Book 1: Agape

Foreword: This is my own composition based on my recurrent dream since childhood. 

1

Family

Morning once again, as soon I stretched out my arms and legs I could smell the scent of rose being boiled at the kitchen. I peaked at my window to greet the Sun a happy day and I could hear my Mom’s voice calling me for breakfast.

“Oh Lily…..fix your bed and prepare yourself for breakfast” Mom shouted in a soft voice.

“Yes Mom! I am coming….”with a single wave of hand towards the right I closed my curtain to make my room dim. With a snap of a finger from my shoulder down to my legs it transformed my sleeping dress to my usual dress in the day. My dress usually white blouse with a petticoat and brown long skirt. I looked at the mirror to see if my petticoat was correctly placed and tied. My magic was not as good as my old folks, though.

“Li—lily what take you so long to come down stairs? Your soup is getting cold.”

“Wait a second Mom. I am still fixing my dress and hair!” as I blurted out. With a wink of an eye, my red ribbon flew in the air slowly and it tied itself in my head “the color matches my red petticoat” I told to myself as I giggles.

As I hurriedly walked down from the stairs, my Grand Ma gave me a big hug and slightly lifted me from the old wood flooring. Grand Ma though old as she was, she still possessed the wittiness and sharp memory of a young woman. Oftentimes, she wore dark color long dress and an emerald necklace. She always tied up her curly grey hair and cover it with a pointed hat. Of course Percy, her black cat was always with her.

“Meow…” as Percy brushes off his black tail in my legs.

“Psst …Percy come here….as soon as I grabbed Percy and brush off his fur, I murmured “Good morning my most favorite cat” while lifting him up in the air, we make ourselves in the dining room going around.

“I thought you already fixed your hair? And where are your boots young lady?” Mom said while her hands were at her sides.

“Well I already fixed my hair see.” As I pointed my right finger into my head. “I am barefoot because I cannot find my boots. I forgot where I left it last night.” I exclaimed.

“Oh well, come here and let me tie you hair properly. Oh no, you did not comb your hair.” She exclaimed in a gentle irritating tone.

“Why should I literally comb my hair Mom? Magic can do it so why should …..”

“Hush now! Remember what I told you? Do not use your powers very often. You should learn how to work without magic.” She replied.

“Mom if that’s the case why do we have powers in the first place?”

“My little one” Grand Ma interferes “it is a gift which our family is blessed with but we should use it with precaution. We should act normal as anybody.”

“Why aren’t we normal Mom?”

“My child we are ordinary people with a gift so you have to be careful. Your hair is already done, wash your hands first before we eat breakfast.” As soon as I headed towards the sink, Mom then sighed so deep.

The food tasted very delicious, we had beef stew and some mixed vegetables which consists of celery, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, boiled egg and leafy vegetables which were harvested from the garden. After breakfast I made my way out of the kitchen and played with Percy in the garden. Grand Ma left the dining room in a snap of a finger before my Mom and I finished our meals.

While playing at the garden, Mom tended her vegetable garden. I always admire Mom of her beauty. She was a simple lady with a fair white skin. When she wept her sweat in her cheeks, it brushes away her long wavy golden brown hair which covered her face. Her clothes were just like mine, white long blouse with a petticoat and dark long skirt plus the pair of black boots. Mom saw I was staring at her

“What is the matter dear?” in a gentle soft voice.

“Nothing Mom….” Then I hurriedly approached her and say “You look beautiful as ever Mom.” I said it with a soft smile.

              “Go on and play with Percy but remember do not go far away from the house.” Mom reminded me as she gave me warm hug.

               “I will Mom…come on Percy.” And we ran in the forest.

You see our house was not that big and sturdy compared to the others. We live in a small old wooden house with a lot of green mosses growing at the sides of the house. The forest where we live lies in the boundary of Scotland and England. King Henry VIII as I have heard from my folks intensified the boundary between the two kingdoms. Here in the edge forest of Carlisle, we do not have any neighbor since we are living very far from the eyes of the townspeople. They fear us because we were different. Being different from the ordinary people could strike fear at anyone who could notice it.  I grew up never knowing my father, Grand Ma said it was a long story and something about the past which should not be brought up especially in front of my mother. Mom never described Dad. But one thing for sure she told me about was that I may have Mom’s feature but I have my Dad’s strong will.

By afternoon, colorful petals blocked my way and I heard Mom’s voice telling me to go home.

“Come Percy….hurry let’s go home. How about a race Percy?”

“Me--- meow…” Percy’s kitty voice replied. As soon as we leave the forest, a tall man with a deep dark eyes mysteriously watching us.

“I am here Mom.” The cat brushed his tail once again in my legs. “And Percy too.”

The old wooden clock was ticking at exactly 6 o’clock the fire place lit up on its own. The rocking chair just three walks away from it suddenly moved back and forth.  With a snap of a finger Grand Ma appeared on her rocking chair.

“Where have you been little one? Look at your untidy toes.”

“Shhh..Grand Ma be quiet.” I said in a whispering voice. “Mom might hear you.”

“Ahem…” clearing her voice “Who might hear you? You played in the woods without your boots? You are not going to sleep without taking a bath.”

“Oh Mom….” I embraced my Mom just to appease her. “Tomorrow I promise to wear my boots just do not be mad.”

“I spare you this time” she said as she pinch my nose “Go ahead and wash your hands…” she exclaimed.

“She’s growing up so fast. I am worried about her future Celine.”

“Time flies Mom and five years from now she will be a young woman. What are you worried about Mom?”

“Her future Celine, she cannot live here forever. It is a good thing she never demands to know her father and she.” Before Grand Ma finished her statement Mom blurted out “What do you want to say Mom? That I cannot give her a comfortable life? That we are living in this small old shaky cottage?!” My mother somewhat became hysterical, all of our things inside the house were shaking and petals kept appearing in every corner of our house. As I approached my Mom and Grand Ma they both denied that they were talking about me.

“After supper, you go directly to the bathroom and wash yourself.” Grand Ma said before she went to the living room.

“Yes Granny.” I agreed.

All throughout the night Mom was very quiet. I cannot read her mind that night.

“Here Mom I will help you cleaning the plates.”

“Thank you Lily but I can do it.”

“I want to help you Mom, you are tired from all your work at the garden. Let me help you with this.”

“Alright my little dove.”

As soon as we were done from washing the dishes, Mom bathe with me in our small bath tub. Together we played with the bubbles and laughed at loud. In a corner of the room, Grand Ma was looking at us with tears in her eyes. At that moment I wondered why she was weeping. Mom saw it too but ignored it.

“Come my little one it is time for your bed time.” As she gave me hug, she whispered an incantation with her hands waving “Carry this child and help her get a sleep and keep her safe from all harm. Mama is here.” As soon as she stated the words all the colorful petals lifted me up in the air as I smiled with joy. Mom looked at me as her petals put me to sleeDownstairs, Mom asked Grand Ma why she wept a while ago.

“Mom may I know why cried a while ago?”

“It is here…the one I am afraid of is about to unfold. You and I can never avoid that.”

“What do you mean Mom? What are you afraid of?”

“Tomorrow you will know what I mean.”

Mom then blocked Grand Ma’s path then she said “You can tell me Mom now!” As she lay her hands at Grand Ma’s shoulders. “You have the gift to see the future! What did you see about my daughter Mom!”

“You know I cannot tell the things that will happen in the future. All I can say is everything will happen according to its time. Even though we have powers but still we have to obey the laws of nature.”

“Wha..what do you mean…no Mom it cannot be … Lily is all I have left since the daughter….. Look at me, we may not change the future but you have the gift of spells. You can create spells which are not yet written in the book of shadows.” The mother and daughter hugged each other.

2

Last Birthday

Early in the morning, I walked up both mother and grandma were at the foot of my bed staring at me.

“Hello, my sweet kitten!” Grandma said.

“Get up now, we prepared your favorite dish.” Mother helped me to get up.

“My favorite dish? You mean the..”

“It is a surprise my dear. Go down now to the dining room with your mother. I will stay here first to fix your room.”

Mother changed my clothes and with a little help of magic by a snap of her finger I am wearing new set of clothes.  

“Wow! New clothes Grandma see!”

“Yes my dear, we can see it looks good in you and you look so pretty.”

“Mum you said the other day, we cannot use magic right?”

“Yes, I am very clear about it. But its’ your tenth birthday isn’t it? Everything should be special on your birthday.”

As soon as we head downstairs, I could smell Mom’s petals fragrance, she brewed it and mixed it with the other ornaments. The petals are from her flowers which she also cultivated.

“The smell of the flowers are so refreshing Mom.”

“Thank you my dear. I made it so according to your liking.”

Upon entering the dining room, everything looks amazing and new. The dining table looks fabulous as if we were wealthy. The plates, wine glass and even the utensils seemed brand new. We also had newly embroidered curtains and when I looked around our house transformed into a magnificent one as if royal bloods were residing in the place. Though I knew it transformed due to my family’s magical abilities, I am still thankful because I have my Mom and Grand Ma with me.

“Come on Grandma….” I shouted at the stairway “let us eat, we do not have a long day”

“Alright, just wait for me, you know I am old and my knees are aching.” Grandma winked at me with fondness in her eyes.

Mother just laughed and said “Hurry up the food should not be kept waiting it is not a good manner.”

Grandma and I hurriedly went to the kitchen. I ate a lot that morning not because the dishes were delicious but it was my way of saying that I am very thankful for everything they have done for me, for our family. Then while we were eating our meals, Grandma said “After this we will go out and so that you can see our other surprise. After all you will turn ten years old once in your life.” She told me with assurance in her face that I will like it.

“Is that true Mom?”

“Yes Honey! Your Grandma is right.”

After breakfast and washing the plate, we immediately went to the front porch. My mum created a variety of flowers from roses, daffodils, tulips, carnations, and orchids were sorted out according to its kind. In each set of flowers was a huge arch of grass that was bend over reaching the other side of the trail. All kinds of butterflies were flying over at us. I know I am happy but I do not know why I am sad inside.

“My little one, what is the matter?” Grandma asked.

“Nothing Grandma.” I replied.

“Are you sure sweetheart? Come on you can tell Mama.” My mother exclaimed.

“I know you love me but somehow I felt that there is something missing.”

“What is it Lily?” Mother asked me.

“It is Dad. I never knew my father.”

“We cannot bring back those who are not living anymore, my dear.” Grandma said with sorrow in her face.

“What happened in the past is part of the past. What is important is the now.” Mother said to me as she hug me so close. She led me in to the river and told me “Look at your reflection into the river. And tell me what you see.”

“I see myself Mama. There’s nothing in the river.” I said it with a little doubt over my head.

“There is something in the river dear. It is your reflection right? But you see you have a resemblance with your father.”

“I thought I am exactly looked like you and not Dad.”

“My sweet, I have been busy lately and I have not noticed that you are growing just like your father.”

