Chapter 8: A Joyous Reunion

Two years had passed since Charlotte last saw her beloved brother, Louis.

Now fifteen years old, Charlotte found solace in the serene garden at L'École des Jeunes Dames. The garden, with its vibrant blooms and gentle breeze, was her refuge a place where she could reflect and find peace. Today, however, an unexplainable sense of anticipation filled her heart.

As she admired the roses, a voice, both familiar and longed-for, called out to her from behind.

"Charlotte!"

She turned quickly, her heart leaping with joy. There, standing amidst the golden rays of the afternoon sun, was Louis. His presence felt like a dream, too wonderful to be true. Overwhelmed with emotion, Charlotte ran to him, her tears flowing freely as she embraced him.

"Louis! Is it really you?" she cried, her voice trembling with happiness.

Louis held her tightly, his own eyes shimmering with tears. "I've missed you so much, my dear Charlotte."

Nearby, Jeaninne watched the heartwarming reunion with a tender smile, her own heart swelling with happiness for her friend.

After a few moments, Charlotte pulled back slightly, wiping her tears but unable to stop smiling. "How are you here? I thought... I thought I might never see you again."

Louis sighed, looking at his sister with a mix of sadness and determination. "It wasn't easy. Grandfather wanted me to stay in Sweden, but I've been pleading with him for months to let me come back and see you. Finally, he agreed to let me spend the summer in France."

Charlotte's eyes sparkled with joy. "The whole summer? Truly?"

Louis nodded, his smile widening. "Yes, and next Sunday, I want to accompany you back home. We'll spend the summer together, just like we used to."

Charlotte was overjoyed. "That sounds wonderful! I can't wait to show you everything I've learned here and introduce you to my friends."

They spent the rest of the day together, exploring the school grounds with Jeaninne by their side. They talked, laughed, and reminisced about the cherished memories of their childhood. The day was filled with an infectious joy and the promise of a bright, shared future.

However, not everyone was pleased with Louis's return. Rosalie Lambert, who had always harbored a secret infatuation with him, quickly made her presence known. She clung to Louis, showering him with compliments and seeking his attention at every opportunity. Louis, ever the gentleman, remained polite and kind, but Charlotte couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy.

As the sun began to set, Louis arranged to stay in a quaint room in the village, ensuring he would be close by. He hugged Charlotte tightly once more, his promise as warm as his embrace.

"Good night, Charlotte. I can't wait to travel back home with you," he said softly.

Charlotte beamed, her heart full. "Good night, Louis. I'm so happy you're here."

That night, sleep eluded Charlotte. She and Jeaninne stayed up late, their excitement bubbling over.

"He's grown so handsome," Charlotte gushed. "And did you see how Rosalie was acting around him? She's completely smitten!"

Jeaninne laughed, her eyes twinkling. "Yes, it was quite the spectacle. But don't worry, Charlotte. Louis came back for you, not for her."

They continued to chat and joke, their laughter a melody in the quiet night. They playfully mocked Rosalie's antics and dreamed about the delightful summer ahead. Eventually, Charlotte drifted off to sleep, feeling happier and more content than she had in years.

As she fell into a peaceful slumber, her last thoughts were of Louis, safe and sound in the village, and the joyous summer they would share. The reunion had rekindled her hope and filled her heart with love, making her look forward to each new day with renewed excitement and joy.