Standing outside the fire

1651

1651

It was a sunny spring day. The Sun was breaking through the wide treetops that surrounded Castle Rousseau province home of de Rousseau family which was one of the most ancient and powerful families in France. Behind the castle was a beautiful garden where under the hundred years old oak tree sat seven years old Amelie and Adeline de Rousseau, daughters of Duc Eduardo de Rousseau and his beautiful Italian wife Marisol de la Tasse. As always, with them was their beloved governess Madame Marianne who kept a watchful eye on them. The governess was a woman of forty years who dedicated her life to her wards and never married. Age and the troubles left the trace on her once beautiful face. She adored Duc's daughters, but she was always fascinated how different the twins looked. Amelie had a dark hair, like almost all her ancestors from de Rousseau family, which fell across her small shoulders in waves and jade green eyes like her mother. Adeline had her mother's honey-colored ringlets and kind brown eyes which she inherited from her father. Two sisters were inseparable.

"Lady Mariana, could you please tell us again story how our parents met and fell in love?" Amelie politely asked. That was her favorite story.

"But it told that story yesterday." The governess tried to protest, but she knew that she will, as always, give in.

"Please, tell us again." Adeline pleaded and gave a dazzling smile to her beloved governess who was like a second mother to her.

"All right." Lady Mariana sighed, "When he was young your father traveled across the Europe. When he was in Italy he was the guest..."

"He was the guest of de' Medici family and our mother was their distant relative," Amelie proudly declared.

"Amelie let Lady Mariana talk." Adeline scolded her sister.

"Yes, it isn't polite to interrupt the person who is talking, ladies don't do that. As I said, your father was the guest of de' Medici family and your mother was their relative and she was staying with them. She was one of the most eligible bachelorettes in whole Italy. Almost every man wanted her, but she wasn't interested in any of them. At that time, your father was promised to another young lady whose name I will not mention. One evening there was beautiful masque ball. Your parents met there. They danced a whole night and almost caused a scandal with their behavior. After that, they arranged many secret meetings, but your father had to go back to France, but he promised her that he will come back for her. They didn't see each other for almost a year, but they exchanged many letters. A year after their first meeting, your father came back to Italy, but by then your mother as promised to some wealthy man. Duc de Rousseau was devastated, but he decided to ask lovely Marisol to run away with him and she agreed with her whole heart. They were wedded in one small chapel in some village. Their wedding was a big scandal, but our King forgave them and after some time your mother relatives forgave them too. That is the end."

"I would love it if the end was truly there." Amelie sighed. She was seven years old and she thought herself almost an adult and she knew that fairy tales are sometimes very far from reality.

"What do you mean my dear?" The governess asked

"Mother died giving birth Adeline and me, that isn't a happy end."

"Your mother loved you two so much that she gave her life so that you can live. She will never disappear from this world because she will continue to live through you and your children one day."

"But we will never meet her," Adeline told Lady Mariana and smiled sadly. Governess felt pity toward her young wards so she pulled them in a gentle hug to comfort them. She loved them as if they were her own children. Suddenly there was a sound of someone clearing his throat. Three ladies turned and saw the man who they thought the best man in the whole universe, Eduardo, Duc de Rousseau. His long dark hair was shining in the sun and his warm brown eyes were filled with love that he felt toward his beloved daughters. He didn't see them for almost three months because he was negotiating in King's name with some members of the nobility who rebelled against Cardinal Mazarin and Queen Mother. They called rebellion Second Fronde or the Fronde des nobles. Many powerful noble houses fought against the Cardinal and Anne of Austria, but Eduardo decided to remain loyal to his sovereign partly because of his honor and partly because he believed that the King's forces will win despite the current situation and that people who fought on his side will be awarded for their loyalty. Eduardo tried his best to shelter his beloved girls from what was happening, but Adeline and Amelie were smart girls and they quickly linked parts of conversations they overheard from servants and visitors. They understood that some bad people rebelled against their King who was still just a boy and that their father tried to protect him.

Eduardo crouched and spread his arms and his daughters rushed to him.

"You have grown so much and every time I see you, you are more and more beautiful. I am afraid that many suitors will visit our home soon." He told them and they rewarded him with smiles.

"We missed you very much, Papa," Amelie said sweetly

Ï missed you too my darlings, but I couldn't come sooner."

"We understand Papa, we know about the bad people who rebelled," Adeline told him

"Ïs the rebellion over?" Amelie asked

"I afraid that is not over, in fact, I think that it just began," Eduardo replied and they frowned at his words. He knew that these aren't the themes about which little girls should think, but he knew that if he doesn't tell them something they will become even more curious.

"We don't want you to be in danger," Adeline said and gave him another tight hug.

Ï won't be in danger."

"Promise?"

Ï promise. I have some surprises for you."

"Good surprises?"Amelie asked with a bright face.

"Very good. Go in your rooms and you will find it."He told them and patted their heads. Both girls rushed to their chambers, excited about their surprise. Lady Mariana slightly scowled when they rushed away. She thought that the Duc brought too many gowns and jewels to such young girls.

"Lady Mariana, I hope that they didn't give you too much trouble."

"They are very good; of course like all children they tend to make some mischief. Both of them enjoy their studies and I am proud to say that their tutors have only a praises for them."

Adeline's room was very bright thanks to three big windows and the walls in the light blue color. In the center of the room was a big bed with a blue bed linen. The crystal chandelier was hanging above the bed. Vanity with a plated mirror was located in the corner of the room. The soft white rug was placed on the traditional wooden floor. There was also a sofa in a darker shade of blue and the two armchairs. Adeline's room was linked with her sister's with an orated door. Amelie's room was arranged like her sisters. The only difference was a dominating color which in Amelie's case was light green. The both girls found a new gown's spread across the bedding and the new jewelry was placed on the vanity.

"Look what Papa brought to me,"Amelie said as she rushed into her sister's room with a beautiful ruby necklace.

"It's very beautiful, but looks at mine," Adeline responded and pulled a magnificent emerald necklace from her jewelry box.

"I like it very much, we are very fortunate to have such caring father."

"We are indeed."