Cealia was so stunned that she just stood and stared. Then schooling herself, she finally invited her visitor in.
“Let me just say” the lady spoke as soon as they arrived at the living room. “That I am here because I have nowhere else to turn.”
Cealia motioned her to sit down even as she took a seat across from her. “That’s okay. How can I help you?”
The lady looked down, her features strained. Her thin lips were dry. Her hair still remained disheveled and in a ponytail. Cealia wondered if she really hadn’t done anything to it since the last time they met.
She looked shy and seemed ashamed. Such a contradiction to the angry character that had trotted into their house about a week ago. “I…I…need…money,” she stuttered without looking up.
A few days ago, Leon had been discussing with Cealia about how Mordelanders love to get straight to the point. Now she saw what he meant.
Her visitor continued. “I have some things to pay for and my sewing business isn’t doing very well at the moment.”
Cealia studied her quietly and then excusing herself, she stood up and went inside. A little while later she returned with some money, clothes and even some ingredients for food. She had packed them all in one sack and placed them at her visitor’s feet. Then another unexpected thing happened, the lady began to cry. It was just gentle tears at first then she burst out in full blown sobs. As she quivered from sobbing, Cealia sat herself on her visitor’s right side and began to pat her back gently.
“I hate him,” she lamented.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”
She removed her hands from her face and turned those dark eyes to Cealia. “My husband. He is the reason I’m in this mess.”
“Would you like to tell me what happened?”
The woman turned her eyes and stared ahead. “She spoke to his ego and he fell for it.”
“Who?”
“That wretch! She doesn’t know the first thing about being a strong woman. She is a thief.”
Cealia watched the woman as she lamented and vented. Once—out of curiosity —she had asked Manno what his mother’s name is. And he had called her Sophia.
She decided to try the name. “Sophia. I can’t pretend to understand what you’re going through but can I ask you a question?”
The lady turned again to Cealia. “How do you know my name?”
“It shouldn’t be surprising seeing your son was a regular visitor to this house.”
Sophia nodded. “What question do you have?”
“Is this the reason you are so angry?”
“Angry? I’m furious!”
“And you’re furious all the time?”
“Every minute of every day.”
Cealia paused and nodded. “Do you know that your children are afraid of you?”
Sophia turned and gaped at Cealia in realization.
Cealia continued. “Your children are not the enemy.”
Sophia was silent and still for a long time. “I just want them to be prepared for life. If I don’t, they won’t be able to face it. If you’re not hard and angry, you’re finished.”
Cealia was shocked at this concept but she kept that to herself. She replied. “Anger and hardness won’t make you strong, Sophia. It is Love that makes you strong. The Love I’m talking about is a person. And you can get to know Him. Anyone who has the courage to love is stronger than any angry man.”
They talked some more and it took a little while but Sophia was beginning to understand. Sophia left there thinking very hard. Later that evening, Leon was surprised to see Manno at his door when he answered the knock. Manno was back and it seemed to surprise everyone except Cealia. It was later that night that Leon learned what happened.
THIRTEEN
THE DAYS CONTINUED to go by and Leon had still not seen the tall Mordelander who had been so interested in his horses. The young man had practically promised that he would visit Leon’s home to inspect his other horses. Leon was still in the process of finding the perfect land for his farm so his horses were kept at the back of his house. He had been looking forward to doing business with this Mordelander who called himself by the name Alexander.
Time was passing and it seemed this Alexander had disappeared off the face of the earth. But just as Leon was about giving up, there was a knock at the door one late afternoon. Tycho opened it. The boy’s jaw dropped as he looked up at their visitor.
“Hello young man. Is your father home?”
“Yes.” Tycho replied. But before he could turn to call his father, Leon approached them.
“Hello Alexander. Please come in.”
It was then that Leon saw that a second person was standing behind Alexander.
Alexander introduced him when they stepped into the house. “This is Hardman. He is the man I spoke about.”