“Really Mum?”

“Definitely, Lily.” Mom said as she embraced me tightly. Before we left the riverside I shown my mother a trick.

“Wait Mom, I have something to show to you.” I lay my hands at the ground and closed my eyes as I say “In the ground they blossom, the blossom gives scents, the scents give us aroma. In the ground they grow, it grows with thorns. Careful you might prick your finger as you pick it. If you prick you may bleed.” As I said my very first incantation, a red rose appeared in the ground and opened up its petals as soon as my mother touched it.

“Do you like it Mom?” I asked her.

“It…it’s wonderful. It is your birthday but you are the one who surprised me.”

“How did you do that?” Grandma asked me.

“I just did Grandma. In the woods yesterday with Percy, I tried to do it but it did not turn out well.”

“In the woods with Percy? Is there someone else who saw you performed magic?” Mom asked in a worrisome tone.

“No one Mom, it was very peaceful that day. Hmmm, but wait, it was peaceful before the deer passed by us. It was running very fast as if there was someone hunting it down.” I explained to them while they were looking at me with horrified expressions.

“Are you sure no one else saw you that day?” Mum inquired.

“Mama, I already told you, nobody it was just me and Percy in the woods yesterday.” I replied with questions in my mind why they were afraid. I mean I am alone that day in the woods with Percy, the cat. It cannot talk right?

“Let us go, quick hurry. Before someone else sees us.” Grandma exclaimed.

“Why are we going back home Mama? We are the only family living here deep woods, so what are you afraid of?” I asked in a demanding voice as I put my hands at my sides and frowned.

 “We are not allowed to perform magic outside of the house. People may see.” Grandma replied in soft voice as she surveyed the area.

“Who would see us Grandma? Who?” I mimic my grandmother’s gesture. Before my Mom could utter a word, an arrow suddenly appeared and it hit my Grandmother at her left leg. We were shocked.

“Grandma! Oh Mom!” we shouted as we were caught by surprise. A tall strange man appeared. He had cloak made out of a bear’s skin, he carried bow and arrow and sword. He had a frightful face and no expressions at all. I am scared that day so as my Mom and Granny.

            “Come on Mom, let’s leave.” As my mother tried to carry my Grandmother.

            “Go and save yourselves. I smell danger coming in front of us.” Grand Ma talked about her visions.

            “No Mum! We will not leave you.” Mum said.

            Then suddenly black hound dogs came for us together with armed men with silver swords. They were shouting monsters, beasts and black magic. My mom held me close and so Percy.

             “You cannot hurt us. We did not do anything wrong to you people. We are living peacefully!” Grandma shouted. She reached her hand towards my mom and me. The three of us disappeared in front of their eyes. We found ourselves in an abandon small cave. Within that small cave was a cauldron at the center, at the sides were so many frightful dolls and needles.

            “What is this place Grandma?” I asked my Grandma in an afraid voice.

            My Mom was trying to remove the arrow from my Grandmother’s left leg. Mom then said, “This is used to be the place where our ancestors used to perform their black magic.”

            “Bla---ck ma---gic? Wh--what does it mean?”

            “It means using powers to harm others, using it in selfish desires.” Mom explained.

            “So did you do it, Grandma and Mom?”

            “Before I used to do it but not until it harmed your Grandfather. Every magic has its own price.” Grand Ma explains as she bear with the pain while Mom removed the arrow which hit her.

            “How about my Daddy, Mum? Did you also do it to Dad?” I asked while sobbing.

            “No I can’t, I love your father, Lawrence so much until he was taken away from us after you were born.” Mom said to me while she cried.

            “Your father died while defending the two of you that day. The townspeople attacked your mother and father in a villa in Keswick days after you are born. They burned down the whole house which nearly killed your Mom and you.” Grandmother explained everything to me that very day. Now I know now how my father died. He did not abandoned us like I used to think before. He died because he tried to save us.

            “Stop crying Celine, it is nobody’s fault.” Grandmother reassured my Mom about that.

            “Hush now my daughter. You have to be strong, you have a child to rear.” She said that as she brushed Percy’s fur.

            We spent the night inside the cave, I saw my mother gazed at the moon. The moon was shining brightly and you can see its full shape. She raised both of her hands in the air, it seemed she was deciphering an incantation. She realized I am not yet asleep, so she came to my side and sung me a lullaby. In her arms, I felt safe. “Go to sleep, everything will be alright. You will see.” She said to me as I closed my eyes. Meanwhile, the strange man was lurking outside of the cave waiting for the proper time to attack. 

            At the waking of the dawn, I could hear the barking of the dogs getting louder. My Grandmother was wide awake. My mom was nowhere to be found. “Grandma where is Mom?” I frightfully asked.

            “She went ahead to check the safe passage for us. Be still, Grandma is here my sweet one.” She assured me for that.

I never lose faith that she will come back. Finally, my Mom came back and as we hurriedly leave the cave the armed men appeared again. They tried to seize us and accused my mother and grandmother for heresy, witchcraft and poisoning my father as a result of his death. Both of them plead of their innocence and freedom. As for me, my mom was protecting me all along. When one of the armed men tried to harm my Mom, I fought back and unknowingly got one piece of his hair. That soldier pushed me away from my Mom. I heard my mom called out for me. When she tried to rescue me one soldier hit her back with a sword. I was horrified.  So I grabbed one doll and around its neck I placed the soldier’s hair.

“If you will not let go of my family, you will be sorry.” I held up high the voodoo doll with the pin.

They stared at me as if it was a joke. Both of my mom and grandma warned me not to use it, but I did not heed their plea. I hit the doll with the pin and the soldier who owned the hair felt a sudden neck pain.

Three soldiers were about to get me, one fat soldier said to his comrades, “Huh, this kid is trying to trick us. Come on lads, let us get this blasted child!” Then my Mom suddenly recited her incantation and then the sky turned grey. “Spare a young life in replace of my life. May a mother’s love be her protection, as a mother’s love can conquer all pain. A mother’s love knows no boundaries and even time cannot dictate as to how long her love and care should be. A mother will always be a mother to her child.” As soon as my Mom completed her incantation, the three soldiers were not able to see me.

For a second, I cannot move, my body became stiff. “Is this what Mama’s spell all about?” I asked myself. 

As they left the cave that was the only time I was able to move. I saw the soldiers from afar, they chained my family like an animal and placed inside the black carriage. I ran as fast as I could but they were so fast. I felt the cold wind I know it is my mother’s touch. The heaven roared as it transformed the blue sky to grey once more. I shouted her name loud and clear, my heart was beating fast. Fear kept me that long enough to chase my family and those who taken them away from me. The more I ran the colder the wind and the roaring of the sky were.

Out in the wilderness I heard my Mom’s spell “Life may give us happy, sad and painful moments. Life as we know may cease to exist. Life is full of wonders once you embraced it with your heart and mind. A mother cannot bear the pain from her child’s life. Take away all the painful memories and renew her life with new beginnings. Renew the life that almost took her precious youth. Replace the life you spared with a promise of hope.  A new life for a new beginnings.” As her spell was done, her petals engulfed me and froze me towards the ground.

3

Master and Servant

“Hey wake up!” A young man called out. “The birds in the trees began there hunt for food. And you waiting for the stars to fall down?” The young man grabbed my right foot and dared to drag me out of my bed. His name was Edmond. He was the son of the most elite lineage in Cumbria. His family’s estate almost owned the whole region of Cumbria by means of marriages. In his paternal side they had a vast land at Carlisle, Egremont, Whitehaven and Workington. From his maternal side they accumulated some lands at Kendal, Keswick and Perith.

            “Come on, stretch out those bones of yours. Ha--ha…..You need to prepare my meals, wipe clean my room and give me a bath.” He was counting my chores for the day as always. If he was not counting my chores, there’s a possibility that he was sick.

            “Alright, alright. Stop uttering those things I can hear you. I know my job.” I angrily replied.

            “Look who is mad now?! Lucky for you Mom is not around. It is just you and me in this villa.” As he was teasing me, he picked my nose and swing it back and forth. “I will take my leave now in order for you to make yourself presentable. Be sure by 9 o’clock you are already downstairs and tending to my needs.” He laughingly left my chamber.

            Upon coming down from my room, Edmond was at the living room playing his piano. Though he was not that charming but once his fingers touched the piano keyboards, he became somewhat interesting in the eyes. He winked at me, upon seeing that I am already downstairs. After preparing his breakfast of hot tea and five pieces of pancakes, I called him out in the living room.

            “Lord Edmond, excuse me, your breakfast is ready.”

            “Ahem…” (clearing his throat) “You made me wait for one and a half hour make sure it will satisfy my hunger.”

            “I assure you my lord.” I bow down my head to show respect.

            “Another thing Alisa, do you mind to drop the word ‘Lord’? I am not my father and it is just the two of us here in this small villa.”

            “Yes my lord  ------ I –I mean Edmond.” I led him towards the dining room. The dining room in his family’s villa had a brilliant yet average sized chandelier with mini pink crystals around it. It was in his family for almost a hundred year or so.

            “Have you ate your breakfast Alisa?” He gently asked me.

            “Not yet Edmond, I will take my meal later, after you.” I humbly replied.

            Suddenly he got up, he stood in front me of me and drag me close to his chair. He then pulled out the chair beside him and touched my shoulder and ordered me to sit down. Then he went to the kitchen, it was very noisy as if he was looking for something. By the time he went out of the kitchen, he brought with him one plate, one fork and a table knife.

            “Here you go Alisa.” Handling me the plate and the utensils. “Join me for breakfast will you? I hate to eat alone, you know that.”

            “But I --- I am …”

            “Oh Alisa, drop off the formality.” He shrugged his shoulders as his way of convincing me. “It is just the two of us. It will be boring if one is alone. Come on help yourself.”

            We ate breakfast together. Though he was someone born in an affluent family, once you were in his company, every bit of formality was gone.

            “What shall we do this noon? We have all the time in this world, isn’t?”

            “Before you think of a new scheme of yours, allow me to remind you that you’re still wearing your night fit attire.” He was barefooted, wearing his white long sleeve polo and white skimpy knee pants.

            “Oh well, is that so …..” Then he gazed on his reflection in the mirror just in front of the dining table. “Oh dear, I have a beautiful body and oh look my butt …..” All the while he was acting a bit insane. He was flexing his muscles and touching his buttocks. Gruesome indeed.

            “Edmond! Watch your manners! Imagine what would the society would think of you? A highly influential young adult man becoming insane….” He kissed me in my lips so gently. I was not able to finish my sentence.

He looked at me in the eyes and say “You talk too much. It is a sign that you have to give me warm bath before we go out this noon.” He winked at me again before he left me alone in the dining hall. I could not believe he would do that to me. We’ve known each other for about eight years now. We grew up together in one household of course. He was the son of my masters and I am a lowly servant.

