Adeline's Twelfth Birthday

The years slipped by. The weight of my heart grew heavier with each passing day, burdened by the unfairness that shrouded my youngest daughter, Adeline. While George and Adelaide had been granted the freedom to embrace their own paths, Adeline remained ensnared in the suffocating grip of her father's expectations.

I watched with aching sadness as Adeline navigated her days, her spirit dimmed by the shadows of neglect and disparity. Unlike her siblings, she was denied even the simplest luxuries—a fact made painfully evident by the stark contrast of her meager existence. Adeline's bedchambers were the smallest in the castle, her belongings mere hand-me-downs from her sister, a cruel reminder of her place within the hierarchy of our family.

It pained me to witness the disparity between my children, a stark reflection of Jacob's favoritism and the rigid confines of societal expectation. While George and Adelaide flourished in the warmth of their newfound marriages, Adeline remained tethered to the shadows, her potential stifled beneath the weight of her father's ambitions.

I knew that Jacob's motivations stemmed from a desire to secure Adeline's future, to mold her into the perfect bride for Prince Alexander. Yet, in his single-minded pursuit of status and prestige, he failed to see the toll it exacted on our daughter—a toll measured not in material wealth, but in the erosion of her spirit.

Adeline's twelfth year dawned. I resolved to defy the constraints that bound her, to shield her from the cruelties of a world that sought to confine her within its narrow expectations. For though her estate may be the smallest and her belongings mere remnants of her sister's past, I knew that within Adeline burned a flame too fierce to be extinguished—a flame that would one day ignite the path to her own liberation.

I approached Adeline's room. The soft murmur of her tears reached my ears, pulling at the strings of my heart with a bittersweet ache. With each step, the weight of her sorrow settled heavy upon my shoulders, a tangible reminder of the injustice that shadowed her young life.

Pushing open the door with a sense of urgency, I found Adeline huddled on her bed, her cheeks stained with tears hastily brushed aside. My heart clenched at the sight of her trembling form, her pain a stark contrast to the innocence of her youth.


"Darling girl, what has happened?" I murmured, crossing the threshold to kneel beside her, my hands reaching out to brush away the remnants of her tears.
"Father hit me," she whispered, her voice barely more than a fragile breath.


My breath caught in my throat at her words, a surge of righteous fury coursing through my veins like wildfire. I had always known Jacob to be stern, his discipline unwavering in its severity, but never had I imagined he would raise a hand to his own daughter.

Indeed, as I looked upon Adeline's delicate features, already marred by the telltale signs of bruises blossoming beneath her skin, my outrage swelled to a boiling point. How could he inflict such cruelty upon her, when he had never laid a finger on George or Adelaide?

The realization pierced me to the core, a bitter reminder of the unequal treatment that had plagued our family for far too long. Jacob's wrath had always been reserved for me, a silent testament to his disdain for my perceived failures as a wife and a moher. Yet now, to witness the same brutality unleashed upon our sweet Adeline, was a betrayal beyond comprehension.

With trembling hands and a resolve as unyielding as steel, I vowed to confront Jacob, to demand answers for his unforgivable transgression. For though he may hold sway over our household with an iron fist, I would not stand idly by as he shattered the fragile innocence of our youngest daughter.

I stood at the side of Adeline’s bed, a small, intricately carved box clasped tightly in my hands.
Adeline's eyes sparkled with excitement, her cheeks flushed with the warmth of anticipation as she caught sight of the small box in my hand.


"Mother!" she exclaimed, her voice a melodic chorus of delight.
“I was beginning to think you'd forgotten."


A smile tugged at my lips at my daughter's exuberance, a bittersweet reminder of the innocence that still lingered within her young heart. Drawing closer, I placed the small box upon the table before Adeline.


"I could never forget your birthday, my dear," I replied, my voice soft with affection.
"I have something special for you."


With a sense of reverence, Adeline reached out to open the box, her fingers tracing the delicate patterns that adorned its surface. As the lid fell away, a gasp escaped her lips at the sight of the gleaming blade nestled within, its steel glinting in the flickering candlelight.


"A knife?" Adeline murmured, her eyes wide with wonder as she carefully lifted the weapon from its velvet-lined cradle.


I nodded, my gaze steady upon my daughter's face.


"It's no ordinary knife, my dear," I explained, my voice tinged with a mixture of pride and solemnity.
"It's a symbol of strength, of resilience.”
“A reminder that you are capable of protecting yourself, even in the face of adversity."


Adeline's brow furrowed in confusion, her fingers tracing the intricate patterns etched into the blade.


"Why would I need to protect myself, Mother?" she asked, her voice tinged with innocence.


My heart clenched at the question, the weight of my daughter's innocence a burden too heavy to bear. Yet, I knew that in the world beyond our castle, there was danger lurking in the shadows, waiting to ensnare the unwary.


"Because, my darling," I replied, my voice soft but firm, "the world can be a harsh and unforgiving place.”
“Though I pray you may never need to wield this blade in defense, it is my duty as your mother to ensure you are prepared for whatever challenges may come your way."


