Oblivion#Prose004 Eighteenth Summer Night
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Paranoidmode : I know I mentioned this before and I'll keep on hassling you with this before you can enjoy these works, if you ever find yourselves in this page.
It was only her eighth season, when she was assigned that ridiculous assignment by her mother. Said her, "Young Lady Middleford, for you to remain ignorant to your tasks could no longer be tolerated. As you are the sole successor to our orchard, you must learn from early age and stage. If you think the only ladies' work is dressing up and dance in parties then you're wrong. Do not let those ungrateful and ignorant girls fool you. As a lady, not only you must support your husband but also manage your property. Do not think if you're not sole successor would save you from this dreary task. For this applies to all ladies with proper upbringing. Remember, not only your own property is at stake, but also your intended's. Ah, I know that gaze...
'but Mother, that would be still far off! Why worry something that's still in the far future, let's worry what should we serve for tea today instead'.
Too bad for you young lady, if you instill that thought in your little head, you'll fail for sure. When the time come at last, you'll realize how much time wasted for your silly tantrum. You're not forever Lady Middleford, one day you'll be entitled whatever name your intended be, Lady Woodshire, Lady Westford, Lady Romanovich, whatever pleases you. Now, not only you must learn basic lessons, of manner, table manner, dance, and so on. You must as well learn of economics, house management, politic, and the most hated one, reading the ever boring newspaper. I won't tear you apart from your books, but I expect you to read also useful books. Leave those love stories for bed. At noon, you shall engage in knowledge. Woman cannot live on love alone. I expect you..."
"Your reason is laughable, wife" chuckled her father, Lord Middleford, landowner of vast land in Eastern Kingdoms. Of lands divided to farmers to toil, paying rent by whatever Earth yields for them. Of wheat, vegetables, fruits, and most of all, wine. "Why should you bother her and her childhood? It's not like she's going to understand all the lectures. Let her play with her friends, this is summer! Running on fields till sunset, enjoying fully the warmth of the sun while devouring summer yields. Let her carve her memories of happy childhood. Don't take that away from her, she deserves that"
"Oh, of all things you men could say is nothing but ladies and fine wine..."sighed Lady Middleford, mother to the girl as well as household manager. "Do not once think women do not need to study, happy are those men with properly educated wives. Do you see what happened to your friend Stahnbury, he took a whore he called fine lady. Oh, yes, of one with curved figure as her only ransom. She came from a fine family indeed, but of education they lacked. What she does was only spending money on lavish dresses and jewels for her to show off in parties. So every men would gaze upon her deep cleavage and curved lining, every women would envy her appearance. What then? More and more dresses till her wardrobe is full, jewels hanging on every dress. For those Stahnbury would sell a piece of his land to the farmer. To the farmer! What's left of him now, husband? Kindly remind me, if you please, John Middleford"
Hesitating, Lord Middleford answered "...only his mansion with dresses and no one to attend to the remaining land. Not to mention his wive refuses to sell her dresses and jewelry "
"If you've come to your senses, then. Have you acknowledged my reason? Know that I do this, for the sake of our beloved daughter. I don't want her to endure similar fate, out of her own misdeed. A harsh beginning doesn't mean bad end. Often those struggles so hard at first would find themselves happy life. Remember that young Earl in west border? Not a single noble bloodline runs in his vein, yet he worked so hard and gained the title for himself." smiled her, as sweet as ever as in her youth. Surprisingly after ten years of her marriage, Lily Middleford looked like her prime youth during her marriage.
John Middleford softened, "Oh yes, how could I forget the woman I loved for many years. Her vast knowledge and stunning beauty that took my heart in mid-summer ball. I must thank your mother indeed, for giving me such a great wife"
With her father supporting, there's no way young lady of Middleford would escape the lessons, or torture she would call it. No longer she would play with her friends nor enjoying books under tree's shade. In addition to her daily lesson of dance and manner, her mother would personally teach her household management and properly teach her even to the basics. Though the other noblewoman would despise her for being so down to earth, in sense of joining the hard labor herself when needed, her deed resulting in family's prosperity. Expected to continue so during the daughter's time. They haven't been blessed with a son, so her being the inheritor could not be avoided.
"Speak of mother...you gave me a great idea,John. Why don't we let our daughter spending her summer in mother's orchard in west border? I'd love her to teach her in person, as she did long ago. Knowledge better come directly from the expert. Besides, the size would be perfect for the beginner's level, hmm?" mused Lily Middleford.
"Agreed" replied John Middleford. Charlotte Middleford sighed, that would be the final decision. Exiled to western border, to Grandmother's care for the rest of summer. Not for the occasional visit like usual, but instead studying from the person that had shaped her mother so, directly. "If my memory serves me still, didn't she buy the land from our young Earl himself?. Isn't it nice if you could learn something from him as well, daughter?"
