The Journey

Mother's spirit was lifted up a bit as she realized I still got some time to spend with her before leaving.

.....

A week later.

Diana in tears, embraces her most cherished and loved mother, her only family before leaving for the train station.

"Am going away mother, but I promise to always write to you and also send the money for your upkeep. Please do try to take your medicine unfailingly and at the stipulated time, and also write to me when you can".

Filled with mixed emotions, her mother unable to reply, nods, smiles and embraces her only child.

The coachman calls from the carriage," the early train leaves in an hour, you don't want to miss it".

Diana let's go of her mother and climbs onto the carriage.

Memories of her time spent at the countryside creeped into her mind.

The busy countryside filled with lots of activities, the laughter from the beer houses, with the mixture of melodious music matching every sip of beer.

The serenity in the fields most especially her special hiding place, "nature blest" as she calls it where she was always welcomed by the sweet melodious chirping of the birds, the fast running of waters and the rustling of leaf's by the winds.

All this she thought of until she was jerked to reality by the noise issuing from the train station as many people, made their way to the train after paying for their tickets.

Diana makes her way to the train in the midst of the crowd after paying for her ticket.

Afterwards she prepares for what seems like the longest journey of her life.

......

Having successfully secure a carriage in the train, I relaxed and let the sound of the train take over. Opposite my carriage, sat two elderly women maybe in there late fifties, dressed like high society and the were discussing on the latest happenings in the city.

Although not my intention to eavesdrop, but I could hear them clearly as they spoke audible enough for me to hear.

Among the things they spoke of, the name Lord Fredrick Wundt was mentioned.

I first of all tried recalling where I heard that name cause it sounded familiar. I quickly remembered, "it's must certainly be my Lord" I spoke inwardly and at once my interest on the topic aroused more than before.

The first woman who seemed a bit younger than the other, was telling the older woman how although handsome the young Lord looks but he wasn't really what he seems in the inside.

"Well looks deceive most of the time", I thought to myself.

"He is really a very ambitious gentleman for his age and he always gets whatever he wants not minding the consequences of his actions" the youngest woman continued.

"Well, you won't really blame him completely, he is the only heir to the Wundt's and this only can justify his actions" the elderly women chipped in.

I on the other hand did not really know who to side with as it was going to be my first time meeting the young Lord.

I was although scared and at the same time excited as it was my first time leaving home to a distant place at seventeen.

Different thought kept on creeping into my mind as the fear of what lies ahead awakened my curiosity.

"Well, I will have the upper hand to judge the two elderly women and prove them either right or wrong when I reach the castle", I consoled myself.

At this point, the train took a stop at Michigan train station. Some passengers alight from the train among which was the elderly women who sat opposite me.

.....

After the women alighted from the train, the journey continued for about an hour and to be honest, it was really boring probably because everyone in the train were minding their business. I began to think of how to greet my Lord and his family cause I've really have nothing to do with high society since I was born. Should I hold my gown and courtesy or should I bow? Well, think I would just be myself cause everytime I try going extrem to do what I usually don't, it usually turn out to be a mess. As I continued thinking about it, the train got to my own station and surprisingly it's named after the Wundt's what a complete stroke of luck I thought. As soon as I alighted the train, a puppy ran towards me and was wagging it's tail. I bent down to play with it because of my love for dogs. At first, I thought has this dog lost it way to it's owner? Although I loved dogs and I always dreamt of having one I just couldn't bring myself to the thought of taking this dog with me I immediately felt sorry for the dog "poor dog I thought" I thought. Immediately I heard the foot of someone approaching right behind me.

" how many times do I have to tell you not to stray away when you see a beautiful lady, Lucky?" I heard the person speak.

Wow I thought, "so this dogs name is lucky, and it's did not lose its owner but instead intentional ran to meet me?. I hope this l luck continues to be with me" I thought. I was lost in my own thoughts that I forgot about what was happening at the moment, the person who I supposed the owner of the dog had worked up from behind me and was presently standing in front of me.

"Are you Diana Ross?" The voice asked. Instantly I jerked back to reality. I immediately looked up and I could not really see who was standing in front of me due to the sun striking from behind the person. I remembered where I was and immediately remembered my manners I stood up and behold, I was met with a pair of green eyes.

"Are you Diana Ross?" The voice asked again.

"Mmmmmm, yes I am", I said stuttering.

"How can I be of help to you?" I asked still trying to figure out how this hot sexy looking and I guess bachelor knew my name.

"Well, am here to pick you up and am sorry about Lucky, he always acts like that when he sees pretty girls". He said not really looking like someone who is ready to introduce himself.

I was about responding to him before a carriage ride to where we were standing. Lucky leaped unto the carriage and it's owner followed I stood looking at the carriage.

"Won't you get unto the carriage or you prefer to stand like that statue?" He asked with a smile referring to the statue of 'Wundt Holmes' by whom the train station was named after. I immediately joined him with my little bag.

......

We then rode in silence the sound of the carriage wheels leading us and Lucky who's head was outside the window and always bark anytime he saw something that amazed him.

We arrived at a big gate in less than Thirty minutes, and the guy in charge of the gate who probably was in his early thirties smiled at me.

"Welcome to Wundt's Castle, welcome Lord Fredrick". He said with a bow.

"Did I hear him well, or are my ears deceiving me? Lord Frederick? Like did he pick me himself when he could just send someone to pick me? Was he curious or what? Did he try testing me from our first encounter? Did I pass the test or not?" I continued asking myself at this point I couldn't even bring myself to looking at him I just brought my eyes down and was busy playing with the handle of my bag. He on the other hand giggled seeing my mood changed after I heard his name. This only worsen the situation for me as I could not understand what he was thinking of and kept on thinking about different things.