First chapter of Garden of Us
So, I decided to write the first chapter here and if you're interested please reconsider to visit the wattpad website I already provided in my page and it's pinned. If you don't have wattpad I did write in 2 other platforms which I will share later on.
Chapter 1: The Journal of Storms
The garden was always prettier when no one spoke.
Well that’s what Elara believed, because no one warned her that growing up there is like learning a language no one ever spoke aloud. Even silence seems to have a place in society. But she doesn’t mind as she has the sky as company, she stares up at it whilst smiling to herself. It was beautiful, big and full of wondrous things one can learn.
She was laying down on the vast green field, the grass tickling her neck. It was a comforting sensation for her especially with the soft breeze passing through resulting in some leaves taken away from its tree. The sun was shining, clouds could be seen drifting slowly in the blue and multiple flowers were blooming. Elara rolled on her belly, reaching a hand into her brown satchel bag. She pulled out a green leathered book with the first page written in big letters ‘The Journal of Storms’. She got her metal dip pen as well and black ink, dipping it carefully into it and writing in messy cursive of what she’s saying at the moment.
She’s aware that no storm will be happening any time, not soon, not during the middle of April at least. But she likes the name, it has an interesting ring to it. The journal doesn’t always contain about weathers and storms, mostly but not always. She wrote anything in it if she feels like it, it’s not only literal but a metaphor as well. It was a journal of her stormy, swirling emotions, often changing with just a little push.
She wrote about the breeze, the grass, clouds, the sun, and everything that caught her eye at the moment. A moment that she really enjoys.
Sadly, the tranquility was short lived.
“Elara, dear. Come back inside please”
The voice was instantly recognizable. It was clear and commanding. The voice of a woman in her late 40s. That woman was Elara’s aunt.
She was a fine lady, elegant and poised. Yet Elara thinks she’s too restrained, the corset she wears daily doesn’t help either. Everything about her was suffocating and hard to breathe, but she loves her anyways.
Elara looks over her shoulder, seeing her aunt with a beautiful polonaise-style dress with a draped overskirt in a rich spring tone. Elara thought it was beautiful, yet quite impractical. How could someone walk in these without tripping? She looks at her own worn-out dress, boring with the color of the earth and white stockings paired with the same black boots she’s been wearing since who knows when.
Pulling her out of her trance on dresses and gowns, her aunt tapped her shoulder carefully. Looking at her with a worried gaze.
“Elara, honey, what are you doing out here? Is the grass not itching you? Come on now, let’s go inside. The weather is starting to get warm,” she gently hoisted her up by the elbow forcing Elara to stand on her feet. “But Aunt Aurelia, the weather is actually quite pleasant. Don’t you think so?” she frowned.
She stumbled along her aunt, trying to keep up with her long strides. She could hear a sigh coming from her mouth, a clear sign she isn’t that happy at the moment. “Have you forgotten? The Velcrest are visiting today for an afternoon tea and I expect you to come on time,” she muttered in a stern tone. Elara frowned, again with the Velcrest? What is it that they want? She barely knew the family and she barely cares about how much power or money they have. All that she remembers is that Lord Velcrest and his wife were just a bunch of snotty old people who looked down on her.
Sensing Elara’s disdain, Aunt Aurelia looks back at her with a softer expression. She walks slower now though still not letting go of her arms. “I know you don’t like them that much, but we have to be polite to them. They’re an influential family. One must avoid disappointing them.” Elara’s brows were still furrowed, she still stayed quiet. But something made her look up, a curious glint painted across her whole face at Aunt Aurelia’s next words.
“They’ll be bringing their daughter. She’s around the same age as you, perhaps you’ll grow to like her.”
Now that made Elana smile faintly, she wasn’t always fond of rich kids, especially daughters. Her and them don’t seem to connect that much but that doesn’t stop her from hoping she’ll finally meet a nice friend to talk to.
Elara nodded, “I suppose that’s worth coming to the tea party… Is she nice?”
“She’s very pleasant. She likes reading as well, maybe you can talk about that new book you’ve read… What was it called? Ah, Franky-stain or whatever…,” she answered.
