An Innocent Heart

Spring 1891

Christine watched as seven-year-old Marigold played happily with Kit in the garden. She could hardly believe how much time had passed when she saw how much their daughter had grown. She looked almost identical to Christine with the same curly chestnut brown hair but with the exception of Erik's golden amber eyes. She was a sweet, kind and happy little girl who loved life. While she loved both her parents deeply, she had a special bond with her father. Erik never imagined that he would love any other person except Christine, but after his daughter was born, he felt such fatherly love for her. Though as their daughter grew older, Christine became concerned over the fact that she had never even seen her father's face. Erik was very careful to keep his mask on around his daughter, only to spare her the fear of his seeing his face.

Christine heard a horse walk up to the front. It had to be Erik. He was usually home by six in the evening.

"Marigold, I think your father is home."

"I'm going to hide, Mama. Tell Papa to come and find me," she said, hiding behind the rose bushes and giggling.

Christine smiled as she walked inside and greeted Erik as he entered. He sweetly kissed her. "How good it is to come home to a beautiful wife. Though I seem to be missing a daughter," he said, looking around. "Where is Marigold? I haven't seen her all day today."

"Shh. Hiding in the rose bush and waiting for you. She wants you to find her," she whispered. Erik chuckled and walked outside. Kit ran up to him, her tail wagging happily as he patted her head affectionately. "Who's a good girl, Kit?" he said. He looked around, playing along with her game though he could clearly see two little shoes peeking from the rose bush.

"Why, I seem to have lost my little girl! Where are you?" he called out playfully. "Where are you?"

He heard a little girl giggling as he walked closer. Marigold watched as her father drew closer. As his back was to her, she ran out and happily cried "Here I am, Papa!"

"Well, there you are, my fairy!" He laughed and held out his arms to her. "Come and bid me hello." She ran to him and he gathered her up in his arms, laughing heartily. "Oh, you look blooming, and smiling, and lovely! Truly lovely today!" He said, kissing her cheek affectionately and setting her down on her feet. "Did you have a nice day at school and with your mother?"

"Yes, Papa. I learned a new story today at school and then I helped Mother with the animals and in the garden. We picked blueberries today and I helped gather eggs from the hen house, even though that rooster scares me. But I was not afraid, Papa," she said.

"That's my brave girl," he said. "I always want to you be brave. No matter what may frighten you. Now come along. I'm sure your mother will have dinner ready soon." He held her hand as they walked back to the cottage. Christine had dinner waiting and they sat down as a family and ate.

Later that evening, Erik sat with Marigold at the pianola teaching her scales as Christine brought a tea tray into the sitting room. "A little slower now. Keep your fingers curved. Very good. You have been practicing. That is enough for tonight." He closed the pianola as the cuckoo clock struck ten.

"Have you finished your reading homework, Marigold?" asked Christine.

"Yes, Mama."

"Good. It's time for bed now. Come along, dear."

"Papa, will you come kiss me goodnight?"

"I'll be up in one moment. Now go with your mother and get ready for bed."

Christine walked her upstairs and to her room. After a bath, she helped Marigold into her nightgown and brushed her curly hair. "What pretty hair you have. Just like I did at your age. Your grandfather always brushed my hair before bed."

"Was Grandfather like Papa?"

"Yes, somewhat. Grandfather was very kind. Your papa is very kind as well. However, he was very much lonely when I met him. You see, he did not have kind parents like you and I. He had a very sad childhood."

"Why, Mama? And why does he wear a mask? Why have I never seen his face?"

"That is for Papa to tell you, not I. When he feels ready to tell you, he will one day. Now into bed. He will be up in a moment." She kissed her on the forehead. "Good night, my darling."

"Good night, Mama."

Christine walked down the stairs as Erik ascended. As he entered her room, Marigold sat up in bed and he walked over to sit at her bedside. "Now then, why don't you snuggle into the covers and let me tuck you in?"

Marigold frowned a little. "But I'm not sleepy, Papa. Could you read to me, please?"

"No, no, it's very late. No story tonight," said Erik, looking tired but firmly.

"Please, Papa? I like it when you read to me. Please?" she implored, all the while looking at him with a face no father could resist. With that, his firm gaze turned into a soft smile as he stood up and walked over to her bookshelf. "Well, now, what have we not read yet?" He skimmed through the titles until one that he had not read before. Taking the book, he returned to her bedside.

"All right then. I have a new story for you that I hope you will like. It's called East of the Sun, West of the Moon. It's about a young girl who travels to a castle on the back of a great white bear. Though she doesn't know that the bear is actually a prince under a powerful spell cast by an evil troll queen..."

Marigold listened intently to her father's gentle voice as he read the beautiful story to her. She just closed her eyes, listening to his soft voice.

"The prince, who was no longer under the influence of the troll queen's power, announced that the one who could perform the task of removing the candle tallow drops from his shirt, would be the one he would marry. But the troll queen could not do it. So, then the young girl, who made him the shirt and knew exactly how to clean it, volunteered. She cleans the tunic successfully and the prince declares that he will marry her. In her rage, the troll queen and her trolls turn into dust as the dawn filled the sky. The prince and the young girl free the human prisoners in the castle and leave together to live happily ever after."

Erik saw her looking as though she had fallen asleep, until she opened her eyes. "I love that story." She said, looking up as Erik smiled down at her.

"I am glad you like it. It teaches a good lesson. Bravery comes from the courage to do what is right and beauty is found on the inside, not on the outside. No matter how a person may look, they can still be a good person. You must look with your heart and not with your eyes. Do you…understand that?" he said.

"Yes, Papa. Can…can I ask you something?"

"Of course, sweetling. What is it?"

"Well, would you tell me… why you wear a mask? Why have I never seen your face?" Marigold asked.

Erik sighed. He had hoped that he would never have to tell her this, but he knew that someday she would have to know. "Marigold, my face is…well, it is not like a normal man's face. My face is very frightening and I couldn't bear even the thought of frightening you. You're still so very young and innocent. I wouldn't want you to see it until I knew you were ready and that you wouldn't be frightened of me."

"But, why would I be frightened of you, Papa? You love me and you wouldn't hurt me, would you?"

"No, I would never. I love you more than you could ever know. You and your mother are the most precious things in the world to me. I want you always to remember my love for you, no matter what."

Marigold smiled as Erik caressed her cheek. He tucked her in the covers and gently kissed her cheek. "Good night, my little fairy," he whispered softly.

"Good night, Papa," she whispered, sleepily. He watched as she slowly drifted off to sleep. Kit jumped up and curled up at the foot of the bed. Dimming the lamp light, he quietly left the room and returned to Christine in the sitting room. She noticed how pensive Erik seemed. "Erik, is something wrong?"

"Our sweet girl is becoming more curious as she gets older. I'm afraid she asked about my mask."

"Erik, I know she is still very young. She will need to know the truth one day. But I'm sure even if she may be a little frightened, she will love you regardless and learn to accept you as you are. She is only a child though."

"I know. I just fear the look on her face when she finally does see my face. Will she scream or be afraid of me? It was painful enough when you saw my face and became frightened. It would shatter my heart if she did the same."

"But I learned to see beyond my eyes and find the goodness in you. I learned to accept and love you for who you are on the inside. And our daughter will do the same. I'm sure of it," said Christine.

"I hope you are right, Christine," he said as she embraced him while he stared anxiously at the fireplace. "I truly hope you are right."