“Preparing his hot bath? He is old enough to do it on his own. Nay, but Alisa what else can you do, you are a servant must obey your masters order.” Unknowingly, Edmond was silently staring at me behind the kitchen door.

Edmond suddenly entered the kitchen and then annoyingly he said “I changed my mind, I do not wish to take my bath upstairs. I want to experience a garden bath. So just prepare the garden bathroom.” Then he left the kitchen and made his way to the garden.

“Huh? Garden bath? Is he serious? But anyway the garden bath is better than the upstairs bath. Imagine you are the only servant with him so just treat it as a compliment.” I told to myself.

This villa in Keswick was owned by his late mother. It had a small garden with various collection of flowers. At the middle of the garden was a glass bathroom surrounded by the branches of red and white roses. It was an intimate bathroom constructed in the memory of his birth mother. This villa was very close to his heart since this was the only memory which hi mother left to him. He was not close to his stepmother. Since the latter was cold and harsh towards Edmond since the day the new countess stepped in the doorstep at their estate at Whitehaven.

“Excuse me Edmond, I apologize if I disturbed you. Your hot bath is ready.”

“It is alright no need to apologize, you did not disturbed.” He assured me in a nice tone that I did not disturbed him. He preferred to stay here in the villa where tranquility comforts him. He was already wearing his golden brown bathrobe with an embroidery of flowers and bees.

“You are wearing that bathrobe. Looks good on you. It does not seem that it is a woman’s robe. No, I mean…” He put his right finger on my lips and so I was not able to finish my statement again.

“Yes, I am wearing my Mom’s robe. I saw it in her room. Though the room was dusty and spiders are now the new residents, it still looks new.”  There was sadness in his eyes, I know he misses his mother so much. It’s been seven years now since the passing of his mother. Like him, I miss his mother too. His mother found me in the middle of the road and since then I became part of their family. I am an orphan but through his mother I felt I had one.

“While you enjoy your hot bath, I will clean her room to scare a bit the new residents.” We both laughed and he pat my shoulder. “Leaving so soon? Are you not going to wait and see my marvelous physique?” He was pretending he will remove his robe.

“What? Are you saying something? Knock it off will you?” Just gave him a gentle punch on his left forearm and I left him alone to be with his quiet time.

I carried the broom stick, bucket of water and a floor mop. As I went upstairs, it brought so many memories from our childhood.  I recall how his mother played with him at the garden and how she taught me how to read and write every afternoon. I owe my life to her. Whenever I am sick, she was at my bedside looking after me though I am a servant. Countess Elaine was a simple and kind woman. In the house of Williams, she was a mother to us all. “If she had not been sick due to pneumonia, she might be here with us.” I told to myself.

At the top floor, there was a huge painting of her eighteenth birthday. Edmond had her eyes and sweet smile. Countess Elaine’s room was one door away from her huge painting. As I opened the room, I could smell her scent. Though it was dusty and full of spider webs, it seemed it was only yesterday when she was still with us. While cleaning her room, I saw some letters which she wrote months before her death. She died when we were sixteen years old. The letters were written for Edmond and one letter for me. She wrote:

“                                                                                                                   June 14, 1550

Dear Alisa,

            I do not know when you will read this, but I am sure by the time you read my letter, I am already gone. Though we are not related by blood, I feel like I have a daughter. You are a blessing to me and to Edmond. Please be with Edmond’s side always.

            When you arrived in our family, Edmond started to laugh and mingle with the others. As you see, the house of Williams, the two of you are the only children, so it was not a surprise for me that Edmond and you became friends.

            It was a regret for me not to see the two of you grow up. Alisa do not chase the shadows, I know you are longing for your true family. I am so sorry that I was not able to help you find them. I tried my best to look for them but there was no way to find them. Just remember we are here for you.  I am your mother now.

                                                                                                Love,

                                                                                             Countess Elaine”

I cried while reading the letter and as I wipe my tears I looked at the window, the view whole garden could be seen. It brought memories of Countess Elaine once more. Edmond rang the bell, “So he is already done with his bath. Wait Edmond, I am on way down stairs.” I shouted from the second floor. I fixed first the cleaning materials and brought it with me downstairs.

“Alisa, there you are.” He greeted me with a nice smile on his face.

“Here take this red rose, I am pretty sure that it will match your red lips.” He handed me the red rose which he picked.

“It looks pretty, thank you.”

“Here it looks even prettier if you will place it on to of your right ear to emphasize your beauty.”

“Ouch!” I moved away.. “It hurts! You did not remove the thorns.” Edmond shrugged his shoulders as he forgot to cut the thorns. That was not an old news, he tends to forget a lot of things. The good part was he knew his name.  “Thank you again for the flower.”

“You are most welcome.” We gazed at each other for a while until I accidentally sneezed.

“I apologize if my brilliant mind did not rip off the thorns, my lady.”

“No need to apologize, Ed. I know it is not your intention to forget.” I replied with sarcasm. He left the garden bath room and headed to his chamber and changed clothes. After he changed clothes, he wait downstairs to look for me. He saw me at the living room and invited me to join him in his afternoon walk.

“We will go out now? But you are not yet taking your lunch. Eat first before we leave the house.”

“Oh come on, lunch?”

“Yes! As your acting mother, you will do so.”

“Alright then, lunch as it is but wait we can have a picnic while we have our afternoon walk.” Then he winked his eyes.

“All right, picnic as you wish.” I loosely replied. Then he jumped out his excitement. I understood why he acted that way, this was the only time he can be himself. Back home at Whitehaven, he was acting as if he was very stiff, stubborn and always with a conflict with his father. Edmond followed me into the kitchen, he helped me prepared the foods for the picnic. As we had our afternoon stroll along the riverside of the villa, Edmond suddenly became quiet.

“Is there something wrong Edmond?” I asked.

“Nothing, it’s just this place is the last time when my Mum and I had our afternoon walks.”

“If you want we can look for another place to stay.” As I was about to point out for other direction he said “No we can stay here. I can contain my emotions. No need to worry.”

So we settled along the river side to have a picnic. He grabbed a charcoal and a piece of paper. I thought he was sketching the scenery but then it was me whom he sketched.

“Do not move Alisa. I might not sketched you properly.”

“Me? So all this time you have been sketching me?”

“You can put it that way.”

By the time, he was done in sketching, he invited me for canoeing. “Canoeing? Are you sure? You have never done this before right?”

“You are correct it is my first and so are you.”

            We never did this before. He was really a young man of twenty trying his best to sound and act like an adult.

“We can it leave our things here. Anyway this will not take us long, shall we?” He offered his hand in mine. We boarded the small canoe and explore the wonder of the place.

“What made you decide to do this?”

“Did what? This?”

“Canoeing--- of course. You are scared of drowning. So what makes you decide to do this?”

“Oh well, I just realize when I was at my mother’s room,” he recalled “that one shall pass one life. So make haste before we wilted, live your life as if it is the last.” A very uncommon statement from this rebellious man. Sometimes he could be unpredictable. Thank God this time he was not up to naughty schemes such as leaving the house without a warning breaking expensive things at home and of course driving his step-mother mad. “By the way, while cleaning Countess Elaine’s room I saw some letters which are written for you months before her passing.”

“Letters you say?” His face was unreadable when he heard it. The angels blew a moment of silence for this rebel without a cause persona.

“Yes, letters for you. She also made one letter for me.”

“She delights you from the very start. If it wasn’t for her I might not met you, Alisa.”

“Wh---what…?” I was speechless and so was he. Then the clouds turn dark.  “I guess we should turn back, Edmond.”

“Turn back why?” He unknowingly noticed the migrating birds in the sky. The clouds were getting darker and darker.

“It seems it will rain, the clouds just turn dark.” I told him as I pointed out in the sky.  He gazed and saw how dark it was. All the birds in the sky sought refuge in the nearby trees. We made our way back and suddenly it rained with a terrible sound of the thunder.

“Thunder….yayy.” I was covering my ears, I hate thunders.

“Alisa why are you stopping?”

“The thunder is here I cannot move.”

“Of course you can move, I am here do not be afraid. Come on now grab my hand and I will not let you go.”

I grabbed his hand and together we made our way towards the villa. The two of us were soaking wet. He started the fire and I went upstairs to get fresh towels. “Here take this towel to help you dry. You might got sick.”

For a while he was staring at me. “Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Nothing…. I …. I” he was simply ran out of words.

When I observed my wet white dress it revealed the shape of my cleavage. I covered my breasts with my hand. “Don’t look at me that way.” I shouted

“I--- I’m sorry, Alisa. Here just take this towel and I will change clothes.” He took the towel from my hand and I left the room. He stayed in his chamber and I stayed downstairs in the servants’ quarters. It rained for so many days, we were not able to go out. We ate soup and bread just to save the food we stored for this trip.  In the afternoon, I handed him the letters which his mother made for him. He went inside his mother’s bedroom and read one of the letter which she wrote for him:

“                                                                                                                   June 14, 1550                                                                                                                    

Dear Edmond,

            As you read this letter probably you are a fine lad now. Though I regret that I may not see you fall in love and get married one day. I still hope that you will find one.  Be strong to face the challenges in your life and do not forget to smile.

            Do not mind the coldness of your Dad, it is just the way he is. Over the years, you will learn to like him. Be more patient with him. Being a Count is not an easy thing. There are a lot of things that he needs to accomplish in the house of the lords. You will see the two of you would get along.

            Take care of Alisa, we are the only family she has. If by chance, the two of you fell in love, you have my blessing. In finding the person who meant for you is not based on gold or title it should be based on how you complement each other. I have seen how the two of you get along. She makes you smile, the smile which I haven’t seen in you for years. I love you Edmond, keep safe.                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                      Love,                                                                                                                                                 Mummy

                                                                  

4

Lovers

Edmond found me in the living room at the fireplace. I was starting the fire to keep the house warm. “Hi! Do you want something?” I asked.

“I do not want anything…..” he sadly replied.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“I read my Mom’s letter.” He slowly sat the couch and he started to cry. He handed me the letter which his Mom wrote for him.

“So you read her letter then. What does her letter says?” I asked gently while rubbing his back.

“She said that she regrets that she would not be here when I become a man. I wish she was still here.”

“We both miss your Mom, but we cannot leave in the past. What matters now is the present. Though we cannot have her here, she is here in our hearts.” I touched his chest. His chest was warm.

We closed our eyes at the same time while his face was close to mine. The room was filled with silence all we could feel was the warmth coming from the fire. Slowly we could hear each other breathing. His right hand touched my face gently down to my chin. His lips were soft and we interlocked our lips. My right hand touched his shoulder and my left hand ran through his hair. I felt his hands untangled my petticoat and unbuttoned my dress. He gently touched my breasts and rub it. We shared a passionate glance and our lips touched again. From my breasts, he then touched my hips and move it closer to his body. I kissed his chin, his ears, he then removed his shirt and held me close. We lay down in the floor, Countess Elaine’s portrait at the top of the fireplace witnessed as two souls become one.

