"What is this?" Asks Elsa.
"What do you mean?" I ask looking at her and the things she has in her hands, a photo and a journal.
I take a deep breath before speaking again. "Sit down sweet pea."
She sits down and looks at me as if silently cursing me for not telling her about her history.
"Is this mother's journal?" She asks, swallowing hard.
I nod quietly as she puts it down on her lap under a photo.
"And this, is it her? Her and you?" She asks again.
And again, I nod and wait for her to react but she does not.
"Do you know what happened to her?" She asks.
"No. I have not seen her in thirteen years. I would not know what has happened to her lass." I answer honestly. "Before yah read that journal, please, promise me yah will keep a clear and open mind." I say.
She nods and wipes away a stray tear before walking off into her room. I had hoped this day to be a different happening and year. So much for waiting.
***
April 14, 1903
Mother is quite persistant that I vet all these suitors. She does not understand that I do not want to marry a noble man.
Anyway, it is snowing outside and father has suggested that we participate in the royal games to show oneness with the people. Poor old sod. Mother will probably nip him in the tush and cancell the tournaments.
"Olivia! We are going to leave you if you do not hurry up!" Yells mother from outside.
"Coming mother!" I answer putting my journal in my trunk and putting on my coat.
The weather was nothing to behold as I had to cover myself in layers of fur clothing to keep from freezing up.
Hayley had already taken the lead carriage so that would leave me to ride with the royal guards. Mother had never fancied sharing her carriage with me anyway.
The people look quite chip and warm as we arrive at the gardens now covered in snow. As others dig, others prepare to compete with us.
Gerald had been known to be a humourous poor cheater in these tournaments. There was no stopping the little lad now.
Ofcourse, mother had grown cold towards me and even suggested I call her Annabelle instead of mother.
Then, as I glide through the ice minding myself, I bump into a commoner and almost fall down but he catches me.
"Oh dear. Forgive my manners for knocking yah over me lady." He says with his head down.
"Nonesense sir. I was just a bit clumsy. Don't let that old lady over there see yah though. She is known for turning people into frogs." I say laughing.
He laughs with me then brushes off some snow from my hair.
"I'm Olivia. Who are yah?" I ask.
He hesitates for a moment then answers, "Bartley."
I see the fear in his eyes as he answers me. This will not do. I decide to be more formal with him to ease the tension.
"Yah live around her lad?" I ask. He shakes his head yes. "Hm. This looks like a nice little place to live in eh?"
"It is very peaceful here me lady." He answers.
"I would like to see more of this village. Will yah show me around some time?" I ask.
He is shocked not expecting such a request from a lass of my class.
"It would be my honour me lady. Anytime yah want to drop by, my hut is the third at the entrance of the village." He says.
"I will try to remember that." I say then spot mother coming my way, "better keep digging." I say as I scurry off .
Catching on already? See you in the next chapter!
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Destined Hope
Ficción histórica"Go! They will surely have our heads if they know of this!" She says handing the baby to him. The guards are catching on and there is no time left. With one last look, she says, "Promise me you will never let her out of your sight." "But..." he sta...