"That would be a great honor, father" said Charlotte weakly, knowing the inevitable. Tonight she would properly say goodbye to her friends, her collections of book. Which are not love stories as her mother thought, but instead stories of knights and adventures beyond. Her only expectation would be the travel between her lessons.
"Come again, daughter?" asked Lily Middleford.
She knew her mother expected stronger, more willing answer. Forcing her throat to say "Yes, mother. I would be honored. I'm excited to learn things from Grandma" in faltering way, as if she's going to cry. Finally giving up to her true feeling, tears flowing free from her eyes.
"You'll learn how fun it is to study, daughter. So subside the tears for now, you won't need it until your marriage" said her mother, taking out her handkerchief, and wipe tears flowing from her daughter's brown eyes.
It took the rest of the day for preparing her travel toward Grandmother's house in western border. Not to mention packing dresses and sending messengers to Lady Formentini for her grandchild's arrival. Lily Middleford had the habit to pack things together, from the daily need to trivial things. Or so the daughter thinks, for in the end what listed by her mother proved to be useful. Although this time she had restriction to her own list, her dolls and books for example, she managed to hide her favorite book beneath her dresses. She wouldn't read during the ride, but instead during her private time after lessons. Lady Middleford surely realized that, but let it slide. After the packing, came the double checking session. Lily Middleford didn't need written list, for everything was already memorized, quite easily.
"Now, Charlotte...help me for a bit. Five sets of dresses, all come with different colors fit for summer. Five sets of night dresses, five coats for your journey to Formentini Orchard and the travels you might conduct there. Two pairs of leather boots. Few towels. Socks. Underwears. A can of biscuit. Tomorrow I will provide you a box of sandwiches, fresh breads, cheese, jam, and...oh, I almost forgot your hats, kindly tell the maid to prepare for you, daughter? Also..."
"Mom" said Charlotte finally "Why all these things? Can't we keep it simple? It's not like I'm going to north pole or anything. Look all those bags, I 'll look like a refuge"
"Silly girl, your journey will take at least one week from tomorrow, considering the carriage doesn't stop during day. Meaning, it won't stop unless you stumble on villages or town for the night. And only that. The rest of the journey you will be sitting idly in your seat. No stopping for lunch. I don't like the idea you wander around without anyone guarding you. Knowing you, you might be exploring while the horses need to rest."
Paranoidmode : I know I mentioned this before and I'll keep on hassling you with this before you can enjoy these works, if you ever find yourselves in this page.
It was only her eighth season, when she was assigned that ridiculous assignment by her mother. Said her, "Young Lady Middleford, for you to remain ignorant to your tasks could no longer be tolerated. As you are the sole successor to our orchard, you must learn from early age and stage. If you think the only ladies' work is dressing up and dance in parties then you're wrong. Do not let those ungrateful and ignorant girls fool you. As a lady, not only you must support your husband but also manage your property. Do not think if you're not sole successor would save you from this dreary task. For this applies to all ladies with proper upbringing. Remember, not only your own property is at stake, but also your intended's. Ah, I know that gaze...
'but Mother, that would be still far off! Why worry something that's still in the far future, let's worry what should we serve for tea today instead'.
Too bad for you young lady, if you instill that thought in your little head, you'll fail for sure. When the time come at last, you'll realize how much time wasted for your silly tantrum. You're not forever Lady Middleford, one day you'll be entitled whatever name your intended be, Lady Woodshire, Lady Westford, Lady Romanovich, whatever pleases you. Now, not only you must learn basic lessons, of manner, table manner, dance, and so on. You must as well learn of economics, house management, politic, and the most hated one, reading the ever boring newspaper. I won't tear you apart from your books, but I expect you to read also useful books. Leave those love stories for bed. At noon, you shall engage in knowledge. Woman cannot live on love alone. I expect you..."
