The Reflection
Ese tossed and turned in her bed wishing her mind would cease from thinking on the events that happened earlier that day. It was still bright, but she desired above all to sleep till the next day. Although she had been satisfied with her bold response to the rude Duchess, she could not help the sinking feeling of guilt, for allowing her anger get the best of her.
She had been raised to always respond with kindness regardless of the situation, yet, her response had been anything but kind. She wondered if her Mama, who had obviously overheard her conversation with the Duchess, was much disappointed in her outburst. It had been more than three hours since it happened, yet, her mama, unlike herself, had not come to her bedroom to give a piece of her mind
A soft knock on the door to her room caused her to sit up abruptly. She was ready for her Mama’s rebuke, as a scold was certainly better than enduring silence. It was however, not her Mama that entered her room, but her Papa. He greeted her with a warm smile, and before she could stop herself, tears began to flow from her eyes. In less than a moment, she was sobbing in her father’s strong arms, as he soothed her in a comforting embrace.
“There, there, child.” He said softly. “It appears you have been carrying a heavy burden all by yourself.”
“Oh Papa, it’s so awful… this feeling in my chest.”
“Worry not, my dear child. For all you need, is to hand it all to the One who cares for you the most.”
“But Papa, whilst I know that the One you speak of is our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, I can assure you that He cares little for my silly problems. Even if he did at first, I have behaved and spoken so odiously that I am certain He has ceased to care.”
“But He has not. He in fact, cares little about how you have behaved, and is more concerned about what you plan to do. You may sit here and feel sorry for yourself, or even blame everyone else, or you could decide to arise, make the right decisions and take the right actions. Your Mama has informed me in detail of your rather heated exchange with the Duchess. In truth, I do not approve of your manner of approach, even though it was in response to her vulgarity. I can however assure you, that I care little for that and only wish to see you restored to your joyful and mischievous self. If, as your earthly father, that is what concerns me the most, do you not think our heavenly Father is more concerned about much better things, than what you have done wrong?” Her father said, taking a hold of her hand to reassure her. Ese thought on this, and saw truth in his words, but the other thought that was bother some to her kept eating at her heart.
“But Papa, how can I still love someone who has deceived me so?” she asked deciding to cease withholding her true feelings. For a moment, her papa did not speak, and when he did, it was not in response to her question.
“Do you recall the story about how I came into wealth, and how it is your mama and I came to live in this kingdom?” Ese nodded. Her mama had told her time and again of how her father had been adopted into the family of an elderly couple when he was just a boy. His Parents had worked for them, but had been killed in a carriage accident that he alone had survived. The couple had raised him as their own, and sent him to school in Roshi, since it was not safe for people of his complexion to study in that kingdom. It was during his studies he had met and befriended the present king, who was then, only a prince. On one of his visits to his adoptive parents, he had met her mother, a slave, sent by her masters to deliver an invitation to their house. He had fallen in love with her at first sight and his parents helped purchase her freedom. They sold most of their properties in their old age and willed all they owned to him. They advised him to take his wife and begin a life in Roshi. He however remained till they both died, which was within a year of each other, before moving to Roshi.
“Yes Papa, Mama has told me that story at least a hundred times.” Ese responded humorously, as her mother usually spoke of his adoptive parents as though they were angels.
“Very well, but did she tell you that those people who took me as their son, and on whose wealth, I built a life here in Roshi, were in fact a Duke and Duchess.” Ese’s mouth dropped opened she searched her mind in an attempt to gain comprehension. The people who she truly admired, even though she never met them, were a part of a class she loathed.
“Perhaps it was different in that kingdom and the people of higher standing were not as obnoxious as the ones in Roshi.”As soon as the words left her mouth, she sighed in resignation, knowing how wrong and illogical it was. Her parents had to find refuge in Roshi, since they felt unsafe because of their complexion. Her mama had been a victim of cruel masters, and slavery was still thriving in the kingdom. Compared to that kingdom, Roshi seemed like heaven.
“By the look on your face, I am certain that you realise how ridiculous that sounds. I do not know whatever has caused you to dislike higher ranking nobles so, but just as our Lord loves us individually and not by our rank or status in the society, I believe we should not create our ideas of people based off their background. The Lord looks at the heart, and so should we. But first, may I ask that you examine your heart before you begin to do so for others.” With those words, her Papa kissed her head and left her bedroom.
Ese laid back in the silence, her father’s words heavy on her heart. She had been so bent on judging the high-ranking nobles that she failed to consider examining her own heart and motives. In truth, the real reason she was disappointed in Samuel being a duke, was because she had hoped to be someone who despite her rank and complexion, would bring her husband to fortune and give him a name of prominence in polite circles. Since she was an heiress to a great fortune, she hoped that whatever match She made would be one that her partner would be grateful for. She began to realise that she was no better than the group she so despised. Samuel on the other hand was willing, as his mother claimed, to give up his title, to show his love and commitment to her. She spent most of the evening repenting and rethinking the error of her ways.
The next morning, as soon as the sun was up, she put on her riding habit and ordered a servant to tell Old Carrigan to bring her horse and his horse to the doors, as she requires him to go with her on a short trip.
“Whatever is amiss, my dear? Where are you going so early in the day, and without breakfast.” Her mama, who had just descended the stairs questioned.
“Mama, I do beg your pardon for my vulgar behaviour yesterday. I am aware that it displeased you. But now, I must make haste to go to the Ecclesia Estate, for I must see the Duke Ecclesia at once.”
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THE WRITTEN FAITH 
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