Destined Hope

Chapter Ten

I stare out at the rain as I think about that little village girl. Too witty for her age and brave too.

"What's her name?" Asks Hayley startling me from my thoughts.

"Don't you knock girl?" I ask her changing my expressions.

"You have such an ugly thinking face Gerald." She replies. "You need to think of a better one if you are to be the next duke of your kingdom." She adds.

I roll my eyes at her and dismiss her comments then she asks again. "What is her name?"

"I don't know. All I know is that she is a very strange lass." I say and shrug.

"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" She asks.

"Ofcourse Hay. It is the day that you get to announce who your prefered suitor is. Everyone will be there. Even that groggy old swindler and his nephew." I say.

"Oh Gerald. Couldn't you make things any worse by mentioning that?" She says and I mimmick him making her laugh.

***
April 27, 1903

Gerald is about to name his intended one before he rides away in his carriage to the Black Castle.

He looks quite happy to have this day and being his first and eldest cousin, it is my duty to stay with his chosen bride until they decide to leave together.

As much as I love my cousin, I hate this corset they make me wear all the time. Always so choking.

This time I ride in the first carriage with Gerald with no mother in it. What a relief.

***
We hum this tune that Mr Riley had taught us. Today was the day I would be finishing my classes.

I would miss the constant chatter and noise of the busy village school and ma's journal was quite the book.

On my way back through the field, I bump into the royal carriage and quickly turn back and run the other way.

I hear them chatter and laugh after me as I scurry off. I wouldn't want to be outside when they pass through our barn.

I get there just in time to check if diablo is still in his stable and to change my clothes just in case the royals demanded an audience.

"There yah are lass. How was school?" Asks papa

"It was the best. All though classes are over for good. I will miss that grumpy old woman." I say honestly.

Papa smiles at me and shows me how his hens are doing. "See! I even added a cock to the lot!" He says, " we are going to get alot of coins for these little fellas. He adds as we hear hooves pass by the barn.

I hold my breath as I wait to hear a command come from the royals but none is forthcoming. When they ride off, I let out a deep breath.

"I see yah found the dress." Papa says.

"What about this dress papa?" I ask him curiously.

"Everything has a story sweet pea. Everything has a story." He says handing me ma's journal.

At this point my curiosity is highly peaked so I sit down by a lamp and start reading again.

***
May 5, 1903

This was the best day I have ever had. Bartley had shown me the famous lake where we get our fish from and the local tailor's hut where all the royal seamstresses were taught.

I also got to purchase one of the prettiest dresses in the world. And it did not have a corset. The joy I was in!

I sat in his hut for a while and enjoyed some soda bread. He really is such a nice man and so far my only village friend. Everyone else seemed to fear me.

Bartley said it was probably the fact that I was the daughter of the most ruthless royals in power. I could not keep the dress in my royal chambers because I wanted to keep my friendship a secret. I truly look forward to my next visit to see the remaining part of the village.

***
It had never occured to me yet why I was reading this journal. It is interesting but what message am I supposed to get from it?

I put it away under the hay and change into my sleeping gown. The only one that I so far owned.