Silvana showed me around the farm, offering me fruits and vegetables and telling me the story of how they came to be here.

Before 1815, when the United Netherlands established a new country under the flag of William I, the University of Leiden had already been in operation for many years. Although the Netherlands changed hands in 1813–1814, with Prussian and Russian allies liberating the country from French domination, the University maintained its operations. During this time, a young scientist named Willem, fascinated by natural sciences, was earning his doctorate. He and his sister Sidone, orphans, were under the care of a professor of botany. Willem could officially work at the university, so he focused on the natural philosophy with a particular passion for physics. Sidonie, despite the fact that women were not officially allowed to engage in science, chose her path: biology. In the professor’s library and in the works he brought especially for her, she found her passion. Thanks to the professor’s care, they could freely pursue their scientific interests without constraints.

After several years of undisturbed work (Willem earned his doctorate and worked on issues related to electricity), the King himself took an interest in the pair and invited them to his summer residence, Het Loo Palace, where he commissioned them to conduct various scientific projects (from long-distance communication, the use of electricity as a weapon, and the possibility of modifying plants and animals using substances). From that moment on, the orphan couple became, as it were, court scientists, wealthy and fulfilled. Their work developed in various directions - depending on the King's mood or need - on one topic or another, sometimes under greater, sometimes lesser time pressure. They also maintained contact with a large group of scientists, starting with the Professor - their adoptive father - and continuing on to people from all over the world.

Although they kept to themselves, some hostile individuals emerged. The most important of these was the King's son. Although Willem and Sidone didn't see him often, his hostility became increasingly evident – ​​possibly due to unfulfilled wishes (some of the King's requests may have been those of his son), possibly due to experiments that sometimes went beyond modern understandings of ethics.

After Belgium's separation from the United Netherlands, the King fell into a melancholy state – he stopped visiting them as before, possibly due to a loss of faith in himself or in them. During this time, William II began to show them unequivocal hostility. The situation escalated until 1840, when William I finally abdicated in favor of William II. Het Loo Palace, however, remained William I's property, but his protection over his siblings became increasingly fragile. They were forced to make the decision to flee.

Their foster father, over 65 years old, took them under his care for a time (now also employed at the University), but this could not protect them from the hostility of Wilhelm II, as reported by friends in the palace. He therefore suggested a trip to Africa to visit his old friend from his earlier years of botanical wandering. However, combining haste with prudence, they adopted a tactic of indirect travel – traveling to Austria, reorganizing there, and moving to Africa. And although the idea proved successful, and indeed the new King was on their trail, time pressure remained. After a long and tiring journey, however, additional measures had to be taken to conceal themselves.

Having finally reached Africa, covering their tracks as effectively as possible, with the help of their father's friend and considerable financial resources, they managed to establish a small settlement on the site of what is now the farm. And although it seemed safe there, they maintained additional security measures for many years afterward. Over time, they returned to what they loved most – scientific work. This time, without anyone's wishes to fulfill. This is how this house by the waterfall came into being – initially as a laboratory, eventually as a home as well.

Their uninterrupted correspondence with William I, until his death in 1843, remained cordial and an excellent source of information about contemporary culture and politics. Their correspondence with their father, however, was a huge motivation for Sidone, who documented and shared all her observations of plants and animals with him. While nothing could be published under her name, she herself refused to take any credit for it.

In 1849, when William II died, Willem and Sidone finally breathed a sigh of relief, though they decided not to return to civilization. By gradually reestablishing their correspondence network, they created their own little paradise in this place, isolating themselves from the world while remaining in constant contact with it.

We spent almost an entire day on this tale. I've omitted many details, but the story seems entirely believable. As far as I remember the contemporary history of the Netherlands, the story fits quite neatly into the context of reality – William I was indeed an excellent politician and strategist, and his son... well, he lacked his father's skills.

As the story progressed, we explored the entire farm (I must admit, the irrigation system and organization of the farm is quite impressive, and while it seems like a lot of work, I have no trouble imagining that running it isn't beyond the reach of one person). Eventually, we wandered over to Silvana's house, where we ended the late afternoon with a nice cup of tea. I was quite tired by then, so I decided to head back home a little early, making sure I'd be welcome tomorrow as well Silvana invited me to breakfast, this time at her place. She offered to walk me home.

As we walked, I asked her why she trusted me so much – after all, I'd just appeared there completely by accident and out of nowhere. She replied:

"You have the necklace"

To which, perhaps not strategically, I replied that I could have stolen it or something.

We were just reaching my tent, and this clearly caught her off guard - she stayed silent for a moment, clearly lost in thoughts. When we arrived, she said goodbye to me with no less kindness than usual, although I could clearly see that the thought of me being someone who might want to harm her had clearly disconcerted her.