#dulce hancock

[nurseprigs]

Life at the Hancock' cabin was starting to become predictable, and to Dulce Morris's surprise, predictable was good. The young woman got up shortly after the sun woke up after having spent the whole night going to feed Alexander. She cooks breakfast for her husband Gustav Morris and they sit at the table to talk. Dulce starts her journey of cleaning the cabin and feeding the newborn while Gustav plays and feeds the cat Stella.

When Gustav went out into the forest in search of food and raw materials for his buildings, Dulce took advantage of the little moment of peace to venture into knitting.

Returning from the forest, when Dulce had already stopped her knitting four times to feed Alexander, Gustav started his work in the construction while Dulce prepared the food, where both met at the table once more.

The predictable was comfortable and hopeful. How long would the young redhead will be happy with the predictable?

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[nurseprigs]

Dulce was increasingly interested in knitting. Now that the wedding was close, she wanted to make her own dress. The ceremony would not be grand, nor memorable. It would just be Dulce and Gustav exchanging vows in front of the lake. No one would participate, and yet, the young redhead was excited.

She had also been trying to work on her relationship with Alexander Hancock. Her heart still had that part where she rejected her son, but an ever-growing part loving him. Alexander would not inherit the Morris surname, Dulce had promised that no one would ever know who her child's father was, and although Gustav was more than willing to play the role of little Alex's father, he would still be a Hancock. Not that the young woman was going to say it out loud, and maybe she just didn't realize it yet, but her whole heart hoped that Alex would bring much more pride to the Hancocks than the previous three generations.

A meeting was organized in Dulce's small house. All seven founders gathered to meet the new inhabitant of Valeree. Alexander was not planned, not expected but would henceforth be very, very loved.

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[nurseprigs]

As the day dawned, Dulce decided to clear her mind by cooking one of her favorite foods. It was very smart of the young woman to have collected food on the way to her new home, now with luck, she wouldn't need to go the forest looking for food until the birth of the bastard. One less worry in the sea of worries.

The young woman did not expect to receive a visit from Gustav Morris that afternoon, but she should have known that Mr. Morris is a complete gentleman. Gustav prowled the perimeter making sure the young redhead was safe, and brought firewood to keep her warm during the dead of winter.

Gustav would be a great husband one day… and Dulce couldn't understand what that feeling in her belly was. Something that rose through her body and brought warmth and comfort to her heart.

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[nurseprigs]

Dulce was on the way to the forest. It was her duty to look for food and she would enjoy the company of Henrique who would go get firewood. That way, she wouldn't give them any more reasons to want her away and she'd spend a pleasant moment with Mr. Dion.

Pleasant enough for him to reconsider her stay. Not so pleasant though. She was willing to try to be a lady.

"Can we talk for a minute? I promise I won't make you late."

"What else do we have to talk about, Edwards?"

Kylie took a deep breath. This had to end. It was costing her her mental health and turning her into a person she wasn't. Kylie was good and she desperately needed to be reminded of that.

"We were friends before all this, Dulce. I still have my convictions and you have yours. I still think we need rules or this place will turn into a lawless land. It's ok while we're only seven, but what about when we're a hundred? Respect my convictions and we can live in peace. At least respect each other, while we are forced to share the same space."

That was good news. Dulce Hancock thought that her name would definitely be out of the question during the founders' meeting… poor girl, didn't she realize that the wind wasn't blowing? She'll soon find out that she never needed Kylie to have her life screwed up.

She will be able to screwed up her life herself.

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[nurseprigs]

In an attempt to forget about the disastrous conversation in the forest, Dulce gladly accepted the company of Mr Yuri Nakamura as a good distraction. Both ended up becoming close during the days on the boat, and every day at some point, they would lie on the floor of the boat and try to find clouds with fun shapes. It was good to have that back.

Dulce promised herself that she would control her romantic instincts. Maybe Kylie was right, a decent woman doesn't kiss everyone all the time.

But Dulce was never decent, nor good at keeping promises either.

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[nurseprigs]

When Dulce Hancock woke up that day, the wind was blowing non-stop. The young woman remembered her mother saying that the wind always brings a good omen. And maybe, it was time for her to put into practice a plan that she has been calculating in her head for a while.

The first step was to invite Miss Kylie Edwards into the forest, on another morning search for food. Already away from prying eyes, Dulce decided to satisfy her curiosity.

"Do you plan on getting married one day, Miss Edwards?" "Certainly! Although I have my options somewhat limited at the moment" "Maybe you should marry the one who kisses you the most passionately. Like a three-way contest. The finalist becomes your husband."

The sound of carefree laughter filled the air in the forest. It had been a while since anyone smiled.

"Don't be silly Miss Hancock, the only man I'll ever kiss is on my wedding day. I'm saving all my kisses for him."

