Papa watches me as I climb the roof to fix the leak. I tie ma's journal to my waste as I support my weight on the edge of the roof. Then, a bird lands on the patch i'm fixing.
I try so hard to chase it away and hear papa laughing from down below. "Careful sweet pea. Yah don't want some doodie on yah pretty face now so yah?" He says.
"Aye. Stupid bird won't go away!" I say trying so hard to defend the patch I have just fixed. I swing the wood so hard that I end up losing balance and fall off the roof.
Papa catches me just in time then puts me down gently. I feel so bad for giving him the silent treatment. "Thankyou papa." I say.
"Whose gonna pay me for yah hand if yah hit your head sweet pea?" He jokes and ruffles my hair. Then it starts raining.
How long it has been since I played in the rain. Then, papa spins me around and lifts me high as I giggle.
"Oh! Papa the journal will get soaked!" I say as I remember where I had put it. We rush inside and bar the door.
After changing into drier warmer clothes, we sit down for some hot broth to warm ourselves up.
"I'm sorry I got angry papa. I know you had yah reasons." I say.
"Read the back of the journal lass. Then you will know my reason." He replies as he takes my bowl from me.
"Hide this journal and its pictures. Hide them well so that the day she is old enough you may give them to her. And you shall name her Elsa."
It says. 'But all that is in it is her story and my father's or is there more?' I ask myself. I take it out and pick up from where I had stopped.
***
April 22, 1903...
Today I snuck out of the palace since everyone had gone for a ball that I was not invited to.
I had never known how peaceful village life seemed. No wonder all these people were happier than us.
I reach Bartley's village but I don't remember which hut he told me was his.
I search and search till I start giving up. Then when I turn around, I bump into someone and knock over his vegetables.
"I am so sorry sir." I say as I try to help him pick them up and guess whose face I see... "Mr Bartley! I was just looking for you." I smile at him.
He smiles back shyly as he picks up the last of them. "Welcome back yer highness. I did not expect yah to come." He says honestly.
I guess us royals were taken for lying scoundrel. It happens when your mother is the wicked witch. I hold back a chuckle.
"Ready to show me the village sir?" I ask him.
He looks at me in amazement, probably because he has never been adressed so formally. He nods yes and we start our journey.
What a beautiful village this is! No wonder mother never let us out of the palace. She knew we would propose the castle to be moved to the middle of it. I chuckle softly as a child rushes past me with her sibblings chasing after her.
The younger of them runs in to me causing me to fall on my tush. Everyone gasps and expects me to throw some scathing remarks but I pick up the child and wipe off some dirt from his face.
"There you are!" Says an elderly woman as she takes him from me. Seeing me, she quickly bows frightened and profusely apologises. I reassure her that there is no need for it.
The little child then smiles at me toothlessly causing me to giggle as he hands me a small flower and waves goodbye.
This day made me vow to be the best if I ever had a child of my own.
***
Papa had made a few friends over the past week thus being able to enroll me in classes that would help me improve my handiwork.
They are all a friendly lot and very hardworking too. Especially the madam in tailoring. She would have me by the ear if I failed her class.
I smile to myself as I walk past the fields and pluck a few flowers. I wonder what papa had in store for me today. Probably one of his roast potatoes again. I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
"There is my little handiman!" Says papa covered in mud. He tries to hug me but I run from him laughing.
"Papa! Why are yah so dirty?" I ask.
"I was building a chicken house. We are going to start adding eggs to our diet lass." He says beaming.
I smile at him and go change my clothes. The barn had become more of a home now that I was used to.
YOU ARE READING
Destined Hope
Fiksi Sejarah"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...