On the following morning, Edmond woke up first half naked. The thunderstorms continued, he looked out in the window and he saw nothing but the gushing of the wind and the heavy downfall of the rain.

“No….no…..”

“Hey wake up…wake up I said.” Edmond woke me up.

“It is okay, it is okay honey hush now, do not fret.” He held me close and calming me down.

“I’m sorry if I frightened you. Its’ my nightmare again.”

“What nightmare? Is it the dream which you had when we were young?”

“Yes….it is.” I am catching my breath as I replied. My heart was beating so fast. It seemed very real to me.  This was the reason why Countess Elaine said to me ‘never chase shadows in the dark.’

“You can tell me about it. What is it then?” He worriedly asked.

“I saw two ladies in my dream and they were calling me in a different name……and”

“And what? Two ladies who are they?”

“I don’t know but they know me. The first lady is a bit old like a grandmother and the second lady is not that old.” I’m still catching my breath while narrating my nightmare.

Edmond gave me a glass of wine. “Here drink this wine it will help you calm down.” So I took the wine glass and drank it.

“The fire is almost put off there is no enough wood to keep the house warm.” I reminded Edmond.

“We will get some woods tomorrow if the rain stops. Hopefully it will then stop.” He then kissed me in my forehead and embraced so close. We held close to each once more.

“I felt uncomfortable and a bit strange.” I kiddingly told him.

“Uncomfortable? Why didn’t you like what happened last night? Aren’t you satisfied?” He astonishingly asked.

“Hold on a second…you mistakenly understood what I meant..”

“What do you mean then?” He demand some answers.

“I was a bit uncomfortable since it is my first ti ----time.” I murmured.

“Wh---what your first time…whoa..” He laughed and stood up in the room.

I stared at him for a second and then he asked “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Well… for a second I did not know that you are naked and the … and the….”

“And ‘the’ what are you talking about? Say it then…”

“Your thing is hanging down and so it is hu……huge.” I pointed out at his manhood in a shock manner.

“Oh well is this what are you referring at?” He jokingly swayed his body as he placed his hands at inguinal.

“Hahaha…” he blurted out “you are so marveled at this” he now placed his hands at his inguinal area. “Look at you… fine..fine…fine..you have a gorgeous womanhood too.” He then gazed at my breasts. I then covered it up with my arms “Hey do not look….” I embarrassingly replied.

“Hush now… haha” He laughed with innocence.

“So you are now laughing. Huh.”

“Yes I am, who could guess that we can do it. We are both first timers and childhood friends.” He gladly said it with burning passion in his eyes.

“You speak as if there are flowers in your mouth whi---which…” Before I could say anything more, he kissed me.

“When we were young I already have fondness in you and I did not know why and how it happened.  But all I know is that I am worried if you are not around with me.”

For a second, I am speechless. “I feel the same way too.”

“I love you.” As he whispered it in my ears as he held me close.

“I love you too.” I replied with my eyes closed. I kissed his shoulders, caress his nipples down to his umbilicus. He raised his body in awe. His fingers ran through my hair down to my hips back and forth. I felt his two fingers went deep inside of me and likewise I also went deep into him. Our body moved closer and he found himself on top of me. He raised my legs as he went deep even more. He caressed my breasts in rubbing motion then to my neck then down my breasts once more. His fingers ran through from my breasts towards my legs. We did not felt the coldness brought by the rain. We only felt the intimacy we had. We switched places, I then found myself on top of him. When I moved my body he began to touch my breasts once more. He then got up and reached out for me. We faced each other and kiss. When we were done we gazed at each other and he began in rubbing my nipples.

The rain finally stopped, we put on our clothes the next day. We drank a hot tea before we went outside to gather woods. The whole place was covered with fog.

“Do not let go of my hand… the whole place is covered by fog.” Edmond and I held hands as we collected some woods.

 Deep in the woods, I somewhat got lost. Unable to find my way I saw a black cat and I did not know what got into my head and followed it. I came across at a strange burial.

“Is this a graveyard? But seem not like one.” I told to myself. As I was about to touch the gravestone a strange man appeared. He had an expressionless face, big body build and armed. He carried with him two swords and gun.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” He said in a big deep voice.

“This is not a place for you to go around, nay. Are you alone.” He asked.

I could not answer for a second nor move a muscle. “I know this man, but I cannot remember where?” I told to myself.

“Hey lady, I am asking you… have you lost your tongue?” He asked me again and by this time he was moving closer and closer to me.

“There you are. Hey who are you?” Edmond appeared suddenly. He looked around and saw the strange graveyard. “I haven’t seen this burial site before.”

“A fine lad you are.” The strange man looked at Edmond from head to toe. “You seem you are from wealthy family, are you not?” He asked Edmond in a suspicious voice.

“Who are you old man? I am not bound to answer any of your questions! I am the lord of this land. This is treachery!” Edmond demanded. Edmond faced the strange man with a dauntless heart. He positioned me at his back and he held my hand. “Stay close to me. If he dared to make a bad move run and call for help.” He murmured.

Before I could ran and called for help the strange man said “Very well then, my leash.” He bowed down his head before Edmond. “In case you are lost just follow the trails which I left.” He advised us.

“What trails you say then? Speak up.” Edmond asked as he was preparing to withdraw his sword.

“The cross markings in the bark of each tree here, that would be your trails my lord.” He bowed down again. “Forgive me my lord, if I frightened the lady beside you.” He sarcastically called my attention.

“Yo---- you did not frightened me, mister it’s just …..”

“My name is Sylvester of Yale.” He removed his sharp hat and bowed down again.

We hurriedly left the wood. He placed his right hand in my waist. As we headed towards the villa the, we felt Sylvester was watching us in the bushes.

At night after we ate dinner, we made love again. We found ourselves naked and sharing passionate kisses at the stairs. We made love until we got inside his bedchamber. In the morning, we prepared our breakfast of biscuits and hot milk tea. While we were washing the dishes, there was someone who knocked the door.

“Wait I think I heard a knock on the door.”

“A knock you say? Can it be the strange man?” I worriedly said.

“Wait here.” He immediately left the kitchen and went to the main door, he grabbed first his sword before opening the door. I stayed behind his back as he opened the door.

“Good morning Si….sire?” Kenneth greeted pleasant morning with a smile on his face.  “Wa—wait it is me……” Kenneth plead for his life as Edmond was about to stab him.

“Oh it’s only you Kenneth. Thanks to the heavens! What brings you here at Cornwall anyway?” Edmond interrogated Kenneth for coming in the villa without informing him first.

“Before I answered you that Sire, may I come in first?” Kenneth replied while his toes were shaking.

“Yes, you may come in.” Edmond said as he observed the vicinity if Sylvester was at sight.   

Kenneth entered the hall which separates the dining hall from the living room. His toes were still shaking and his rub his shoulders as he said “Oh dear…. Oh dear…., I almost lo----lost my life.”

Edmond closed the main door and withdrew his sword. He handed me his sword and ordered to prepare a drink for Kenneth.

“Oh cut the cursing Kenneth. It is nothing.” Edmond exclaimed.

“No---nothing Sire?! I almost lost my life back there…..” Kenneth shouted while pointing at the door way.

“Alright…alright….. you almost lost your  life and it’s my fault. Just stop the bloody shaking of yours.” Edmond replied apologetically while he held his hands high as if he surrendered.

“Excuse me E---dmond…”

“Edmond, you say?” Kenneth raised his eyebrows. “Lord Edmond, you should address him that way! He is the so- --”

Edmond and I stared at each other. “No need for formality here Kenneth. We are the only people here in this house.”

“But my Lord…… it cannot be, there should be respect….”

Edmond just pat the shoulder of Kenneth. “It is fine Kenneth, Alisa and I are childhood best friends. Cut the formality, you know I hate it.” He assured Kenneth.

“What makes you act as if you are the new butler? Are you Mr. Thompson now?” Edmond laughingly inquired as he grabbed a wine of glass from the tray which I served.

“I am afraid yes, my lord, I am your personal butler. Your father Count Harold entrust you under my care.” Kenneth proudly and lower down his head as he announced the news.

“My…. my what butler?!” Edmond protested.  “Do you have any proof then? Alisa is here, she is my personal handmaid.” He protested even more.

Kenneth handed him a letter from the Count itself. The letter states:

“                                                                                                             September 02, 1555

Dearest  Edmond,

            This letter is the proof that Kenneth will now be your new butler. Alisa, on the other hand, would be the new handmaiden of Lady Hannah of the house of Wilsons.

            Lady Hannah will be your future wife. By the end of the spring you and Lady Hannah will prepare for your impending union.

            As you receive this letter, you will now assume the role of your birth right. By this time, you should have set aside your pianist ambition and childish ways.

            I am expecting you at Whitehaven within this week. So gather all of your belongings and head back home.

                                                                                                            Signed

                                                                                                Count Harold”

As soon as Edmond done reading the Count Harold’s letter, I suddenly dropped the tray of wine glass.

“I apologize Lord Edmond if I dropped and the tray and broke the wine glasses.” I apologetically lower down my head and picked up the broken glasses. Both Edmond and Kenneth were shocked that I dropped the tray.

“Are you alright Alisa?” Edmond worriedly asked.

“Yes I am fine your majesty.” I sobbingly replied. “I will clean this as fast as I can Sire, no need to worry about me.”

“No need to worry, I will personally deal with this when we get back to Bruns…” Before he continued his statement I left the living room.

He was kneeling down and cannot utter a word. Everything seemed so fast.

“How can this be? Hannah of house of Wilsons? This must be a whole nonsense right?” He looked at Kenneth for some answers but Kenneth simply lower down his head and left Edmond alone.

Kenneth came in the kitchen and found me weeping. Before I wipe my eyes, “You love him do you?”

“Who?”

“Do not dare to deny it, it shows. You love Lord Edmond.”

“Cut the bloody humor of yours.”

“Bloody humor, you think so? I have seen the two of you grew up and I can see that there is affection going on between the two of you.”

            “I am his handmaid and childhood friend.” I defensively answered.

            Kenneth seemed unconvinced, “You may fool yourself but not me.” I just stared at Kenneth as he left the kitchen. In the evening, while mixing sugar, salt, flour and eggs for an apple pie dinner, Edmond entered the kitchen.

“What are you doing here? Someone may see.”

“No one may see us. We are alone.”

“Alone? Not any more, Kenneth is here remember? If you want anything just ask your new butler.”

“Whoa…what is this attitude?” He tried to approach me but I moved.

“W—wait, we can fix this together.” His hands touched my arms up until my shoulders in a circular motion as if he was massaging my back.

“We are the best partners, isn’t? Trust me…..” I suddenly moved away from his touch.

