Chapter 2 Chapter One

England, 1108 It's not love at first sight. Miss Mina didn't want to appear in front of the guests at all.She has more important things to do today.But her nanny, a gruff-toothed woman with a face that would scare even God, ignored her protests.She cornered her in the back corner of the stall, not letting a single chance, or a little girl, slip past her.All the way from the top of the hill to the muddy yard, the nanny delivered her oratory. Mina, don't move around.I'm much stronger than you, and I won't let you go.You lost your shoes again, didn't you?Don't try to lie, I see your socks sticking out.Why are you dragging that rein?

Mina shrugged, I forgot to put it back. So put it back now.You always forget things, don't you? As you told me, I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, Ace. In fact, you don't remember a single thing I told you.You are in more trouble than all the other kids combined.Your brothers and sisters have never been a problem for me, even your little sister knows how to behave and she's still sucking her fingers in a diaper.I warn you, Mina, if you don't get rid of your bad habits and give your parents a moment of peace, God will stop his important work and come here to speak to you.How would you feel then?You wouldn't like it when your father put you on his lap and talked about your humiliating behavior, now?

Yes, I wouldn't like it.I'll try to play by the rules, really. She glanced up at the sitter quickly to see if she believed her remorse.Of course she didn't regret it at all, because she didn't think there was anything wrong with her behavior, but Aisi didn't understand. Don't try to fool me with your big blue eyes, little girl.I don't believe you have any sincerity.You're laughing, God, what the hell did you fall into? Mina lowered her head and remained silent.She had been chasing a herd of piglets an hour ago until she had driven their mother into a pen, and her stench was only a small price to pay for the joy she was getting.

Her pain has only just begun.Although she had just taken a shower two days earlier, she was forced to take another shower at noon that day.She was rubbed from head to toe and cried out in pain.Aisi didn't sympathize with her wailing at all, and Mina was finally too exhausted to cry, so when Aisi put her on a blue robe and a pair of shoes that seemed too tight for long-distance running, Mina didn't feel at all. struggle.Her cheeks were pinched twice to make her face rosy, her platinum blond hair was combed into curls, and she was led downstairs into the hall.Mom left her alone after reviewing.

Her eldest sister, Mattie, was already at the dinner table with her mother.The cook was also there to check the dinner arrangements with the hostess. I don't want to see any guests today, Mom.I'm so tired. Aisi came up behind her and poked her shoulder, now be quiet, don't complain, God doesn't like women who always complain. Dad just complains all the time, but God loves him.Wen Na said that it was because he was tall and strong.Only God is taller than Dad. Where did you hear this nonsense? Dad told me.I want to go out now.I won't be chasing piglets again, I promise.

You gotta stay where my eyes can see.Today you have to obey the rules.Otherwise, you know what to expect, don't you? Mina pointed to the floor, I have to go under there.She honestly repeated the threat she had heard hundreds of times. The little girl had no idea what was down there, she just knew it was scary and she didn't want to go. From Aisi's point of view, if Mina doesn't get rid of those terrible habits, she can't go to heaven at all, and everyone, including her family, of course wants to go to heaven. She knows where heaven is because her dad has given her the exact direction.It's just on the other side of the sky.

She thought she might like heaven, but didn't really care.There was only one thing that mattered to her now, and she never wanted to be left alone again.At least once a week she would have nightmares about what her mother called the misadventure.Fear still lurks in the depths of her memory, and every little girl knows those horrible memories will hide somewhere until they find a chance to jump out of the dark and startle her.Her screams would of course wake her sister up.While Alice was busy comforting Faith as a baby, Mina would drag the blankets to her parents' bedroom.Sometimes, the king would entrust some important work to someone as loyal and trustworthy as her father. Then, when her father was away from home for work, Mina would climb into her parents' big bed and sleep on her mother's bed. and when Dad was home when he wasn't out at work, she slept on the cold floor with Courage beside him, a beautiful long sword with a silver hilt, and Mom swore Dad loved him Children love this sword as much.She felt safest when he was around because his loud snoring always put her back to sleep.When she was with her parents, the devil wouldn't come in through the window, and the nightmares about her being left alone wouldn't visit her, they didn't dare.

