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The train departed from King's Cross Station, gathering speed as it ventured forward. Angela, who had maintained composure thus far could no longer contain her excitement and leaped up, cheering as the train distanced itself from the station.
"My dear, do you have to be so excited?" Kate, seated across from her cast a glance out the window, where the figures of the Mason couple had long vanished.
"Oh, Kate, you don't understand," Angela proclaimed proudly, swaying her finger emphatically. "This is my first time traveling alone, the first time I'll be staying overnight outside with my parents not around. After 11 long years, I finally have the chance to step out from under their protective wings and embark on my own explorations. How could I not be filled with joy?"
Observing Angela's exuberant enthusiasm, Kate playfully tapped her on the head. "Angie, you're not on this journey alone, remember? I'm here with you. The Masons allowed you to come on this trip because I assured them that, aside from ensuring your safety, I would also keep an eye on you to make sure you don't get into any mischief. You wouldn't want to put me in a difficult position, would you?"
"But it's different, dear Kate. Even when my parents weren't around, I always had family members accompanying me. But with us, it's different. We're good friends, like sisters. Surely you understand the occasional whims and fancies, don't you?" Angela beamed mischievously at Kate.
Kate felt as if she had been outsmarted and shook her head helplessly, opting to ignore her as she retrieved a book from her travel bag and immersed herself in reading.
"Oh, come on, Kate, let's chat about something. How about discussing our favorite movies? I'm curious to know which ones you enjoy," Angela suggested, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"If you're not in the mood for that, we can talk about our plans for when we arrive in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse? Which one are you most excited to visit?" Angela proposed, trying to engage Kate in a different topic.
"Well, if neither of those interests you, how about sharing stories about your life in Cambridge?" Angela continued, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Kate wore a subtle smile on her face but remained completely absorbed in her book.
Angela let out a sigh of disappointment and returned to her seat, feeling a bit dejected. However, from this vantage point, Kate appeared quite lovely. Compared to six months ago, her hair had grown longer, and her tomboyish aura had mostly dissipated, replaced by graceful femininity. Yet, there was still a trace of innocence lingering in her features.
Wait a minute, did Angela truly understand what innocence meant? Then why did she have this unexplainable feeling stirring within her?
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Angela's shoulders shrugged with a mischievous grin as she suddenly had an idea. She rummaged through her backpack, capturing Kate's curiosity. Oblivious to Angela's actions, Kate continued to immerse herself in her book.
Then, out of nowhere, a small piece of paper, roughly the size of two palms, materialized in front of her. Kate's eyes widened in surprise.
It was a simple portrait sketch, showcasing a woman resting her face on her hand while holding a book sitting by a window with a tranquil gaze. With just a few masterful strokes the artist captured the serene essence of the woman.
"Your drawings never cease to amaze me," Kate remarked, taking the paper and sighing in admiration.
Angela still basking in the glow of her accomplishment, playfully shrugged and chuckled without a hint of immodesty. "Oh, Kate, your compliments are making me blush. But I'm glad you appreciate my art."
"This should be the fourth one, right?" Kate suddenly remarked, delving into her own travel bag and retrieving a small book containing three portraits of herself at different stages of her life.
Angela's eyes widened in surprise as she observed the sketches in Kate's hands. "This is the first one," Kate began, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I remember you drew it when I was 13, so you must have been only 6 at the time. It's truly astonishing that you had such talent at such a young age. And here's the one when I turned 15. Lastly, this one is from two years ago, during Christmas. Time really does fly, doesn't it?" Kate sighed, her gaze fixed on the sketches, reflecting on the passage of time.
Suddenly, she sensed Angela's intense gaze upon her, prompting her to raise her head and lock eyes with the little one.
"What's wrong?" Kate waved her hand in front of her and asked curiously.
"Oh, it's nothing," Angela replied, her voice tinged with a wistful tone. "Time truly flies, doesn't it? Before we know it, you'll be off to college, and I'll be entering middle school. But..."
She playfully stuck out her tongue and continued, "It's quite rare to see that you've kept all these drawings."
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Kate chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, you never know. If you become a famous artist in the future, these sketches could be worth quite a bit," she said teasingly, holding the drawings delicately in her hands. Despite her joke, she carefully tucked them away, treasuring the sentimental value they held.
At that moment, a male voice approached from nearby, "Hi, ladies. Mind if I join you?"
Before Kate could respond, Angela swiftly interjected her tone firm, "Actually, we would prefer some privacy. My sister and I are cherishing this opportunity to have personal conversations. There are plenty of empty seats available, so please find another spot."
"Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to intrude," the young man replied, feeling slightly embarrassed as he quickly walked away.
Kate looked at Angela with a hint of confusion. "Angie, don't you think that was a bit rude?"
A mischievous smile appeared on Angela's face as she shrugged her shoulders. "Don't tell me you didn't notice, Kate. That guy was obviously trying to hit on us."
"Yes, I understand that he was showing interest in us, but your behavior was still quite impolite."
"That's not acceptable, Kate. You belong to me, and nobody can take you away from me!" Angela clenched her small fist with determination. "So, we can't afford to be polite to people like him. We have to firmly reject them!"
After speaking, Angela suddenly hesitated. Why did it feel so difficult to say those words at that moment?
Unaware of Angela's distraction, Kate rolled her eyes, remembering how the little girl had inquired about her personal life before. Feeling powerless, she sighed, "Alright, alright, I'm yours."
After uttering those words, she lowered her head and resumed reading her book. However, Angela quickly snapped back to reality, scooting closer and grabbing Kate's arm, shaking it vigorously. "Don't be like that, Kate, my dear. Can't we have a chat? After all, we're on a trip!"
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Kate, unable to resist the persistent shaking, reluctantly put down her book and let out a sigh. "Fine, what would you like to talk about?"
"How do you feel about my movies? Oh, wait, let's discuss your minor roles in movies and stage plays instead. By the way, you mentioned having a small role in a movie with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Did you actually get to meet her? Is she as beautiful as they say?"
...
Around 5 p.m., the train finally arrived at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Despite Angela's enthusiastic conversation throughout the journey, both of them felt a bit weary after seven long hours on the train.
Luckily, the bus station was just 200 meters away from the train station and they swiftly boarded a bus to the city center.
Edinburgh, situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, is the capital city of Scotland.
Encompassing an area of around 260 square kilometers it boasts a rich history and captivating natural landscapes, often earning the moniker "Athens of the North."
Angela had visited Edinburgh in her early childhood, mostly when she was around 4 or 5 years old. During those times, she had to obediently follow her parents wherever they went and didn't have the freedom to explore on her own.
Although she had long harbored plans for a solo trip, or more accurately, a trip without her family, her preparations were lacking. This time, circumstances compelled her into it.
Following the New Year's palace banquet, it had become a family tradition to stay at the grand Fraser Mansion in Bristol for two days.
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While the estate itself was beautiful and on par with their own, it was simply too vast. Many areas evoked an eerie feeling, especially the lengthy corridor adorned with portraits of ancestors.
Every time she walked by those painted figures seemed to fix their gaze upon her, sending shivers down her spine.
The thought of traversing that corridor in complete darkness, armed only with a flickering candle, was enough to petrify her at the mere notion. If given a choice, she genuinely wished to avoid going there.
So, she secretly contacted Kate to organize a trip, keeping the details ambiguous regarding her parents' approval. She subtly mentioned it to her uncle Frank, hinted at it during a casual conversation with her closest aunt, Aunt Winnie, and conveyed her intentions to her grandfather through the butler, Gerald. Eventually, she confronted her parents directly.
Despite their initial concerns, Angela pleaded repeatedly. Considering that the destination was merely Edinburgh within the UK, and knowing how resolute the young girl could be, after all, she had once run away from home at the age of 4, her parents eventually relented and agreed to her request.
Following that, she met up with Kate, providing her with instructions and seeking her assistance. Kate had always shared a strong bond with the Mason family—ever since she had found the runaway little girl—so the Mason couple felt comfortable entrusting Angela to her care.
Though they had faith in Kate, Angela was well aware that her grandfather had likely contacted Scotland Yard through his connections.
He surely wanted to avoid a repeat of the chaos that had ensued when she ran away previously. However, Angela was prepared for this. In fact, she had chosen Edinburgh precisely to prove that she wouldn't cause any trouble.
Of course, there were still some minor acts of defiance. Initially intending to travel by plane, Angela inexplicably insisted on taking the train, despite the journey lasting 6 to 7 hours. She even specified the departure from King's Cross Station. Undeniably, she was a peculiar little girl.
By this time, Edinburgh was already aglow with the evening lights. In the winter of the north, darkness descended swiftly. After navigating the Royal Mile, they found an inn and retired early to rest.
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The train departed from King's Cross Station, gathering speed as it ventured forward. Angela, who had maintained composure thus far could no longer contain her excitement and leaped up, cheering as the train distanced itself from the station.
