As I watched the trees pass as the carriage pulled down the choppy dirt road, I couldn't help but feel my excitement well up inside me. It's been a whole summer since I've been home, Seen my father, Seen the villa. I missed my friends, I missed the maids, and the animals. I had spent the summer with my Aunt Jenna up in the northern part of Virginia, right along the Pennsylvania border. Aunt Jenna was a interior decorator, with a home to prove it. Her villa always looked amazingly beautiful, Always with the most beautiful flowers greeting you as you approached, and a warm welcoming interior when you finally entered. Even though it's like my second home, Nothing could compare to la cloche sonnante, or "The Sounding Bell' as my father had named the villa. Mostly due to the giant clock tower on the back hill behind it.
As we rounded the bend of road, the trees parted along the hillside, opening the view up to the back mountains, where I live. I could see the villa sitting nestled on the hillside below the clock tower, the white walls shining beautiful as ever. Father had ordered the gardens keepers to plant cherry blossom trees along the right side of the house. My room was on that side and cherry blossoms were one of my favorite things to see when I wake up.
la cloche sonnante is only about a mile and a half outside of Mystic Falls. Our family had originated there, and I had lived there as a very young child, until my mother died. My father then moved us out into the hillside, where I could enjoy life and natures surroundings, while of coarse being watched over by the maids while he tended to his business matters. Father was apart of the council in Mystic Falls, but I wasn't allowed to know any more then that. The council was very hush to most people, even in the founding families.
As the carriage pulled up to the front door, I couldn't help but want to leap right out of the moving cart and run as fast as I can inside. The maids were standing on the porch, waiting my arrival, as they always do. I could see Mariana, and Camielle, and my best friend Sadie. Sadie was my nursemaid, but more or less the only one I truly confided to. She has always taken care of me, ever since I was 7 when my mother passed.
The driver hopped down and stepped over to open my door. I climbed out eagerly, not wanting to waste another minute in that stuffy cabin.
"Mariana! Camielle! Sadie! It's so good to see you all!" I cried, dashing up the front steps while holding the skirt of my dress up. I never understood why there had to be so many layers to these blasted things.
I flung my arms around the petite blonde girl I've come to love, more as a sister and less as a maid. I smiled brighter as she squeezed back.
"It's so good to see you home again Miss. Elena!" Sadie grinned as we pulled apart. "Your father has been waiting for you. He's in the study."
I smiled and nodded at her, then walked into the villa. The familiar smell of cherry and floor wax was a comforting smell to me. It's the same smell I remember growing up to. Our head chef, Sammy, as I always called him, use to always sneak me my favorite cherry tarts when my father or nursemaid wasn't watching. I remember spending a lot of time in the kitchen with him and Sadie when I was younger. Cooking always fascinated me. It was like art. It allowed you to be creative, and quite tasty most of the time.
Knowing my father was up in his study, It either meant he was working business, or working a maid. My father always had a thing for womanizing ever since he'd become a widower. I think he took it more as an opportunity, then a grievance period. I use to be so mad at him after my mother died, for sneaking around with maids and other women. Now I just couldn't give a care to the subject. My father is the way he is, and I know I can never change him.
"How is Marzipan?" I asked, turning to the maids following close behind me.
"She is doing well. It was obvious she missed you though."
Marzipan is my horse. I usually take her riding at least once a day, and spend a few hours in the stable with her. I love brushing out her caramel colored mane. She herself was almost tan colored, with the prettiest brown eyes I had ever seen on a horse. She was a present for my twelfth birthday from my father. Our stable keeper, Zachary, had started to give me lessons after I got her.
This year, I was turning eighteen, which meant I was now officially available to become betroth to a noble man of my fathers choice. I never understood why he was the one able to choose, He didn't have to marry the man he had chosen, I did. Mother always told me to follow my heart, that it would lead me to the right man for me, but father views it more as a money gamble. Highest bidder for my love. It's a sham. You can sell me off, but that doesn't mean I will love whoever you chose for me. I wish he would understand my views on my own life.
"Father, I'm home." I knocked on the study door softly, the old oak wood echoing slightly in the hallway.
"Elena darling! Come in, come in! I have a present for you."
I smiled at the sound of his voice and opened the door. I then though, stopped immediately in the doorway, staring at him and the tall, dashing young man with chains on his wrists and ankles standing by his side.
"Happy birthday Elena. This is Damon, your present."