Chapter 7
Confrontations
After the visit, Candy's three friends came out together from the mansion. They reached Eliza and Neil, walking around the room at home snorting and stamping. They had begun to pack reluctantly, for they would leave to Scotland the next morning.
It was time to tell them their truths, so Tom threw a stone at the window to get their attention.
- What are you doing here?
- We came in defense of Candy.
- With what right did you do something like that?
- She's a thief!
- Liar!
- Of course she is, she stole Anthony from me!
- Anthony is not an object for you to say that! And you are an envious.
- What do you say?!
- Tom's right, our sister is brave, strong, kind, and much happier than you two. And that's what gives you so much envy.
- Shut up orphaned!
- Call me what you want, I don't care! I am also happier than you, and I'm proud to have grown up in Pony's Home.
- Is there a problem with being an orphan?
Nadja spoke this time. –
- They go wild, and they know nothing of education.
- What a shame that so well-known family of America has such rude and ignorant children.
- Who do you think you are to say that!?
- We know you're a simple walking dancer, you have no right to talk to us like that.
- Right, I'm a dancer, and with great honor. But I still do not introduce myself. I'm Nadja Preminger Harcourt.
- PREMINGER?!
- That's right, from the Preminger family in Vienna. - Nadja did not give importance to the influence of her last name, only mentioned them to be respected. –
- And for all you know pair of rude, for the first 12 years of my life, I lived happily at the Applefield orphanage. I was blessed to find my mother. However, I never cared that my family was rich or poor, I just wanted it to be loving. Riches do not give happiness, love and true friendship do. If you are not able to love, you will be miserable all your life!
- I warn you, if you bother my sister again, you will be in hot water!
Finally, they retired, leaving those two scoundrels angry. Annie and Tom, returned to the orphanage to inform everyone that Candy was fine. At that moment Mr. Britter was there to visit. Everyone was very relieved by the news.
Meanwhile, Nadja told everything to the rest of the group. Then she set out to write a couple of letters. At the same time, she looked lovingly at those treasures so precious to her. The kaleidoscope, the diary and the ball gown of her mother, and the musical box with that melody so special for both. Well, with that music they had both lived their first dance, a beautiful waltz that will never be erased from their heart.
At dusk, Mr. Leagan showed up at the mansion. He politely asked to talk to Candy.
- Good afternoon, Mr. Leagan.
- Hi Candy, are you feeling better?
- Yes sir, thank you.
- Candy ... I don't know how to tell you how much I regret what my children did to you, I did not realize how terrible they are for being almost all the time traveling. I want you to know, that in the short time I met you, I had great affection. And I still have it.
- Mr. Leagan...
- I promise you Candy, I'll be watching them while they're in Scotland. I will not tolerate they hurt you again.
- Thank you, Mr. Leagan, she said. Even though it hurt me very much what they did, I want you to know that I do not intend to resent them. Miss Pony and Sister Mary taught me that God said, "If you forgive others, your Heavenly Father will forgive you." Maybe they need a little help.
Candy took Miss Pony's cross in her hands, and approached the man.
- Put your hands together and close your eyes, please.
He did so, and then Candy sweetly said a prayer.
- Dear Heavenly Father, today we ask you to enlighten Neil and Eliza Leagan. Please allow them to realize their errors, and we pray in the name of Jesus that they let kindness enter their hearts.
Amen.
- Amen. Thanks Candy, you're a very good girl.
- Thanks to you for coming to see me, Mr. Leagan, you have been very kind to me too.
- Take care Candy, I have to go.
- See you later, sir.
The next morning, the Leagan siblings boarded the ship that would take them to Scotland, only their parents bid them goodbye. Sarah Leagan wept bitterly, but her husband only looked at his children coldly, still feeling guilty for not looking at their appalling behavior before.
Three more days passed, Candy finished her rest. Always looked after by Dorothy, and visited by Anthony, Stear, and Archie.
Mr. Britter successfully divorced. Now his ex-wife was Jane Mayer again, and it did not help when she tried to manipulate it. He stood firm in his choice, and would live happily with Annie.
