Lupiac, France - Fall 1627

My Father fell sick this spring. He hasn't been able to leave his bed. The doctor came to see him, says it's scarlet fever. Charles is staying nearby at a friends house, as he's never had it. I however, battled the illness off when I was 8.

My Father begins to cough violently, and lets out a staggering wheezy breath. I grab the cup from his bedside and help him drink some water.

"Thank you my dear girl. I'm sorry you have to spend your 18th birthday taking care of an old stag like me." He smiles weakly at me.

I help him lay back down, pulling his covers up more to warm him.

"I am exactly where I wish to be. All I want for my birthday is for you to get better." I hold his hand.

"For you, anything." He squeezes my hand lightly and I sit with him till he closes his eyes pressing a cold rag to his forehead and humming.

When I awake the next morning, I'm on the floor of my father's room. All I can hear is the chirping of the birds outside the window. Whats missing is the wheezy of my father's breathing. I quickly sit up, but peer slowly up on the bed, terrified of what i may find.

"Morning." My father grins at me. He's sitting up against the wall of his bed. His face has regained its pink color.

"Father, you look so much better today."

I sit back on the chair at his bedside.

"I feel much better."

"I'll go make you some food, and go fetch Charles from the Cordons." I stand up.

"Thank you, for taking care of me. I know you're 18 now, but you will always be my little girl."

I kiss his cheek and hug him.

After I fix him up some breakfast and help him eat, I make my way out past our farm and through the fields. I see the Cordons house, and my heart starts thrumming. I was excited to see my brother again sure, but I knew he would be there, Frederick Cordon. I've had a crush on him since we were 8. He would always run over to our farm to play with Me and Charles. But as Charles grew older, Frederick thought he had to aswell and started shadowing him. My father had taught him some combat fighting aswell, so he became a great sparring partner.

"Daria." I heard Charles say as I walked up to him. He was sitting on their porch, sketching in journal. He looked grim and tired. "Is he...it's father..." he didn't want to finish his sentence.

I shake my head and pull him into a hug.

"He's over the worst of it. He'll be good as new in a day or two."

He smiles and spins me around in the arm before settling me back on the ground.

"I have to go tell Mr and Mrs Cordon. Let me go pack and speak with them and I'll be home!" He runs into the house gleefully.

"Well if it isn't little Dari."

I still. The voice from behind me, sends goosebumps down my arm. I turn and look down over the edge of the porch. Frederick peers up at me with his perfect smile. He did everything perfect.

"Hello Freddie." I smile down at him.

"How's your father?"

"Better now. He's recovering but knowing him he'll be kicking Charles behind at cards in no time."

He laughs his perfect little laugh.

"I'm glad, does this mean I'll be allowed to visit again?" He raises an eyebrow.

"Of course Freddie, your an unofficial second son to my father." I joke.

He smile seems to grow when I say it though. He grabs one of my hands that rest against the rail of the porch. He covers it with his other hand.

"I'm so glad to see you again." He kisses my hand. Something he's never done before. I hold in a squeal.

He gives me one last look before letting my hand go and leaving back to his yard work in the back.

A few minutes later Charles comes out of the house. We walk arm and arm back home, catching up with each other.
_________

A few days later, our Father is back on his feet and is directing me through a sparring match with Charles. While I can meet most of his hits just as hard, he outbests me and is able to knock me off my feet. My back hits the ground with a loud smack. Fredrick leaps up from his spot in the grass and runs over to me. I try to catch my breath and sit up, Frederick gently helps me up. His fingers linger on my back.

"Are you alright Daria?" He asks.

"Of course. Just got some wind knocks out of me." I laugh.

He helps me to my feet and holds my hands in his. He shares a look with my Father, who then he motions for Charles to follow him in the house.

"Come on Charles...we have to go repair the kitchen door."

"The kitchen door?" Charles asks confused.

"Yes." My father raises his eyebrows to him and points to the house "let's go."

Still clueless, Charles follows him inside.

Frederick keeps my hands in his, looking into my eyes.

"Daria" he uses my real name. "I know we have been friends for a little over 10 years now, but do you ever wonder if there is something more to this? To us?"

I smile "yes, I dare say I think about it everyday."

His face lights up.

"I know this is rather sudden, but I can't wait any longer. My father is sending me to Paris, he wants me to join the red guard like he once was. Before I go however, I must ask...Will you marry me, Daria?"

My heart beats faster and a smile.

"Freddie I've been in love with you since we were little, but my family is here. I don't know if I can leave them."

He doesn't fault though "I got your father approval of course and I'm not saying we have to get married soon, just a promise that when you're ready, you'll be my wife."

A few more seconds of hesitation. I'm in love with this boy, but marriage also frightened me. Was I ready for it, and what about my family. My father could barely cook a potato. I pushed all my worries away however, and looked into the kind eyes of the boy I've always loved.

"I will marry you!"

He picks me up and spins me around, we both laugh with joy. He sets me down and places a gentle kiss against my lips. It's brief but perfect.

"We don't have to rush, but I'm so happy to know one day we will be man and wife." He digs through his pocket and pulls out a small piece of cloth. Unfolding it, he reveals a simple thin gold band. He takes my hand and slips it on. It's much bigger than my small finger, he laughs.

"I know it's alittle big. But i promise once I get my commission in the guard I will buy you a more elegant and fitted one. Mother gave me this ring, to show her blessing to the marriage."

I slip the ring off my finger and clutch it to my heart.

"It's prefect, I'll take great care of it."

He hugs me tightly. I rub his back.

"And the red guard? Do you really want to be a solider?"

He pulls back and clears his throat. He just shrugs.

"I don't know. Father says it's where I'll learn to be a proper man. He thinks the discipline will help make me stronger and more distinguishable. Paris is so far away though, far from my family and home, and from you."

I take his hand "we will write, and I will try to visit you. We will make this work. When do you leave?"

His head falls a bit "tomorrow night."

I frown but quickly push it away.

"Then that gives me one more day."

"One more day to what?"

I drop his hand and retrieve my sword from the grass, to win our final fight. He laughs "I will not fight my betrothed."

"Scared?"

"Terribly, but also I must go home. Father says there are some things he must help me prepare before I leave tommorow. You will see me off?"

"Of course." He give me one final kiss before running home.

"That was gross." I jump at my Brothers voice behind me.

He and my Father have made their way back to my spot in the yard. My Father hugs me tightly.

"This is what you want? To be a wife? A soliders wife at that?" He knits his eyebrow with concern.

"I love him Father, farm boy or solider, I love him." I reassure him.

"If he is what makes you happy, that's all that I can ask. I just wa—" he grunts and clutches his chest.

"Father!" I grab his arm to steady him. "Charles go fetch the doctor!"

He runs off to do so and I help my father inside and back to his bed.

________

Later when the doctor is finished examining him, he returns to the hallway where Charles and I are pacing. His face gives away nothing as he cooly speaks.

"While your father has recovered from the Scarlet fever, I fear the illness damaged his heart."

"Will he be alright though?"

"With proper care and diminished activity, he will live comfortably but he will never be as he was. He needs to stay calm and relaxed though, over exerting one's self can only worsten the state."

The doctor leave and we make our way into our father's room.

"I don't care what that man says, I have work to do, a farm to run. I can't spend my days laying around."

"You have to father, and don't worry about the farm me and Charles will take care of it."

"I will not sit idley by while you both overwork yourselves."

I try to argue but he won't listen. I take my loss and spend the night caring for him.

My father is a stubborn man, but I'm a stubborn man's daughter. He will loose the battle.