Chapter Text
“Anxious?” the woman with short hair asked me.
“Quite a bit,” I admitted, smoothing the folds of my skirt and running my sweaty hands over the fabric, nervousness getting the better of me.
“It’ll be fine, I’m sure of it,” she gave me an encouraging smile.
“I hope so…” I sighed, forcing a tense little smile.
Suddenly, I felt soft lips press against my forehead.
I widened my eyes in surprise, and when I recovered from the shock, I pulled the woman into a tight hug.
“It’ll be fine. Stop doubting yourself,” she whispered into my ear.
The loud whistle of the train interrupted the small moment of intimacy that had formed between Sophie and me, making me let out a soft sigh as she pulled away from my embrace.
“Come on,” she smiled, “or the train will leave without you.”
I nodded, but before turning away and boarding, I gave her one last gentle smile—one of those smiles few people had ever seen from me, and she was one of them.
The station master announced the train’s departure, giving a final chance for anyone still outside to board.
I got on the train and took a seat by the window so I could say goodbye to her once we left.
The train began to move, and just then our eyes met. The smile on my lips faded when I noticed the sadness in the woman’s gaze as she watched me leave.
Something inside me snapped, and I suddenly stood up, heading back toward the door I had entered through. I leaned out as far as I could, gripping the handles nearby, trying to keep my balance.
“Sophie!” I called to get her attention, along with a few strangers’ as well. “Take care of yourself! See you soon!” I took the precious family hairpin from my hair and threw it to her, waving one last time.
The lady-in-waiting looked utterly surprised, clearly confused as she caught the golden hairpin in her hands—decorated with imitation calendula flowers made of gold, and engraved with the surname “De Rossiglione” in elegant, refined cursive.
She clenched it tightly, pressing it against her chest as her eyes filled with tears; even she wasn’t sure whether they were tears of joy or sadness.
Without the hairpin, my long hair finally came loose from its painful styling, falling freely over my shoulders, no longer pulled back by anything.
I stayed leaning out for a few more minutes, then pulled myself back inside and returned to my seat, finally ready.
'I hope Elizabeth is kind to her…' I was starting to worry too much, so I decided to close my eyes for a few minutes to silence my constant thoughts, and I ended up drifting off.
I’m not sure how long I slept, but at some point, an unfamiliar voice woke me.
“Miss. Excuse me, miss,” I felt a hand shake my shoulder.
I frowned, annoyed. I opened my eyes and shot a sharp look at whoever it was.
A young boy, probably my age, froze under my cold stare and quickly pulled his hands away in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry!” he sounded intimidated.
I shook my head, letting out a tired sigh. “Yes?”
“I need your ticket,” he held out his hand, waiting patiently.
'For a ticket inspector, he’s very young,' I thought, reaching into the inside pocket of my cotton jacket. I took out the ticket and placed it in his hand.
He returned it shortly after, punched, and walked away with an uncertain little smile.
I slipped the piece of paper back where it had been and looked around, trying to figure out how much longer it would take to reach London.
From the wheat fields and countryside houses visible through the window, I understood there was still a long way to go.
I leaned back into my seat, slightly bored, turning my head toward the window.
'So boring…'
'I wonder what Elizabeth is doing… I hope she minds her own business…'
And as I lost myself in thought, the train kept moving along the tracks, straight toward London.