REDACTED: Chapter 1
The birds’ wings flapped throughout the sky as the sun shown across the grand district fit for kings and queens. Inside a manor sat a woman at her vanity set. Her room was very empty with the large space she had. Shadows and marks remained on the floor where old furniture and decorations were placed. She was brushing her orange hair and putting it in a ponytail with a ribbon frilled with a daisy. She applied makeup to her face, which was adorned with pink lipstick, fair yellow blush, and a brilliant orange eye-shadow; as if she was decorating herself like a flower petal in the garden. She did not sleep well, as usual, so she applied extra eye-shadow under her eyelids.
Adorned with an orange stole covering her shoulders with her skirt-layered dress, which was looser than usual due to her lack of eating, she got up and head downstairs. She put a smile on her face and hoped today would be an improvement.
A knock on the door was heard.
“Come in, sunshine!”
The woman opened the door to a bedroom that was just as empty as hers.
“Good morning, Father! I made breakfast!” she said holding a huge bowl of porridge-a dish known to be made by commoners.
A sickly man smiled back. “Thank you, Polina.”
The lady, Polina, sat in a chair next to her father’s bedside. Around his luxurious bed with bright orange sheets were metal poles with IVs delivering medicine and a metal table with medical tools. She took a large spoon from a bowl, but before she fed him...
“Polina, it’s okay...” The man reached for the bowl. “I can do it myself.”
The woman showed hesitancy. “Father, the last time we tried you weren’t able to hold the spoon or bowl...”
“I’m better today...trust me...”
Polina got up and leaned towards her father with the bowl. She held it, even when he started holding it. After slightly letting it go, the porridge toppled over a bit. The lady quickly positioned it back.
She had a hint of hope that maybe he did get better...but it was the same as before.
“I’m so sorry, dear...”
The lady gave a weak smile. “It’s alright. I’m glad you’re still here...”
Polina slowly fed her father the porridge. He complimented that her cooking had improved. Ever since his illness and due to expenses, they had to let go all of their maids and butlers-even had to resort to cheaper food. It even got to a point where his wife was fed up with Polina’s father and left him. Polina, however, never left his side. Her father was always there for her, even as a little girl.
She remembered the times they visited the garden in the district-adorned with lush flowers and grand trees. She always beat him in a race. She also remembered when she wanted to visit the markets to see what knick-knacks they sold. Every week, her father gets her a new doll. She remembered how he picked her up and spinned her in the air-even when she was grown into a woman.
...but ever since he became ill, he didn’t even have the strength to lift a utensil.
“Thank you, Polina...but...” Her father held her hand up, showing that he had enough.
“Father, you only ate half! You have to eat so you can get better!”
He looked away discouraged, as it seemed like he was not getting any better. At all. He was too weak and frail. He could not get up. He could not feed himself. He was bedridden-up to where he has to use a bedpan.
Seeing the look on her father’s face, tears filled up her eyes.
He quickly turned back. “No...no Polina, my girl...please don’t cry...”
She wiped her eyes-her makeup getting on her gloves. “I don’t...I don’t want to lose you...Not yet...”
“Polina...” he tried to reach his hand as far as he could, touching her knee. “You are a wonderful, caring daughter. You have grown to be such an amazing young woman. I am so proud of you.”
She put her hand on his hand.
“I...I will make sure you will be safe...The documents will protect you...The house will be in your name-” He coughed violently. He pulled his hand back to cover his hacking.
The father sighed. “I...need to rest again, Polina. You can go if you like.”
“I’ll stay until you fall asleep, Father. I love you.” she reached out for his hand.
“I love you too, my little sunshine.” he gave a weak smile and closed his eyes.
The solemn church bells rang as the woman of sunshine was now dressed in midnight, a black dress with a veil covering her face. Her black hat shadowed her expression as she looked down to give her final respects to her father, leaving a bouquet with roses of many colors. The crowds around her slowly dispersed as she continued looking at a grave that hosted a husk that was formerly her father.
The sunlight to the sunshine...however, the sunlight has passed away.
Feeling empty and looking down, she turned and walked slowly out of the graveyard-only hearing the clacking of her black heels. It was time to handle something she dreaded ever since...
The handling of her household.
“Polina?”
As she was exiting, she heard a voice behind her. It was Lieutenant Piter, who was one of the attendees during the funeral. He was standing there in his usual uniform, looking concerned for the lady.
“Ah, Lieutenant. I apologize for not addressing you sooner. My mind...has been flooded with so much.”
“That is understandable,” he said, approaching. “I am sorry for your loss. I was made aware of the difficulties you had during your father’s illness-and how close you were to him.”
Polina’s voice quivered as tears were welling up through her eyes.
“Y-yes...I...”
Piter held out his hand that was offering a handkerchief.
“O-oh...t-thank you.” She took it and wiped her eyes. “I am sorry you have to see me like this. I try my best not to cry because Father hated to see me sad.” Tears started trickling down her face-her mascara leaking. “Oh...I didn’t want to lose him so soon...it was...he wanted to rest and...”
