A French and Spanish Love

Chapter One: Departing From Spain

         I clutched the railing of the deck, my eyes shut as I felt the ship move against the waves of the ocean, I felt as if I was about to vomit with the amount of rocking. That is when I wondered what my brothers did to get me from leaving the comfort of my own home in Spain to ending up sailing across the ocean to the New World. Just like everyone, we were sailing there for more wealth and more opportunities. However, as you can probably see, I wasn't exactly pleased. My brothers and I had a fortune that could support us and our own families for the rest of our lives! Though since I did not think it was wise to let my brothers go alone, I went with them as well. So far I wasn't happy. 

         I felt a familiar presence beside me, they brushed my hand, which was gripping the railing for dear life. I could imagine my hands turning white. "If you hold the railing any tighter your hand will fall off, big sister." A voice with a Spanish accent rang in my ears, I opened my eyes to see my younger brother Lucas. His English wasn't the best, however, I managed to understand the boy. His foggy gray eyes were staring at me with the confident and amused glint, I always found myself staring at. Lucas' eyes stood out against his black hair and lightly tanned skin. It was a wonder how Lucas received such eyes, gray eye.s weren't very common on Spanish people. So he naturally stood out from other men, many women also found it attractive that I found myself losing the pity I felt each time Lucas declined marriage offers. 

         "I feel sick," I grumbled at him, the boy laughed at me! "Why don't you escort Antonia to our quarters instead of laughing, it is impolite to do that to a lady." I turned to see our eldest brother, Rafal say in his deep and almost perfect English. Rafal was perhaps the most mature out of the three of us however he is such a workaholic that I worry if he actually sleeps. I looked at Lucas, smirking as he was scolded by Rafal, the scowl on Lucas' face was amusing. 

         "And ladies do not smirk, Antonia," Rafal said, looking at me with the same look he had given Lucas. It was my turn to scowl at the brother, I would have said a witty comeback but at the moment I felt awful because of the seasickness, I covered my mouth with my hand. Lucas was quickly at my side, holding my shoulder as he escorted me back to the quarters in which I shared with my brothers. I did not want to sleep in a room by myself in a ship full of strangers.  

         Lucas led me into the room which was almost empty except there were three cots for us to sleep on and our luggage was piled in a corner. He led me to my cot and let me lay down, I took deep breaths to calm down. Traveling by boat was not ideal to me because of my seasickness and the memories of hearing about how my parents died from a storm while they were sailing around the world to different countries. Since then, my outlook on sailing was negative. I didn't realize Rafal was here until I felt him sit on my cot at the end. "Please don't vomit," Lucas said, a disgusted look on his face. "Easier said than done, idiot." I retorted. 

         "Now, now. Don't fight you two, we'll soon arrive in America." Rafal spoke, sending us each a stern look. "I still don't understand why we could not just stay back in Spain, we have wealth, a successful business, a strong connection to the King of Spain, and a comfortable home. What more could we have?" I crossed my arms, giving Rafal a challenging look. 

         "Glory, Antonia. The only reason we have all those things you said was that of our father." Rafal crossed his arms, returning the challenging look. "Besides, no one forced you to come along with us. You could have just stayed at our comfortable home with our father's wealth."

         I clenched my teeth angrily. "No one forced me, however, I can not let my only siblings leave for a place we have never been to before." I turned away from him. "I do not feel like arguing with you today, Rafal." 

         "Very well, I will return when it is time for dinner." Rafal stood up and left the room. I rolled my eyes before looking at Lucas, who seemed slightly uncomfortable. "Why is he so unbearable." I sighed, staring at my younger brother. It took him a bit to answer my question as if suddenly realizing I was asking him. 

         "He's probably stressed... like always." Lucas guessed, sitting down on his cot. "He really needs to find himself a wife already, perhaps she'll have enough patience to handle his mood swings." I grinned. 

         "Eso nunca sucedera, hermana." Lucas mused. (That will never happen, sister). "You are right, I find it hard to imagine Rafal having a wife." I laughed. 

         "Really? Wasn't our dear brother interested in Ms. Margarita?" Lucas questioned, his head tilted to the side. "She was already married and you know Rafal is not the type of person to go after a married woman." I sighed. "Damn, I now feel bad for him." Lucas shook his head. 

         "What about you, Lucas? Any senorita you are interested in?" I winked at him teasingly, he laughed loudly and shook his head. "I'm young, the world is young, the ladies are young." He winked. "Let me keep the freedom to flirt with whoever I want without feeling guilty." Lucas grinned.

         "Oh, Lucas." I rolled my eyes. "Will you ever get married?" 

         "Until you get married, senorita, Someone has to take care of you," Lucas smirked at me as I rolled my eyes once again at his words. "Correction, I will be the one taking care of you." I retorted teasingly. Lucas laughed in amusement as Rafal came in, he sent an annoyed expression at Lucas before clearing his throat loudly. Lucas' laughter died down and turned his attention to Rafal. 

         "Dinner is ready, we should go," Rafal informed us, Lucas quickly stood up he seemed eager to eat. "I'll be there in a bit, I'm going to change into something more comfortable and nice," I said Rafal gave me such an aggravated look that I felt like wincing or laughing at that point. "Antonia Marie De La Corona. You. Look. Fine." Rafal gritted his teeth in slight frustration. "I don't want you to wear anything that will give you unwanted attention. I do not trust the men on this ship." 

         "But I'm not comfortable!" I shot back, I knew we both were being really childish but I did not want to lose to him. Rafal took a deep breath before nodding. "Alright, fine. However, be careful, be in the dining room in twenty-five minutes or I will assume that you have died or have been kidnapped." He crossed his arms at me. "Deal." I accepted. "Let's go Lucas." Rafal turned around and exited the room, Lucas followed after him after glancing at me. I made sure the door was securely closed before changing out of the fancy, yellow dress to a dull red dress. Despite my natural instinct to disobey Rafal, I decided on wearing something that didn't scream out MONEY! I made my way out of the room and down the corridor before I stopped, I didn't know where the dining room was. I felt foolish that I didn't ask Rafal for directions before he and Lucas left, there also was no one in the corridor with me to ask for directions. 

         I decided to go up to the deck and make my way to the dining room from there, I'm sure that it'll be easier from the deck since it's more familer to me than wondering around and perhaps getting into trouble. I arrived at my destination, hoping to see some people however it was disappointing when I saw no one. I stood in front of the railing, gazing down at the crashing waves beneath me. Thankfully, the cold air refreshed me and I wasn't bothered much by seasickness. I found the scene in front of me beautiful, the sun was going down and the sky was turning darker.