THE FORLORN

December 21, 2020

Port Anchorage, Alaska

My beloved,

I am very early today.

For I do not want to missed writing to you.

Yesterday, was the second most horrific and painful day of my life.

I am trying my best to be in good health and be the best I can be.

I still need to find my way to save my friend, Lada.

I hope she's fine and alive.

And hope everything will run smoothly today.

I'm still in trauma and full of anxieties.

Trusting people is very difficult in my situation.

I wonder how Uncle Charles looks like?

Will he accept me?

Would he care for me?

Or will he left me unwanted?

I hope he's like my father or Leonid, with a big heart and full of kindness.

O God.. Please help me release this tention. I'm feeling nervous and edgy.

I will be keeping my pistol in my hand bag at all times, that was a gift from Leonid on my last birthday.

Nana and I are both surprised by this gift during my seventeenth birthday.

And I have learned how to use it the next day.

Leonid always emphasized the importance of safety and security.

And I learned how to use it in a week time.

They are very proud of how I learn so quickly even my tutors were amazed.

Oh I'm really hoping that I will not use it today or the coming days.

Wish me luck!

P. S. I hope I could write to you again soon.

Beatrix

The ship blown it's horn as we are about to berth in the Port of Anchorage.

I closed my Journal notebook and tidy up my things.

When a sudden knock on the door startled me.

Leonid is in the lavatory.

I tried my best to be calm and collected.

I took my pistol inside my hand bag.

Then, I move swiftly to open the door in small portion and then, checked outside for safety.

The waiter is waiting outside to bring in the food.

Then, Leonid shouted like a thunder "Wait a minute!?! "

I felt startled and closed the door.

Leonid quickly, approached the door and signal his hands for me to hide.

And I silently followed.

Then, he opened the doors for the waiter to serve the food in the table and leave.

As soon as the doors locked.

Leonid called me to share the table.

He's done checking the food and drinks.

Then he started talking in a whispered manner.

"What did you do earlier, Amelia?" he said, feeling annoyed.

"You are in the lavatory when the waiter knocked on the door." I simply answered.

"Please be always mindful and be discreet in the coming days. It's all for your own safety. Are you with me? "

"Yes, I totally understand. Thank you Leonid."

And we continued eating our last breakfast in MARVEL.

The ship berthed successfully in the Port of Anchorage.

All the people on board are joyfully rushing to the alley.

Families...

Kids...

Businessmen...

And the crews rushing in and out, assisting their patrons with their cargoes and suitcases.

The musicians are in the banquet hall stage performing a famous pop Music in full merriment.

And it help calm my emotions.

I'm humming the melody.

We tried our best to hide our identities as much as we can..by not mingling with the crowds.

I am wearing my usual acid wash jeans, sneakers, green long sleeves turtle neck and long sheepskin coat.

And hiding my braided her with my colored floral winter head scarf with a fur to protect my face from cold and less exposure and covered my hands with leather gloves.

Leonid is wearing his merchants attire with long leather coat.

We let others to disembark first from the boat.

And we waited in line patiently.

Until everybody is out of our way.

Leonid saw from the port.

A brand new white Mercedes-Benz with three men waiting inside.

He surveyed the whole area in the Port, checking for any other cars.

There are too many horse carriages, moving in and out, picking up families and passengers.

And the white Mercedes-Benz is the only car fitted as arranged.

The chauffeur go out from the car and started to wave a poster, written "Levidev".

He catch our attention with the poster.

It's already our turn to disembark.

Leonid help me out with my suitcase in going down to the stairs, up to the port area.

The chauffeur welcomed us and took the suitcase to put it inside the car.

One of the secret military personnel talked with Leonid.

He introduced himself.

"Welcome Mr. Levidev! I'm Master Seargent Mason Jones and here with me is Specialist Mikael Magnusen."

They shakes their hands.

While the other is started to move and standing at my side.

He looks at me sternly and I avoid him by watching the beauty of the Port Anchorage.

Then, he motioned me to get into the car.

"Your Highness.." he bow down.

And I followed through.

Then, he turned around at the other side of the car and seated beside me.

Leonid is looking at me, with eyes full of sadness.

I called out to him to get into the car.

He shook his head.

Then, he move closer to the window near me, standing.

"Leonid, aren't you not coming? I thought, you will accompany me? my voice started to cracked up.

" Our Princess, please take care of yourself. Follow your intuition and you will win." he said in teary eyes.

He hugged me for the last time.

And I felt his sadness and pain.

"I have a business trip to Georgia today. I wish you well and my prayers will always be with you. Please take care.. Our Princess"

"Hope to see you again soon Leonid... Please take care of yourself too." I tried to be collected and controlled by emotions.

He give me a peck on my checks and he waved his good bye.

Then, the chauffeur started the car engine and drive through our journey.

I cried in silence.

Loneliness, anxieties and uncertainties brought fears inside my heart.

I am alone now.

Heart aches and grief cut through my soul.

There's nothing left for me.

Except my purpose.

The purpose of retrieving and rebuilding the House of Oblonsky.

Be strong Amelia!

Rise above the darkness. Rise above this grief.

Rise above and soar high. I muttered to myself.

But how? How will I do it?

I have a lot of questions in my mind.

It keeps me, feeling restless.

And what will happen next?

One thing is for sure right now.

I'll cross the bridge when I get there.