Proserpina

When I reached home, it was to discover that chaos ruled over the Delano kingdom.

Nothing new, I thought with a sigh.

Little Claude had poured water over one of Ria’s precious dolls. She had dunked him in soapy water in retaliation, aided and abetted by her twin. The maids were almost in tears and Beatrice was threatening anyone and everyone she saw.

“It’s high time I packed you off to some residential school, kids.’ I said in a steely voice as I supervised Claude’s cleaning up and scolded the twins.

Ria’s head went up, her golden curls bobbing.

“In the mountains, please!’ she cried clapping her hands, eyes...