Safie
My name is Safie and I’ve just arrived at the De Lacey family’s cottage. I am the daughter of my father, a Turkish merchant, and of my mother. My mother was a Christian Arab, and was seized and made a slave by the Turks before my parents’ marriage. Due to her outstanding beauty, she won the heart of my father and they were instantly married. Although my mother has since passed away, her legacy to me was a lifetime of wisdom and advice. It is truly a blessing that I was born into freedom rather than the slavery that she suffered and bravely endured, and I follow her advice each day and in every pursuit I undertake. She taught me to always aspire for higher intellect and for independence of the spirit, despite the restraints my father’s religion imposes on me. Through following her advice and fulfilling the incredible dreams she had for my future, I will keep her spirit alive.
My father was falsely accused of a crime and sentenced to death, and that is when I was introduced to my love, Felix. He vowed to free my father from prison, despite the severe implications it could have on him and his family’s well being. I immediately felt a deep longing for him because of his promise to free my father. I felt completely safe with Felix around to protect my family, and despite our differences I did everything in my power to communicate with him. We do not speak the same language, but through much pleading and begging I was able to have one of my father’s servants translate the words of my tongue into the written words of French. It is through these letters that my love and I communicated; I ardently thanked Felix for his services to my father and expressed my doubts about my situation.
The night before my father was to be executed, Felix’s plans went into action. With Felix’s guidance and the use of false passports he obtained, my father and I were able to escape. During this time, an interpreter facilitated communication between me and Felix, and I sang him a song of my native country. I treasure these beloved memories because upon the discovery of my father’s escape by French authorities, Felix and his family were exiled from France. I was devastated because I could no longer communicate with Felix and had no clue of his whereabouts. My father urged me to remain with him; however, I could not leave Felix after everything he has done to assist my family. I cannot believe that after everything Felix has done to help me and my father, my father would dismiss him this way. I understand that he loves me and wants to protect me, but something about his efforts makes me feel like he does not approve of my relationship with Felix. Despite my father’s poor judgement, I hope to be greeted warmly by Felix upon my entrance to his family’s cottage. I hope to learn French so I can speak fluently to his family and nurture our relationship.