Meeting Nanny Hildegarde

Alighting from the carriage, they examined the small cottage before them which was a sight for sore eyes. The roof looked like it needed repair, the stone pavement was cracked and the gardens were overgrown with weeds.

Did Nanny Hildegarde truly live here? What happened to the money she made being Felicia's caretaker? Moniqua paid her very well to take care of her daughter. There's no way she would have squandered it in only five years unless she wasn't being sensible with it. And what about her husband and two adult sons? Didn't they work?

"She needs our help, Dixie. Her family needs our help," Bonnie stated. "If they prove themselves to be our allies, let's move them out of here and into a residence much closer to us."

Dixie nodded. "She said she was now working as a teacher. Doesn't that pay well enough for her to live somewhere better? Aren't her sons taking care of her? Or giving her money?"

She turned to their guards. "Surround the cottage, but do not enter. Alex and I would like to speak to Hildegarde privately."

"Yes, my lady." The knight bowed.

Linking arms, they headed to the door just in time to see it flung open. A weathered woman with kind eyes greeted them. Despite her humble home, she was dressed in a very eloquent blue dress.

"Lady Felicia, Lord Alexander, thank you so much for coming to see this old woman!" She gushed.

Dixie felt warm as images of this woman's care brushed across her mind. "I am pleased to meet you again, Nanny Hildegarde. My life took a turn for the worse the day you left me."

The old woman offered a sad smile. "Indeed. I am very sorry about that, my lady, but circumstances forced me away. Nevertheless, I'm so pleased to see you looking healthy and preparing to wed the Crown Prince! And you as well, Young Master Alexander! You are as handsome as ever."

Bonnie winked and placed a kiss on the old woman's hand. Hildegarde smiled.

"Come in, come in, I have prepared tea with lemon cakes. They are still your favorite, right, my lady?" She asked, looking at Dixie.

"Yes!" Dixie beamed, surprised.

Bonnie's curiosity was poked. She spoke in a whisper. "You and Felicia have the same taste in desserts?"

"It's not a coincidence," Dixie asserted. For as long as she could remember, she had only ever picked up pastries flavored with lemon.

It really wasn't a coincidence.

Neither was the fact the their last name was Demont in their own time and Del Montague here. Perhaps, they were old souls who had been reincarnated.

What if these are not the bodies of other people we're occupying, but our bodies as we were in our first life?

The smell of herbal tea and lemons pulled them out of their thoughts. Taking a seat, they looked around and saw that Nanny Hildegarde had a cozy little home. But this cottage only had one floor and it did not look big enough for a family. 

"Nanny Hildegarde, do you live alone?" Bonnie inquired. "Where are your husband and sons?"

Hildegarde smiled sadly as she began to unburden her heart. She was old and depressed. The gentle smiles of the two youths seated in front of her made her feel a bit better. She took a long drink of her tea before informing them that her family had essentially abandoned her. Once the money she had made working for the generous Duchess Moniqua stopped coming, they had been forced to keep moving as they could not afford to live in the properties closer to the Del Montague manor. Her husband and sons quickly became bitter and resentful towards her for not being able to give them money. Even the income she made working as a teacher was not enough.

Consequently, her husband had left her for another woman. And both her troublesome and lazy sons were in jail for attempted murder and theft. She did not have the money to bail them out even if she wanted to.

Hildegarde was deeply wounded in her heart knowing her family was in ruins, but there was nothing she could do. She did not know where her disloyal husband went and her sons just insulted her whenever she went to visit them in jail. They were spoiled brats who had no care for her or her feelings. She did not know where she had gone wrong when raising them. Or maybe it was their shameless father's influence that had corrupted them.

Tears of gratitude flowed out of her eyes as she spoke of her wonderful neighbors. They helped her and brought her food and house supplies once a week after she had lost her job.

At this point, she was just waiting for death and hoping to join the Goddess to ease her loneliness.

"Those worthless sacks of shit!" The sisters cursed in unison as they each grasped one of Hildegarde's hands. The old woman was happy with the tender gesture.

When was the last time someone held my hand? Or gave me a hug? Ah, I am truly lucky to have met them again. I hope they will continue to see me until my death. If I beg, maybe they would be willing to pay for my funeral. I just wish to be buried beside my dear friend Moniqua. Although, I don't know if she will ever forgive me for abandoning Felicia.

"Nanny Hildegarde, Felicia and I know that you only left us because you were threatened by Tyren. We do not hold it against you."

"But now things have changed, my brother and I have more footing in our household. You can return and live with us. You don't have to worry about money at all. We will take care of you and ensure that you live the remainder of you life without any worries." Felicia's tone was ardent.

Hildegarde gasped in shock. Her own sons didn't care. How is it that these two came into her life after all this time only to help her? Had the Goddess finally answered her prayers?

"Thank you! I am more grateful than I could ever express with words! I feared I would die alone." Her voice broke as more tears spilled.

A group hug took place before the sisters decided to ask her to enlighten them on all that had transpired in the Del Montague household from the time that she started working for Duchess Moniqua up until she left.