Piter reached out his hand and touched the shoulder below him. “Do you have anyone else close to you in this village? Do you need me to walk you home?”
Polina lost her father. Her mother left after he became ill. Her extended family were far away in other countries. She was only left to fend for herself. While she didn’t want to answer the first question with those facts, she did answer one.
“...Y...Yes...if it doesn’t trouble you.”
The Lieutenant nodded. “For a troubled citizen, especially a lovely young woman like you? It’s my duty to ensure that everyone is taken care of in this village.”
She wanted to avoid confrontation and sympathy from the others that would pass by her. What talks would the neighbors start with her? The fact that the family laid off all their servants? The fact that they had to sell almost all of their belongings? The fact that she, herself, even had to resort to cooking? Maybe just the fact that Lieutenant Piter walking her home would assure the public that she is doing fine-and save her embarrassment.
They approached a manor with windows open. The flowers in front of the house have withered and became bare after being unattended for so long. Polina loved flowers so much-they were a part of her life. However, because of taking care of her father during that time, she spent less time on it. Her garden was the envy of the area-a plethora of rainbow colors sparkling in the sun.
Now, it was an embarrassment.
While holding her hands to maintain composure towards the whole way home, Polina walked forward and turned towards Lieutenant Piter.
“Thank you, Lieutenant Piter. I appreciate you taking the time to escort me.”
“Lady Polina, if there is anything I can do for you, don’t hesitate to let me know.” Piter said. “Will you be alright?”
Her tears have calmed down. “Yes. I have personal business to attend to now.”
Days have passed and notes and letters were piled up on a table. Dust built around the manor and the windows gave off a faint light after being unclean for so long. Frantic taps of feet could be heard on the floor as Polina was leaning against the wall, speaking on the phone. Her receiver was pressed against her ear as her frustration grew.
“But the documents I sent should have exempted me!”
...
“What do you mean ‘improperly filled and out of date?!’”
...
“I owe HOW MUCH?!”
...
“I...I have nothing! I don’t have a single ruble! I can’t pay-”
The call was hung up.
...
Polina slammed the receiver back onto the phone. She leaned against the wall, sunk into the floor, and cried in her arms.
She and her father made sure everything was properly filled. They had let the accountants know ahead of time. They even had the signatures of the tax collectors.
The sunshine’s mind was racing. She had no more possessions. She had no more resources. She had no more money. What would the district even think of her?
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
Polina looked up and eyed at the door. She always dreaded who could be behind that door. Lately, it has been false alarms. Guests and neighbors coming to pay their respects, offer gifts, and in one case: asking if she saw anything suspicious.
She got up and took off her glove to clear her face. Hah. She thought to herself...she’s improperly using a glove instead of a handkerchief to wipe her tears.
She opened the door and there was her biggest fear.
A tax collector.
“Lady Polina,” He stated, looking at his documents with his reading glasses. “We were made aware you and your father were unable to pay your taxes for the past three months due to lack of proof. Seeing that you are unable to make any possible payments within any time-frame...”
Polina’s heart sank into the depths of despair as she heard the next sentence.
“We are repossessing this manor.”
She began shaking. Her heart was racing. Her breathing increased. She noticed the scene being formed around her. Her vision blurred. Her tears were a never-ending fountain of sorrow.
“Miss,” a female officer behind the collector stepped forward. “Please step aside. You are no longer allowed on these premises.”
“NO!” she screamed. “PLEASE NO! I HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO!” The collector closed the two front doors and confiscated the handles with chains and a lock. She ran in front of him to try to undo the chains. “PLEASE! I BEG-”
The two officers pulled her back, each grabbing one of her arms. “NO! STOP!” The weight of stress and anguish caused her to fall onto her knees. She lost her house. She lost her sanctuary. She lost the memories of her life that was spent here.
She lost everything.
“Погоди¹! What are you two doing?!” she heard a voice.
It was Lieutenant Piter, walking quickly to the scene.
“Lieutenant! We were just following protocol!”
“We were accompanying the collector for repossession!”
“You two...get the hell out of my sight and report back to your positions.”
“Yes, sir!” They unhanded Polina.
“And you, unlock this manor.”
“Are you kidding? Absolutely not. She has not paid her taxes for the district in months. You’re not above the law just because you’re Lieutenant of-”
Piter’s glare and anger silently towered over the collector.
“DID. I. STUTTER?”
The tax collector shrunk and undid the chains and lock, not breaking the stare until he finished and walked off-slowly turning into a sprint. Piter made sure he left, as his distance became even further without looking back.
He sighed and looked at the young woman, covering her face with her hands and shielding her tears. He looked around as the crowd was almost forming. Saving face, the Lieutenant spoke to her.
“Lady Polina...”
She looked up at him.
“I believe you would be more comfortable discussing these matters inside your home, yes?”