"Your reason is laughable, wife" chuckled her father, Lord Middleford, landowner of vast land in Eastern Kingdoms. Of lands divided to farmers to toil, paying rent by whatever Earth yields for them. Of wheat, vegetables, fruits, and most of all, wine. "Why should you bother her and her childhood? It's not like she's going to understand all the lectures. Let her play with her friends, this is summer! Running on fields till sunset, enjoying fully the warmth of the sun while devouring summer yields. Let her carve her memories of happy childhood. Don't take that away from her, she deserves that"
"Oh, of all things you men could say is nothing but ladies and fine wine..."sighed Lady Middleford, mother to the girl as well as household manager. "Do not once think women do not need to study, happy are those men with properly educated wives. Do you see what happened to your friend Stahnbury, he took a whore he called fine lady. Oh, yes, of one with curved figure as her only ransom. She came from a fine family indeed, but of education they lacked. What she does was only spending money on lavish dresses and jewels for her to show off in parties. So every men would gaze upon her deep cleavage and curved lining, every women would envy her appearance. What then? More and more dresses till her wardrobe is full, jewels hanging on every dress. For those Stahnbury would sell a piece of his land to the farmer. To the farmer! What's left of him now, husband? Kindly remind me, if you please, John Middleford"
Hesitating, Lord Middleford answered "...only his mansion with dresses and no one to attend to the remaining land. Not to mention his wive refuses to sell her dresses and jewelry "
"If you've come to your senses, then. Have you acknowledged my reason? Know that I do this, for the sake of our beloved daughter. I don't want her to endure similar fate, out of her own misdeed. A harsh beginning doesn't mean bad end. Often those struggles so hard at first would find themselves happy life. Remember that young Earl in west border? Not a single noble bloodline runs in his vein, yet he worked so hard and gained the title for himself." smiled her, as sweet as ever as in her youth. Surprisingly after ten years of her marriage, Lily Middleford looked like her prime youth during her marriage.
John Middleford softened, "Oh yes, how could I forget the woman I loved for many years. Her vast knowledge and stunning beauty that took my heart in mid-summer ball. I must thank your mother indeed, for giving me such a great wife"
With her father supporting, there's no way young lady of Middleford would escape the lessons, or torture she would call it. No longer she would play with her friends nor enjoying books under tree's shade. In addition to her daily lesson of dance and manner, her mother would personally teach her household management and properly teach her even to the basics. Though the other noblewoman would despise her for being so down to earth, in sense of joining the hard labor herself when needed, her deed resulting in family's prosperity. Expected to continue so during the daughter's time. They haven't been blessed with a son, so her being the inheritor could not be avoided.
"Speak of mother...you gave me a great idea,John. Why don't we let our daughter spending her summer in mother's orchard in west border? I'd love her to teach her in person, as she did long ago. Knowledge better come directly from the expert. Besides, the size would be perfect for the beginner's level, hmm?" mused Lily Middleford.
"Agreed" replied John Middleford. Charlotte Middleford sighed, that would be the final decision. Exiled to western border, to Grandmother's care for the rest of summer. Not for the occasional visit like usual, but instead studying from the person that had shaped her mother so, directly. "If my memory serves me still, didn't she buy the land from our young Earl himself?. Isn't it nice if you could learn something from him as well, daughter?"
"That would be a great honor, father" said Charlotte weakly, knowing the inevitable. Tonight she would properly say goodbye to her friends, her collections of book. Which are not love stories as her mother thought, but instead stories of knights and adventures beyond. Her only expectation would be the travel between her lessons.
"Come again, daughter?" asked Lily Middleford.
She knew her mother expected stronger, more willing answer. Forcing her throat to say "Yes, mother. I would be honored. I'm excited to learn things from Grandma" in faltering way, as if she's going to cry. Finally giving up to her true feeling, tears flowing free from her eyes.
"You'll learn how fun it is to study, daughter. So subside the tears for now, you won't need it until your marriage" said her mother, taking out her handkerchief, and wipe tears flowing from her daughter's brown eyes.
It took the rest of the day for preparing her travel toward Grandmother's house in western border. Not to mention packing dresses and sending messengers to Lady Formentini for her grandchild's arrival. Lily Middleford had the habit to pack things together, from the daily need to trivial things. Or so the daughter thinks, for in the end what listed by her mother proved to be useful. Although this time she had restriction to her own list, her dolls and books for example, she managed to hide her favorite book beneath her dresses. She wouldn't read during the ride, but instead during her private time after lessons. Lady Middleford surely realized that, but let it slide. After the packing, came the double checking session. Lily Middleford didn't need written list, for everything was already memorized, quite easily.
"Now, Charlotte...help me for a bit. Five sets of dresses, all come with different colors fit for summer. Five sets of night dresses, five coats for your journey to Formentini Orchard and the travels you might conduct there. Two pairs of leather boots. Few towels. Socks. Underwears. A can of biscuit. Tomorrow I will provide you a box of sandwiches, fresh breads, cheese, jam, and...oh, I almost forgot your hats, kindly tell the maid to prepare for you, daughter? Also..."
"Mom" said Charlotte finally "Why all these things? Can't we keep it simple? It's not like I'm going to north pole or anything. Look all those bags, I 'll look like a refuge"
"Silly girl, your journey will take at least one week from tomorrow, considering the carriage doesn't stop during day. Meaning, it won't stop unless you stumble on villages or town for the night. And only that. The rest of the journey you will be sitting idly in your seat. No stopping for lunch. I don't like the idea you wander around without anyone guarding you. Knowing you, you might be exploring while the horses need to rest."