“Thank you for the tea, Heidi,” Isabella said from where she sat at the small table in her room. The handmaiden had just returned with a tray containing it, sugar, and a few snacks. More than she’d asked for but then again, Heidi was always that kind, wasn’t she? Isabella just didn’t pay attention before. 

“You’re welcome, Mistress. Would you like anything else?”

Isabella was about to say no and settle into an afternoon filled only with seclusion but a request did bubble to the surface eventually. “Actually, now that you mention it, does my father have a typewriter that I can use?”

“A typewriter?” Heidi asked, her gaze becoming distant while she thought. “Well, naturally he has one in his office for his own use…” After another few moments, her fingers finally snapped and a smile spread across her lips. “Ah, but we do keep his old one in storage just in case. Would you like me to retrieve it?”

“Yes, please. I would like to write a letter.”

“Oh?” Heidi’s whole demeanor changed then and she almost leaned closer from a spark of interest.  “Did you make a friend while at school?”

“Yes,” Isabella confirmed with a nod. “More than one, actually. I’ve been writing letters by hand so far but that would be much faster.”

“I see! Well, I will fetch it right away. Please give me a few minutes to go find it.” Heidi turned and then quickly made her way out of Isabella’s room, leaving the young woman alone within. The other servants had long since finished unpacking the few possessions she took to school and then subsequently disappeared to perform any number of other tasks.

Isabella couldn’t even imagine what some of the other women brought with them to school. Especially considering how many trunks they left with. Her room here in her father’s estate was still sparsely decorated, most likely with items from around the house that had fallen out of style. All in all, it felt very…sterile. She missed her old apartment and her dorm room fiercely, probably because she had shared those spaces with people she cared about. This didn’t even feel like her home and she doubted very much it ever would. It simply lacked the warmth, both physically and emotionally.

Thankfully, Isabella wasn’t alone with her thoughts for too long as Heidi quickly returned with the typewriter as promised in addition to a few items she deposited on the other side of the table. “Right, so we have the typewriter itself, some paper and ink, and the instruction manual for how to operate the machine.”

Isabella stood then and walked over to join the handmaiden. Whereupon her eyes ran over each of the items before ultimately falling on the thick book with a picture of the machine on the front. “Instruction manual?” Her eyes narrowed slightly and she immediately reached for the surprisingly heavy book.

“Oh yes. These things can be a little complicated at times,” Heidi explained. “Thankfully for you, your father only buys the nicest models so they rarely have issues once set up properly.” She turned to Isabella then and clasped her hands in front of her dress. “Would you like me to do it for you?”

Isabella considered the question for a moment but ended up shaking her head in response. “No, I’m sure I can manage.” If this was something Violet did regularly, then she wanted to learn it too. Besides, it would give her mind something to focus on. “But thank you.”

“Very well, dinner will be in about two hours. I’ll come up to get you when it’s ready.”

“Thank you, Heidi.”

With nothing left to say and no other tasks to perform, the handmaiden turned with a polite incline of her head and left Isabella to her solitude. Her happy solitude. Now that she was alone, she moved back to her seat and got comfortable with the book, carefully reading over the instructions for how to get everything set up. They were well-written and easy to follow and before long she cast her eyes over the little machine where it sat waiting for her use.

“Okay, let’s see if we can get this working…” She stood then and moved around the table, bringing the book to reread as she went. Even with a proper manual and an expensive machine, it still took longer than she would’ve thought to get it working properly. However, she never let the frustration get the better of her, always pausing and returning to the book to reread the next few steps if needed. Her diligence was finally rewarded when she rolled a piece of paper through the feeder and then pressed down on the “D” key. In a flash, a metal stamp-like part shot up from its protective housing and smacked against the paper, leaving the letter neatly printed on the page.

Seeing this result caused a wide smile to spread on Isabella’s face and she felt like she could’ve jumped for joy at her success. Oh, Violet was definitely in trouble now. She would be able to pump out letter after letter with this thing! Well, once she got good enough with it. It always amazed her seeing Violet going through her practice exercises and she doubted she could reach the Doll’s speed anytime soon. But that was alright. She had plenty of time to master it. Isabella was about to start typing in earnest, but a knock at her door brought her fingers off the keys. Had two hours passed already?

“Mistress, dinner is about to be served. Shall I bring a plate to your room?”

Hmm, that was a tempting offer. When she was home previously, Isabella took all her meals in her room. In fact, she barely ever left it. Preferring to isolate herself in the sadness and pain of losing Taylor. However, she was stronger now, right? She could do this. So, she stood from the table and made her way to the door, opening it with a smile.

“No, that’s alright. I will come down and eat in the dining room.”

“Oh? Oh! Yes, that’s wonderful. Please, this way.” Heidi excitedly led her down the hall and back down the stairs. At some point, Isabella was convinced she would become lost in the giant house. For now, there were really only a few places she needed to be. In a minute or two, they made their way through the ornately decorated halls and ended their trip in an almost laughably oversized dining room. Of course, where else would you put large paintings and marble busts of long-dead men?

Heidi led her to one end of the table and Isabella sat before taking a deep breath and looking around the room. The dishes and silverware laid out before brought back memories of school and Isabella reached up to run a single finger along the length of the innermost fork. As she did so, a broad smile formed on her lips.

“Is something wrong?” Heidi asked from beside her. This must have been very confusing for the woman and Isabella quickly withdrew the hand before waiving it back and forth a few times. “Oh, it’s nothing. Just a fond memory is all.” She became quiet then as her father’s servants began pouring out of the kitchen, one after the other to deposit lavish dishes on the table. It was all way more food than she would ever be able to eat on her own, even if it all smelled wonderful.

