The Charm of the Pirate

Letter of Sofia

Marquess Jasper House, December 1499.

It was only in the late afternoon that Sofia and Elie arrived at Marquess Jasper's residence in Roseland. Her father had been restless since this afternoon because his daughter did not come home.

"Sophia.."

"Did something happen??" Jasper watched his newly arrived daughter.

"There was a ses..." Sofia glared at Elie who was about to speak.

"What is Elie?"

"No Dad.."

"I'm fine.." Sofia hugged her Father tightly as she rolled her eyes towards Elie. And Elie nodded her head in understanding.

"You found what you needed?"

"It seems so, I'm grateful Elie accompanied me today.."

"Thank God then."

"Rest, baby.."

Sofia rushed into her room, and Elie was still cleaning up all the groceries and putting them in Sofia's dress room.

The day begins to feel good for Sofia, of course because she accidentally discovered something special earlier.

"I'll remember that name like it."

"I think his name is Richi."

As usual, Sofia immediately walked towards the double. He brought a new canvas and put it on the painting.

He started to scratch his brush slowly. Brown color began to appear there, then light brown, then nude and sapphire blue.

It began to look like a head, with hair and eyes and a nose there. Sofia had yet to realize who she was painting, she was swept away in her paintings and continued to scratch her brushes regularly.

"Oh my goodness.." He stopped painting when a face resembling someone appeared there.

"Why did I paint it?"

"Dad would ask thousands of questions if he saw her."

"I'll keep it and cover it with a cloth."

Tok

Tok

Tok

The sound of knocking on the door made her surprised and Sofia accidentally dropped her painting.

"Miss, it's Me.." Elie's voice came from the door of her room.

"Ah, come in."

Elie walks towards the veranda and sees Sofia picking up a fallen painting.

He was shocked when he saw the face of someone he saw there.

"Miss..."

"Don't tell him, that guy?" Elie began to ask.

"No, of course not. He's not Richi."

"Even you remember her name Miss..!!!"

"Ah, I just guessed it."

"I promise I won't let Mr. Jasper know." Elie makes a little promise.

"really? Promise?"

"Of course."

Sofia starts showing her paintings and asks Elie to bring her a white cloth to cover the painting.

Elie came out and came back with a large white cloth and gave it to Sofia.

He put his painting in the corner of the room, he did not want Jasper to know the figure he was painting there. Of course his father would get angry when he saw a man with sunburned hair and striking clothes fitted with worn-out boots painted on his son's canvas.

"I don't want you to be surprised." Sofia patted her head tightly. Elie left him and went back to the kitchen to make dinner.

A group of young women made a group and sat in a circle while peeling an onion.

"Have you heard the news?"

"I heard it on the market."

"What did you hear?"

"I heard Lady Amber talking about our Miss."

Elie was listening from a distance. Her ears became even more alert when she heard the name of her young Miss mentioned.

"What's? I want to hear it."

"Rubber, quickly say."

"She said that our Miss would marry an old Duke."

"Gosh my god."

"No way."

"Our beautiful, smart and kind. What a pity."

Elie couldn't stand it anymore, she walked with both hands on her waist.

"Stop that useless prank of yours."

Everyone was shocked to see Elie was already there and had a scary face.

"Jeez, Elie, you almost gave me a heart attack."

"Have it done, let's finish it."

Instantly the gossip group dispersed and returned to their respective work.

Sofia who was about to fetch water was surprised to hear their conversation and rushed back to her room without taking any water.

"Is he really an old Duke?"

"I really don't want to get married."

"But what about the plantation?"

Sofia was struggling with her own thoughts. He rolled around on his bed, and occasionally buried his face on the pillow.

Once in a while Richi's face stopped in her brain and brought a fresh breeze for her.

"What an oasis in the desert, Argh..." Sofia screamed under her pillow.

Silently Elie peeked out from behind the door, as there was no reply from inside Sofia's room.

"I'm worried about seeing Miss.." Elie went back down and into the kitchen with her face bent.

Marquess Jasper who saw Elie come down from her son's room with a sad face was interested in calling.

"Elie come here."

Elie raised her face and walked closer towards her Master.

"Yes Sir.." Elie tried to smile.

"Why are you that face."

"There is no Master.."

"Say."

Elie hesitated to speak, yet it seemed like Lord Marquess was waiting for her to tell a story.

"It's about Miss, sir."

"What's wrong with Sofia?"

"Mm.."

"I'm sorry for my stupidity, sir."

"It seems Miss doesn't want to get married."

"Ah, that's what it looks like."

"All right, you go back to work."

"I'm leaving, sir." Elie leaves Mr. Jasper and returns to the kitchen quickly.

Jasper was sitting in the reading room, he was beginning to be confused by his decision. He recalled the good times with his little daughter. This room is a witness to their togetherness. No corner was missed. Every place has its own memories.

Without notice, he spent a few hours there. The atmosphere outside is dark. The lights had already begun to be lit by his servant.

"Do I have to bet on myself?"

"Rossie, if you were here."

"Maybe I won't be confused like this."

"Now, what should I do?"

Jasper stared at the ceiling of the reading room, his mind flying past the dome and wandering far up there.

* * *

A servant ran quickly towards Jasper.

"Sir, Mister.."

"What's wrong?"

"Why are you yelling like that?"

"Miss Sir, Miss.."

"What's wrong with Sofia?"

"Miss is not in his room, sir.."

Jasper stood up quickly and almost fell down.

"Sir, are you okay?" The servant helped Jasper stand up straight.

"Get Elie!"

Then the waiter ran to find Elie. Elie who was grilling the steak was shocked as someone shouted calling his name.

"What's up Ron?"

"Mr Jasper's looking for you!"

"Why?"

"Miss Sofia is gone!"

Elie was so shocked that she forgot to turn her steak and just froze.

"Hey!

"Go! I'll finish it."

Elie runs up the stairs and meets Mr. Jasper who is standing in Sofia's room.

"Sir..."

"Elie, do you know where Sofia is?"

"I don't know, Sir."

"really.." Elie lowered her head deeply. He really did not know where his young Miss went.

Jasper sat on Sofia's bed and read a folded piece of paper on her desk.

'Hi My Father.'

'I'll get some fresh air for a few days.'

'Let's just calm down, I'll be home later.'

'I brought enough money to sleep and eat out.'

'Don't worry too much.'

'I love you.'

'Je t'aime.'

"Ah, that naughty girl!"

"Rone!'

"Give everyone up, and find Sofia to see you!"

"You can't go home before you find Sofia!"

Everyone rushed out, including Elie, she replaced the skirt with pants and shoes, then ran out to look for Sofia.