Win My Heart chapter 1

"My Heart Belongs to No One"

A girl of about 15 worked in the fields. She wore a simple peasant dress with long brown sleeves and a bodice. Her long wavy black hair cascaded down her back and her aqua blue eyes glistened against her fair skinned perfect body. She was 15 yet she was already showing her growth into a woman. Her hips were of a good width for bearing children and her breasts were full and she had a cleavage. She wore simple brown flat shoes to protect her feet from stones, splinters, and god knows what else. Her name was Anette and she fulfilled her namesake perfectly. She was filled with grace and beauty. No one paid attention to her which was to be expected. Her and her parents were of gypsy blood. They were avoided like the plague. But there was one boy who admired her. His name was Ivan. He was 16 and was almost a man. He had shoulder length straight black hair, a strong muscular build, and had pale skin that called attention to his startling green eyes. His handsome face had pronounced cheekbones as most people of the Baltic peninsula had. He normally wore a tan shirt, brown pants, and brown boots. Ivan admired Anette. She was so beautiful.. Whenever he worked in the fields he always tried to catch a glimpse of her walking through the fields picking the crops along with the other women. The way the sun hit her hair and made it shine and come to life fascinated him. How the simple bodice on her brown dress hugged her body and showed how perfectly thin and curved she was always caught his eye. But whenever she would glance at him as she walked past set his heart aflame and pounding in his chest, threatening to bust out and chase after her like a puppy after it's master. Anette's parents were desperately trying to find her a husband but no one would take her to wed. They wouldn't marry a gypsy even if she was the last woman on earth. This hurt Anette. She wasn't a vagabond, thief, liar, whore, or demon as everyone said. She was just like them. She was a human girl, almost a woman. Anette's parents went to Ivan's parents asking if they would let their son marry their daughter. His parents thought for a little bit and went out to the fields with their son. "Who would my bride be if you accepted?" Ivan asked his father. His father pointed her out. "That would be her, Anette. The gypsy." he spat. Ivan was amazed. He was so close to having the beautiful girl as a wife! "Father please let me marry her! She is so beautiful.." Ivan pleaded. "No! She is a gypsy! She would steal your eyes if she could get away with it!" his father interjected. Anette overheard them and turned away from the others to hide her tears. "Another possible husband gone.." her mind said sadly. Ivan's parents declined and her parents went home to their daughter and told her that she had been refused again. But Anette already knew for she had heard it first hand. Ivan was sad that he lost his chance to have the beautiful girl as his wife. With his luck he would end up being married to a plain looking girl that had no brain. "Luck? What luck? You have no luck!" his mind mocked. Anette was beautiful and intelligent. She could read, write, and do simple math. Most women couldn't. He needed her as his wife.

5 Years Later.

Anette was now 20 years old, a true woman. She grew even more beautiful than she was before with each day. But still she was unmarried and orphaned. She truly had nothing left except her house and her few possessions. She lived in a small cottage type house that was cozy and decent. She had a single upstairs room that was her bedroom. When she was a little girl she slept on a straw mat at the other side of the room with her parents in the bed at the other end. But now that her parents were dead and she was orphaned she slept in the bed. When Anette wasn't working in the fields she cooked, cleaned, and sewed blankets, dresses, and clothes for herself, her neighbors, and others in need. She never asked for payment when she gave something away. She would refuse money, favors, and even gifts in return. But there was one man that she was currently working on something for. It was a blanket. A nice thick, warm, beautifully embroidered blanket. She had been working on it for two weeks already and had pricked her fingers countless of times. She was determined not to get a single dot of blood on the blanket. It was green, "Like his eyes.." she thought with a smile as she passed her needle and thread through the fabric in a never ending rhythm and pattern. His name was Ivan and he had grown into a man of 21. He was handsome and had grown a beard that wasn't long but covered some of his face. It enhanced his looks and made him more handsome. Anette sighed. "As long as his parents are alive I won't be able to marry him..." she said sadly as she sewed stitches into the blanket for her love interest. "He is so handsome too.." she sighed. "Why must I always be rejected?" "Am I unattractive and no one has the heart to tell me the truth?" she asked herself. But little did she know that the man she admired was thinking about her.