He grabbed my left arm and turned me closer to his body. “Stop turning away from me. Listen!” He lay his hands on my shoulders and pushed me in the kitchen wall. “We have my Mum’s blessings. She wrote it in her letter.” I’m trying to move away but upon hearing the Countess’ letter, I stared Edmond in his eyes.

“The Countess said it in her letter?”

Edmond just nodded and as our bodies move so close and about to kiss, Kenneth came in just to follow up if the dinner was ready. He saw that Edmond and I were making out.

“Oh dear! I apologize.” He left immediately.

“Kenneth saw us maybe we should stop.” Edmond still caresses my neck as if he did not heard anything.

“We have nothing to hide, so let him see what he needs to see.”

“Wait the dinner is not yet prepared. I still need to bake the apple pie.”

“You mean ‘we’.” He grabbed the chopping board, knife and began to peel off the apples’ skin. He helped me in baking the apple pie. As soon as the pie was cooked, Edmond brought out three plates and utensils and made his way into the dining room. Kenneth came in, his face was a bit worried as ever.

I am walking away from him, pretending I don’t hear him at all. It pains me the most whenever the impending wedding of Edmond and Lady Hannah mentioned. When the table was ready, Edmond invited us to join him for dinner, since he hates to be alone. Throughout supper, no one brought up the supposed wedding nor the affair between me and Edmond.

We tidy up the table and gather at the living room to listen to the mini orchestra of Edmond. Playing the piano was one of his hobby before going to sleep. While he was playing the piano, Kenneth stared at the wall. I thought he saw something a bit odd. Then he moved closer to the wall across to where Edmond was playing the piano. Kenneth gently removed the white linen that was covering a huge painting.

5

The Haunt Is On

“Oh dear, like what I am expecting, it is still here.”

Edmond stopped from playing the piano, we walked a bit close to where Kenneth was standing. “Is that my Mum in the painting, Kenneth?” he asked.

“Yes master it is your mother. This painting was taken during her younger years.”

“Who are those people who are standing beside her?” I asked.

“The young woman who was standing at the left side of the Countess was Celine, and the man to her right was Lord Lawrence. They were good friends back then.” Kenneth recounted.

Upon seeing the Countess’ female friend, I felt a connection and some sort of memories flashed in my mind.

“Where is Dad in the painting? I have heard that he too was Mum’s childhood acquaintance.”

“Count Harold, your father, was the one who painted this Sire. See the initials H.W” Kenneth pointed at the lower bottom of the painting.

“My Mum’s friend? I never knew them. Where are they now?”

“I am afraid Sire that they are already dead. They were killed by uncertain events. May their soul rest in peace.” Kenneth lower down his head as he recalled the past events.

I was staring at the brunette hair woman, for a moment I thought her painting was moving.

“How did you know them Kenneth?” I humbly asked.

“You may take your seat the two of you and I will tell a story about them.”

“A story? Make sure it is a good one. I haven’t heard any story since the passing of Mum.”

“Oh well then, help yourselves out and I will tell you what I know. Countess Elaine knew first Lord Lawrence from the house of Cutler. They were good friends indeed.” Kenneth stood up while recounting the whole stories.

“One day, Lord Lawrence climbed the tallest tree out there.” He now pointed out the tallest tree just outside the window. “Suddenly Lord Lawrence fell and cannot move his left leg. Your mother Sire got scared and screamed out for help. Fortunately, a young maiden passed by and aided the injured young master. Since then they became friends.”

“How about Count Harold, how did they became friends?” I asked.

“Count Harold is a good friend of Celine, since Count Harold’s family owned a piece of land which Celine’s father oversees.”

“So how did you know that Kenneth, are you present at that day?” Edmond inquired for the details as both of us did not have any idea about it.

“I was a Paige boy, Sire. I have been working for your mother’s family since I was nine years of age. So I witnessed the good and the worst, Sire.”

Kenneth seemed to control the tears in his eyes “Why are you crying Kenneth? Is there something wrong?” I asked.

“You see in every beginning there is an end.” Kenneth stopped for a while in narrating the story.

“Go on Kenneth, as I never heard it from my parents. They are secretive in some aspects of their lives.” Edmond insisted Kenneth to tell more of his parents’ past while getting himself a glass of wine.

“I----I do not know anything more about it S….sire.” Kenneth wished to say no more about the past. “It is getting late Sire, we have to go early in the morning, and the Count is waiting for your return.”

Kenneth left the room immediately leaving me and Edmond behind. “He is hiding something from us, I can feel it Alisa.” Edmond whispered.

I pat his shoulder, “Do not lose hope. After all, secrets are not forever.” As we were about to leave the living room the painting of Celine moved and smiled at me. “Hu?” As I was about to go near the painting, “Alisa, what are you looking out there?”

“No---nothing Edmond. I am on way.” As I am near at him, Edmond made a gesture to be still as he was checking if Kenneth was still at the hall.

“Wait Kenneth is no longer in sight. Come on, let’s stay at the garden for this night.” He giggled and kissed me in my forehead.

“The moon shines brightly tonight.” I said as our eyes locked at each other. He hold my hand as he led the way. We passed through the long wide hall from the living room towards to the garden. There were so many paintings of his ancestors posted at the walls. As we pass through the hall, I could sense that they were looking at us with intrigue.

“They are watching us.”

“Did you say something?”

“Uhmmm…the stars and moon can see us tonight.” I replied in flirty manner while brushing my right hand into his hair down to his cheek and my left hand ribbing his nipples of his shirt.

“You are teasing me, aren’t you?” He closed his eyes while uttering those words.

I tickled his waist and ran away from him. He chased me until we reach the garden. The garden was enclosed in a glass walls making it to have an appearance of an igloo.

“Now I caught you.” He caressed my neck up to my ears and held me close. He untangled my petticoat and his hands played along in the dark of the night. I undo his shirt and pants. The garden and the moon witnessed as the two fated souls became one.

Early morning, Kenneth was surprised to see Edmond at the front door preparing the three horses.

“Good morning sire! Let me be the one to prepare those four leg animals.” Kenneth said in a humble voice while bowing his head.

“Nay, Kenneth, this task is simple I can manage it.” He assured Kenneth as he wink an eye.

“How about carriage sir? After all the migrating birds seem they know there is an impending rain.”

Edmond stared at the sky too. “If Mother Nature wishes to rain, then it rains.”

“Enough sire on your wits, we can get wet out there in the road.”

“Cut the crap out. If we use carriage we may attract bandits out there in the woods, because they might think we have gold hidden in the carriage.” Edmond enacted the scene he imagined if the bandits discovered us.

“So sire you suggest we traveled back home just with this horses?” Kenneth exclaims as he do not like the idea of traveling in the road barely with no cover on the roof.

As I came out of the front door, I handed the basket full of packed foods. The foods which carried with us were enough for our two days travel.

“Here you go Kenneth, take the basket first as I will close the front door.”

“Alright then, I will keep the packed foods with me. By the way have you closed all doors and windows of the villa?” Kenneth wanted to assure that all doors and windows were properly seal.

“Yes, before I packed the foods, I closed the windows from the bedrooms in the second floor down to the first floor. And all doors are closed as well.” I assured Kenneth while a lower my head down.

As I locked the front door, I sensed that there was someone or something moved in the bushes at the left side of the house.

“What is the matter Alisa?” Edmond asked.

“I felt that there is something moving in the bushes.”

Edmond touched his sword as he walked slowly into the bushes. “Oh dear, is there a wolf or fox hiding? Be careful sire.” Kenneth worriedly exclaimed.

Then there was a black cat appeared in the bushes. “The cat seems familiar to me.” I told to myself.

“Oh thank God it is just a cat.  What a relief.” Edmond sighs.

“Black cat you say sire?” Kenneth asked while looking for the black cat.

“Why Kenneth you like cats?” Edmond teased Kenneth as the latter looked for the cat nervously.

“Are you afraid of the cat, Kenneth? It’s all right it will not harm you.” I inquired as I pat his shoulder to not be afraid. The cat after seeing us just ran away and headed back in the bushes.

“Oh dear…oh dear….” Kenneth shook his head and his a bit afraid. I could sense he was hiding something.

“What are you murmuring there Kenneth?” Edmond annoyingly asked.

“I am not mur….murmuring anything sire. I am just saying let’s walk now.”

“Wal..walk? It seems to me you are fond of walking, better walk ahead of us. We will ride the horse instead.” Edmond teased Kenneth, since the latter was not with his senses. I laughed at the idea that the two get along even though the other fooled around and the other one was hiding a secret. As we made our way back home, Edmond paused for a while and leaned back over the villa of his mom.

“Good bye Mother.” As he lower down his head in respect.

6

Abandoned House

It was getting dark and it seemed to our senses that it will rain the night. As we were looking for a place to stay, the heavy rain poured in.  “Let us pull over and look for a place to spend the night.” Edmond gave the order. We went off the road and found ourselves in the bushes. There were no animals in sight just the three of us and the horses. We had not seen this path when we went at the villa. Not far enough from the road we saw an abandoned house.

The house looked quite big but it was destroyed by fire. The house stood beside the river. Though we were quite far from the house, I could feel the terror it brings. Suddenly I heard a screamed. “Who is that?”

“Alisa, what do you mean ‘who is that’?” Edmond said to me as he leaned over.

“I heard someone screamed just now.”

“Alisa, dear, it’s just the three of us. Do not scare me like that. Oh dear.” Kenneth said as he was trembling in fear.

“Si…sire do you think we should find another way. Another in----n that will accept the th-----ree of us?” Kenneth nervously asked as his voice was trembling in fear.

“Do you think we are near in downtown? All I can see from where we are, are trees.” Edmond pointed out at the surroundings.

“Edmond do not be mad at Kenneth. He was trembling in fear. Come on let us take a rest. Everyone is tired.” I told to Edmond as he was a bit irritated on what our trip turned out.

Though the house was already torn down, we stayed there for a night. Kenneth secured the horses at the side of the house beside the tree. Edmond lit up the fire place using the pieces of wood scattered around the house. And I prepared the food. Though it was ruined, on a crashed ceiling, there was a gigantic chandelier still hanging but some parts were already missing. Broken vases scattered on the floor, paintings turned to ash, and curtains were torn by the flames of fire and at each corner of the ruined house there were a lot of spider webs.

“Good thing, though we are soaking wet, the foods are not yet soiled or dampen.” I smiled at them as I handed our dinner of sliced apples, bread and cheese. As the place was filled with light in the fireplace. We saw the ruined part of the house.

“I think this house was once a beautiful one. Look over there, a huge painting of a man’s face fell down.” Edmond pointed at the painting just at the right corner of the fireplace. We did not able to see the whole face of the man in the painting since majority of its parts where turned to ash. Only a portion of its right face remained intact.

“Oh dear…..oh dear……there is a memory that is left behind……oh dear….” Kenneth whispered. As he turn his face towards us, he was surprised that we heard him.

“Is there something you are hiding from us Kenneth?” Edmond interrogated Kenneth as the latter been acting so strange since last night.

