Viktoria (English version)

-If You Exist, Give Me Another Chance...

The plea in her mind overwhelmed Viktoria as she sank into the icy waters of the river near the Duke of Dorset’s mansion. The layers and petticoats of her dress were too heavy, and she was running out of strength...

Everything she had believed in and longed for in her life was reduced to a single name, Killian Byron... A handsome man with sea-blue eyes and fair skin who had become the most precious thing to her since she had arrived in England ten years ago.

She lived with her mother in Paris in a one-room studio with her nanny, who also doubled as a maid. Her mother was a famous classical singer throughout Europe and was summoned to many mansions of nobles and royalty. It was said that she had numerous lovers, but that only one man had managed to reach her heart. No one knew his name or appearance, and as result of the passion between them, a girl was born whom she had named Viktoria.

The girl grew up without her father’s presence as he had returned to England after finishing his work in France before she was born. Her mother never mentioned his name and the little girl didn’t dare to ask. Perhaps, he never knew he had a daughter...

Her entire childhood she wished that the door would open, and a man who looked exactly like her would come in and greet her, calling her his daughter. Now, she was 8 years old and began to doubt if the man she imagined existed. He must be real since he had fathered her, but he could be any kind of person, even a bad one.

- Mademoiselle, - her nanny called her. An older woman dressed simply in a cap and apron that protected her dress- Madam is waiting for you in the salon.

- I’ll go now, nanny- she said with a smile. Her empire-style dress with low-heeled slippers made her look like the doll she was holding in her arms. Her light brown hair flowed in waves held in place with a light ribbon framing an oval face with green eyes that looked at everything with intensity.

The girl ran down the hallway to the small reception room, despite her nanny’s shouts to be careful

-Mamam- she called, opening the door with a big smile to run to her mother who extended her arms from her seat on the sofa.

-Ma petite- she said kissing both cheeks. She was a tall, thin woman with fair skin, light brown hair, and brown eyes and full lips. She was styled like Queen Eugenie of France in an empire -style dress that outlined her ample bust.

- Will you travel again, mamam? - she asked anxiously. Because of her profession, her mother spent most of the social season traveling and she stayed at home with her nanny.

- It was my last concert, darling, - she said -Something has happened that will make me not travel so much anymore.

- ...?!-

- We’re going to move to England, ma petite.

- England?

- We’re going to live in a beautiful house in the country. You’ll be able to see animals and play outdoors.

- Really?

- Yes, darling... I’ve met a good man who has asked me to be his wife...

- Is it Dad?

- No, darling, - she said softening her expression as she stroked her head -but he will take good care of us.

- Can I go too?

- Of course, Chérie, - she exclaimed, -we’re going to go together. You’re my daughter.

- And will he love me?

- He’s already seen your portrait, he’s very eager to meet you.

- When are we leaving?

- In a week- her mother said - I have to make arrangements to close the studio and pay Jean for her work.

- Won’t Nana come with us?

- No, I’m sorry - she said - She wants to stay in France. Her family is here.

- I don’t want to go alone, mamam - she said hugging her neck.

- Everything will be fine... - her mother said calming her - We’ll be very happy there.

- Do you promise?

- Yes, darling - she said kissing the top of her head and getting up to call the nanny who appeared before them - Jean, help Viktoria choose some dolls for the trip, the carriage is already reserved as is the inn. We’ll only take the essentials. I’ll buy what I need in London. A carriage from the Count will be waiting for us to take us to the villa.

- I’ll get it ready, madam - she said taking the girl’s hand to take her to her room.

As she prepared the best clothes for the trip and a bag to carry, she looked at the girl who was sitting on the windowsill, lost in thought

- Don’t worry, mademoiselle - she said with a smile - London must be a very beautiful place and the house where you will live will be much bigger than this studio. You will be able to play and enjoy the flowers you like so much.

- Yes...- she said unconvinced.

-Maybe you’ll meet children your age and make new friends...

-Friends?

- Yes, someone you can trust and who will support you unconditionally. They will help you if you fall and protect you.

- Is Jean my friend? - she asked.

- No, - she said with a chuckle - I only serve you, my lady. A friend is more than someone like me...

- Then how can I know if they are?

- You will find out in time, petite - she said hugging her - Choose the doll you want to take... We will dress her up like you...

- Yes...- the girl said laughing happily as she chose among her dolls.

