In hindsight, it wasn't her smartest idea, in fact, it was the biggest mistake she'd ever made in her life. Eloise knew better than this, sneaking out of her house in her father's stolen boots, saddling up one of the horses, and riding off into the night was something wild, rebellious girls did, and she was not a wild, rebellious girl. She mastered all of her studies, always did her chores on time, and never stayed out a minute past her curfew. What was she thinking?
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Cold summer rain pelted down on her as her horse galloped through the woodland path. A quake of thunder, followed by a blinding flash of lightning, caused the horse to rear onto her hind legs and nearly sent Eloise crashing to the ground. "Woah, easy girl."
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Strawberry let out a startled whinny in response.
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"You're okay, girl," Eloise whispered as she quickly dismounted and led Strawberry into a dark cave in the near distance. They would wait out the storm here and then... She didn't know what.
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Of all the nights, why did she have to choose this one to run away? Her nana had warned her a downpour was coming, but Eloise ignored her warning. The skies were clear when she fled the manor, but dark looming clouds flooded the night sky the way a spilled can of paint floods a previously blank canvas. Now she was alone in the dark with soaking wet clothes and nowhere to go.
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After what felt like an eternity of waiting, she spotted a rapidly approaching figure in the distance. "My Lady, what are you doing all the way out here?" The lantern's warm illumination revealed the man's face. It was her family's butler, Albert.
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Eloise burst into tears. "Oh, Albert, I've made a terrible mistake. I never should've left the manor!"
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Albert set his lantern on the ground, lighting up the darkness. "Don't cry, my lady. Everything will be alright." He pulled her close in a comforting embrace. "Your gown is soaked! You must be freezing! This simply won't do." He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her shivering form.
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A loud crash of thunder boomed in the distance.
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Albert frowned as he appraised the clouds. "It's not safe out there. We should stay here and wait for the storm to pass."
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"I'm so sorry, Albert. You never should've come looking for me. You were better off staying at the manor, where you are safe."
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"Don't be ridiculous, Lady Eloise. It is my job to care for you and your family, and that's precisely what I plan to do."
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"You're far too kind to me," Eloise sniffled.
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"Nonsense." Albert pulled two apples out of his satchel. He fed one to Strawberry and offered the other to Eloise. "Now, will you please tell me why you ran away?"
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Eloise said nothing as she studied her reflection in the apple's shiny surface.
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"Please talk to me, my lady. We were all worried sick about you."
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Eloise scoffed. "I'm sure my dearest stepmother was so concerned."
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Albert gave an understanding nod. "Oh, I see. I suppose the countess isn't the warmest person, is she?"
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"That's an understatement. She said I was a waste of space and Papa would be better off without me."
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Albert handed her a handkerchief. "Is that why you ran away?"
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She wiped her eyes and nodded. "I started to wonder if she was right. Maybe everyone's lives would be better off if I were gone, so I left. I know it was a foolish decision, but I couldn't bear to stay a second longer."
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"Have you spoken with anyone about this?"
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She shook her head.
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"You know, I, for one, would miss you greatly if you disappeared, and I believe your father and your nana feel the same way."
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She smiled up at him. "Thank you for finding me."
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"Anytime, my lady."
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