With a sense of solemn understanding, Adeline nodded, her gaze meeting mine with a newfound sense of determination.


“Come darling, I wish to teach you how to protect yourself.”
“Grab your cloak.”



Adeline grabbed her cloak. A sense of urgency propelled us out to the stables, the distant echo of hoofbeats mingling with the rapid thudding of our hearts. With practiced efficiency, we saddled our horses, the leather creaking softly beneath our touch as we prepared to embark on our clandestine journey.

We rode through the town. The cobblestone streets echoed with the hushed whispers of the early morning. Adeline pulled her cloak tighter around her, a silent shield against the chill of the morning air, her eyes darting nervously to the shadows that lurked at the edges of our path.


"Mother, should we not have a guard with us?" Adeline's voice was filled with uncertainty.


I hesitated, the weight of my decision heavy upon my shoulders.


"I do not wish for your father to find out about this lesson," I replied, my voice tinged with a sense of resignation.
"It is better if we go alone."


Adeline's brow furrowed in concern, her gaze searching mine for reassurance.


"Won't father be mad?" she asked, her voice tinged with apprehension.


A flicker of defiance sparked within me, fueled by the knowledge that this was a lesson my daughter needed, regardless of the consequences.


"I will deal with your father later," I replied, my tone firm with resolve.
"For now, let us focus on the task at hand."


Once again, the worn path led me to Jake's old house, or rather, the crumbling remnants of it. Time had not been kind to the once-stately structure, its weathered facade bearing the scars of years gone by. Yet, in its dilapidation, it held a certain allure—a silent sanctuary where secrets could be shared without fear of prying eyes.


"Mother, where are we?"


Adeline's voice broke through the stillness of the day, her eyes wide with curiosity as she surveyed the decaying ruins before us.


"An old friend used to live here," I replied, my voice tinged with nostalgia as memories of days long past flooded my mind.
"A dear friend who understood the importance of secrecy."


Adeline nodded, a sense of understanding dawning in her eyes.


"We will not be disturbed here," I murmured, my voice barely more than a whisper carried away on the day’s breeze.


With practiced ease, we dismounted from our horses, the sound of their hooves striking the hard-packed earth a solitary echo in the stillness of the night.

In the rising sunlight, I could see the flicker of uncertainty in Adeline's eyes, the realization of the risks we faced in venturing into the forest alone. Yet, beneath that uncertainty, I saw a glimmer of determination—a
reflection of the strength and resilience that burned within her young heart.

With a reassuring smile, I reached out to grasp her hand in mine. In the quiet solitude of Jake’s fields, I stood beside my daughter Adeline, a sense of anticipation hanging heavy in the air. Adeline, just twelve years old, regarded the sword in my outstretched hand with a mixture of trepidation and excitement, her fingers trembling as she reached out to grasp the hilt.


"Are you ready, my dear?" my voice was gentle, yet filled with a quiet determination.


Adeline nodded, her heart racing with anticipation as she tightened her grip on the sword. This was her first lesson in the art of self-defense, a skill I deemed essential for navigating the uncertainties of the world beyond the safety of our home.


"First, we must ensure you have the proper stance," I began, my movements fluid as I demonstrated the proper positioning of feet and hands.
"Balance is key.”
“Keep your weight centered and your movements controlled."


With careful attention, Adeline mirrored my stance, her muscles tensing as she adjusted to the unfamiliar weight of the sword in her hands.


"Good," I praised, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Now, let's begin with the basics.”
“Focus on your breathing and remember to keep your eyes on your opponent."


Adeline seemed to catch on quickly. After a few hours of intense training amidst the ruins, we reluctantly made our way back to the imposing gates of the castle. The moon hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard as we approached. My heart quickened with apprehension as I saw Jacob waiting for us, his expression dark with anger. As we drew nearer, I leaned in close to Adeline, my voice barely more than a whisper amidst the stillness of the night.


"Do not say a word," I urged, my tone urgent with caution.
"Your father must not know of these lessons.”
“Return to your bed chamber."


Adeline nodded in silent agreement, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination as she slipped away into the darkness of the castle's interior.
Turning my attention back to Jacob, I braced myself for the storm that was sure to come. His fury was palpable as he glared down at me, his features contorted with rage.


"Where were you?" he demanded, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down my spine.


Summoning every ounce of defiance within me, I met his gaze with unwavering resolve.


"I took Adeline for a special ride for her birthday," I replied, my voice steady despite the tremor of fear that lingered beneath the surface.


Jacob's temper flared like a wildfire, his fury unbridled and seething beneath the surface. His jaw clenched with barely contained rage, the muscles in his neck taut with tension as he glared at her with smoldering intensity.


"I did not sanction a ride," he spat, each word dripping with venom as he advanced towards me, his footsteps echoing loudly against the cold stone of the courtyard.
"I do not require your approval to spend time with my daughter," I shot back, my tone firm with conviction.
"She is my child as much as she is yours, and I will not be dictated to by your whims."