My dear reader, it took a few days to recover from the events of the ball; I suppose I used quite a bit of my strength. Poor Lorenz! He’s been so concerned; though I tried to assured him all I needed was some rest. Rest… In truth, after all the pressures of the city, with exams, and outings, and balls, and faces always staring… it was nice not to go anywhere. I stayed in my room, listening to the sounding waves, breathing deeply… And I found that if I closed my eyes, I could almost imagine that I could hear the wind in the trees of Greenwood. I miss my forest and long to return to my little cottage.
Yet, there have still been some worthwhile moments here in Alvena. This week Alexander gave his speech before the Council of Barons and the king, and Lorenz and I were able to attend. I could hardly believe it! We were in the very chamber where the leaders of the kingdom meet to discuss and decide the most serious matters of state!
Before Alexander was to give his speech, we had the chance to speak with him briefly. He was dressed in his finest and looked so much grown that for a moment it was like I was seeing him for the first time. I had a small vial prepared, a mixture of Courage and Confidence, but as he took it in hand, he only smiled and replied, “You know, today I don’t think I need it. But thank you, Miss Sonya and Master Lorenz. You’ve both helped me so much!” And as he tucked that vial away into his pocket, I don’t think I had ever felt so proud.
We went and sat alongside Baron Rhodes as his special guests, and watched as the other barons, the gentlefolk of the capital, and eventually the King himself sat to listen to the speeches of the leaders-in-training. We heard from many young people that day. They spoke on topics of governance and what ways they thought the kingdom might be improved. One spoke on potential of industry and commerce, another on agriculture and science. To be honest, it was all a bit beyond me, but when Alexander came forward to speak, it was on something I know and believed deeply in my heart. He spoke of the forest, well, of the value of the natural world as a whole, but everything he said reminded me of something we had learned together beneath the trees of Greenwood. His closing words still ring in my mind: “These wild places are an unending well of knowledge and life, and should be treasured as part of our great inheritance.” How true I know this to be.
Afterwards, as we were congratulating Alexander on his speech and his acceptance as a candidate for baronship, someone else joined us to offer his compliments: it was Lorenz’s father! He was looking quite well considering the last time I saw him was at the ball, and it surprised me to hear him praise the young man so freely. Alexander bowed graciously and replied that he had been lucky enough to have a fine tutor. For the first time, I saw Lord Leland’s stoic face shift; his eyes crinkled and the corner of his mouth curled into a subtle but unmistakable smile.
Before leaving us to our business, he handed me a sealed envelope and, in a voice far gentler than I had expected, asked if I would consider the request inside. Then he walked away. Later that day when I opened the envelope, I found a petition to “grant a private audience”. Lorenz explained, “He wants to speak with you alone. I think he has a few things he would like to discuss.” I asked if the two of them had spoken since the night of the ball; he answered that they had. Lorenz still sighed, but it did not seem as heavy as before. So while I was incredibly nervous, I did decide to write back and invite Lord Leland to tea the next day. George said I could use the drawing room to see her “hard-headed dolt of a brother.” Harsh words indeed! But she added that truly she loved him; he just had a way of worry too much about what others thought.
In the bright drawing room the next day, I greeted Lord Leland with all the grace and propriety I could gather. I curtsied low, invited the regal gentleman to sit, and served him tea. After a long pause, he stated that he was grateful for my continued generosity, though he did not deserve it. I was startled! What on earth could he mean? “Miss Sonya,” he continued, “I have been most unkind to you, and I have judged you unfairly.” He began to explain. He and his son did not often see eye-to-eye. He had disapproved when Lorenz chose to became a tutor in Greenwood, and that past winter, when Lorenz confessed that he had “met some girl in the village”, well, it was unthinkable. “Lorenz is an educated gentleman, with a good reputation and connections. I believed he should have sought a position here, as one of the King’s advisors. He would have been established. He would have guaranteed himself a life of influence and stability in fine society. Yet instead, he chose to move to the countryside, to become a mere teacher, and to give his affections… to you. So when I saw you in the library that day, I knew who you were, and I must admit, I resented you.”
Oh goodness, dear reader, I was so taken aback… I found myself shaking and did not know what to say… But he went on speaking. “Miss Sonya,” he continued, “knowing all this, can you ever forgive me?” He was apologizing… to me!? He declared that he had misjudged me. “At my sister’s ball, in a moment of great need, you came to my aid even after I had shown you nothing but contempt. And afterwards, while you were recovering, Baron Rhodes met with me and sung your praises. It seems you have been a great benefit, not just to your village, but to him and his son personally. I take him at his word. He says you hold the highest integrity and are a conscientious and capable practitioner of many magics. I believe him…” He pulled something from his pocket. It was a small bottle of a blush colored liquid: the Beauty remedy. Lord Leland sighed, just as his son had, and concluded, “While I would not have chosen this current path for Lorenz, I do see now that it has worth. And to you, young lady, I understand why my son holds you in such high regards.”
I sat in the drawing room for a long time after Lord Leland departed. I had freely given him the forgiveness for which he pleaded. I held no ill will, and yet… his parting words left something unsettled in me. Before going, he asked that, as Lorenz and I consider the future, we remember Alvena. He would see to it that we would be connected with the finest society of the capital, if we chose to make it home…
Home… Dear reader, to be honest, I have not thought much of the future until now. So much has been about helping Alexander this summer, but now that he has accomplished his goals, where do we go from here? What shall become of Lorenz and I? Of our future?!
Goodness, recalling all this has left me so very, very tired… It makes me miss the leafy trees of the forest all the more. I miss Flame’s soft fur against my cheek so much it makes me ache. Goodness, I’m tearing up! Perhaps I am still recovering my strength. I shall rest now, and with all my heart… I hope that when I fall asleep I dream of Greenwood.