It was winter and it just started snowing outside the Mansion. The snowflakes danced outside the mansion's windows, casting a serene atmosphere over the estate but inside, the warmth and opulence of the grand foyer enveloped it's occupants.
A warm fire crackled in the marble hearth, casting a golden glow on the polished floors. Soft music wafted from the piano, mingling with the aroma of freshly baked cookies and roasting chestnuts.
"Chop! Chop!! We haven't got all day people!"
There came sharp voice of young lady as usual every morning smoothly running the Mansion.
"The fireplace needs more fire wood"
"Yes, M'lady."
"Is the cook in"?
"Just now, m'lady."
She rushed to the kitchen
"How's breakfast coming along?"
"Quite Well, m'lady."
"And the eggs?"
"As usual soft boiled."
"That's good"!
She rushed to the hallway and spread open the curtains. Everything was perfect and there was just one thing missing.
"RISE AND SHINE!!!!"
Humphrey slowly got out to his sleep to the cheerful voice of his over zealous granddaughter like every other morning. She was spreading open the curtains to her grandfather's window and lighting up the fireplace.
"Good morning, Handsome." She smiled as she kissed her Grandfather on the cheeks
"Diana!" Humphrey sighed. "Do you have to be such an annoying alarm clock?"
Diana laughed heartily.
"Have you forgotten we have an occasion to attend?"
"Is that today?"
"Of course. Clean up Grandpa, breakfast will be ready soon."
Not long before Humphrey's footsteps could be heard coming down the stairs. Diana and Aunt Veronica were having tea in the dining table when He joined them. Veronica, formerly her sitter had become part of the family over the years.
"Good morning, General." Veronica greeted him
"Morning, Vee." He replied.
Diana clapped her hands twice and two servants came in with her Grandfather's breakfast.
"Grandpa, have you heard?"
"About what?"
"The suggestion for a democratic system of governance?"
"Oh those slimy bastards!"
Diana smiled. "Well I think Fredrick would make a good leader.
"Hah!" Humphrey laughed. "Why? Because he's charming?"
"No pa, I've heard him speak, he does have a good vision."
"We'll just wait till the punk gets elected and then you'll see what a wolf in sheep's clothing he is." Her Grandfather said.
"So you'd prefer Alinor to win the elections?"Diana asked looking straight at him
"Exactly."
"That's absurd.
"Well your idea of Fredrick is absurd as absurd will ever be."
"Oh Grandfather Alinor has nothing but weapons in his brain."
"And Fredrick? Who dreams of building a fairytale here in Netherland?"
"The way you put it pa...."
"Alinor sounds much more logical to me, just take a look at our nation, it's one war after the other. We need a leader who can protect us when the need arises not some day dreaming fool."
Diana was about to defend her own party when Veronica cut in.
"Oh Diana enough! It's too early for you both to start arguing about politics, my ears are sore over the years."
Diana chuckled.
"How can a lady have so much interest in politics?" Veronica asked.
"She's one of a kind, just like me." Humphrey said, proudly.
"Like Grandfather, Like Granddaughter." Diana added.
"Ah you two!" Veronica sighed
Diana had grown in grace and beauty. She was a twenty four year old lady and her Grandfather was proud to see her blossom into a feminine version of himself. They were always on each other's throat all day whilst clearly knowing that they loved each other so much even the servants knew their bond was inseparable.
It was time for the special occasion and they had all gotten into Humphrey's car with their driver. Diana was dressed in an elegant green dress, Veronica in red and Humphrey in a black tuxedo. They were guests of honor and they had to hurry up to avoid being late. All her life, she had attended a lot of formal meetings. This one shouldn't be any different. However as they drove out of the Mansion. Her heart reached out to her sister Annabelle.
How was she fairing?
She's definitely all grown up now.
How she missed her little sister! Diana tried her best to keep up over the years. She wrote a zillion letters but strangely she never received any reply....not even one!
A year had past and it was just a few days after Diana's twenty fifth birthday. Every birthday to her seemed like a bone in the throat she had to swallow as she was now awfully close to the title of an "Old Maid" she could see it in the servants' eyes and the people whenever she went to the market.
She was almost twenty six, the dreaded age and all her peers had gotten married with kids even and all her life she had dedicated herself to her studies, her Grandfather and the Mansion.
Even that morning as she was ordering everyone to their respective duties as usual, she kept wondering if that was all she would keep doing till she grew gray? In the midst of her thoughts, the butler came to tell her that her Grandfather sent for her. Without wasting another minute, Diana had rushed to his study.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes child, have a seat."
"Do you need help with anything?
"No, Diana. You've personally seen to it that I am choked with comfort."
Diana smiled at her Grandfather. "I'm glad to hear it."
"But you do know Veronica is more than capable of handling your duties."
"What Grandpa?" She could sense he was heading at something.
"Well...I suggest you let down your guard for awhile. Go to parties and balls, mix with your peers and have fun. You've earned it child...long ago in fact."
Diana smiled as she held his hand. "Oh Grandpa! You know I don't ever find your company boring."
"And neither I, you." He said with a smile.
"I'm fine with you, Pa."
"But Diana..."
"Yes?"
"Don't you know you're aged enough for a husband?"
Diana was speechless now.
"I want to see you settle down child."
"And I will Grandpa."
"You're almost twenty six and I wouldn't want you to be the laughingstock of the city."
Diana tried to smile but her heart was void of cheer. "I understand you Pa but I will be honest. I feel like I have more to do before I get married."
"Like what?" He quirked an eyebrow in surprise.
"Travel out and just have a sense of the world and other people's culture and who knows I might even ....."
"Not another word child." Humphrey cut her short.
The sparkle in her eyes and the excitement in her voice as she spoke about globetrotting were the same as those he had seen and heard thirty five years ago, those of his own Son.
"What's wrong Grandfather?"
That was the first time he had shown her any sort of harshness since she came to live with him. This must be serious.
"You may leave now but do think about all I've said to you."
"Ofcourse Grandfather."
"And before I forget..."
"Yes, Pa?"
"Your Sister Annabelle will be arriving Netherland..... in two weeks."
WHAT?! Diana exclaimed in surprise.
YOU ARE READING
RAISED APART
Romance"Then Be My Slut I Don't Care!" Luther said, frustratedly. Pulling her to himself and kissing her as some sort of plea and she understood but still.... "Luther..."she said. "I'm sorry, we've both had...our passionate love story but honestly we knew...
