Stefan’s Diaries: Origins Chapter 3

August 21, 1864I cant stop thinking ab surface her. I pass on non even write her name I darent. She is beautiful, entrancing, singular. When Im with Rosalyn, I am Giuseppes son, the Salvatore boy, essentially interchangeable with Damon. I know it would not matter wizard whit to the Cartwrights if Damon took my place. It is only me because Father knew Damon would not stand for it, knew I would declare yes, just like always. alone when I saw her, her lithe figure, her bolshie lips, her substances that were flickering and sad and thrilling all at at a time it was as though I was finally just myself, just Stefan Salvatore.I must be strong. I must treat her like a sister. I must fall in love with the woman who is to be my wife.But I fear it is already too late. Rosalyn Salvatore, I thought to myself the next day, tasting the words as I byeed out the door, ready to fulfill my duty by paying a abet call on my soon-to-be-betrothed. I imagined living with Rosalyn in the carriage men ageor perhaps some smaller mansion my bugger off would institute as our wedding presentme working all day, poring with ledgers with my father in his stuffy study, while she took care of our children. I tried to pure t integrity excitement. But all I mat was cold dread seep through my veins.I walked or so the grand path of Veritas and gazed wistfully up at the carriage house. I hadnt seen Katherine since she arrived yesterday afternoon. Father had dispatched Alfred to invite her to supper, scarcely shed declined. Id spent the evening looking out the window toward the house, tho I couldnt see any flicker of candlelight. If I hadnt known she and Emily had moved in, Id swallow assumed the house had remained unoccupied. Finally, I went to sleep, wondering the whole time what Katherine was doing and whether she demand comforting.I tore my eyes away from the drawn upstairs dour glasses and trudged peck the driveway. The dirt road under my feet was hard and cracked we mandator y a good rainstorm. in that location was no breeze, and the air felt dead. Thither wasnt another person outside as far as the eye could see, yet as I walked, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on walked, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I got the uneasy heart that I wasnt alone. Unbidden, Roberts warnings about walking off on my own floated through my mind.Hello? I called out as I turned around.I started. Standing just a hardly a(prenominal) feet behind me, leaning against one of the angel statues that flanked the drive, was Katherine. She wore a white sunbonnet that protected her ivory flake and a white dress dotted with tiny rosebuds. Despite the heat, her fair skin looked as cool as the pond on a declination morning.She smiled at me, displaying perfectly straight, white teeth. I had hoped for a tour of the grounds, but it seems you are otherwise engaged.My heart pounded at the word engaged, the ring encase in my back shift as heavy as a branding iron. Im not no. I mean, I stammered, I could stay.Nonsense. Katherine shake her head. I already am taking lodging from you and your father. I lead not take your time as well. She raised a dark eyebrow at me.Never before had I spoken with a girl who seemed so at ease and sure of herself. I felt the sudden, overwhelming urge to whip the ring from my pocket and offer it to Katherine on one knee. But then I thought of Father and obligate my hand to stay put.May I at least walk with you for a bit? Katherine asked, swinging her sun umbrella back and forth.Companionably, we walked down the road. I kept glancing to my left and right, wondering why she didnt seem offensive to walk, unaccompanied, with a man. Perhaps it was because she was an orphan and so utterly alone in the world. Whatever the reason, I was grateful for it.A light wind blew around us, and I inhaled her lemony ginger scent, feeling as though I could die of happiness, right there, next to Katherine. Simply being near her was a reminder that beauty and love did exist in the world, even if I couldnt have them.I think I shall call you Silent Stefan, Katherine state as we walked through the cluster of oaks that marked the line between the village of Mystic Falls and the outlying plantations and estates.Im sorry , I started, fearing that I was as dull to her as Rosalyn was to me. Its simply that we dont get very many strangers in Mystic Falls. Its difficult to speak to someone who doesnt know my whole history. I suppose I dont neediness to bore you. After Atlanta, Im sure you attend Mystic Falls a bit quiet. I felt train as soon as the sentence left my lips. Her parents had died in Atlanta, and here I was, making it sound like shed left some excite life to live here. I cleared my throat. I mean, not that you had tack together Atlanta exciting, or that you wouldnt know getting away exciting, or that you wouldnt enjoy getting away from everything.Katherine smiled. Thank you, Stefan. Thats sweet. Her tone m ade it clear she didnt want to delve into the topic any further.We walked in silence for a few long moments. I kept my stride deliberately short so Katherine could keep up. Then, whether by accident or by design Im not sure, Katherines fingers brushed against my arm. They were cold as ice, even in the humid air. incisively so you know, she said, I dont find anything about you boring.My entire body flamed raging as a conflagration. I glanced up the road, as if trying to check over the best route for us to follow, though really I was hiding my blush from Katherine. I felt the weight of the ring in my pocket again, heavier than ever.I turned to face Katherine, to say what, Im not even sure. But she was no longer by my side.Katherine? I called, shielding my eyes against the sun, hold for her lilting laugh to rise up in the underbrush on the road. But all I heard was the echo of my own voice. She had vanished.