Returning to Him
Rebecca Maelstrom has always been the girl with a strong mind. Guided by her mother, she grew up seeing the world as a place ruled by men. But through all that chaos, she saw chances of beauty.
Her mother was ill, and on her death bed, Ms. Gail- she had gone back to her maiden name after the divorce- pleaded to her only daughter to live with her father in his hometown of Amoris.
Rebecca wanted to fulfill her mother's wishes, but she hadn't seen her father in years. Since he did send money over to them occasionally for bills and taxes, the only thing she knew about him was that he was wealthy. This still made her worried as to how the two were to get along. The only thing to get her the least bit happier was that she would only have to stay for a short while since she would start University soon.
At the train station, Rebecca was escorted by Kentin. A boy she had grown up with, though she only saw him as her friend, he thought of her as a sweetheart.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" He asks shyly She takes a moment to respond. Everything in her wants to say "no". To leave her mother's bakery, leave the house she grew up in to live in a town that's not even on a map, with a man that she hasn't seen in years.
"It's what mother wanted, I can't disobey her dying wish." She finally responds before turning to get into the train cart.
"But is that what you want?" Kentin asks once more before she closes the door. But she was too late to answer, as the train began moving forward.
"Goodbye Kentin! I'll come visit." Are her last words.
The trip took around two hours, going over hills first, the scenery then shifted to buildings as tall as the oak trees Rebecca had seen next to the bakery. It gave her a bit of nostalgia, a gut wrenching feeling that made her sick. The only thing that she could think of was the dramatic sequence that had happened only a couple of days ago.
It was a week before her mother had passed. She was walking to church with another man named William. A gentleman she had come to know due to their connection with her oldest brother. They had first started talking about the day, small chit chat, but it soon changed to talk about love, then about marriage. Unexpectedly, he suddenly got down to one knee and proposed. Rebecca's face had turned red. Not because of sweetness, but of bitterness.
"Why do you believe such a thing. That I would wish to marry. And so soon too?" She had finally said.
"But, every time we ever talked, you would bring the idea of marriage. Back at that reception practice, did it mean nothing to you when we danced?" He asked desperately. Rebecca could see that, too. How he stayed, knelt down, waiting for her to change her mind.
"I'm so very sorry M. William, but I'm afraid that I don't see you that way-" she was quickly cut off by his continuous speech.
"Is it that Kentin boy!?Is he who you're planning for!?" his voice was now cracking.
"Kentin- no! He is my friend, and only my friend, I could never think of him that way! Besides, I do believe that he sees me as close family."
"Lies. Lies, all of it!" With that, he had turned and left.
At the train station in Amoris, Rebecca notices a man in suit and top hat, a cane in his gloved hands, a beard hugging his chin. His face reminds her of her brothers, only older. That's when she comes to realize, that was him. The father she hadn't seen in years. He notices her too, with her awkward stance next to the train, and smiles. He lifts his hand to guide her where he stands. Though it's not needed, as their isn't that many people at the station anyway.
"Oh, Rebecca," he says while diving in to hug her, "it's been too long sweetheart." The hug was making her feel awkward. Before she let this continue any further, she pulls away, but still keeps a smile to not worry him.
"It has been long. How have you been father?" She tried for conversation. Her father continues, while wrapping her arm around his and beginning to walk.
"Oh, where to begin. Well, I can't say I had big adventures- like the ones you used to read- but, uh... Just same old business. I lend houses and properties to others so that they may either live in it or make a business off the land. They give me what they owe, and you get to continue with your studies. Your aunt says you've been wanting to study politics." He says. Rebecca takes a moment, half admiring her father's dedication in knowing almost everything about her. But she also feels betrayed, that there were people talking about her behind her back.
"Well, yes. I've been thinking of Law school. There are many people I want to take care of. Also, to handle the legal matters for the bakery by myself." She says proudly. Her father does a small chuckle, before saying, in admiration, "Just like your mother, aren't ya. She wanted to handle things herself too. But I couldn't bear watching her do everything by herself. Still, she wouldn't let me, no matter how much I pleaded with her. So I won't do the same with you. I'll just be around to give you that push."
The two finally reach the carriage, a maroon color, with a mix of black and slightly dark brown horses. Her father opens the door do her, where inside are red velvet seats. She takes one side, while her father takes the side across from her.
"You know, when your mother and I got married, we rode in this same carriage. Of course, though, it used to be a more darker color than this, but it made her so much more happier when the seats were changed." After he spoke, an awkward silence fell. Making things more uncomfortable for Rebecca.
When they arrived at the mansion, Rebecca took a moment to take in the house that she had once believe to be a castle. The front yard was large and opened. Nothing was in the middle of the lawn, so the sun really belated on the grass. The trees were off to the side, creating shade for the smaller servant quarters. The mansion itself was two stories plus the attic. Large, two-by-four windows were wrapped all round, and large two sided door in the middle. The type of door people outside of France called "French doors". Small bushes were scattered here and there. She also noticed that most of them were losing color and flowers. She was sure there was servants who took care of them.
"I've had to leave a couple of workers, it's so hard to find good hardworking people." Her father says, while looking over at the bushes himself.
As they walk in, they are greeted by a maid, bright red hair, and a purple dress. She bows shy tilting her head down, then speaks.
"Welcome back master. Is this your daughter that you told me about?" As she speaks, Rebecca immediately recognizes her accent. An Irish that was taught some French. It would be difficult, but it's a good thing I learned English. She thinks to herself.
"Yes, this is my daughter Rebecca. Rebecca, de rencontrer votre nouvelle femme de chambre, Iris." (Rebecca, meet your new maid, Iris.) Her father says with pride.
"Oh mon Dieu, mon Pére, je ne peux pas pretendre une femme de ménage. Je ne l'ai jamais eu un avant, ce que je ferais avec un de toute façon?" (Oh my, Father, I cannot take a maid. I've never had one before, what am I supposed to do with one anyways?) While they both argued in French, Iris decided to appease their anger with one another.
"Ne vous inquiétez pas Mlle Rebecca, juste prétendre que je suis votre ami." (Don't worry Miss Rebecca, just pretend I am your friend.) Afterward, she gave her a sincere smile, that ended up calming the two. But it left a good impression on Rebecca especially.
Rebecca knew that this new arrangement of life would be difficult, but she was willing to go along with it. For the sake of her mother. Yet, she found herself wondering why her mother wanted her to live with her father. Of all people. She could have just as easily chosen to live with her Aunt and Uncle in England; moving in with one of her brothers- wherever it was they were ported and living at nowadays- would have sufficed. No, with her Father.
