One cold winter's night, a breeze rattled outside our house. Our windows had to be sealed shut so the cold didn't get in. My father was a general for our dear queen Victoria, but I wasn't happy, I was never happy. Money never made me happy, I was never happy since my mother had passed on. But there was one person who made me happy. Her name? Columbia, my dear sweet Columbia. A pale, thin and sickly girl, with dark ravenette curls that fell to her mid back, gold shimmering eyes, and a little star birthmark on her inner wrist. She was all I ever wanted. I never wanted riches or fame. Or a husband twenty-three years older than me. The man my father had vowed me to was forty, and I was only seventeen. My dearest Columbia was only sixteen, but I wanted her so. She's ever so dear to my heart. My lemon yellow dress with ruffles frilled as I sat on my couch in our family room. My father called out to me on that day, December 24, 1888. I, Constantina Leanna-May Midford, was to be married to a forty year old Colonel named Alexander James Hartcoute. I was too young! I didn't want this by far, and my heart fell to my delicate little slippers as I started to cry. My father put his hand on my shoulder. "My dear, do not cry, for he will treat you well, He will make sure you are taken care of, and you will bare children for him, as he showers you with luxury.'' I shook my head to say no, as tears slipped from my blue bell eyes, then fell onto my lemon dress. I let out a slight yelp as I felt a sharp slap hit my face. "Be grateful that I am looking out for you and your future!" I nodded silently, eyes falling to the dove on my choker, and I played with my rings as I tried to keep silent, but let out soft, muted sobs. Then, I heard the voice of the angel that's named Columbia, And I slowly rush out from the family room to go see her. I find my dear, in her maid outfit, scrubbing the kitchen floor on hands and knees. T'was wrong, very wrong as I knew, but I smiled and sat next to her as she scrubbed. She was singing 'Tom, the piper's son'. A lullaby that mother sang to me when i was little. She turned to scrub the next area and jumped. "M-my lady! My apology! I didn't see you there! Please my lady get off the floor, your lovely dress will get all dirty!!" She told me in a hasty tone. I smiled softly, looking at her rose coloured cheeks, and thick velvet lips. "Please Columbia, come have tea with me. I could use a friend today.'' She nods as she follows me to the family room. I sit as she pours me a lovely cup of tea, and hands me a little cake. "Why would you like me to sit with you my lady?" I look deeply into her eyes. "My dear, I would like you to run away with me" Her golden eyes lit up as she nodded. I grabbed her hand and my suitcase, which was filled with gold, diamonds, and jewels. I looked at her and told her to change into one of my dresses. She chose a light blush pink dress, with long hungover sleeves that covered her chapped and bruised hands. It was a tad too big for her small frame, but I tied it tight enough at the back and front to keep it in place on her body. I told her to put her shoes on and follow me. We ran and ran to a beautiful moon lit field. Stars dancing above us as we smiled at each other, I pulled her in and kissed her so, and we started to dance. T'was the dance of a lifetime, we were spinning and spinning, and as the stars guided us, we went up higher and higher. There we were, on a cold December night, dancing the nights away, and sleeping in each others arms in the daylight. For I never needed riches, jewels, gold, or fancy dresses. All I ever needed in this life was her, my dear sweet Columbia.