Killian

The 13-year-old boy urged his horse to gallop across the meadow on his father’s estate in the English countryside villa. He wanted to enjoy the outdoors and the sun before returning to his succession lessons.

His father spent the majority of his time in London due to his work in the House of Lords, so he only saw him a few days a month. In a way, it was comfortable for the young man as he had free time once his classes were over, and he gradually gained the trust so that the servants would not look for him or watch him if he disappeared for a couple of hours because he was responsible. If he met their expectations, no one would bother him.

He didn’t miss his father either, as he was an authoritarian and cold figure who had focused on working since his wife died shortly after giving birth to his heir and did not seem interested in remarrying, so his stay in the country villa was an opportunity for both of them to live their lives without reminding each other of what they didn’t have. A wife and a mother.

He was grateful that he had been given every possible comfort, tutors brought from the capital every two weeks, language lessons, his own horse, riding lessons, delicious food, and luxurious clothes, regardless of the fact that he lived in the countryside. His father was making a great effort to turn him into a future Duke of Dorset and to be able to compare him to the royal family. They were distant relatives with royal blood, but they were no risk to the fight for the throne. The fight between the two princes, William and Andrew, 30 and 25 years old, was enough.

The only thing he shared with the royal lineage was his black hair. His blue eyes and fair skin were his mother’s heritage. He didn’t even share the green eye color of the royalty that his father boasted of possessing.

His father always reminded him that he had to prepare himself in the best way possible to become the advisor of the future king since the duchy had to assume leadership among the nobles. He always replied that he would if on the condition that he was allowed to live in the country mansion. He didn’t like London, he found it noisy and dirty, here he could breathe fresh air, have time and not have to attend those boring commitments between noble families.

He had a plan to avoid going to the academy and that was one of the reasons why he worked so hard in his studies and behavior as he knew that a report on his behavior was sent every week.

Killian pulled on the reins to slow down the black horse he had named Goliath when he saw a carriage appear on the nearby hill. There was no news of his father returning early so he stayed alert, approaching the fence that bordered the land with the road.

When he was closer, he could identify the emblem of Count Edwards, whose estate bordered on the duchy’s. The count did not receive many people because he had a surly and solitary character. He had heard from the servants that he drank a lot, although he could not be sure as he had not seen him.

Curious, he rode the horse close to the fence at a distance from the carriage and when he was sure it was going to the count’s land, he quickened his pace to reach the separation between the properties where the count’s mansion faced the duchy’s so the carriage would be far enough away to see the people arriving.

He was grateful that the count’s estate was not as large as theirs, as otherwise he would not have been able to see the newcomers at that moment. Since when had he become so curious? He looked like a child his age and that made him laugh. If his father saw, He would most likely be scolded for hours.

Several servants came out to greet the carriage, helping with the luggage while one of them approached to open the door, letting out an elegantly dressed lady

- “Wow. She’s very beautiful...” he thought as he watched her walk forward with grace and elegance, but he froze when a little girl got out of the carriage behind her holding a doll in her arms.

When she leaned over to greet him, her hat flew off and her mouth formed a perfect “O” that caught the boy’s attention. He couldn’t get a good look at her face, but his curiosity about the Count’s new visitors got the better of his decorum. “It’s because there are no other kids my age here”, he thought to himself. “I have to stop sticking my nose in things that don’t matter to me...”

He sighed before settling back into the saddle of his horse, taking one last look at the women entering the Count’s house...

He had to get back to his lessons and he didn’t have time to waste on such superficial behavior...No, no, no.

Determined, he pulled on the reins to head back to the mansion.

He was a serious person.

Convinced by his arguments, the little duke headed for the mansion, unaware that this would not be the last time he would see that little girl...

Viktoria stepped out of the carriage, curious about what she saw. As she was about to greet them, her hat flew off her head and she watched it rise into the air, then tumble to the ground, away from the servants who were trying to catch it.

When she turned to her left in that direction, on the fence separating her from the neighbor’s property, a dark-haired boy was watching her with a serious expression. She couldn’t tell how old he was, but the way he carried himself on the horse and his posture caught her attention.

I hope I can get to know him, so I don’t feel so alone in this new place...

Determined to be happy, as she had promised her nanny before she left, Viktoria followed her mother into the mansion, which would be her new home from now on...