- Did you listen?
- The Rosewood's family rumour?
- The male child they had been waiting for turned out to be a phenomenon!
- I heard that the priest went to visit the boy at the request of the local nurse.
- However, the boy's appearance did not seem to affect him much and he explained to the masses that the boy's eye colour had nothing to do with the devil.
- And you really believe that? Some say that the family has given very generous donations to the church lately.
- What's more! Despite being their first child, the news of his birth was not so celebrated. Wasn't it?
- Could it really be? That the rumours are true and that child is the son of the devil?
- I don't think so, God will not allow something like this to walk among us, only time will tell if that child will continue to live to cause pain or if an early death will reach him first.
- What a horrible misfortune it would be for that family! The richest in town, but at the same time the most unfortunate.
Letter from Ms. Rosewood to Ms. Relish.
Through this letter I would like to thank you for your willingness to agree to be my son's new governess, young Henry Rosewood. He is a talented boy, very interested in the scientific field despite being only four years old. A boy with an incredible imagination, however, I also know that he needs good discipline and manners.
Payment will be scheduled the following Thursday at tea time at the following address: xxx-xxx. Please arrive on time.
Atte. Ms. Camilla Rosewood.
Ms. Rosalie Pryor's Diary.
August 15, 1866. I'm done! I have been a housekeeper in this house for over 20 years and I have never had as many problems as I have now!
Young Henry is a real headache. Since that little boy began to walk, he has done nothing but wreak havoc around him. His father excuses him too much by saying that he is just a curious and energetic boy, but both Mrs. Rosewood and I think that this tenacity should not be wasted on causing mischief all over the house.
There the reason why that child almost never leaves the house, if his behaviour is inappropriate in here who knows how it could be out there.
I really feel sorry for my employers, who have been very good to me, for all the trouble their son has caused. I know that reputation is very important to them, and I'm afraid it could fall apart because of the brat. What's more! As if the problems weren't enough, the rumour of the strange colour of the boy's right eye is spreading through our small town. Yesterday near the market I heard how some shopkeepers referred to the child as: "The one-eyed devil."
I know that Mr. and Mrs. Rosewood are devout Christians, and yet their beliefs differ several times between faith and science; they believe they have the perfect explanation to explain their son's strange appearance, even though they have never shared it.
I really want to believe that the Rosewood family is too powerful to let these village rumours affect their status, but sometimes, just sometimes, I fear for them and the job that was given to me.
Letter from Ms. Rosewood to Ms. Villin.
Through this letter I would like to thank you for your willingness to agree to be my son's new governess, since the previous one recently resigned. I am not interested in the knowledge that he can teach, but I need someone who has a strong character so that I can educate my son with great discipline. I remind you that our address is: xxx-xxx.
The payment will be decided once you make an appearance at our home, I kindly request that this meeting take place as soon as possible.
Atte. Ms. Camilla Rosewood.
Ms. Rosalie Pryor's Diary.
October 25, 1866. That boy, Henry, is a case beyond my understanding. Some months he's someone energetic, fleeting and full of life! With a huge desire to explore the world, but at other times he's as quiet as a ghost, without visible expressions and locked in his room most of the day. Only his dog seems to be the only living being that approaches him in those lonely moments to try to cheer him up.
Well, to my preference? I choose the apathetic and quiet Henry, even though his cold gaze gives me the chills (Especially with that horrible orange eye) but I prefer that a thousand times more than having to deal with an uncontrolled little boy who breaks things around the house in a fit of anger or that sometimes brings insects from the garden to "play" with them. Who do you think has to clean up all that later? Me, obviously! It really doesn't surprise me that his sister doesn't want to talk to him.
Oh yes, I know she avoids him on purpose. Sometimes I have seen him enter the main room when she's playing, I don't know what he wants from the girl, but whenever he approaches Ms. Emilie, she abruptly stops the music and leaves the room. I can't blame her as a young lady of her class shouldn't associate with such troublesome people even if they are of your same blood.
I mean, even the rumours that are heard of the boy are so many and so creepy that I too begin to believe and fear them.
Letter from Ms. Rosewood to Ms. Edevane.
Good afternoon, on this specific occasion I would like to skip the formalities since surely you already know of my overwhelming. Today, the second governess who tried to educate the boy resigned, please, I implored you to accept this job and help me to turn that boy into an exemplary gentleman capable of bearing our family's surname.
The amount to be paid is irrelevant, since it does not matter how much you ask, it will be granted. You are one of the few young ladies capable of doing this job in town and I am afraid I am running out of options.
Again, I beg of you to meet me at my house at 2:05 p.m. address: xxx -xxx -xxx. I will be impatiently waiting for your assistance.
Atte. Ms. Camilla Rosewood.
...
...
...
A mother should be able to love all her children equally; when Emilie was born, I felt that love for the first time in my life. My girl, my little baby in my arms, so helpless and innocent. This world was not made for brilliant minds like ours, however, the moment I saw you, I made a promise to myself to do everything possible so that you, my daughter, could live in harmony.
A mother is capable of loving someone she does not yet know, someone who with just one look is capable of making you feel unconditional love for them.
...That was not what I felt when Henry was born.
When their eyes looked at me, when I held them in my arms ... I felt nothing, as if the eyes that were looking at me were those of a complete stranger instead of the eyes of my new-born baby.
Over the years, that numbness only got bigger. The colour of his right eye never bothered me, but it was the intensity of his gaze, judging me, that made me turn away from him.
André has told me that this is all just in my head and that I should find a less busy doctor than him to chat with. My husband has always loved that child: "The first male in the family, who will take the last name to the top and lead us out of this small town full of ignorance." Those are the phrases that he always repeats to me.
I do not want to doubt him, but in my opinion those expectations are too high for the child that we are raising right now.
Please God, I am praying to you with all my might, when this new life that I am carrying in my womb right now is born; let me love him or her, love it as a mother should.
St. James Hospital Nursing Journal.
Jan 9, 1868 Birth Record # 202
Delivery approached by nurse Marlier Sylvie at the mother's home.
- Writing Nurse Marlier, having replaced the head nurse, Mrs. Montour, at the birth of the third child of the Rosewood family.
I showed up at 4:25 p.m. at the Rosewood residence, the lady had presented part pains an hour and a half ago, the time at which my presence was requested. The head nurse, in charge of assisting the previous births of the family, flatly refused to return to that house so I was the one who took her place to replace her.
Only the father, Mr. André Rosewood, was present during the birth.
The baby was born at 5:12 p.m. on the same day; perfectly healthy male with dark hair and blue eyes. The parents named their new son: Richard.
The second male of the family, but what happiness and fortune this family must be feeling!
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