Elara giggled softly, not bothering to correct her aunt. She always seems to be thinking about dirt and stains, even mistaking the book ‘Frankenstein’ by Mary Shelly as ‘Franky-stain’. Close enough… Elara thought.
Once reaching the big and white pristine manor of The Whitcombe household, Aunt Aurelia ushered Elara to get ready instantly. She was clearly hoping she would dress up more properly this time as she looks at Elara’s form retreating to the stairs.
The manor was big, that’s for sure. It feels too big though, isolated and cold. The white unstained walls seem to be staring back at her scrawny figure as she continues her journey through the hallway. Her steps make no noise against the red carpeted floor as she looks out the window. She stopped suddenly when she saw who’s in front of her.
It was a figure who stood a head taller than most men in the estate. Lanky, all elbows and knees, with dirty blonde hair sun-lightened at the tips from sun and sea-salt. For a servant, he was easy to look at, not refined, but honest. The sort of face that weather made better instead of worse.
He was in the middle of polishing silverware which she swore she saw him do this morning, leaning back lazily against the wall. He finally looks up as he straightens his posture slightly. Sending her a crooked grin that made her feel irritated somehow.
“Stop smiling at me like that,” she half-heartedly glared at him. “Good day too, Elara,” he answered.
His voice was smooth with a thick French lilt, speaking in slightly broken English. She raised an eyebrow at him, eyeing the silverware. “Are you not bored at polishing that plate for the second or maybe even third time today?”
He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Elara knows his behavior all too well, especially after living together for years now. He was too relaxed at times, often talking to someone of higher hierarchy with the same casualness he would be speaking to someone of his age or level. It was honestly refreshing, no acting, only the carelessness of this boy she befriended. “You know, if you really wish for good payment this month you need to work more properly.”
He nodded as a reply, finally putting down the silverware to leave. Elara rolled her eyes, he’s a bit odd sometimes in her opinion but then again she’s quite the same.
“He could’ve at least said a goodbye,” she murmured as she continued her walk.
Once reaching her room, she opened the wardrobe instantly to search for a good dress. Her room was unorganized and a cluster of papers were lying on the floor. Her bed was still unmade as she preferred to not let any servants touch her belongings. But the worst was her desk, half opened journals, crumpled papers, random books she pulled out from her shelves all stacked into one tall tower, and a pen near the edge ready to fall to its doom. But she doesn’t mind, it was a unique aesthetic for her eyes. In fact, she thought it looked cozy and lively, full of personalities.
Her Aunt thought otherwise, in her eyes it was a most unfortunate display of disorder. Aunt Aurelia had tried to coax Elara to at least try to clean it once in a while but she always refused, she liked it that way.
That doesn’t mean she likes angering her Aunt, if she can’t organize her desk, Elara could organize her appearance for the afternoon tea. She found a simple long sleeves drab dress in pretty soft sage green, it wasn’t much but it was enough for today. She puts it on quickly, pulling out a new pair of black stockings and puts it on before going to her dressing table to stare at her appearance.
“Good enough. Aunt Aurelia won’t be so disappointed today,” she faintly smiled whilst doing a little twirl.
She finally sat down as she brushed her hair, it was the color of brown that feels and looks warm. It was always untidy but she brushed it the best she could. She set down the brush, looking at her hair that was still quite untidy (though better than usual) and shrugged as she stood up. She descended down the stairs fast, skipping a step or two. Once reaching the ground floor she walked past the many rooms and reached for the doorknob that leads to the backyard.
The backyard was always beautiful with the stepping stones and insects buzzing nearby. It looks even more enchanted during spring. The trees haven’t grown too tall to the sky yet, the flowers are still small. But it was a sign of growth and everything needs patience for change. The grasses crunched under Elera’s boots as she skipped towards the glass gazebo in the middle. As she moved forward, she stopped half a step. Someone she hadn't met before was standing in the gazebo near the Velcrest couple. Could it be their daughter?
She opened the door to enter the glass building. As she stepped inside, she saw the girl better now. She wasn’t much older than Elara, her features as soft and elegant as a white swan. For one second Elara genuinely thought she was a swan princess like from those old fairytales. Her hand was neatly folded on her lap as she sat with a perfect posture on one of the wooden chairs provided there.