That afternoon, Candy noticed that wind of the south was blowing. So, she quickly searched for a bottle, and wrote a short, and important message.
Albert, I need to see you. There is something I must tell you as soon as possible.
Candy.
After sending it down the river, the girl returned to her room to end a special surprise for a certain person.
The next day, Candy was walking with Clint around the mansion. When suddenly, someone behind some trees called her.
- Psst, Candy.
- Albert, you came!
- Shhh, not so loud please.
- I'm sorry…
- Hahaha, don't worry little one, come with me.
Albert was accompanied by Poupée, the little skunk, who cheerfully approached Candy to greet her. They moved away a little so they could talk without being seen.
- Thank you for coming Albert.
- Candy...
The tall blond circled Candy in a warm embrace, and she could see that he was crying softly.
- Albert!
- What a relief you're safe, Candy. I knew Anthony saved you, I'll never stop thanking him.
- It's passed Albert, sorry for worrying you so much. And also, I wanted to tell you I'm sorry I ran away the last time.
- Candy, you don't have to apologize. I certainly needed to talk to you, too.
- Really?
- Yes, small one.
Albert opened his right hand, and with the other took Candy's. And he gave her what she had treasured for six years.
- The brooch! But Albert, this belongs to you.
- Now it's yours, you're my protégé and this is the symbol of your new family.
- Albert...
- Candy, now I remember well that time I met you on the hill. When I saw your face, I felt as if I saw my sister again. Only I was older, and I felt a great desire to comfort you. When I was little, I was touched when I saw Rosemary sad. I always tried to cheer her up, because I loved her smile. And when I heard you laughing, I remembered those beautiful moments in which she laughed. When I met you, it was as if my sister had come back to life.
- Albert, this is very nice what you say to me.
- I remember the other day you had called me "Prince of the Hill"
- It's the nickname I gave you when we first met, because I didn't know your name and that's what you seemed for me, a prince.
- I'm sorry I ran away like that, but George was looking for me, I had to go back.
- No matter Albert, I finally met you. And it is a great joy for me. I must say, I was delighted with the prince. And for 6 years I longed to find him again. But…
- Then you met my nephew.
- Yes, when I met Anthony I mistook you, because he was identical. And that day you came to talk to us, I was very confused. But thanks to a friend, now I have my feelings clear. The Prince of the Hill, delighted a 6-year-old girl, who thought that a fairy tale could somehow be real. Then he became my guardian and faithful friend. Now I realize, that he was my guide to find my first genuine love.
- And you little girl, you are like a new sister for me, since that first meeting. I'm very happy that you know clearly what you feel. I was hoping you'd tell me, thanks Candy.
- Thank you, Albert, for everything.
The two embraced tenderly, with fraternal smiles on their faces. They finally made it clear that their mutual affection was fraternal. And in a couple of days, someone else would know.
Meanwhile in Europe, certain loved ones of a certain dancer read the letters that she sent.
Dear mom and dad
How are you? I hope everything is well at home. Right now, we travel around America, where I've met new friends, and I've met Leonardo, Julietta, and Nina again. I hope to see you soon; I really miss you a lot. We're on our way to New York, I love you.
Nadja.
My beloved husband
Every day I think of you, and I hope to see you as soon as possible. How is everything at work?
I hope there are no sibling arguing.
I know I've already said it, but I'll never stop thanking both of you for rescuing the Applefield orphanage. I cannot stop thinking about how happy the principal should be from Heaven, seeing that the place where she took care of me, and my friends with so much love is now restored and populated with new children. Give my greetings and affection to them and Miss Evans.
The troupe is heading to New York; I hope you will confirm our special plan soon. Give my affections also to your brother, take great care, and continue working united. I am deeply happy and grateful for all that you have accomplished together.
With all my love,
Nadja.
- Nadja...
The parents and the beloved blond of the young dancer smiled lovingly. They were always glad to receive letters from her.
To be continued…
