CHAPTER 1

                                    

                                              
The two young Merryweathers along with Miss Heliotrope had just arrived at the solicitor's office. The building's ceilings were incredibly tall and along the edges of the walls carved wood had been carefully crafted and placed. They depicted some type of tale with which Constance was unfamiliar. 
                          
Upon hearing her family name being called, she rose from her seat and walked towards the man who held the door ajar. Maria and Miss Heliotrope followed behind and the three of them were offered seats at a large wooden desk with various pieces of paper neatly scattered across it. 
                          
The hoop of the charcoal dress Constance wore, delicately folded upon itself as she sat within one of the brown leather chairs. The size completely overwhelmed her frame and made her feel even more delicate. Her hands were placed softly on her lap, her fingers still clutched the lace handkerchief. Her posture was straight, and her eyes locked on the man before her who held no compassion for them. He was a businessman, someone who wanted to get the job done. And that is what the girls were in that moment to him. Just his job. 

                          
His aged hands swiftly gathered some pages together and he read aloud in a monotone voice what their father had left as their inheritance. It would seem that despite being a Colonel in the military, he was a gambling man at heart. Yes, he had fought hard for his country but everything he had earned and saved was now lost.
                          
His last gambling outing had not only caused him to lose his own life due to a deal gone wrong but his entire estate and earnings as well. His daughters would now have to live with this burden, and from taking one glance at both of their faces they knew that their reputation within the city would be tarnished. 
                          
They had been left no money. No estate. And no dowries. Their governess stuttered from utter shock, asking the elderly man if he was sure regarding the house and all he did was nod. But it would seem that their Uncle, on their fathers' side of the family, had agreed to take them in as his wards. They would have to leave everything they knew behind and travel to the southwest of the country. Their Uncle lived in a place called Moonacre valley, which admittedly the solicitor had no recollection of such a place ever existing. 
                          
Only one worldly belonging had been left, and it was to be shared between the two girls. From under the desk, the older man pulled out a leather-bound book with what looked like pearls decorating the border which were only able to shimmer in the light once the dust was blown away. The title of said book gleamed in gold text and read "The Ancient Chronicles of Moonacre Valley". 
                          
The man reached over the table holding it out to the girls. Constance reached out for it. It's true, she was in no mood for fairy tales but something about the pearls intrigued her. They appeared almost regal. Once she had glanced over it, she passed it to Maria whose brow was furrowed in confusion. A book? That was all they had? And yet Constance had the same questions running through her mind. What were they to do? How could they just drop everything and leave? What about all the household staff, where would they go? 
                          
She truly felt alone, despite having Maria sitting beside her. She was only 20. How was she supposed to look after a 13-year-old girl in a place she had never seen let alone heard of. 
                          
It did not matter. The man quickly hurried the Merryweather girls outside along with Miss Heliotrope insisting he had work to do. 
                          
Standing outside the office Maria handed the old book, which was now the only thing they had left of their parents, over to their governess and rushed to her sister's arms. 
                          
"What are we going to do Constance?" The elder of the two girls clutched the weeping girl tightly to her own body, brushing her hand across the smooth silk fabric that lay over her back. "Everything will be fine Maria, as long as we are together." The girl nodded into her sister's chest before pulling back slightly.