I walked into the parlor at our house and noticed my mother sitting at the desk. “Oh! Mother, I didn’t think you would still be awake.” I said with surprise. “What are you doing home so early?” She inquired, ignoring what I had just said.

“I was just feeling a little tired.” I fibbed and took a seat.

“Liesel, what is it? What’s troubling you?” My mother questioned as she studied me. Somehow mothers always know when something is bothering their children.

“Nothing.” I replied quite simply, then went on to say, “How are you feeling, Mother? Is your headache gone?” I inquired, trying to change the subject.

“Yes, I am feeling much better. Now, would you please tell me what’s wrong?” She asked in her gentle motherly tone.

“Nothing – it’s just – nothing, I’m fine.” I quickly assured her as I reached for the teapot.

“I know you don’t do well in large crowds. Were you feeling uncomfortable?” Mother tried again, but I just couldn’t tell her.

“Would you like a cup of tea?” I offered, ignoring her question. Mother sighed and said, “Yes, thank you.”

As I was carrying the cup and saucer, I felt so nervous that I was trembling and dropped them on the floor.

“I’m so sorry! I’ll clean it up.” I apologized and reached down to pick up the cup and saucer.

As I set a new cup and saucer on her desk, Mother said, “Liesel, I know for a fact now that something is wrong. You never just drop things and I saw how you were trembling. What is it?”

I closed my eyes and looked away with a sigh. “You’re right, Mother. Something is on my mind.” I confessed.

“It’s Father. Some of the other women were talking about the great things their fathers are doing and what a success they are, that it got me to thinking about him.” I lied again. Mother couldn’t know about my meeting with Frederic.

“You didn’t say anything, did you?” Mother asked in a panic.

“No, no, of course not!” I assured her and continued, “But I was wondering… What would happen if someone did find out?” I inquired with caution, not wanting to alarm my mother more than I already had.

“That’s not something to wonder, Liesel, because no one will find out.” Mother answered.

“I know, it’s just that I’m curious. What would happen if others knew?” I asked again.

Mother stood and headed for the door. “If others knew, we would be shamed and we would become the laughingstock of the kingdom. We could lose our house, our riches, and all that we had. We’d go back to poverty.” She finally explained with a trembling voice.

“No one must find out what your father really was and we must do anything to keep others from knowing the truth.” She said sternly.

“Anything?” I repeated.

“Anything.” She said and went upstairs. I knew I had upset her and that I had brought up a painful topic, but I just had to know for sure.

“Well, I have my answer then. She said we have to do anything, so that’s exactly what I’ll do. Even if it means doing something for Frederic.”

That concludes part 2! Look for part 3 coming soon! 😀

~Jaclynn~