"My dear, do you have to be so excited?" Kate, seated across from her cast a glance out the window, where the figures of the Mason couple had long vanished.
"Oh, Kate, you don't understand," Angela proclaimed proudly, swaying her finger emphatically. "This is my first time traveling alone, the first time I'll be staying overnight outside with my parents not around. After 11 long years, I finally have the chance to step out from under their protective wings and embark on my own explorations. How could I not be filled with joy?"
Observing Angela's exuberant enthusiasm, Kate playfully tapped her on the head. "Angie, you're not on this journey alone, remember? I'm here with you. The Masons allowed you to come on this trip because I assured them that, aside from ensuring your safety, I would also keep an eye on you to make sure you don't get into any mischief. You wouldn't want to put me in a difficult position, would you?"
"But it's different, dear Kate. Even when my parents weren't around, I always had family members accompanying me. But with us, it's different. We're good friends, like sisters. Surely you understand the occasional whims and fancies, don't you?" Angela beamed mischievously at Kate.
Kate felt as if she had been outsmarted and shook her head helplessly, opting to ignore her as she retrieved a book from her travel bag and immersed herself in reading.
"Oh, come on, Kate, let's chat about something. How about discussing our favorite movies? I'm curious to know which ones you enjoy," Angela suggested, hoping to strike up a conversation.
"If you're not in the mood for that, we can talk about our plans for when we arrive in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, or the Palace of Holyroodhouse? Which one are you most excited to visit?" Angela proposed, trying to engage Kate in a different topic.
"Well, if neither of those interests you, how about sharing stories about your life in Cambridge?" Angela continued, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears. Kate wore a subtle smile on her face but remained completely absorbed in her book.
Angela let out a sigh of disappointment and returned to her seat, feeling a bit dejected. However, from this vantage point, Kate appeared quite lovely. Compared to six months ago, her hair had grown longer, and her tomboyish aura had mostly dissipated, replaced by graceful femininity. Yet, there was still a trace of innocence lingering in her features.
Wait a minute, did Angela truly understand what innocence meant? Then why did she have this unexplainable feeling stirring within her?
Sponsored Content
Angela's shoulders shrugged with a mischievous grin as she suddenly had an idea. She rummaged through her backpack, capturing Kate's curiosity. Oblivious to Angela's actions, Kate continued to immerse herself in her book.
Then, out of nowhere, a small piece of paper, roughly the size of two palms, materialized in front of her. Kate's eyes widened in surprise.
It was a simple portrait sketch, showcasing a woman resting her face on her hand while holding a book sitting by a window with a tranquil gaze. With just a few masterful strokes the artist captured the serene essence of the woman.
"Your drawings never cease to amaze me," Kate remarked, taking the paper and sighing in admiration.
Angela still basking in the glow of her accomplishment, playfully shrugged and chuckled without a hint of immodesty. "Oh, Kate, your compliments are making me blush. But I'm glad you appreciate my art."
"This should be the fourth one, right?" Kate suddenly remarked, delving into her own travel bag and retrieving a small book containing three portraits of herself at different stages of her life.
Angela's eyes widened in surprise as she observed the sketches in Kate's hands. "This is the first one," Kate began, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I remember you drew it when I was 13, so you must have been only 6 at the time. It's truly astonishing that you had such talent at such a young age. And here's the one when I turned 15. Lastly, this one is from two years ago, during Christmas. Time really does fly, doesn't it?" Kate sighed, her gaze fixed on the sketches, reflecting on the passage of time.
Suddenly, she sensed Angela's intense gaze upon her, prompting her to raise her head and lock eyes with the little one.
"What's wrong?" Kate waved her hand in front of her and asked curiously.
"Oh, it's nothing," Angela replied, her voice tinged with a wistful tone. "Time truly flies, doesn't it? Before we know it, you'll be off to college, and I'll be entering middle school. But..."
She playfully stuck out her tongue and continued, "It's quite rare to see that you've kept all these drawings."
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Kate chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, you never know. If you become a famous artist in the future, these sketches could be worth quite a bit," she said teasingly, holding the drawings delicately in her hands. Despite her joke, she carefully tucked them away, treasuring the sentimental value they held.
At that moment, a male voice approached from nearby, "Hi, ladies. Mind if I join you?"
Before Kate could respond, Angela swiftly interjected her tone firm, "Actually, we would prefer some privacy. My sister and I are cherishing this opportunity to have personal conversations. There are plenty of empty seats available, so please find another spot."
