I awoke in my bed, as the clock chimed nine a.m. But I didn't remember coming up to bed last night, my last vision was me with Char up in the old oak tree. I must have fallen asleep while with him, then he probably carried me up here. I knew this because I was still in my gown from last night. I quickly dressed and went downstairs. I wasn't surprised to see him and Cecila already there, so from the top of the stairwell, I came sliding down to greet them. Char caught me, and then we kissed just like we did last night. He put me down and held me close. "Thank you for last night," I said softly in his ear, "and I'm sorry for falling asleep." He laughed, "Its ok, you were completely exhausted. It wasn't hard either, you're fairly light." Then we turned to Cecila whose jaw dropped the moment I slid down the railing. "You to really are in love." she sighed, and walked away. I wonder what is wrong with her? "Char, is she ok?" I looked to him. "I don't think so, mother and father want her to get married. But she has found anyone yet."
We walked into the breakfast Hall where Cecila and Nicholas were arguing. "Will you just shut up! It's our job to help other people, when will you realize that?" Cecila was screaming at her brother. "Well, I personally think that we shouldn't waste our time listening to stupid peasants grovel at our feet!" He screamed back at her, he went to grab her but he stopped when he saw Char and I. He looked straight at me. My body grew stiff. Those piercing blue eyes felt like they were looking straight though me. "Already arguing today I see." Char greeted his brother with a cold glare. Mandy made rich blueberry muffins for breakfast. All four of us decided to go into town. I wanted to get bread for the family we met yesterday; I couldn't believe how many children they had! So we took some muffins with us then we headed to town.
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"Ten KJs for two loafs of bread! Do you know who you're talking to?" Nicholas was arguing with the baker's wife. "I don't care who you are, it ten KJ or nuthin'!" she barked back, she had a very strong Puvian accent. We were only there to buy bread for the family and maybe get my dress today, but we wouldn't have time at this rate. "Nicholas, stop arguing! Here you go madam, sorry about my brother's behavior." He gave her twenty KJs. We left with two loafs to go see the family from yesterday. They were still there in the old barn, the children were playing tag. The mother was tending to a small baby, and the father was digging to find clean ground water.
"Good morning everyone, we brought bread!" I walked up to the children, who took 5 slices of bread each. Then the mother walked up, "Lady, your an angel! Thank you all so much!" She took a slice for herself and her husband, Char and Cecila went to go play tag with the children, Nicholas just sulked while I talked to the parents. We talked about the weather, the bread, and the futures of the children. "We sold the horse yesterday, for a thousand KJs. We got the children new clothes and Baby Serena a new blanket." The father took a small bundle out of the mother's hands, and placed her into my arms. Serena was the smallest baby I ever laid eyes on, she looked only a month old. " We are going to send the other children to an orphanage, but we were hoping you could take Serena back with you." The mother began to sob on her husbands shoulder. Why couldn't we take her with us? She would be safe with Char and I, she couldn't be first in line though. Char must have heard us, because he then came rushing over to me. "What do you want to do, love?" he asked me. "We can take her with us, she'll be our daughter." I told the parents. The mother as well as the other children came to hug us. There sister would be safe, and they would be safe too. "Thank you Lady, my husband and I are close to death, that's why you should take her." The father hugged me and Char.
We bid our goodbyes and left to go back to the center of town. Instead of buying my wedding dress, we bought blankets and toys for Serena. Char and I renamed her though. Her middle name would be Serena, but her first name is now Caria, Named after Cecila and Queen Daria. "Why did you take in that peasant brat! She'll be nothing but trouble, what will mother say when she finds out!" Nicholas hated that we took a peasant and turned her into a princess. "Mother will be happy, and she is only a baby. She'll never rule Kyrria, but she is a princess. And you need to accept that!" Char was furious with his younger brother. When we got back to the castle, Char and I headed straight for Mandy.
"A baby! Ella dear, first a homeless dog when you were little, now this. Oh well, you both agreed to raise her?" Mandy questioned us. She was talking about the time when mother and I found a litter of puppies out by the gardens. I kept one, and we sold the rest. But then father took my puppy, Jade, away and sold her to the meat factory. I'm still made at him about that.
We nodded.
"Ok then, I'll fix her up. Poor child looks like she was starving! Nothing a bottle with a hint of tonic won't cure, what's her name?"
"Her real name is Serena, but we changed it to Caria. After Queen Daria and Cecila, she won't rule, but she's a princess." I responded, speaking as clearly as I could.
"Oh, ok then. I expect you want to save the name Eleanor for your first biological daughter."
"That's correct." This time Char replied, putting his arm around my waist. This was the start of a great family, and a great life for the both of us. Caria didn't really look like us. She had curly red hair, and pale skin. But her eyes were green like mine, and she giggled every time Char and I slid down the stair rail. Char and I spent the whole next day with Caria. Cecila came by during lunch to play with her. "I had to stop by and see how you all are!" She began to play with her niece, "A family of three in a day. My goodness things change faster than a horse running from hungry wildcats." I always loved her sayings. "Cecila we have some big news for you, and I hope that you will agree." Char took a deep breath, "Will you be her godmother, we need one for my side of the family. Mandy is also her godmother." Her face burst into a grin, "Yes of course, I'll be here godmother. This is wonderful!" She handed Caria off to Char and hugged me. Then Char handed Caria off to me, and he hugged his sister. "How did mother take the news?" she took back Caria and began to tickle her tiny feet. "Like I thought, she was thrilled. So was father. I bet Nicholas is still made at me." He didn't look sullen, he was happy to have a daughter and a wife tomorrow.
Caria was a very playful baby girl. She stayed in my room, in a small cradle that was once Cecila's. She never cried at night, but she cried was she was tired, hungry, or wet. That reminded me of what I always wrote to Char when he asked if I was still to young to marry. The wedding was tomorrow, and I was excited and nervous. "Everything will be ok sweet," Mandy comforted me in my room that night, "Everything will go smoothly and you'll be a married woman." I tear rolled down my cheek, as well as hers. We only cried a little, but they were cries of happiness and joy. I grew up faster than a rabbit being chased by wolfves at least that is what Cecila would say. I went to sleep dreaming of a perfect wedding.