Giethoorn is a small village in the Netherlands. This village has a beautiful view with the lake surrounding the houses of the residents.
Tourists are common in the village of Giethoorn. Many of them visit Giethoorn village to get around by canoe, or just to cycle on the paths that are not too big.
The people of Giethoorn usually work as flower sellers, lake fish sellers or canoe paddlers.
The canoes at Giethoorn have owners, and usually the owner himself is the oarsman. Canoe paddlers take the tourists around the village of Giethoorn.
I'm Victoria Swift. At first glance, my name is the same as the famous singer out there named Taylor Swift.
However, instead of living in luxury like that singer, I have to live a hard life. Early in the morning I got up, made my bed and then walked to the bathroom and washed my face.
I was the second of two brothers. My brother was studying in the capital city, Amsterdam, because he got a scholarship.
Honestly, I'm smart too. I was offered a senior high school by the village head. But, Mom didn't allow me. As a result, I went to school in the next city. Even so, I'm still happy.
At least, I can get out of this remote village for a whole month to then go home and spend 2 days at home on each of my days off.
After washing my face, I left the house with two wooden buckets in my hands.
Yes, my job every morning is to fill the large bucket filled with clean water in the kitchen. My Mom is too busy to do that. He worked as a mobile baker, while Dad had to work in the neighbor's flower garden in the morning and then when noon came, Dad would be a canoe paddle.
"Get water again, my lady?" Annabella walked to me in a white dress and red hair.
I looked at her disliked, although I admit I was a little fascinated. Take a look! Annabella Dacofmant, the daughter of the village chief who is kind-hearted, in fact, even has a demonic character!
"Don't bother me Dacofmant!" I said irritably and then poured water into my wooden bucket.
Annabella laughed, an annoying laugh.
"Looks like, you really can't be a princess," she commented while playing with her beautiful flowing red hair.
I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the irritation that started creeping in my heart. That sentence is very sensitive for me.
May I ask, what are your dreams? If many people generally aspire to be Doctors, Lawyers, Judges or even Police, I have always had unreasonable ideals.
I want to be a princess!
I want to have the feeling of having a magnificent palace, respected by the people, to marry a prince.
Even if you are a rich person you can have all of that, but I want to be a princess, not a rich person.
At least, being a princess can bring happiness. Having a challenge to nurture their people, to rule in a great and just way
Unfortunately, it will only be a dream that will never come true.
I looked at my two wooden buckets. It's full. I also raised both of them.
"Go on, Dacofmant! I'm busy!" I said, then just left Annabella, who even laughed loudly as if laughing at my fate.
After filling the large bucket, I then opened the refrigerator. Toast some bread, fry eggs and bacon, then pour water.
My family never has breakfast together. Dad and Mom will be busy early in the morning. I'll only meet them in the afternoon, then have dinner together.
After breakfast, I took a shower and wore a pale yellow knee-length dress.
I looked in the mirror. Fairly long gray hair, gray eyes, fair skin, and small lips are indeed pretty. But, I am nothing compared to Annabella's beautiful face.
The girl's red hair seemed to hypnotize everyone who saw her, her brown eyes glistening in the sunshine, until her body was slender but full in parts.
Not like me. I am more like a sheet of paper than Annabella who is like a Spanish guitar.
Tired of laughing at my shortcomings, I left the house. It seems, a little walk can get rid of fatigue. Besides, tomorrow I have to go back to the next town to go to school.
I walked into a small bookstore. The floors are dull brown, the walls are pale cream, and even the bookshelves are pale brown. Everything in this shop seems outdated.
However, because this shop sells books cheaper than other bookstores, this place is officially my subscription.
"Gutten Morgen, Victoria! You come again," said an old man who is the owner of this bookstore.
I smiled, "Yes. Do you have any new books, Grandpa?" I asked
Grandpa Sam. The guard's name was actually Sammy Baldwin. However, because he was old we called him Grandpa Sam. Grandpa Sam is 65 years old and is the keeper and owner of a bookstore that has been around since my father and mother were not married.
Yes, it has been that long.
"There has been no shipment. But, I'm sure you will like this book," he said, picking up one of the books on the shelf behind him.
"This is it." Grandpa Sam gave me a book called The Journey of Princess Helena.
"Isn't this an expensive book?" I asked, stroking the hard and strong looking maroon cover.
For information, the books on display on the back shelf of Grandpa Sam are special and expensive books. Usually, the book is bought by the village head and wealthy people in the village of Giethoorn.
Grandpa Sam laughed, "You have become a subscription to my shop. In fact, you are always saving so that every month you can buy books in this old shop. Think of it as a gift," he said with a warm smile and rubbed my head softly.
I laughed, feeling so good. Finally, I embraced the book.
"Thank you Grandpa Sam! You are the best!" And then, I left home without noticing the look on Grandpa Sam's face who smiled mysteriously as he stared at me.
"Fate will change you, girl." he said softly without realizing it.
...
It was already late in the afternoon. Usually, in the afternoon I can do anything more freely. Because I've helped Mom lighten the work in the morning, Mom will usually tell me to stay in the room or do things that comfort me.
What I'm doing right now is preparing my needs to go to the next city tomorrow. I put in the books - including the one Sam's grandfather gave me - as well as some clothes.
"Yosh! Just my hat! Ah ... Where are you?" I turned around. Rummaged through the wardrobe to open my bookshelf.
The hat was a hat that my sister gave me last month from Amsterdam. The hat that is said to be trending in South Korea, Brother told me that the name of the hat is a bucket hat. And I really like it, because it makes me cool when I used.
Feeling tired myself because I didn't find anything, I walked into the kitchen and found Mom who was busy setting the dining table.
"Mom, do you see my hat?" I asked. Mama looked at me.
"Maybe carried by me. Try to check the cupboard in my room." She replied while busy returning to organize the food. I nodded then walked a few steps past my room and arrived at mama's room.
Without waiting long, I opened the wooden cabinet and sure enough. I found my hat at the very top of Mama's shirt fold. Maybe Mama thought it was Papa's hat.
I quickly closed the cupboard and then opened it again when my eyes caught something sparkling.
Intrigued, I took it.
Necklace. It was an ancient necklace with a rectangular pendulum that contained a sparkling light blue gem.
"Eeww ~ so old-fashioned!" I winced in disbelief at this necklace. But, I tried to use it instead.
BLUSH! The sound of a strong wind suddenly came out of nowhere after I put on this necklace. Then, the wind was so strong, I couldn't even open my eyes.
Everything was cold, chaotic, and suffocating. This wind is too strong to just breathe it makes me sting.
Then, everything suddenly stopped. And I don't remember what happened after that.
Aksara