"Oh, I apologize. I didn't mean to intrude," the young man replied, feeling slightly embarrassed as he quickly walked away.
Kate looked at Angela with a hint of confusion. "Angie, don't you think that was a bit rude?"
A mischievous smile appeared on Angela's face as she shrugged her shoulders. "Don't tell me you didn't notice, Kate. That guy was obviously trying to hit on us."
"Yes, I understand that he was showing interest in us, but your behavior was still quite impolite."
"That's not acceptable, Kate. You belong to me, and nobody can take you away from me!" Angela clenched her small fist with determination. "So, we can't afford to be polite to people like him. We have to firmly reject them!"
After speaking, Angela suddenly hesitated. Why did it feel so difficult to say those words at that moment?
Unaware of Angela's distraction, Kate rolled her eyes, remembering how the little girl had inquired about her personal life before. Feeling powerless, she sighed, "Alright, alright, I'm yours."
After uttering those words, she lowered her head and resumed reading her book. However, Angela quickly snapped back to reality, scooting closer and grabbing Kate's arm, shaking it vigorously. "Don't be like that, Kate, my dear. Can't we have a chat? After all, we're on a trip!"
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Kate, unable to resist the persistent shaking, reluctantly put down her book and let out a sigh. "Fine, what would you like to talk about?"
"How do you feel about my movies? Oh, wait, let's discuss your minor roles in movies and stage plays instead. By the way, you mentioned having a small role in a movie with Catherine Zeta-Jones. Did you actually get to meet her? Is she as beautiful as they say?"
...
Around 5 p.m., the train finally arrived at Waverley Station in Edinburgh. Despite Angela's enthusiastic conversation throughout the journey, both of them felt a bit weary after seven long hours on the train.
Luckily, the bus station was just 200 meters away from the train station and they swiftly boarded a bus to the city center.
Edinburgh, situated on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, is the capital city of Scotland.
Encompassing an area of around 260 square kilometers it boasts a rich history and captivating natural landscapes, often earning the moniker "Athens of the North."
Angela had visited Edinburgh in her early childhood, mostly when she was around 4 or 5 years old. During those times, she had to obediently follow her parents wherever they went and didn't have the freedom to explore on her own.
Although she had long harbored plans for a solo trip, or more accurately, a trip without her family, her preparations were lacking. This time, circumstances compelled her into it.
Following the New Year's palace banquet, it had become a family tradition to stay at the grand Fraser Mansion in Bristol for two days.
Sponsored Content
While the estate itself was beautiful and on par with their own, it was simply too vast. Many areas evoked an eerie feeling, especially the lengthy corridor adorned with portraits of ancestors.
Every time she walked by those painted figures seemed to fix their gaze upon her, sending shivers down her spine.
The thought of traversing that corridor in complete darkness, armed only with a flickering candle, was enough to petrify her at the mere notion. If given a choice, she genuinely wished to avoid going there.
So, she secretly contacted Kate to organize a trip, keeping the details ambiguous regarding her parents' approval. She subtly mentioned it to her uncle Frank, hinted at it during a casual conversation with her closest aunt, Aunt Winnie, and conveyed her intentions to her grandfather through the butler, Gerald. Eventually, she confronted her parents directly.
Despite their initial concerns, Angela pleaded repeatedly. Considering that the destination was merely Edinburgh within the UK, and knowing how resolute the young girl could be, after all, she had once run away from home at the age of 4, her parents eventually relented and agreed to her request.
Following that, she met up with Kate, providing her with instructions and seeking her assistance. Kate had always shared a strong bond with the Mason family—ever since she had found the runaway little girl—so the Mason couple felt comfortable entrusting Angela to her care.
Though they had faith in Kate, Angela was well aware that her grandfather had likely contacted Scotland Yard through his connections.
He surely wanted to avoid a repeat of the chaos that had ensued when she ran away previously. However, Angela was prepared for this. In fact, she had chosen Edinburgh precisely to prove that she wouldn't cause any trouble.
Of course, there were still some minor acts of defiance. Initially intending to travel by plane, Angela inexplicably insisted on taking the train, despite the journey lasting 6 to 7 hours. She even specified the departure from King's Cross Station. Undeniably, she was a peculiar little girl.
By this time, Edinburgh was already aglow with the evening lights. In the winter of the north, darkness descended swiftly. After navigating the Royal Mile, they found an inn and retired early to rest.