Leon assessed their guest. He was middle aged. About Kuno’s age. He had on Mordelan clothing. Clearly the materials used in designing it were very expensive. His head was tied with an expensive looking turban.
“Good evening Sir,” Leon greeted.
“Good evening,” the man had a deep voice and a serious face. “I am very eager to see what your horses look like. Alexander tells me they are the best he has ever seen.”
“I appreciate the compliment,” Leon smiled, showing them to where the horses were immediately.
Minutes later the men were seated in the living room discussing the business of breeding and grooming horses.
As was the usual case, Manno was also visiting and he had stayed past dinner time. Aelia showed up again to pick him back to their house. After Irene let her in, she walked straight to the living room as she had grown accustomed to doing. She was already in the living room when she discovered that Leon had guests. Her eyes grew and her hands flew to her mouth. In seconds she was on her knees and her head was bowed low.
“Your Highness,” she barely whispered.
Leon was not sure what was going on. What did she just say? Had she referred to these men as Highness? Her hands shook as they rested on her laps. Leon noticed that his visitors were now uneasy with all this attention.
He turned back to Aelia. “Do you know them?”
Aelia’s voice was soft. “Yes Sir. He is the crown prince of Mordelan—Prince Herman.” All this while she kept her head down.
Leon turned back to his visitors who were now on their feet. He assumed that the one called Hardman was the prince.
As he was trying to put two and two together, Hardman turned to Alexander and spoke with great concern. “Your Highness. I’m sorry to say I warned you. I knew you would be found out sooner or later. How do we handle this so your father does not find out?”
“We’ll think of something.”
Hardman did not seem convinced. The prince however seemed to have his attention on the shaky girl who was on her knees. She looked almost terrified. Prince Herman moved graciously toward her. He seemed taller than when Leon had first seen him. His manner was suddenly regal and important. He bent and stretched his hand to her. At first she hesitated but then she put her hand in his; still keeping her eyes down.
“Don’t be so terrified of me. You are in no sort of trouble.”
She began. “I apologize your Highness…”
The prince interrupted her. “What is your name?”
“Aelia, your Highness.”
“Alright Aelia…Just promise not to mention this to anyone. Can I ask you to do that?”
She nodded and gained just enough courage to look up at him.
He looked on intently at her. “You are beautiful.” He said before realizing.
Her eyes dropped in an instant.
Leon who had been watching in silence was now concerned that they had found themselves in a serious situation. Just then Cealia strolled in with refreshments. The moment she stepped in, she sensed a difference in the atmosphere.
As she looked round trying to figure out what was going on, her husband came to the rescue. “My darling, this is the crown prince of Mordelan, Prince Herman.”
Lacking the words to respond, his wife stared in astonishment.
Hardman interjected. “Your Highness I suggest we leave now.”
Reluctantly the prince started to leave, letting go of Aelia’s hand. “Please all of you,” he addressed the party. “Do not speak of this to anyone. Thank you Leon. I don’t know how possible it will be after this but I hope to see you again.”
As they stepped out the door, Prince Herman turned. “And I enjoyed seeing the horses. I may send some of mine to you soon. May be you can make them as fine as yours.”
FOURTEEN
AS TIME PASSED Sophia grew to know Love. She was calmer in the days that followed and was relating pleasantly with Cealia and the family. Even her daughter would sometimes arrive an hour early to pick Manno so that she could enjoy the company of this unique foreign family.
One late afternoon Aelia had offered to help Cealia with her kitchen chores. Cealia was surprised by the offer but she accepted it just to encourage interaction. It was while they were cooking that Cealia discovered the hidden motive behind her visitor’s offer to help. Aelia stood close as Cealia stirred a large pot of stew.
The girl spoke. “Do you think I’m pretty?”
Cealia was not expecting that. It seemed the quiet young lady had a lot on her mind.
She smiled. “Well yes. I think you’re beautiful. Why do you ask?”