Forsaken
Cannes, France 1694
The dying rays of the sun were lovely and warm against my pale skin, filtering through my parasol onto my face in a dappled way as I walked along the beach, staring out to sea.
What lay beyond the horizon? Did the world just drop into an ocean of darkness if you got to the edge?
So many questions, so little answers.
I sat down now, opening my little bag and pulling the book out. It was a book of Shakespeares famous plays and sonnets. Romeo and Juliet was a divine story. If only I could find my own Romeo...
I turned the page over as the waves softly crashed onto the golden beaches of Cannes, my home. It was so very peaceful coming at sunset, people were either dining with their families or attending some party. I liked my own company, my Father often saying that I was antisocial and never would be marriage material.
That I was a stain upon the La Roche name.
"Claudia!"
I turned now as I heard my name being called from behind me, then I saw my maid, Portia walking forwards, not looking too pleased at all. I thought I had slipped by her as she stood guard outside my room, sneaking out when she was asleep.
Obviously not.
She walked up to me and tutted. "Young one what do you think you are doing! Your Father shall be most displeased that you are missing dinner, again!"
I sighed delicately now, then closed my book, saying. "I do not care for Fathers plans for me."
"You should Child! There are very few with the priveileges you have!"
"Being trapped in the house and made to study like some slave? I think not."
"You talk too boldly, Miss Claudia. You break your mothers heart."
"If Mother had one."
Portia tittered once more, then took my book from me, making me growl and get up. "It is not your place to take things from me. Now return my book at once."
She looked at my pure glare, then held it out and I snatched it back, standing up straight and turned without another word, heading back to the elaborate prison that was La Roche Chateau.
-FORSAKEN-
Father was furious when I arrived just as the sun fully set into the ocean.
"Claudia you disobedient ilk!" he snarled at me now as I sat down at the table as they finished off. I watched him go from his normal colour, then blue and a whole other array as he blew up with rage.
"You-!" Father snarled, but just set his knife and fork down and got up, stalking out the room and slamming the door behind him. I found it rather funny if I was being honest. His rages always ended up with him slamming a door behind him.
Mother sighed now, shaking her head. "You are upsetting your Father so very much."
I didn't say anything to that, but just got up and left the room.
Now I sat on my four poster bed, looking out the window in silence- the full moon shone above the ocean, reflecting in its inky waters A beautiful sight.
I had no idea why I behaved so... outspoken. Truly I didn't. Girls of my standing and age never acted like this. It was in my blood to be so very bold and, as my mother often said, passionate.
Passionate? She certainly had another sense of the word.
There was a knock on the door now, then my Mothers soft voice. "Claudia?"
I walked forwards and opened the door, letting her in.
Now I walked over to the dresser and looked at myself in the mirror- deep emerald eyes and long ringletted honey blonde hair were staring back at me.
Mother came behind me and started to undo my corset for me, then sighed. "Claudia, you must stop behaving like a young man and more like a young lady. It is very uncouth."
I sighed and nodded. "Like a lady. Right..."
"There will be a dinner party tomorrow, your Father has an old friend coming."
"Not another suitor is it."
"You needn't sound so-"
"Mother, I do not wish to marry. Why do I have to? I am perfectly happy and-"
"You must continue the family, the La Roche name. Our money is dwindling and we... we are in danger of losing our beloved home if you do not marry and unite our families."
"This is all about money and standing. Not love."
Mother sighed now, then said. "It is not so bad. It is how me and your Father met. My own parents chose him, and I couldn't be happier. We have this beautiful chateau and its grounds, luxury and connections. Is that not worth sacrificing the name of love for?"
"No, it is not."
She sighed once more, then put a hand on mine. "You are young, Claudia. You shall understand one day why we are forced to do this."
"Yes."
Now she turned away and left me to my thoughts-
Marriage to a man I had never met sounded so revolting I'd rather marry a horse. But it was going to happen sooner or later, the wedding invitations sent out and the bride sobbing all the way down the aisle, then the rest of her life unhappy with some man she did not love.
If this was life... what was worth living for-?
I envied the peasents, so free and able to live their lives without someone catering for their every need and tiniest problem. It was like being treated like royalty...
And I hated it.
The candle flickered a little now, casting long shadows onto the cream alabaster walls. I sighed and got into bed, staring into the heart of the flames for a moment, then blew it out.
Tomorrow was another day...
-FORSAKEN-
The next morning was quieter than usual, but held a sense of... dissapointment from my Father when I went down for breakfast.
He ate his food in silence, then looked at me in distain for a moment before getting up and leaving the room. I soon realized why, for I heard hooves from outside and realized it was his "old friend" who had come over for a visit.
But I was more certain he was going to be a suitor my Father had chosen.
Mother now spoke. "Would you go and meet him while I finish off, Claudia?"
I groaned a little, obeyed for once and got up, walking into the entrance hall where I could see the man on his ebony horse, then got down, walking forwards and embraced my Father in a hug, laughing.
Now I stopped dead as I saw him- young with longish brown blonde hair and ocean like eyes. He was... rather handsome if I was telling the truth.
I stepped forwards and he looked up, meeting my eyes with his own. Father now gestured to me. "My daughter, Claudia."
The young man nodded now, then took my hand and pressed his lips briefly to it. "Enchantee to meet you, Claudia."
I nodded a little and Father said. "This is Niklaus."
He chuckled now. "Need we sound so formal?" he smiled. "Call me Klaus."
Once more I nodded. "Hello Klaus."
Klaus smiled, then Father said. "Klaus shall be dining with us later tonight, but for now, we have business to attend to if you could leave us."
I nodded and turned away, not looking back once.
Now I returned to the drawing room to retrieve my drink and found Father and Klaus sat in there. I stopped outside and listened at the door-
"There is news that Katerina has been sighted in Britain."
"Oh? Are the details correct?"
"Yes, they seem sincere. We had them compelled. They spoke the truth."
"Excellent news."
"But nothing on the moonstone."
Moonstone? Katerina? Just what business were they discussing-?
I turned away now, not wanting to get caught evesdropping, for which Father punished harshly.
Just who was this stranger whom my Father seemed to know so very well-?
Ok, another storyline bit me now the ending of my other Klaus story is approaching. So! If enough people have some interest in this one, I'll put the next chater up tomorrow(: thankie much and reviews much loved! x
