dandelions, all the while reading her favourite book. She missed the faint sound of the wind and the scent of nature. 
 
“Very well, then. I shall go to Burks Hill today.” She nodded afterwards as she made her way upstairs to get her things ready for the rest of the day. 

to be continued...