Never Ending

Chapter Twenty

My mother's new film was about an adaptation my father's great great great great greaaaat grandfather, Johann Christoph Friedrich Schiller. It appears that Papa has given them family secrets to make the movie even more real.

Mama's role is the mother of Charlotte and Caroline von Lengefeld. I enjoy playing dress up my mother as she fits her costumes before the filming starts. The director let me play along with the cast and help them try to imitate my great great great grandmother Charlotte von Lengefeld.

I even enjoy the time meeting the whole cast and crew especially meeting my old crush the leading man, Florian Stetter. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw my mother pouting as she has to tie up her blonde hair and wear a brunette wig.

The movie will be set in three countries, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The director wishes to set on the farthest one first so we all flew there. While on the plane, Mama gave me something.

"This is the journal I have kept during the time your father and I knew about the promised engagement to one another up until we married." She handed me a green leather bound journal to me. I took it and look at her. "I hope it brings you a few answers."

At my hotel room, I didn't know if I should read it already or not. I am grateful that my mother has handed me a written evidence of the past. After minutes of debating inside my head, I decided to read it.

July 1983

Dear diary,

I didn't know if I should feel happy that at some point I know I'd be marrying someone that will surely establish himself along the way because he's expected to or if I should feel devastated that my parents did not trust me to choose who I should love and marry when I'm old enough to. At dinner, Papa said that ever since I was born, this plan has taken place already and they were patiently waiting for me to be old enough to understand. Is 15 years old enough to understand that I am promised to be married by some rich guy they chose for me? I am still baffled by the idea of marriage, I mean I haven't really met the guy nor have seen him so it's impossible to determine my feelings towards him. I hope he'd be handsome inside and out.

Traudl.

1984

Dear diary,

I have finally met him. His name is Heinrich Antoine von Schiller and he is 3 years my senior. He is currently studying in Oxford under the program of political science and minor in business management. He is truly charming. He is a light blonde man and his hypnotical blue eyes are what made me attracted into his physical appearance. I think he has everything I want in a man. He is charming, intelligent, rich, handsome and athletic. He plays cricket in the university. He is currently in his sophomore year in college and I like the way he looks at me whenever I am not looking at him. I can't wait to spend more days with him.

Traudl.

April 1984

Dear diary,

Antoine introduces me to one of his close friends. Her name is Antoinette Laslowe and she's very beautiful. She is actually dangerously attractive that I fear that Antoine likes her. Her light ginger hair that reaches below her shoulders, her beautiful blue eyes and freckles she did not bother to hide. I know I am fairly beautiful myself but I couldn't help but feel insecure. The way both of them look at each other manifests their compatibility to one another and it somehow stabs me in the chest. It hurts seeing Antoine with her but I couldn't really object. They met before I met him and although we are promised to be wed to one another, I still have no right to tell him to cut off his friendship to her.