Her hair was a pale shade of blonde, it cascaded down her back like a waterfall you’ll only see once. Her features were soft but her light blue eyes had a piercing coldness to it. Her skin is fair and pale.
We had eye contact for a couple of seconds, she nodded at her as she smiled in return. Her smile looks too controlled, as if she practiced that in front of the mirror everyday. She certainly looks more like her mother as her mother had the same hair, though she’s a bit more gangly and long, while Lord Velcrest was just a lumpy old man with a nonexistent chin and neck.
Elara stared at the dress the other girl wore, a puffed up short sleeves dress that reached below her knee in cerulean blue decorated with white laced up ribbons on the area around her chest. The look was completed with a long white glove that reached her elbows. Elara frowned at that. Long gloves in spring?
She felt the touch of her Aunt on her back, guiding her to greet the Vecrest family. Lord Velcrest just stared at her with slightly droopy eyes as if uninterested and his wife was looking intently at her face, particularly around the freckles, lips, and her hair. Elara straightened her dress as she smiled widely, her buck teeth showing clearly and the wide gap it comes with.
“A pleasure to meet the Velcrest family once again. I hope you find the tea and biscuits our servants prepared to your liking,” she stated, looking at her Aunt with a proud expression.
Elara was trying to be on her best behaviour, mostly just so she could be excused faster with her possible new friend. First impressions were always important. The Velcrest family answered with a curt nod.
“Yes, it tastes pleasant. Not too sweet nor is it too bland. The perfect amount of sugar,” the wife commented.
“How was your day, Elara?” she continued.
Elara nodded repeatedly, “I’m doing alright Lady Velcrest, thank you for asking.”
As Elara and Lady Velcrest were exchanging pleasantries, Lord Velcrest decided to open his mouth to comment as well. “Have you brushed your hair young lady? I’ve heard you often forgot to do that from your aunt,” he inquired casually.
Aunt Aurelia laughed awkwardly, her hand moving to fix Elara’s hair. “Oh, well… Kids… Especially ones that are still growing. They’re quite forgetful.”
Elara moved her head from her Aunt’s hands, “Actually I have today. My hair always looks like this Lord Velcrest, perhaps you’ll get it one day. I’m aware that the lack of hair on your head made you assume that having thick hair was easy.”
She said it in the politest tone she could. Her hand instinctively went to her hair as she stared at the ground. She could feel Lord Velcrest’s scornful look he’s pointing towards her. Lady Velcrest had a startled expression on her, her eyebrows shooting upwards, eyes wide. But what piqued Elara’s attention was the daughter who seemed to be holding in a smile. Elara was about to smile back when she could feel Aunt Aurelia’s strong grip on her arm, she could hear her scoff in disappointment.
“Elara, watch your tone young lady. My apologies, Lord Velcrest. She was always quite the blabber mouth. I hope you can forgive her,” Aunt Aurelia apologized. Lord Velcrest just cleared his throat, sitting up straighter as he patted his balding heads. “Ah, of course, it’s not a big deal Ms. Whitcombe. Children just don't seem to know better sometimes,” though he said it with a sharp edge to his tone.
An awkward pause filled the silence before Lady Velcrest finally spoke, “Elara… Meet my daughter, Seraphine. She just turned 14 this January, so she’s around your age. I hope you’ll be good friends.”
Lady Velcrest gently took Seraphine’s hand to pull her up. Seraphine was an inch or two taller than Elara as she tilted her head slightly to meet her gaze.
“Ah yes, Seraphine, this is my niece Elara. How about you both kids go and chat a little around the garden while we talk about other matters?” Aunt Aureli ushered them both outside the gazebo. “We’ll call you once we’re done dear,” she said her final words and closed the door.
It seems like Elara’s last sentence had made a bit of a shake, though it was normal for her to be blunt at what she’s thinking. She now stared at the person with the beauty of a white swan next to her. They both made eye contact, none spoke first. This could be an interesting start to a new friendship.
That's it for now, thanks for reading. Hope you ejoyed