Please tell Mina to keep her mouth shut when the guests arrive, mother.Mattie demands, she always yells, she does it on purpose.When can she stop? Soon, dear, soon.Her mother answered absently. Mina moved a few steps away from her sister, Mattie was naturally domineering.Now that her brothers have left home to start training in order to serve the king like their father did, it's even worse, and she's starting to become a problem for Ais.Mina's shoulders slumped.Mom, I'm sick of it any time someone tells me what to do.Is there no one like me? The mother was in no mood to comfort her daughter.

Mina, don't say a word until I say yes. Alice came up and said what she thought, madam, I'm afraid you can't get a husband for that little thing. Mina covered her ears and ran across the room. She hated the nanny for calling her that little thing. She wasn't a little piggy after all. I'll grab a husband myself!Mina yelled. Joan walked into the hall just in time to hear her sister boasting. What did you do this time, Mina? nothing. Tell me, I promise not to preach. I contradicted my mother.Joan, did Dad catch your husband? Get a husband?She didn't laugh because she knew it would hurt Mina's fragile feelings, but she couldn't stop laughing.

I guess so.Joan admitted. did you help No, I will see my husband on my wedding day. Are you not afraid that he looks ugly? It doesn't matter what he looks like.Dad told me it was a powerful union. Is that good? Of course, the king has officially approved it. Rachel says you have to love your husband with all your heart. That was just a silly wish. Ace said Daddy couldn't find me a husband.She said that my father was too busy to control me like this.I have to find a husband myself.will you help me Joanne smiled, I could tell it worried you a lot.I'm glad I could help. How can I find it?Mina asked softly.

