Allied Enemies

I: Austalia

Florence-

Florence's eyes flickered open. She blinked confusedly in the morning light for one near perfect moment. Then, it all came crashing down. The memories of last week still printed fresh in her mind. The look plastered on her mothers' face. Her twin siblings, locked away in their room, grieving silently and refusing to come out at all. Her own mourning, tucked somewhere deep inside her heart where it should not, could not, ever reveal itself to the world.

And most of all, her father. That last fateful day, the way he'd looked her in the eyes and it seemed like he knew. That he'd known since the day he got it. Florence almost allowed herself to cry, to put her head in her hands and let it all out. That was when she heard the call, echoing up the stairs and into her ears.

"Florence! Come down now! There's a letter for you..." She snapped out of her trance and began to walk down the stairs, into a house that seemed too quiet, too perfect, for a world that never stopped changing.

At the bottom, she was met with the was met with the sight of her mother - a thin woman in her 50s, whose visage had paled ever so slightly following her fathers' death, but just enough for Florence to notice. They both stood in the kitchen for a second in silence. Her mother was the one to break it.

"Well, that letter I was talking about... Here, it's good news."

An envelope with gold and silver sealing emblazoned on the front glistened in the sunlight as her mother passed it on. Florence cautiously broke the seal of the package, suddenly eager to see its contents.

Dear Florence Guthrie,

We request your attendance at the Austalian Court of Ruling tomorrow at 10:00 A.M sharp.

We do not call for you to be judged on any crime-related matter, but rather for a different reason. The news on the passing of your father has been reported to us, and to you we offer our deepest condolences for your irreplaceable loss. And due to your status as the oldest Guthrie child, this leads us on to inquire something highly of you. Would you be willing to take his place in the department of law? We urge you to take great thought into this matter, and hopefully, take up your father's previous duty. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and will likely not be presented to you again, due to its high status and influence within the court.

On the day of the discourse, please bring this letter as proof of permission. Further information about the duties and roles you must take up, as well as pay and working hours will be discussed. Any questions will also be answered this meeting, and letters will not be needed to be sent (and will likely not be accepted) due to its urgent and immediate calling for.

Yours Respectfully,

Edward Brocalon

Public Relations Manager at the Austalian Court Of Ruling.

Florence looked up. Her mother was smiling, a despondent one with tears glistening in her eyes. Florence rushed to her, worried she'd start bawling her eyes out again.

"Mother, don't cry. I'll be fine..."

"Darling, I can manage, but thank you. I'm happy. You should take the job, your father - he would've been proud to see you there."

Florence nodded her head slowly. At least she wouldn't have to deal with another breakdown - gosh, things were really getting to her now. On the bright side, it looked like a new opportunity had arisen for her. She had to take it. What else could she do? Probably sit at home, rotting until some rich suitor came along to take her, and what remained of her dignity, away to another land.