"Well… what about women? I could be your teacher, and you'd surprise your husband with your kissing skills. Certainly kissing nicely is part of being a good wife."

The sound of carefree laughter was silenced.

"Please Miss Hancock, don't you dare ever refer to me in such a nasty way again. I would never put my family name in disgrace in an intentional and purely careless manner."

"You wouldn't put your family name in disgrace if no one know. We could try a few times, until you're ready to kiss your husband..."

"Shut up Miss Hancock" interrupted the young lady completely shocked by the audacity in front of her. "Being in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean there are no rules. Women kiss men. And decent women only kiss their husbands."

Dulce just hoped that conversation would die there. It was the first time she realized that if she lost the respect of her mates, she would literally be alone in the world. Maybe the wind doesn't always brings a good omen.

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[nurseprigs]

The conversation with Dulce made young Kylie super aware of a few things. The first is that the King was right about wanting the young redhead away. One day this still unnamed piece of land would be a prestigious nation, and for that, attitudes like Dulce's were unforgivable. The second thing Kylie realized was that she was possibly the best candidate for a wife.

Not that the other ladies weren't good candidates, with the exception of the young redhead, Kylie was sure the others would be good eventually. It didn't take a great genius to figure out that one of the girls would end up single, and Kylie was willing to do anything not to be that girl.

Henrique was working on a snowman that would look like him, like a future King. In his head, one day he would have sculptures in his honor, but for now, the snowman would suffice. The ambitious young man was so focused on trying to fix a tie on the snowman that he didn't notice Kylie approaching.

"Mr Deon, may I have the privilege of your time?" "Hello Miss Edwards. You outdid yourself at lunch today, the baked fruit was delicious."

"Thank you Mr Deon, I feel honored to cook for you"

"What do you have to tell me, Miss? I don't mean to be inelegant but soon I'll be going to the forest with Mr Nakamura to get more firewood"

"I'll be brief. I was wondering when the next meeting will take place to decide the next steps. I have some information I think you should consider."

"I am immensely delighted that you have decided to inform me of such important matters, I believe that people recognize a leader when they see one. But there is nothing you need to worry about. Leave important matters to the men. We will keep you all safe, you have my word."

"I don't intend to make such important decisions, but maybe it's time we started thinking about local laws. I don't want to be mistaken for a gossip, I don't spend my time spying on other people's lives, but I can assure you that Miss Hancock has been exhibiting unacceptable behavior. I'm just warning you, sir, because I've become fond of your incredible work in making the middle of nowhere a home, and I don't want to imagine a miss being the reason our home didn't go down the path that you sir so much want."

"What do you mean by unacceptable behavior?"

"We need laws that guide good manners Mr Deon. And I'm willing to help you. But maybe we'd all be luckier if Miss Hancock was away, maybe the King was too hasty to put us on that boat, but I guarantee you he was right about Dulce Hancock. She needs to be away from us, her own luck and…"

The conversation was ended by the arrival of yet another person who perhaps overheard a lot more than they should.

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[nurseprigs]

The walk was not as Dulce imagined. In the girl's mind, the conversation would end as soon as the curious eyes were left behind. It was no secret that Dulce knew the men of her former province very well. Gustav Morris was one of them. The young woman still remembered the first time they were together, Gustav was summoned for his first battle. On his last night before going to war, he decided to venture under the skirt of a very willing Dulce.

That's not what happened this time. Mr. Morris was genuinely intrigued about her animals, which kept Dulce talking for hours. There were few things in the world that Dulce loved more than her pets. They also talked about dreams and possible plans. Gustav wishes he could one day find his way back home to his biological parents. Dulce wishes she could have plans. When she realized, sunlight gave way to moonlight and Dulce completely forgot to fulfill her role of cooking dinner for everyone.

"We need to go back or everyone will starve"

"I'm absolutely certain that Miss Babin, Yamamoto and Edwards wouldn't let us starve to death. But you're right, let's go back."

"It's a pity we didn't find any animals around… do you believe this place is uninhabited?"

"It's always a possibility Miss Hancock, and it's also a possibility that they're waiting for the end of the winter."

Before Dulce could continue walking, her hands were taken and placed a light kiss on both. She was delighted. Was this how decent women were treated?

"Thank you for the pleasure of your company this afternoon. You certainly saved me from dying of exhaustion."

The wind from that morning came back to blow on Dulce's face, and before the redhead could respond to Mr. Morris's comment, their lips met in a new kind of kiss.

The kind of kiss where there is only room for affection, respect and care. Very different from the kisses Dulce was used to.

On the way back, Dulce was amazed at how that day had unfolded. There were no promises, and maybe nothing else ever happened, but Morris would always have a place in Dulce's newfound heart.

Her mother was right. The wind always brings good omen.

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