“We weren’t sure what you liked, so the cook prepared a variety of dishes. Please let us know what you prefer in the future and we’ll make sure to take your tastes into account. Especially when your father isn’t here.”

Isabella looked up and nodded before letting her eyes wander over the selection. Honestly, she was sure every item was going to be delicious but made note of the request anyway. Like school, she had a feeling that mealtime might become somewhat of a sanctuary for her. Depending on who came to join her, of course. At the moment, it looked like it would be no one. So, she happily settled in to enjoy what the cooks thought up tonight.

One of the last dishes brought to the table was placed in front of Isabella first, a red soup that she suspected was tomato. A small salad was similarly placed nearby and then the majority of the staff exited the room. Leaving Heidi still standing by her side.

“When you are finished, please let me know what you’d like to try from the dishes and I’ll make you a plate.”

“Right, I’ll do that. Thank you, Heidi.”

Isabella returned her attention to the food in front of her and she picked up the appropriate spoon before using it to get a mouthful. Yup, tomato, just as she thought. And it was as rich and delicious as anyone could ever want. Maybe everything wouldn’t be so bad after all? She quickly finished the soup and then the salad after it. Done, she asked Heidi to make her a place of ham, vegetables, and one fluffy-looking roll that still had steam gently rising from it.

However, just before she took a bite, the door on the far end of the room swung open, and through it stepped an exasperated-looking servant followed by none other than her father. Well, that was one way to spoil her appetite. Still, she placed her knife and fork along the edge of the plate and then stood from her seat but otherwise didn’t move any closer.

“Ah, Isabella!” Her father continued until he came to stand in front of her. “I see you’ve settled in and you’re even eating in the dining room. Excellent!” He wore a pleasant enough smile on his face. And, when combined with aging features, it was almost enough to make you think the man was harmless. However, experience and time were all that was needed to prove that assumption false.

“Hello…father. Yes, I wanted to eat down here tonight.”

“Good, good.” He nodded, turning to look over the food before his eyes settled on Heidi. “I trust she’s all unpacked then?”

“Yes, sir,” Heidi replied with a nod.

“Very well, prepare me a plate with whatever. I’m hungry from the road.”

Heidi nodded once more and moved to comply, apparently familiar with the man’s tastes.

“Well,” He brought up his hands in a clap and then rubbed them together before turning and pulling out a chair. “It seems time at the school did you good, after all. And all that good food has filled your figure back out.” He sat then and reached for a napkin to place in his lap as he got settled. “Good to know that wasn’t a waste of money.”

After he sat, Isabella did so as well, intent on continuing to eat as a means to distract herself from whatever he might say.

“More importantly, it means you’ll be presentable in a few weeks for our guests.”

“Guests?” Isabella asked with more than a little surprise in her voice. What guests? Was her father going to throw a party celebrating her return, perhaps?

“Yes. I’ve invited your fiancé’s family to come stay with us for a few days so that you two can meet.”

Isabella froze with fork and knife in hand, nearly dazed from what she had just heard. Of course, it was said so casually she must’ve mistaken what he said. “Did you say ‘fiancé?’”

“I did.” He confirmed and then picked up his own silverware now that Heidi had moved to deposit the plate in front of him.

What!? This was…this couldn’t be happening! She’d only just returned. Her bed wasn’t even slept in and her future husband was already selected? “So soon?” Isabella didn’t even bother looking his way as she asked, preferring to stare at the table in front of her instead.

“Soon? It’s why you’re here, Isabella. To continue the family. I need my son-in-law to start learning the ins and outs of our business sooner rather than later. It’ll be even better when you give me a grandson to start teaching too. I’m not getting any younger, you know.”

The implication of his words caused a sick feeling to well up in her stomach and Isabella’s head only dropped further. Tears threatened to well up in the corner of her eyes and her fingers slowly let go of the utensils in her hands. No, no, no. This wasn’t happening. Couldn’t be happening, already. She needed more time to…to…

Her fork finally hit the plate and produced a sharp noise that brought her from her stupor and drew her father’s gaze. “Something wrong?” He asked.

Isabella took a moment to gather herself and then shook her head before pushing her chair back from the table. “No, I’ve simply lost my appetite.” Without asking permission, she rose and started to walk around the back of her father’s chair, towards the door so she could go hide away in her room.

“I trust you won’t embarrass me in front of your new family when they arrive.”

Isabella only made it a few steps before she stopped and turned her head enough to see her father in the corner of her vision. He had similarly turned and the smile he’d worn earlier had all but vanished. “If you want that brat to keep enjoying her life of luxury, that is.” Subsequently, he turned his head back to his meal now that his threat was clear.

“Yes, father,” Isabella spoke the words behind gritted teeth and hastily resumed her retreat. Once she was out of sight, her steps increased in pace until she was nearly running. Her tears had begun to streak down her face but she didn’t want to fall to pieces yet. That she saved for when she finally made it back, threw herself into bed, and hid under the covers with her teddy bear tight.

She didn’t write that night like she’d planned to. Couldn’t bring herself to put the awful news to paper. That evening, she had one of the worst coughing fits she’d ever experienced. An agonizing, full-body attack that left a sweat puddle underneath the heavy blankets. Still, she remained hidden away, refusing to even rise to get a drink of water or build the little pillow structure she knew would help. What did it matter anyway? What did anything matter…