A man-especially the Lieutenant inside her home? What would the crowd think of her? A crime? Courting? Whatever the reason they could perceive, she was already embarrassed enough with the scene that was made.
The best choice seemed obvious. “...Yes, Lieutenant Piter. Please.” With that, Piter opened the door for her and they walked in together.
As the door closed and taking his cap off, the light inside the home diminished. The only light being provided were the windows scattered around the rooms with curtains halfway closed. Polina walked to the fireplace in the room that was used for entertaining guests. She grabbed a box of matches and stroke one on the box, placing the flickering flame that grew into the iron lantern nearby.
She grabbed it by the handle and walked out of the room, heading into a large dining area that only housed a few chairs and a square table.
As Piter followed while picking up documents off the barren floor, he could tell how much her home was empty and in disarray as the lantern trailed. It wasn’t just by the echoes and lack of light, but markings on the ground where furniture used to be and dust balls forming alongside the walls. Even pictures that were formerly hanged were gone. He looked genuinely concerned. As Polina sat in one of the chairs, before she could push closer, Piter pushed it instead and was returned with a “Thank you.”
He realized the table was already filled with stacks of papers and documents-unsorted, some smudged, and even with hints of teardrops on them. The lantern was placed at the corner of the table.
Polina was trying to maintain her composure, and she avoided eye-contact. The Lieutenant then questioned her.
“Lady Polina...” he said as the woman looked up. “What is going on?”
The woman wiped her tear-marked face with the glove she had on. When it came to having guests-especially those of high rank and class, it was normal to boast about their treasures, complimentary hors d’ oeuvres, and the grandiose of their home. This was different, however. She had no treasures. She had no food or tea to offer. Her home, shameful to admit, were like the conditions of the slums.
She didn’t know where to begin, or how to act. She had never been in this predicament or see anyone in it.
“Lieutenant Piter, I...” she paused as shame followed from her words. “I apologize that I am not able to provide entertainment to you.” Her voice was full of guilt. “I...ever since my father’s passing, I kept and forwarded all the proper paperwork. I was told with this, I would still live here and have possession of my home.”
She looked down. “However...”
“However?” He inquired.
“No matter what I sent them, no matter what I said...they wouldn’t accept it, and the money I owed just...piled up.” She laid her head in her hands out of tiredness.
Piter looked at all the stacks of paper around the table. There was nothing but late notices, payments and taxes due, and delinquent penalties.
“Do you have your papers?”
“Oh, yes, of course. How foolish of me.” The lady said as she looked up and dug below the stacks of papers. After skimming through them, Polina picked up a few sheets of documents, and handed them to the Lieutenant.
As he looked through the papers, he examined what could be wrong and why they were not accepted. Going through each one and remembering how they normally looked like for other citizens was being replayed in his mind.
What could it be, he wondered...
Then, he noticed one of the stamps on a document. He realized the shape was off, and the number format didn’t seem right. Piter then quickly looked at another sheet. He noticed the signatures by a tax collector and accountant, each of them, looked odd.
They were both forged.
She and her father were scammed.
As Piter’s eyes sank, Polina looked at him. “Lieutenant...?”
He sighed. “Polina...” he said, revealing the answer. “You and your father were scammed.”
A pause was made between them.
“...W....what?” Her eyes felt like life had left them. “B...But that can’t be right...they were...and they...we formally requested them to come to our home...”
“And someone must have heard the talk of the town that was going on and took the opportunity.” Piter gritted his teeth. How disgusting...taking advantage of a sickly man and his daughter at their most vulnerable moment.
Polina’s voice continued shaking. “N-no...all that money...we paid...t-then...it was all for nothing!”
Lieutenant Piter looked at her, hating to see her as a victim. He recalled an ongoing case about scammers going around the village, swindling money from others and providing forged documents. He only heard stories from the victims...but seeing this as close as he could, he could understand the pain she was going through.
He knew Lady Polina was lost...physically and mentally. She was powerless and could tell she had no one or anything at all.
Piter stood up from the table and fixed his collar and put on his cap. This is going to be a case where he would handle this personally.
“I’ll handle the issue.”
“W-what? But...how? The documents are worthless...I don’t have any money-”
“Lady Polina,” Piter stopped her, preventing her from saying another word. “I assure you, all the issues you have will be forwarded to me. I shall take my leave.”
“...Al..alright...” she slowly got up and walked the Lieutenant to the entrance of her home.
As Piter opened the door and walked out, he turned towards Polina. He took her hand gently and kissed her hand without her glove on as a whiff of floral perfume lingered.²
“I’ll be seeing you soon.”
As he walked away with the gesture and statement, she felt slightly awkward with that situation. Why did he do that? What did he mean he will handle it?
Whatever he had in mind...she hoped the weight would be off of her shoulders very soon.
¹“Hold it!”
² Hand-kissing is normally used as a form of respect for same or higher-class women (in this case, they’re both a high class status). However, one initiated by a man is a romantic gesture. In this case, it’s both ways-romantic and respect.
