Lost and Found Pages

Gazing up at the clear blue sky, I smiled and then closed my eyes. Experiencing the chill of the breeze against my skin while the blazing sun shines overhead, as I sit beneath a large tree, is one of the most delightful sensations. It was so relaxing. Other than that, was the sound of the leaves rustling and the chirping of the birds. When was the last time I came to a peaceful place like this? I could hardly remember. I was so riveted with my job, and I had no time to unwind.

"Hmmm...so good to be back here in Snowdonia."

I truly loved the summer here, especially in Beddgelert Village. I've been to many parts of North Wales, but this one was one of my favorite places, because of its simplicity, picturesque, and unspoiled scenery. There are also a lot of scenery activities and attractions that people can enjoy during summer.

Right now, I was only a few feet away from the grave of Gelert. The faithful hound, according to history, was mistakenly killed by its owner named Llywelyn, Prince of North Wales, in the 13th century. Prince Llywelyn, returned home from hunting only to be greeted by Gelert, his faithful dog, covered in blood and the baby's crib was empty. The prince was horrified, and, without a second thought, he plunged his sword toward the poor hound, thinking it had killed his only heir to the throne. From its dying yell, the prince heard a baby's cry. Seeing his child alive and unharmed, a dead wolf lying near the child made him confused. Realization hit him with the fact that his faithful dog, Gelert, had actually saved the baby from a wolf. The prince was filled with remorse and was said to have never smiled again after that day. He buried Gelert and the spot was named Beddgelert.

A very sad story indeed.

I gently rubbed my hands on the green grass while breathing in the fresh air. Grinning, I opened my eyes, rolled over, and reached for my precious book of memoirs. Laying on my stomach, I grabbed my pen and started sketching a tree, then the sun, the birds, and lastly, me.

In the corner of the paper, I wrote the date and time.

"Perfect." I smiled brightly.

Placing my diary beside me, I gazed up at the sky. "I should have brought my little sister, Adaira, with me. I know she will love this place as well," I muttered to myself.

My smile was replaced by a sigh.

I clicked my tongue.

"If only my father allowed her to." Grunting, I rose to sit and hugged both of my knees.

Who would have thought that the heiress to the throne chose to have a simple life in the countryside and live like a normal person?

And now here I am, abandoned and forgotten.

My father hated my guts, and my mom? Well, she tried to defend me a little, but ultimately, still couldn't do anything about it since my father set the household rules. My mother was merely a decoration to the house. She's not that tough to order around the house and doesn't have the strength to disobey my ruthless father. My father does not consider her opinion to be significant. She's a puppet-poor mother.

I can't even remember a single memory of my parents exchanging intimate gestures or conversations. Why did they even get married if they didn't love each other? She couldn't answer my questions even though I tried to understand their situation. My mother kept her mouth shut. It's frustrating.

Weird.

All she did that night was cry and cry. Begging my father not to disown me. However, since I had no choice, I decided to move away to steer clear of the toxic and negative households. I had even insisted my mother get a divorce so she could be free and live a happy and peaceful life, but she gravely disagreed. Her face splashed with shock and horror because of that.

"Are you out of your mind, Fleur? I love your father, and he needs me! What you're asking me is foolish! Are you hearing yourself?"

"Foolish? This isn't foolishness, mother. Do you know what is? You, letting yourself be his slave and a puppet! Blind by love that only you can feel! Did he ever hold your hand or hug you? Even treat you as a wife and not a housemaid? Really? How can you act as if this isn't a big deal while he's crawling under another woman's skirt!?"

"That's-"

"No, Mother! I've been silent for many years! Why can't you decide for yourself? For your happiness. Being the wife of a self-centered billionaire isn't happiness! You're torturing yourself."

"It's because I set aside that happiness you're talking about! I need to fight for your rights to be the sole heiress! I can't let your stepsister get what is rightfully yours! I won't allow his mistress and daughter the privilege of inheriting a single penny from your father! I don't want them to be happy! I can't let them enjoy things they don't initially deserve! That's why I can't divorce him! Yes, I knew that he didn't feel the same way I did. He can't love me since I only seduced him and our parents forced us to get married, but I had accepted that fact long ago, while you were still in my womb."

I angrily tossed the pillow into a corner of my bedroom. "But did you even consider how these things affect me and Adaira? Have you even checked on her if she's okay? Do you know how depressed she was knowing she'd be forced to marry some random man she didn't even know for the sake of money? He can't even see us as his daughters! He sees us as pawns! Now, I know money can't buy happiness. Maybe to some, but in our case? We both know the answer, Mother. I can't live like this anymore. If you don't want to come, then I will take Adaira with me."

"You can't do that! Your fath-"

"What?" I enquired. "What will he do? I'm not even surprised by what he can do, and I'm not afraid of him! If he can't treat us as family, then at least he should treat us as human beings! But I hardly believe we would even do the latter. He's a monster!"

Stepping out of my room, I headed to Adaira's bedroom, only to see my father holding a belt and my little sister lying on the floor covered in red marks and bruises on her arms, legs, and neck, even on her beautiful innocent face. Her cheeks were drenched in tears. So weak to stand on her own. She raised her head, and I saw her eyes gleam a little after seeing me. As if she's telling me I'm her hero. My poor Adaira.

I was so horrified by the scene. Seeing her being punished by whipping, flashed a slide of memories when I was in her place. My father beat me when I started dating an ordinary man during high school. My father wasn't pleased when he found out. I have scars on my back and a fractured nose. My mother was screaming and holding his arms, pleading with him to stop. But it doesn't end there. Now, my sister has experienced the same type of mistreatment.

"How dare you do this to my sister!"

My father shifted his gaze at me. His dark and evil face bored me and I didn't feel scared anymore. This is too much!

Cocking his head, he raised an eyebrow at me. "What? Do you want to join her?"

He lifted his hand with the belt and was about to strike. I was so ready but my mother stepped in between us, spreading her arms to protect me.