Joan pretended to think about it for a minute, and then answered her, I think you have to pick out the person you want first, and then let him marry you.If he lives far away, write him a letter.Yes, that's what you should do.Why do we have to speak so quietly? Mom won't let me talk. Joan laughed out loud.The laughter made Alice wary, and she rushed over immediately. Don't encourage her, Miss Joanne.Mina, you have to keep quiet.Does that mouth of yours never rest? I'm so sorry, Ace. Nanny snorted suspiciously, no, you're not sorry at all.She moved a little closer, waved her finger in front of Minna's eyes and said, God himself will come here in a few days and teach you a lesson, little girl.Mark my words.Then you'll be really sorry, he doesn't like little girls who talk back. Aisi finally left, and Mina fell asleep while waiting for the guests to arrive.Later, her sister Rachel shook her awake and made her stand next to her sisters. Wenna hid behind Rachel until her name was called and she was dragged out to meet everyone.She suddenly felt very shy and did not dare to look up at the guests, so she hid behind her sister again. The strangers paid no attention to her, so she decided to sneak out of the hall whenever she could.She turned around, took a step toward the door, and then stopped suddenly. Three giants strode into the hall.She was too scared to move and stared at them.The one in the middle was taller than the other two and thus attracted her greatest interest.She watched him more closely, and as her parents walked across the hall to meet them, she realized that the man was even taller and stronger than her dad. She grabbed Rachel's hand and tugged back hard.It took her sister a moment to look down at her. what?she asked with a smile. He's not God, is he?She pointed to the dark-haired guest and asked.Rachel rolled her eyes, no, of course he wasn't God. Did daddy lie?Rachel, he told me only God was bigger and stronger than him. No, Dad didn't lie.He is just teasing you.You don't have to be afraid. Wen Na was relieved: Dad didn't lie to her, and God wouldn't take the trouble to come down from heaven to preach to her.So she still has time to change her sinful life, Alice told her so.Dad's laugh caught her attention, and Dad was happy today, which made her smile.Then she began to study the man in the middle again.Her gaze was downright disrespectful and rude, but she couldn't care less about her mother's past lectures now.The giant seemed to hypnotize her, and she wanted to remember everything about him. He must have felt her gaze, for he turned suddenly to look her directly. Mina decides to make Papa proud by being a polite young lady.She grabbed her skirt and lifted it to her knees, curtseying.Unfortunately she suddenly lost her balance and nearly fell headfirst, but she tipped her head back just in time so she just sat on the floor. She stood up immediately, not forgetting to put down her skirt, and then looked up at the giant secretly, wanting to see what he thought of the new trick she had just learned. The giant was smiling at him. As soon as he looked away, Mina started pushing herself behind Rachel again. I am going to marry him.she whispered. Rachel smiled and said: Very good. Wen Na nodded seriously, yes, it is indeed very good. Now, all she has to do is propose. After a few minutes, Dad asked the girls to leave the hall.After everyone else went upstairs, Mina ran out into the yard again.She decides she must catch a piglet today so she can have a pet of her own.She would have preferred a puppy, but her father had given her brothers and sisters one each, and she had none left, and now she decided to correct her father's mistake by catching a piglet herself. Lucky took extra care of her today.Mother Pig is not in the pen, but sleeping in a mud pond far away.Mina tried not to make a sound, but she slid into the muddy water making a loud splash.The baby pigs must have worn out their mother.She dared not look up or even open her eyes.Wenna heard the front door creak open, but since no one was yelling at him, she was sure no one saw her. The piglets all sleep curled up together, which makes her job a lot easier.Mina grabbed a piglet, wrapped it tightly in her skirt, and hugged the skirt to her chest.She wanted to run to the kitchen and hide the loot, and she felt her plan had almost succeeded if her new pet hadn't struggled so much. It wasn't until Minna stepped out of the pigsty and heard a terrifying voice rushing towards her that she realized the danger was coming.She never thought pigs could fly, but Mummy Pig, irritated, seems to be flying.It rushed into the yard with its head down, as if it wanted to attack forward. Mina started screaming loudly.It happened suddenly and she was too scared to think, so she started running around the pen.She ran around and around, holding her piglet in her arms, and yelling for Daddy to come and save her. The person who came to rescue her was not her father, but the giant smiling at her.And the rescue came just in time: just when Mummy Pig's snout tripped Mina, and Mina's face was falling to the ground, she felt herself being lifted up high.She closed her eyes nervously, stopped screaming, and then opened her eyes to look around. She was still in his arms, but on the far side of the pigsty.How did he get over those fences? There was chaos around her, everyone was running towards her and the giant.Her dad was last at the fence.She couldn't imagine what her father would do to her if she knew what she was hiding up her skirt, and she hoped so badly that he would never find out. But she knew her savior could definitely feel her pet squirming between them.Finally she mustered up the courage to look up to see what he was going to do with the accident. He looked surprised, and when the piglet yelped again in protest, he smiled. She was so glad he wasn't angry that she smiled at her too, before she remembered being shy. One of his friends approached the fence, Connor, is everything ok? He wanted to turn his head to answer, but Mina stopped him, and she put a hand on one of his cheeks to draw his attention to her again. She begged him in a low voice.He probably couldn't hear her because he leaned so close to her that their foreheads almost touched. Don't tell anyone. Suddenly the giant raised his head, roaring and laughing.She ordered him to be quiet, but that only made him laugh even louder. However, he did not betray her.As soon as he put her down, she ran past Dad without him catching her. Come back here, Mina. She pretended not to hear and continued to run forward. It wasn't until she tucked herself and the new baby in her lap safely under the kitchen table that she realized she had forgotten to propose to the man.But she was not discouraged, she would ask him again tomorrow.If he said no, she would come up with another plan.Anyway, she'd catch him and save Dad the trouble.