“Hi…hidiiing…sire….bloody….m-----e…. I --- I---I am not hi---ding…” Kenneth answered as his face was turning pale.

“If you are not hiding anything, why are you acting that way?” I asked as I was observing Kenneth’s reaction.

“Ohhhh….you are mistaken….the tw---o of y---ou..I really don’t like ruined houses it gives me cre----ep.” Kenneth said in stuttering voice.

“Just cut the crap out, I say Kenneth.” Edmond commanded in a suspicious yet annoying tone.

We spent the night inside the ruined house. Kenneth slept just across the lit room. Kenneth and I slept beside one another on the floor which was covered by a mattress facing the fireplace. Then something came in me. I saw a man running back and forth as the house was about to swallow by fire. He was screaming and calling a woman, it was not clear to me. He was screaming for help.

“I ……I will help you……….”

“Alisa, wake up, wake up, honey wake up.” Edmond woke up me after several attempts.

 I cannot hardly breath, I felt scared. Kenneth woke up too. He trembled again and stutter. Edmond stared at him a bit annoyed. Edmond held me close and rub my back “It is all right Alisa. Everything will be fine.” He assured me about that.

“Wait here I will get you something to drink.” He said before he left the room. He entrusted me with Kenneth.

“Look after her Kenneth, I mean it.”

Poor Kenneth though trembling in fear, he had no choice but to agree. As he was about to approach me, “Kenneth, there is a man standing at the side of the painting.” I pointed out to Kenneth where the strange man was standing.

“Alisa you are sca----ring me. There is n---o other man here……. or per----son a….si---de from us. Lord Edmo---nd went out to fetch you wa---te---r.” Kenneth begged as he do not wish to hear any more stories.

Something came on me, I do not know what was it or why it occurred to me. But I follow the man who stood at the side of the painting. I did not hear any voice, I only hear the deafness of silence. I followed the man through the dark hall. From the dark hall there was a staircase which leads downstairs, I followed his lead. When I came into my senses, I was standing in an unmarked grave along the river. The unmarked grave was filled with white roses, just the same roses planted at the villa of Countess Elaine. The words that were written in the grave were ‘You are loved, L.’

“Who is ‘L’? Where am I?” I sked myself as I was terrified and confused as to how I got myself in that unmarked grave.

“What err you doing here Deary?” A strange man said before me.

As I turned around it was the same strange man whom we saw in the unmarked grave not far from the villa of Countess Elaine. I moved a bit backward, I felt the ground was shaking, my heart beat move faster as if I was in life and death situation. My sweats covered my body in an instant. As he moved closer to me, I stumbled down and touched the tip of the cross of the unmarked grave. Suddenly, a flash back of memory entered my mind. The man whom I saw in my dream and the man who appeared were the same man. He fought the strange man with bravery though he was bleeding and winning was impossible. They drew their swords and neither of them wanted to back off although the house was already burning. From the scenes I could see that he was protecting someone whom he really cared about. In a last attempt to save his loved one he attacked the strange man and gave the strange man a wound in his chest. But to no avail, the strange man manage to stood up and stab him in his heart. Then I heard a scream of a woman….. “no…..” she said.

I suddenly blurted out the word “No…..”

“What err you muttering about young lady?” The strange man asked in a deep voice and untrustworthy eyes. He held a sword on his left belt and his body was covered with brown cloak made our of bear’s skin.

“Do not come near me….you killed the man….” I shouted in fear…

“Hu? I am nothing but a hunter. I hunt animals for food.” His gazed at me sarcastically.  “There is nothing to be feared.” He assured me while he was withdrawing his sword. “Why are you shaking? Are you afraid that I recognize you?”

“I…I am not afrai--d. What do you mean by you recognize me? This is the second time I saw your bloody face.” I replied as I was moving away from him and planning my escape. When I was about to run the whole place was filled with fog. I took the opportunity to run off.

“You cannot hide from me.” The strange man said. “I know a witch when I smell one!” His frightening voice radiates in my nerves. It was telling me to run for my life. 

I cannot ran fast as I could the fog was becoming thicker. Then I heard a voice which said “Follow the petals and you will find your way……..  Follow the petals and you will find your way…” I heard the voice over and over again.

Then suddenly the strange man blocked my way. And said “You cannot run from me this time! Bloody daughter of the w……” Before he could say the last word the black cat appeared and scratched his eyes.

Meanwhile, Kenneth screamed while looking for Edmond. When he saw Edmond, he narrated everything. Edmond dropped the pale of water and headed out to find me. Kenneth prepared the horses and waited on the road for our return.

When the black cat attacked the strange man, I ran and I tried my best to follow the trails of the petals. “Whoever send me this petals, gratitude to the heaven.” I murmured.

As I was about to follow the last drop of petal, Edmond and I bumped into each other.

“Where have you been? Why are you so scared?” Edmond asked as he kissed me in my lips.

“Th….e strange ma----n is he—re. He is following us a----nd  tries to kill me.” I answered Edmond as I was grasping for air.

“Come on, Kenneth is at the road now with the horses. Let us be quick.” Edmond exclaimed as we made our way towards the road. He put his right hand over my shoulder as he escorted me as we left the abandoned house.

As we left the place, the fog disappeared.

7

House of Williams

Upon arriving home at the mansion Whitehaven, we were received by the rest of the house servants. They lined properly just outside the front door. In the house of Williams, we were five female servants and six male servants, Kenneth was included. The remaining four female servants, wore white cap, white apron, beige long dress with long sleeves and brown petticoat which covered the upper part of the long dress. The male servants wore brown polo shirts with long sleeves and brown pants reaching the upper knee and white long socks which covered the legs until the knee cap.

“Welcome to the prison.” Edmond reckoned as he do not wish to be back here.

“This house is where you were born young master.” Kenneth joyfully encourage Edmond to appreciate the house of his father, Count Harold.

“Sire, forgive my intrusion, it will be best for you to have a nice conversation with your father, this time.” I lower down my head as I remind him about his present relationship with his father.

“Nothing will change, Alisa. He is still as cold as ever.” Edmond’s voice became so deep and I could sense his anger regarding what happened few years back.

“Si----re….. calm down….anyone can see. You might be the talk of the tow…n” Edmond stared at me for the last time and so I stop from there.

Count Harold was standing in front of the main stair case of the house. He was now old and he was holding a cane on his left hand. His deep blue eyes though calm in nature, expressed less affection as if he lost interest in the world. Count’s sudden changed began when he married his second wife, Countess Margery five years ago.  

“I suppose you have received my letter Edmond?” Count Harold greeted his son expressionless as if his talking to the air.

“Nay, Papa, received and read your letter.” Edmond sarcastically answered his father. Kenneth and I were watching the father and son at the doorway.

“Oh dear…..here they go again.” Kenneth regretfully said in sad voice.

I looked at Kenneth and whispered “I hope they could have a better communication.”

“I hope so, Alisa, I hope so….it is the late Countess’ wish.” We sadly recalled the old days that there were laugher in the house. During the time when the curtains were not hindering the Sun’s light.

“Is this the kind of welcome you want to give me?” Edmond raised his voice to his father while removing his gloves and sword. I stood by his side to aid him in fixing his things.

“Alisa, you don’t have to do that. It is Kenneth’s disposal now.” Count Harold looked at Kenneth and signaled that he must be the one to assist Edmond.

As Kenneth was about to approach Edmond, the young master exclaimed “Regarding that matter Papa, Alisa will still be at my disposal and not yours to command. I refuse to marry Helga.” He retorted.

“You—ng….. master…..do not make your father mad.” Kenneth murmured.

“I am your father, the head of this house and you are my son. As long as you are here in my roof, you shall follow my rules. Kenneth prepare for a while my chamber, I need to rest. By the way the name is Hannah not Helga.” The Count suddenly turned his back from us and walk upstairs to his chamber, followed by Kenneth.

Edmond stared at me and said “Do not mind him. I will break the engagement no matter.”

“Ed….” I was about to say something when it was cut by the presence of his stepmother, the new Countess Margery.

“So you are already here..eeck…eeck..” Countess Margery strangely laughed and greeted Edmond.

“The bitch is here.” Edmond smiled sarcastically, “Of course, I am here, you have seen me, am I not?” I pinched Edmond to warn him about his awkward reaction to the Countess.

“Oh yes, certainly, you are here.” The Countess replied while staring at me with disgust.

“What is that poor girl still standing beside you? Kenneth is your new right hand. Your father made it clea……”

“She has a name…..Alisa! She will remain by my side as long as I wish.” He strongly disagreed with his stepmom.

“See this is the influence you will acquire if you stay long with that poor servan…”

“Say what you want to say… but she is not going anywhere! She is not just someone but a family to us! Edmond shouted not minding if the other house servants would hear him.  

All servants in the house stared at Edmond and Countess Margery. Edmond made a gesture that he wanted to be in his room. “Come on, Alisa, let’s go to my chamber and arrange my warm bath afterwards.”

The new Countess did not utter a word as we left the receiving hall. “What are you lowly servants staring at…?! Return to your chores this instance.” She left the hall in disgust with her eye brows raised.

Edmond and the rest of the servants at the house of Williams do not wish to be around with Countess Margery. It was unknown how the Count met his second wife. The news broke out that he will marry, Countess Margery, two months after the death of his first wife. Since then his attitude gradually changed. He became cold as if there was no life in his soul anymore. No one in town, know the new Countess identity. It was hidden from all of us.  She always wore a black to dark corset dress with sleeves reaching her elbow.

During supper the whole family joined at the long table in the dining hall. The father and son sat at each end of the table. At the center of the table, there were two gold candle holders that had three lit candles each. The head cook prepared beef stew and blue berry pie. Countess Margery never joined the family during meals. She prefers to eat alone but the truth was we never knew if she really eat at all. Ever since she came along, there were a lot of mysteries occurred. Some servants reportedly got insane, went missing, acquired sickness of unknown cause and to our great surprise dead animals found in the garden. Those unbelievable events led to the decrease of number of servants in the house of Williams.

“Come here, dear, do not be afraid..eeck…eeck…”  Countess Elaine called out to a young untouched servant.

“Mistress, I….. I am sc---ared.” The young servant said in a terrified voice.

“Do not be…..I am not going to harm you. I just need your youth!!! Eeck…eeck..” The Countess terrifying exclaims. Then the howling of the wolf heard in the whole house of Williams.

8

The Fiancé

A week after we came back from the villa, the rest of were busy in cleaning the house. Since there were few servants left, we had to work from morning till night.

            “Sometimes mate, I pray that Countess Elaine never left.” Tom shared a fellow male servant. He had been in the house of Williams for quite a long time now. We grew up together. He was five years younger than I.

            “Control the tone of your voice, the cricket might hear you.” Madame Giselle exclaimed. She was the oldest female servant. She was like a mother to us all. She was as kind as the late Countess. She had been in the family of Williams since the youthful years of Count Harold.

