AN: First of all, thank you for the hits everyone! 328 hits! Thank you^^ And thank you rubyredroses1 for reviewing ;)

Mahé, le 4 Février 1836

I had nothing special to write until today.

Francis lost the battle but I heard he didn't die. But nothing else about him. Nothing. Maybe he has forgotten me, has he?

Arthur acts always the same, but now I'm accustomed to live with him.
I even have the feeling that he got better those last years.

Since two or three years ago, he lets me cook!

The first time he allowed me, I was so happy that I did my best!
It was… Well, fish, with rice, coconut milk and spice!
And he liked it! Though he said it was a little too much spiced for him.
That is why I cook every day!

I am happy to help him because he's always working hard and running after the time.
And of course, I can't say anything.

Few days ago, I found him asleep among his piles of papers on his desk.
I first raised a hand to awake him but decided to let him sleep. He was so tired those days.
I watched him for a while. And I thought that at such a moment, it was hard to believe that he was a bad guy. And hard to believe he was the biggest world's Empire. If he wasn't so tall he would look like a boy not really older than me.
That was the first time, as far as I could remember, that I saw him being so relaxed.
His pale skin looked smooth without any wrinkle and any mark of concern.
Gently, I touched his cheek with my fingertips. It was warm and soft. I wanted to keep on touching it but I was afraid of awaking him and remove my hand.

Was it better to quit and run away? Of course he would be furious if he learned what I did and the idea about how he would punish me was terrifying me. But that was the very first time I could feel powerful towards him, and I'll probably never have any other chance.

Sleeping like this, looking so carefree, I even found him… cute.

I approached my face and gave him a light kiss on his cheek.

And I ran away as fast as I could.

I know this is bad, but I felt so excited that I just couldn't refrain from kissing. And besides, it has been a long time I didn't kiss anyone.
Anyway he will never know about it. The next morning at breakfast, it seemed that he didn't notice anything.

But here is the main reason I wrote this today:
This morning, just as I walked to the kitchen to make some tea, I heard Arthur speaking with someone to the door.
I approached and saw three dark-skinned men smiling and congratulating Arthur, shaking his hand.

"Gran mersi! Gran mersi!" they were cheering in creole.

I was wondering what happened. Why did these slaves thank Arthur like this?

And when I met some of my friends out, I understood.
Starting today, there is no more slavery on my islands!

I just felt suddenly so free! They now have the right to play and live as they have always wished to!

Real life can restart again!

AN: As you can see, things are starting to move. This chapter is a turning point.
"Gran mersi" is the Seychellois Creole for "thank you very much". People who know some French can notice this looks like "grands mercis", though "mille mercis" or "merci beaucoup" would be the proper French.

Now, just about the chapter that will come next. Special warning: some people may find the scene disgusting and say this is an abuse on child innocence (because then Seychelles is only (looks only) 12). But, be reassured. There will be NO rape scenes in this fiction. And I'll try to write the less dirty as possible (difficult job when you hear how dirty some French jokes (and Francis) are (vomiting for newbies)) because I know that not everyone on Earth are as unromantic and silly than French people (and because I'm afraid to get banned from this website) =P
Anyway now you are warned. So you will have absolutely NO excuses for clicking the "next" button! ;D

Haha, I gonna enjoy writing the next chapter! =D
This is why I might take my time for writing ^^