Portraits and Biographies
Dinnertime arrived and Levana, exhausted from working all day, was almost too tired to eat. She had thought about glamouring Madam Renoux into doing most of the work, but then she thought that the Chatelaine wouldn't have been happy about it. Until she knew more about the old woman, it would be wise not to upset her.
Instead she asked the Chatelaine about the portraits. Why were they stuffed away in a back room, where no one would see them? The answer surprised her. "Oh, those silly things, simply a family joke, I certainly had fun painting mine."
"Wait?! You painted your own coronation portrait?!" Levana asked after realizing what the Chatelaine ha said and marveled that the old woman possessed the skill to create such a life-like painting.
"Of course, there is no rule against that, bittersweet. I dabble in various arts from time to time, portrait painting is only one of many."
A realization dawned on Levana. "You painted the portrait in my room!"
"Yes, I did. Think nothing more of them." But something told Levana that she would have to think a great deal more of them and many other things too.
After dinner, Levana had expect more house work and she gritted her teeth at the thought. It was so humiliating and she was so tired. However, the Chatelaine had another kind of work in mind. She led Levana into the library and on the shelves were books. Lots of books! And shelf that the Chatelaine motioned to held big, heavy, and very old biographies. Pulling one the Chatelaine handed it to Levana.
"I have complied a selection of study material. You will read each of the biographies on this shelf. The two hours between now and bedtime will be yours to spend on this task."
Levana looked at the book in her hands and read it title. 'English Legacy and Prussian Motivations: The Life of Kaiser Wilhelm II.'
"How is this suppose to help me with Evret?!" She cried losing her patience. She wanted to throw the book down and storm off, but one firm look from the Chatelaine took the edge off her rage.
"Read it and find out." The Chatelaine explained. She walked to the door and before she shut it she said. "Tomorrow during our exercises we will discuss what you have read. Good night bittersweet."
Levana stared at the door for a moment. Her anger threatened to rise again, but through it and her exhaustion, she realized one thing. She loved Evret and would do anything to see him again, and reading, as boring as it might be, was hardly a great trial. Reluctantly she sat on a cushioned chair and began to read. She made it to page four and promptly fell asleep.
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