            As we were recalling the past, Countess Margery walked along the receiving hall up to the chamber of Lady Hannah.

            “Enough of the chatting. You have to work, there are so many things to do in the house. The house is not good enough. Eeck…” She said in a frowning face.

            “She smiled as if her nose is proportion to her body.” Tom said as the Countess left the hall.

            “Tone down your voice she might hear you.” I reminded Tom. He was like a brother to me. Countess Margery’s face was full of freckles, her color black eyes could give a scare look and her nose was quite not proportion to her face.

            The following morning, Lady Hannah arrived from Kendal. I had to wake Edmond to get up from his bed, as usual. Edmond’s room was painted in white, his bed had four pillars. Every night, the bed curtains were untangled to cover his bed. He had so many books in his room as he preferred to read in his dull moments. It was only his room which the sunlight could reach. He does not want to close the curtains even at night.

            “Edmond wake up….your fiancé will be here in any moment.” I half -heartedly woke him up.

            Edmond pretended that he was still asleep. He move towards his left side and drag me closer to him. “I do not need to wake up and get out of bed. My fiancé is here.” He then gave me a warm embrace and kissed in the lips. He grabbed my breasts and caressed it.

            Though I love it when he does that but he was promised to someone else. “Get up now, she’s here. You must greet her warmly.” I reminded him about his engagement.

            “Are you sending me away? What ever happened in the villa is real. You know that.” He angrily reminded me of what happened.

            “I know it is real but….” Before I said something more, he stopped me and kissed me again.

            “Do not be afraid, Mum wants you to be my bride.” He smiled at me as he recalled his mother letter for him.

            “Does your father know about the existence of the letter?” I asked.

            “Not yet but I will present it to him. After the gala or before the engagement announcement.”

            Suddenly, Kenneth knocked at the door. “Sire your father, requested me if you are properly dressed up. Lady Hannah will be arriving soon.”

            “Oh alright, give me a minute or so. I know the stairs so I can go there by myself.” Edmond replied as he was tidying himself.

            Moments after Lady Hannah arrived. She was with her handmaiden an old woman as old as Madame Giselle. She was received by Count Harold, Countess Margery and Edmond. Lady Hannah was a proper woman, more proper than I am. Her face possess an innocent face but there was a bit sharpness in her eyes. Her attire that day seem to be an expensive pinkish dress with lace at the collar and at the edge of her sleeves at the elbow. She had a long curly blonde hair with half of hair pulled at the back. She wore a hat that has a fuchsia pink ribbon tied around the hat.

            “Nice to have you here, Lady Hannah.” Count Harold expressionless greeted her.

            “How is your travel? I hope you enjoy your ride. Eeck..eeck” Countess Margery exclaimed.

            Edmond just nodded his headed as he greeted the guest a warm welcome.

            “As you stay here Lady Hannah, Alisa would assist you. She is at your disposal.” Count Harold coldly announced.

            “No need Count Harold, I have my personal maid, Madame Betty.” Lady Hannah answered in a sharp quick voice.

            “Lord Edmond, do you mind to accompany Lady Hannah around the house.” Countess Margery exclaimed.

            Edmond unwillingly accompanied Lady Hannah around the Williams estate. Whenever he was told to something and he do not wish to follow. He had a penchant to piss those who ordered him.

“Your family have a quite big estate. So peaceful here.” Lady Hannah praised the vicinity as they had a tour. 

“Gratitude for appreciating the grandeur of the estate.” Edmond mockingly accepted the praise that was given. This was his way of saying ‘shut thy mouth or I will shut it for you.’

Madame Betty and I stayed behind as the two walked around. From time to time, Edmond was leaning at the back and looking at my direction. He never leave his eyes on me. I blushed but then I had no right. A maid servant should not have any inkling with her master. Madame Betty and Lady Hannah observed that there was something between me and Edmond. Hell no, I do not wished to be more miserable more than this. Being an orphan was too much to bear. No to misery.

“Is your servant here will follow us like a dog?” Lady Hannah made it clear that it’s me.

“She is not a dog! She has a name! She is my childhood friend.” Edmond defended me in front of Lady Hannah.

“She is just a maid. There is no need to defend her.” Lady Hannah answered in a sharp tone voice as she raises her eye brows. She tried to grab Edmond’s arms as if she was a child wanting to be hold by her father.

“You know Hannah,” there goes Edmond. He did not use the title ‘Lady’ for sure his patience was in red alert. “If you will insult the people here, you insult us. They are our family and not just as a maid which you can belittle.” Edmond walked away from her while dragging me. Lady Hannah and Madame Betty watched us we left them under the shade of the sycamore tree. Inside his bedroom, his stormed in anger, “She has no right to insult you.”

“But she is right, after all I am only a servant here.”

“Yo—u … you are not a servant. You are my girl, which I really care about.”

I hug him so close, “Hush now, and calm down… thank you.”

“Thank you, for what?”

“For defending me back there.”

He hug me back saying “If they dare to insult you, they insult me too. No one can harm you as long as I live.” We kissed while we hug each other.

            At dinner, Lady Hannah joined Count Harold, Countess Margery and Edmond. Count Harold was seated at the far end of the banquet table and Countess Margery was at the other end. Edmond and Lady Hannah were seated across the center of the table. They had sumptuous meals. Lady Hannah dropped her table knife while slicing the beef steak. For the past five years, this dinner was the first time Countess Margery ever joined supper. I could finally confirmed that the hearsays at the kitchen was true. All of us servants were properly lined up between the dining hall and the kitchen. Tom observed that Countess Margery hardly touched her food.

            “Oh my goodness, I drop my table knife. Silly me….” Lady Hannah exclaimed in mocking face. Countess Margery shared the same look.

            “Alisa, kindly picked it up. Lady Hannah drop her knife.” Countess Margery commanded me.

            They were teasing me. The Countess hasty eyes seemed to test my pride. As I was about to pick it up, she dropped her table napkin and spilled her red wine in my head. Edmond and the rest were shocked to see what she did to me.

            “Oh dear, poor Alisa.” Kenneth and the rest of the house servants exclaimed.

            Edmond seeing everything, cannot stand the scene, stood up and picked the table knife and napkin and handed it over Lady Hannah. He grabbed my left elbow and dragged me out of the dining hall. We went upstairs into his room. Both of us did not utter a word. His bathroom was at the other side of his bedroom. It had a large space but not as large as his bedroom. He prepared the bath while I sat at the edge of his bed. I felt humiliated with what happened.

“Alisa come here, your bath is prepared.”

“Yes, I am coming.” I sobbed of course, it was the first time I felt humiliated.

“Are you crying?” He came near me and wiped my tears. “She is not worth it of your time, so do not give her a damn.”

Then he sobbed as well, “You are crying as well. You told me not to cry.”

“Because you cried, so I cried.”

I laughed at him and tickled his waist, he laughed and moved away.

“You laugh, I laugh. You cry, I cry. Whenever you go, I go too. Those are the promises we keep. Remember?”

“Yes I do still remember it.”

He assisted me in taking a bath. Suddenly I felt dizzy and I hate the smell of the red wine in my head.

“Are you all right? You seem sick.”

“I am quite fine. I just do not like the smell of the red wine.”

            Edmond came close to smell my hair, “Your hair does not smell bad. So why do you feel dizzy abou---t…..”

            The two of us stared at each. He kissed me and held me so tight.

9

The Big News

Edmond gave me a bath. Then he carried me towards his bed. He separated my legs once more. His hands ran through my belly then to my breasts. He played with my breasts gently as he found himself inside mine. My two hands grabbed the two ends of the pillow. He raised my legs as high as his shoulder level and when our faces met we kissed. In the next maneuver, he was at the bottom and I was on top.

“Look who’s on top now? The superior one…” I giggled and he burst into laughter.

We laughed while we shared our deepest selves in the process.

Early on the morning, Count Harold, knocked at the door. Edmond opened the door. To our surprise the Count saw us half naked.

“Do you have any idea how your behavior affected this family.” He coldly scolded Edmond.

“And you, you are an orphaned which my previous wife took pity to adopt!”

“She has a name and you have no right to call her that way!”

“I have every right since this is my house and I am your father.”

“Oh really, so I have a father now! When do you come to your senses?!”

“Move away! This woman is the cause of this…..”

The Count then raised his cane as he was about to hit me, Edmond came in between. But suddenly he seemed to be frozen from where he stood. The windows suddenly opened, the wind came with a white petals of roses. A voice in the wind said “No harm will be done to my child…. A mother’s love…. A mother’s love will be her protection…..”

The Count seemed amazed of what had happened and what was he doing inside his son’s room.

“Wha----t… Edmond my dear boy, is that you? Alisa as well?”

“Wha---t ah… father are you alright?”

“I am afraid, I am not sure.”

The Count’s face transformed from being a cold one to his old self of loving and caring father.

“Wa---it…… hold on a second.. am I missing some news here?”

Then the cruel stepmother came in, “You are supposed to punish your son and hit this girl.” She shouted.

“Hold on!!! Who are you anyway to enter my son’s room and order me what should I do and what should I not do! This is my house! So step aside!” Count Harold said in an anger voice.

We were all shocked to witness what happened to Count Harold. He was not able to recognize his second wife.

“Your highness…..she is your second wife, Countess Margery.” Madame Giselle exclaimed.

“My seco---nd wi---fe? Giselle are you mad?! It is only Elaine whom I loved, wed and gave a child.”

“So si---re …..” Kenneth and Madame Betty recounted.

“NO!!!!!!.....This cannot be…….my magic isn’t working……” Countess Margery then tried to be near with Alisa but the windows suddenly opened on their own and roses’ petals flew into the room.

“This scent…….no…….” Countess Margery said as she turned her back from the others. After a while, she faced them and her skin somewhat became older and all the nerves in her body became visible. “All of you will pay! Especially you, Alisa----” she pointed her finger at me before she changed into a crow and flew away.

The four of them where speechless as to what they witnessed. The young couple drew near each other for comfort. Lady Hannah left immediately last night. She hardly ate at all due to humiliation. Along the way she met a woman.

10

Awaken the Magic

When the night falls, I went out to fetch some water in the well. The moon was at its glory and there were countless stars shining altogether in their spots. The ground was filled with tranquility. I carried a wooden bucket and when I was two steps away from the well, the ground froze me.

“What is happening to me?”

Slowly I fell in to my knees as if gravity was absorbing me. I flexed my elbows to support my body while crawling towards the well. The bricks of the well was full of mosses and she could smell the grass beneath the soil. I opened my mouth and tried to speak but no words came out. Once I reached the well, I pull all my strength to lay my back against the bricks. I was gasping for air. All the insects sprang from the ground hurriedly. Then the branches and leaves of the trees and shrubs danced as the wind blew so hard. My eyesight started to blur. In a wisp of the wind I heard a familiar voice.

