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 One step after the other. Her hands busy holding up the hems of the crimson skirt. Agnese wasn't used to the austerity which reigned in that castle. To the rules which were in use. To the absurdity of that way of living. And yet it was also her way of living and the more she thought about it, the more she could understand it.
A blond lock slipped from the neat chignon. Unruly locks of a 14 year-old girl whose destiny had already been decided by a signature on a contract. Because marriage was only a contract for the people of her time.
The long staircase finally ended and Agnese drew a deep sigh trying to tidy up the disobedient lock.
"Madam", her voice was just a whisper.
From that place, which was her favourite, the lady loved watching the courtyard of the castle, the people coming and going, going on hoping, day after day...
She didn't immediately turned when the girl called her. Frightened, the girl tried again to attract her attention - Madam... - the whisper became even lighter.
Her self-possessed bearing shed such regalness and Agnese admired this woman, that nothing seemed to upset. The lady turned slowly towards her direction, a direct but melancholy look. She didn't utter a single word, but Agnese understood she was allowed to speak by her nod.
"Madam, you are wanted in the hall"
"The baron?" Her question was more like a statement and by saying it she turned again towards the courtyard. The sadness of the tone of her voice was palpable.
"Yes, Madam", Agnese had wondered many times why this lady spent long hours looking at a courtyard, a horizon which was always the same.
"Excuse me...", the courage died on her lips. The girl lowered her eyes annoyed by her stubbornness.
"Tell me Agnese", the eyes of the lady were still turned towards the infinite, but when Agnese looked at her, she realized that she deeply wished to talk to her"
"Can I, Madam?"
"Of course you can. Ask me what you want, ask me the one thing you wish to know"
"Well, I..."
The lady turned towards her and looked at her with a boundless sweetness.
"You're still a child Agnese, just like me at your age. But you don't have to be afraid of me. Perhaps, I'm the last person you should fear"
"Why do you love this place so much?" The words came out of her mouth like a river in flood, like a summer cloud-burst.
The lady smiled, a smile between tenderness and melancholy.
"There would be so many reasons, Agnese, but just for one I'd come here even with rain and wind"
The girl watched her with curiosity: what secret was the beautiful lady going to reveal?
"Do you know what love is, Agnese? - the answer was an inquiring look -Then, sooner or later you'll find out and from that day on you'll love this place too"
"Lady Cecilia..."
Cecilia stood up: she elegantly tidied up her turquoise dress and her perfect hair and set about to go down the staircase.
"Don't be impatient, Agnese. There's a time and a place for everything."
Story Info
- Story written by Lara and translated from the Italian by Marta, 2000
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