Ivan paced back and forth in his house. His parents had died recently and he was thinking of what he would say to Anette. "Anette... I know that my parents refused our possibility at marrying but I really wanted and still want to marry you.." he said as if he was saying it to her. "No... That's not it.. She wouldn't accept.." he said sighing. "Anette... I have always admired you from afar.. And when the chance arose that we could be married I wanted to be your husband so much but my parents refused. My parents died recently and I have come to ask you to be my beautiful wife." he said testing the words. It was the best that he had so far. It would hopefully be good enough. Ivan left his house and went to Anette's house not that far away. He arrived at her house and knocked on her door. "Who is it?" Anette called. "It's Ivan." he answered. "IVAN!" her mind yelled. Quickly Anette hid the blanket and her sewing basket and went to the door. She opened the door and there stood Ivan, handsome as always. "Come in please." she said letting him come in before shutting the door behind him. "What brings you here?" she asked going over to the fireplace to check on the stew that bubbled in the cast iron pot that hung above the flames. "Just a reason.." he said nervously. Anette looked at him. "What reason?" "Just... A reason.." Ivan answered still nervous. "Will you not tell me?" she asked her eyes holding a spark of curiosity. "Not yet." he answered feeling butterflies in his stomach. "Would you like some stew?" she asked holding a spare bowl that was intended for him. "Yes please." he answered, starving from the day's work in the fields. Anette poured some of the stew into the bowl and poured a bowl for herself. She carried the bowls to the wooden table that served as the dining table and set a bowl of steaming hot stew in front of him before sitting across from him. The two ate and Ivan was amazed by Anette's cooking. It was the most delicious stew he had ever had! He had to have her as his wife, no woman could ever cook like she did. "Do you like it?" she asked hoping that he liked it. "It's delcious!" he answered. She smiled as she watched him eat.

When they were finished eating Anette picked up the bowls and spoons and set them aside on a wooden counter. Ivan had to make his move soon. "Anette.. I have to tell you my reason for coming.." he said nervous and afraid of being rejected by her. "Of course." Anette answered turning to face him. "Anette..." Ivan said as he got down on one knee and took her hand. Anette was clearly shocked at the gesture. "I have always admired you from afar.. And I know that my parents declined the offer of our marriage but I still want to marry you.." he said as he looked up into her beautiful eyes. "I wish for you to be my beautiful wife.." he finished. Anette was amazed. He wanted to marry her? Her of all people?! It was too good to be true!! Wait... It was too good to be true.. What if it was a trick? What if he didn't really love her and only wanted her as a prize to show off? He didn't seem like the type but not all that's gold glitters.. She would have to test his devotion to her. "I will marry you only if you complete some tasks." she answered. Ivan tried not to look taken aback. She didn't believe him? She didn't like him back? He hoped that his eyes weren't showing his pain. "What are they?" he asked as he stroked her hand to try and assure her that he loved her so she would change her mind about testing him. "You must have a house, a horse, two rings, and you must win my heart. Only then will I be your bride." she told him. He tried not to gulp. "I accept." Ivan answered. Anette smiled and bent down to him. She gave him a light kiss on his forehead. She hoped to encourage him to continue and she wanted to give him a hint about her feelings. He felt determination fire up within him and he felt his heart leap at the light touch of her lips on his skin. Ivan rose and kissed her hand lightly. "I will return my lady, I promise." he promised her and his heart. Anette smiled. "I know you will Ivan." she said kindly and hoped that he would indeed return.

Ivan went home and went to sleep happily dreaming about having Anette as his lovely wife. Anette went to sleep and dreamed happily of perhaps a love that might grow.