Destiny Hearts

Livie Noémie Favager

Livie Favager smiled lightly, her golden gown reflecting her baby-blue eyes and brunette curls which fell to her shoulders in tight waves. Her sparkling lapis lazuli necklace dangled tantalizingly between the sheer, deep folds of her dress's bronze-laced neckline. If Livie's mother had seen her figure-fitting bodice and modern ruffled hemlines Livie would not still walk the face of the earth.

"Livie, dear!" the woman rushed up to her wearing a forced smile - as forced, Livie betted wickedly, as the corset the lady was wearing that moment. "I can't believe you're here- does your mama know of this?" The lady smiled to herself indulgently; everyone knew Livie mustn't be here of her mother's accord.

"Why of course!" Livie laughed breezily, her heart thumping beneath her heavily jeweled bodice. "Now, tell me I must know you? Lady..."

"Cousin Thealucette Werner, Thea, of course!" Thea giggled.

"Cousin Thea! My, it has been a long time! Won't you grab a drink with me and let's catch up?" Livie inclined politely, gritting her teeth.

"Darling, did you enjoy your night?" Hanne called.

"Yes, Hanne. I quite enjoyed it. Cousin Thealucette says she will be coming to stay for a few weeks." Livie allowed smoothly. Nevertheless, she knew right away that her obvious resentment must take some form in her words, for Hanne frowned slightly.

"Dear Thealucette. What a queer name, I remember thinking when she was born." Hanne smiled awkwardly. "I heard my dear sister couldn't bear to part with the middle name Lucette - heaven knows, it isn't her place to name the child." Hanne frowned angrily. "I heard - forgive me - that her husband became very angry. He had already allowed dear sister Prune to name the child's first name..."

"Go on, Hanne." Livie pressed herself closer against the table, straining her ears eagerly; it wasn't often a woman took a stand. Hanne frowned deeply.

"Well-" Hanne feigned reluctance, though she was enjoying the tale, "The Duke was positively vexed. Anyhow, Prune lost forbid she should ever win against her husband - and so she named the child Thealucette because she couldn't bear to part with Thea or Lucette!" Hanne stopped dramatically, "To think - of all the foolish names! Thealucette - Thealucette Grete Werner! My dear sister must have gone wrong in the head! Poor child!"

"Why, Hanne! How perfectly-"

"Child! Don't take me as a fool. You must be respectful, Livie, the picture of perfection to survive in this world!"

"Yes, mother." Livie drooped.

"When will Thea arrive?"

"Ten to one Tuesday, I dare say. She says she has taken a knack for sewing and will begin at some newfangled academy this Thursday." Livie hid a sadistic smirk as her mother clutched her heart, as though having some sort of agonizing seizure.

"A sewing academy! How utterly horrible. Why in my day dear quaint needlework and hours of quiet stitching did a lady good! And I suppose she won't be working with embroidery? What a newfangled-" and this was where the woman began to say some rather foul words for the second time Livie had ever known in her life.

Hiding an impudent, sadistic streak Livie agreed respectfully and glided up the stairs to her room, which held many a secret.

Livie's room was strictly forbidden to the rest of the household, and rightly so for Livie entertained three arrogant little brothers; triplets, and no good could come out of them for all they were worth. In addition, she had a sister but a year and some younger than herself, a brother but two years younger, (this is where the triplets fit in, but they have already been detailed above) another younger sister, the picture of snooping, and not to mention a pair of twin sister and brothers and her last sister, a mere weak golden girl of four. Before the list is finished Livie also got along snappishly with her sister, a year older, her brother, almost two years older, and her eldest twin brothers, but three and then some years older than herself and lastly, her eldest sibling, her sister naught five years older.