In the name of saint

To the countryside

After we had finished three courses and had a quick chat about the household and Viktor's work, we rang and Oliver - our servant - came to bring away our food. While my husband was checking what luggage had been sent in advance and what had been packed, I went to take one last look at our house.

I walked around my cozy rooms, Viktor's rooms with writing utensils and an office, the white lounge with elegant and timeless furniture. I used to dream that my own šelf-made, huge painting would hang above the sofa. Unfortunately, I never managed to draw it.

Now, as I stood there in silence and contemplated the last moments here, I fell into a certain melancholy, I thought about the things I didn't have time to do and the less I wanted to go to the countryside. I sighed one last time and made my way back through the gallery and the kitchen. In the kitchen, I had to ask the cook to do well in our absence.

I went out of the house, everything was prepared. I also planing to go to the countryside with Margareta, she might be neccesary sometimes. Viktor's carriage stood on the path made of small stones, he gave me his hand and I got in. Then Viktor joined. The coachman ordered: "Hyyé" and we set off. One last look and the house disappeared around the bend.

The journey was about 20 miles, so we could hopefully arrive by nightfall. I was looking out the window. We passed fields where peasants were raking grass, pastures with cows or sheep, small bubbling streams and a whole big river. We crossed the border into x x County and the road wound between hills and dark woods.

In the reflection of the window table, I noticed that Viktor was looking at me. I turned to him with a questioning look and he smiled. Whenever he smiled, I saw sparkles in his eyes like in his younger years.

"Are you looking forward to the countryside?" I asked him because I didn't really know how he felt. He was silent for a while, looking like he was thinking or just simply enjoying the moment. "I do, Lucienne. But also some things worry me, like my work duties or... or your mother."

I like about Viktor that he'd always been straighforward. Like in this case, and I understand him. My mother is... pretty strange person. I usually dont think in good about her,  but whenever I'm with her, the negative feelings I have for her melt away.

She is the type of person who would scold you for talking to the "wrong" people and try to push you into better company. Like Matilda or Christian.

Matilda is my other friend in Greyford. She is open, gentle and kind, also smart, but sometimes a little naive. Her pale white skin is matched with her blond hair. Her blue eyes always look at you, being aware what you say. She's chubbier, but who'd care about that, when she's one of the sweetest persons that you'll meet ina long time. Maybe that's the reason why she has a small local bakery (it's actually her husband's, but whatever).

And Christian is farmer from Greyford. If you'd ever wanted eggs, milk, wheat or man that'll make you laugh, go to his homestead. His warm hazel eyes would welcome you. That might be the reason why I liked him before I met Viktor. When I left the countryside, the love for him dissapeared. He's also pretty muscular from the work in his farm. But his inteligence is... uh... not that high.

But back to my mother. "Viktor, if you feel uncomfortable, you can always just leave. Even my mother likes you, and that's a very rare thing. She is hopefully going to respect most things you'll say. But please, don't plan on leaving me there with her for a long time. I'm afraid that in that case I'd have to spend more time in the meadow near forest, than with her" I smirked.

Viktor amusedly nodded, knowing that bedore he took me to his house, I've been wasting days running on meadows and hanging out with friends. I was almost driving my mother crazy. In her eyes I was fool, not taking care of what will became of me.

After some while of smiling and talking to Viktor more, I realised that the landscape around the carriage have changed. You can see more dark green forests sticking from subtly green hills and clearings. The grains from fields here were not harvested yet, the air was colder. You can also see mountains peeking from the horison like huge ogres, looking at small houses which were scattered near the road.

As minutes passed by, maybe an hour or more, there were other slight changes in the landscape visible. The sun almost settled down the horizon when we arrived to Greyford. I saw some new houses on the borders of the village, although It was mostly dark outside. We arrived from the west side of the townlet.

I saw familiar outlines of Christian's cowshed and then his whole farm. Next, there appeared village's new tavern. As a woman of solid rules, I do not like taverns that much, my uncle had some problem with alcohol and well, it was... strange. In windows of some houses light from candles or fireplaces flickered.

Then I turn my sight to school, it's one storey building. The whitewashed facade shined even in the darkness. The priest it's the tutor there. Near the school the small yet majesticthe church is built. I wonder if I'd ever step to that building when not being on mass. The thought of my mothers funeral crossed my mind, but then I reminded myself that I shall not think about the woman who gave me life like that.

Our carriage drove by the center of Greyford. If you go to east more, you'd see Matylda's bakery and blacksmithery, but instead of that, we went near my mothers huge pond with fish in it.

Next, the carriage drove near the other border of Greyford, getting closer and closer to my mother's mansion. Last few feets and we're there, in the house of my childhood, my sorrows and joys. I'm starting to feel nervousnes tingling in my body.

How long will I be here?