Waltz of Wings 11/? by Regency Company

[Sailor Celaeno]

Here's the other chapter. Now please be patient as i try to write chapter 12. This was written by RC's Patty.

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After Hilde had expressed her duress to her sister, the eldest Noin was left to ponder her own situation. To have a wealthy and promising young man propose marriage to someone of the Noin's stature would be a blessing of good fortune to any family. In most circumstances, if someone were to refuse a marriage proposal, the refusal would only bring about some regrets but they would shortly be forgotten much less talked about. If a person were sure that their reply was the correct one, no regrets would plague their thoughts. Her sister on the other hand was quite different. Mr. Maxwell's proposal weighed heavy on Hilde's shoulders. Lucrezia sensed that her sister harbored some sort of feelings for their cousin, mixed feelings for that matter. There is the resentment of her cousin's inheritance of their father's estate but then there is the look of contentment and delightment while in the company of Mr. Maxwell. Duo's proposal put her younger sister's feelings to the test and now Lucrezia wonders which feeling will overcome the other, hate or delight.

Then there is the matter of one Mr. Merquise. Lucrezia felt a familiar draw to him, a sense of comfort while in his presence. The feelings made her reflect on days long past, days of her childhood when her father was still alive and times were much more pleasant. As children, she and Hilde would play on their families lush estate nestled in the English countryside. Down the road lived a substantially wealthy family. They were a family of philanthropists, always dedicating their time and money to worthy cause. Lucrezia always remembered sitting up in a tree with her sister and watching the lavish parties that were held. Carriages full of beautiful and finely dressed women escorted by well refined gentleman. Lights danced and sweet melodies resonated in the air. One beautiful Spring night, their neighbors were having another one of their soirees and that's when she met him.

They were perched happily upon a tree limb completely mesmerized by the magic of the night. So enamored were they that they failed to notice a young boy under them. "What are you doing up there?"

The voice startled Lucrezia off her tree branch and luckily the branch was not far from the ground. "Goodness, I do apologize for our intrusion," she replied as she stood up brushing herself off all the while Hilde giggling in the tree above.

"Are you alright Miss? I did not mean to alarm you so."

Lucrezia looked up and was met with a young boy of around her age standing before her. He had a fair countenance with hair the color of sweet cream and eyes as blue and clear as the sky to match. From his dress and manners, it was evident that he came from a well to do family. "I'm quite alright thank you."

"What were you doing up in that tree?" he inquired once again.

Lu blushed with embarrassment for as mother always told her, young ladies should not act like little monkeys. "My sister and I were watching our neighbor's party. They always have such lovely parties." Lucrezia paused for a moment before continuing any further. "What were you doing out here if I may ask?"

"My family owns this land. That is my house over there."

Lucrezia covered her face with her hands. "Oh dear, I do apologize once more. We did not mean to intrude on your land."

The young boy laughed. "It is merely a tree so there is no need to apologize. I am just glad your fall was not severe."

Hilde, who had remained silent up until now, felt it safe to speak. "Why are you not at your family's gathering?"

He neatly folded his hands together behind his back and looked over at his estate. "Because they are rather dull and are no place for children."

"Oh how can you say that? All of those elegantly dressed people, the music, the dancing..." Hilde rambled gloriously.

"It's an adult gathering of my parents' acquaintances. There are no children present so I am left to stand around idly and converse lightly with adults. I would hardly call that amusing."

"I am sorry," Lucrezia apologized once more for her sister's unnecessary outbursts.

"It is alright. One does not know by just looking in." The expression on his face was rather severe and melancholy.

Lucrezia could see his evident distress an's actions before Lu gave her a silencing stare. "I do apologize, my sister is still quite young."

"Aren't we as well?" the young boy quipped.

Lucrezia's face blushed a brilliant shade of red. "Indeed."

Lucrezia still remembers that day like it happened only moments before. Milliardo and herself formed a wonderful friendship from that moment and it grew with each passing day. They would play in the fields of grass and trees, go horseback riding with horses from his family's stable. She looked forward to each day spent with him. Milliardo's company was pleasant and always entertaining. Days passed and she was always able to count on him being there until one day would change that forever.

Milliardo was perched up on the branch of a large tree as she sat in the grass below. It had been the same tree that they had first met a few years ago. "Lu, there is something I must speak to you about."

"Yes, what is it Milliardo?" By the tone of his voice, she sensed a deep concern lying within him.

"I will be leaving my family's estate in a fortnight."

"Where to and for how long?" she turned her face to him curiously.

The expression on his face grew sad. "My parent's are sending me off to boarding school. Mother is quite ill and it would be best for me to be away so she can rest and recover."

Lucrezia looked down and stared at the daisy between her fingertips. "Will I ever see you again?"

Milliardo hopped down from the branch above and sat beside her. He placed a reassuring hand upon hers and said, "I do hope so."

Two weeks had passed from that moment as Lucrezia watched from the tree Milliardo's carriage riding off down the rode. His head peered out from the window as he saw his dear friend in the distance. Both waved to each other and that was the last time Lucrezia ever saw Milliardo again. What she could not figure out is why these memories choose to surface now. Could that handsome sea captain be the boy she knew years before?