“My daughter, my blood, my life, Mama is here. You are safe. No evil power shall engulf you. Take my hand. My daughter, my blood, my life...we are one…… My daughter, my blood, my life, Mama is here. You are safe. My daughter, my blood, my life, Mama is here. You are safe……”

The words were repeated in my head all over again. Deep inside I know that voice but I cannot recall who. I slightly opened my eyes and saw red to pink roses’ petals forming into a woman’s body and moving closer to me. Once the transformation completed, it offered its’ right hand to me. Wanting to move and be rescued, I took the hand. When I closed my eyes, there were images that formed out my head. A vision. There was a small house and two women, one was old enough to be my mother. The other woman seemed to be a grandmother. They wore corset dresses and both of them had a black coat, calling me in a different name. The vision changed, this time I am holding a voodoo doll in an unknown place.

When I was about to breathe my last air, the younger woman shouted “Lily!”

She revealed herself, “Mo---m……” I called out. She smiled at me and called me “My daughter, my dearest child. Rest your hand in mine, we shall become one.”

The aroma of the petals gave me the ability to breath. When I opened my eyes, the petals which transformed into a woman’s body, was staring at me. When I looked at her intently, the petals embraced me and whispered, “You are safe……” Then the petals flew on top of me, reaching to the bright moon. I fell to the ground.

Unknown to us, the wicked Countess Margery worked her magic to me. She hid deep into the heart of the Inglewood forest. The old shack poses no life at all. One can smell dry woods and fear. Her house was filled with lighted candles. She was boiling her cauldron, on top of the wooden old table was two bodies of dead rats, bark of willow tree, one dead lizard, human skull with a lighted candle on top, book of shadows and strands of my hair.

“Is it almost done?” impatiently asked by a mystery woman whose hiding her face in a grey coat.

“Be patient my dear lady…eek ..eek…..” Countess Margery replied in a wicked voice.

She grabbed the strands of my hair, placed it inside a wooden bowl. Once the boiling cauldron seemed ready. She chopped the two dead rats’ tail and head. Thrown it into the cauldron followed by the bark of the willow tree and the dead lizard. She recited her incantation.

“Shadows…shadows, I beseech upon thee…. Hear my call….follow my voice……shadows…shadows….I beseech upon thee…. Hear my call…follow my voice…….curse the bearer of this hair …. Let her feel ------“

Before Countess Margery completed the incantation. The house was shaken, all the flames of the candles ran off. The whole house was swallowed by darkness.

“Countess Margery, what is the meaning of this?!” the mystery woman shouted.

“Eeck,,eeck… the shadows are here……eeck..eeck…” Countess Margery grinned with wickedness as her laughter resonated in the gloomy house. Then a gentle voice was heard.

“Shadow to light…shadow to light….shadows or no shadows……. My daughter, my blood…..my daughter, my blood…..let the Moon Goddess be the salvation! Hear my plea! Let no evil schemes touch my daughter! Goddess Diana, protect your faithful children. Bright of the moon, cast the darkness which lies upon thy sight. …… Bright of the moon, cast the darkness which lies upon thy sight. ……”

“Who said that? Where is that voice coming from?” said the mystery lady in frightened voice. She looked around but there was no one in the house aside from them.

“No…. it cannot be! I know that voice……that voice is…..” Countess Margery stammered in freight. She closed her fists in dismay that even in death of Celine, she could fulfill her vengeance.

Before the gentle voice finished the cant, various colors of roses appeared from all the windows and chimney of the house. The door opened on its own. An image of a woman out of roses’ petals appeared.

“Bright of the moon, cast the darkness which lies upon thy sight. …… Bright of the moon, cast the darkness which lies upon thy sight. ……”

As soon as the spell was over the whole house was filled and swallowed by petals. The petals sprang from the ground while shaking the ceiling towards the ground. The evil countess and the mystery lady tried their best to get out of the house. The mystery woman was the first one to come out. Countess Margery did not made it.

“This is not fair……eeck….. I will take my vengeance……”

Then thorns formed out of the petals and began to become thicker and bigger. The thorns crushed the old house into pieces. The wicked countess was smashed, the thorns pierced the heart and twisted the neck of the latter. The mystery woman ran so fast, she did not even care if her accomplice was able to make it or not.

“I am almost there. Almost out of the forest.” She told to herself.

Along the road, thick – huge thorns came out of the ground. It carried the decomposed body of Countess Margery. The mystery woman fell to her knees in horror. Her face was not enough to describe the terror she witnessed. The Countess’ neck was twisted, allowing her eyes to protrude as if it was about to detach from the facial muscles. The mystery woman cannot speak nor call out for help. She tried to move and out in the wilderness a voice was heard.

“Dark heart, dark soul. Bear the pain your bad blood carries. No shall glance with you in awe. For your face reflects the shadows within.”

“Wh---o is said tha—t? Sho--w yo—ur—self….!” She ordered in a shaking voice.

The brightness of the moon, lit the darkness of the forest. It was revealed the mystery woman was Lady Hannah. When she looked around, she saw the woods had scary face carved on every branches. Then she heard the cooing of the owls and howls of the wolves. She turned around again, she moved backward upon seeing the woman formation of the petals. She startled. Cannot speak. Once the cant was through, the petals dispersed into the forest. Lady Hannah remained in her place till the breaking of the dawn.

11

Secrets of the Past

            I smell the scent of the freshly washed linen beneath me. The sunlight woke me from my nightmare. Upon opening my eyes, I found myself inside my beloved’s bedchamber. Caught by surprise, I wonder how I end up in his bed. The last thing I remember was the well, the smell of the ground. I stretched my arms and legs as I stood from the bed. Grabbed the pitcher of water that was on top of a table just beside the bed to wash my face. Strange feeling came upon my head.

           “If I was asleep in the bed, why do I smell the mosses at the well?”

           As my fingers ran through my cheeks, I knew there was something wrong. After I fixed myself, I decided to search for Edmond. When I was about to head down stairs, I heard Edmond talking to his father. They seemed to be worried about something or someone. They went inside Count Harold’s office. Eavesdropping was not a lady-like manner but I heard it anyway.

           “Father, what do you mean by you paid the price?” Edmond asked angrily yet confused.

           “It was a long time ago, Edmond. Your mother regretted it so much.” Count Harold replied as he took a deep breath and stared at his wife’s portrait, which was hanging above the fireplace.

           “Why mother felt sorry about it? What do you mean it has something to do with Alisa’s eyes last night?” Edmond raised his voice.

          When Edmond spoke of my name, due to my clumsiness, I slightly pushed the door. The father and son, gazed at me in complete surprise. Count Harold lowered down his face and he instructed me to enter the room. We sat at the French furniture couch adjacent to the fireplace. Edmond was at my side holding my hands. Count Harold lamented for a while, with sadness he retold the secrets of the past.

          “We, my late wife and I, grew up with your parents Alisa. Or should I call you Lily.”

           Lily? That is the name which I heard last night from the woman who called me her daughter and in return I called her mom. Edmond and I kept our silence and listened to Count Harold.

        “Your mother’s family saved my life when I was terminally ill because of pneumonia. From then on we became friends. Although she and her family was---- uhm… essentially endowed with so many capabilities. Your grandfather, Wilhelm was a farmer which oversee our piece of land in Carlisle.”

           “What kind of capabilities Sire?” I asked as I what to know the secret of my birthright.

           “They have gifts, which ordinary people like us do not possess. But in a good way. One day, while your father and Elaine were playing in the woods. Lawrence fell down from a tree and suspected to have a broken limb. Celine was the one who gave an initial treatment.”

          “So Kenneth was right when he told us something about the past.” Edmond suddenly remembered Kenneth’s narration when we were in the villa few months before.

        “Do you wish to uncover the truth or you will interrupt me?” Count Harold stated in dismay.

        “You may continue father.” Edmond apologized to his father.

         “When the time Lawry, as we call your father. Opted to marry your mother because of love, my late wife became furious. She loved your father so much and she took it deeply into her heart.” Count Harold relented.

           “So if mom, loved Alisa’s father, how come you and mo---m?”

            “Due to great pain, she agreed to marry me. But by the time, Lawrence and Celine settled in villa not that far from the villa owned by Elaine’s family. There was a rebellion which took place…….”

             “Sire, pardon me, but is that the burnt villa that we came across with on the way here?” I ask as I was withholding my tears. Though it pains me to hear everything, I still want to know how I end up as an orphan.

           “I am afraid you are right. The burnt villa was the house of your father. It was the last ground which Lawry stood to defend.” Count Harold’s eyes was filled with sadness and regret.

            “I was there the night your father was killed by a witch hunter. I came there as soon as I heard Elaine was spreading gossip to the villagers about your mother’s abilities. So as a dear friend, I came to rescue her and your father but it was too late. The witch hunter caught us while trying to escape in a small boat. Lawry decided to stay behind as he was already injured. He fought the fearsome witch hunter with his might. But he succumbed to defeat.”

           “And then what else, your grace?...” I was shaking and tears began to fill my eyes.

            “When we were about to cross the river, your mother uttered a spell…”

                        *******************************************

          “No! Lawry!!!! Ah………ah…” cried Celine

          “Celine, do not move so much we will fell into the water……” Harold shouted in freight as he paddle the boat just to cross the river. The newly born child began to cry. “Your daughter, Lily, you are frightening her. Control yourself,  I say.”

            Seeing that her husband breathing his last breath, out of pity she spoke an incantation with tears of longing in her eyes. “Promises of love bind us all. Save the heart that was once mine. Save the man who spared his life.”  As Celine’s spell was complete roses’ petals appeared from the ground. The petals covered Lawrence body which gave him a burial ground. As she was covered with petals, Celine’s hair and color of the eyes transformed from brunette to golden blonde; from brown eyes to golden blue eyes. The cruel witch hunter shouted as he was not able to collect the head of Celine and the newborn.

           “Celine, you drastically changed.” Recounted Harold as he witnessed the transformation of his friend.

             Celine looked at her reflections at the water and said “Ah….this is the price of my intervention.” Then she cried again.

             “What price?” Harold asked in wondering voice.

              “We are forbid to interfere with nature. If by chance we altered it, this is the initial phase of the transformation.”

             “Oh my…” he murmured. “You did not committed it on purpose. Lawry is already dead when you said the chant.”

            “I am afraid Lawry is still gasping for air. Out of pity, I --- I gave him a grave….” She cried as she held so tight her one week old daughter.

              As the boat docked at the port, Celine’s mother, Penelope came. She wore a red corset dress and black cloak. She’s an old fat woman nearing her fifty’s. Penelope’s dark hair was tied up. Upon seeing her crying daughter and granddaughter, she pulled them with all her strength. “Oh my dearest child, you changed, no fret Mama is here.”

            “Penelope,” Harold bowed down in respect. “I am sor—ry…. I came lat—“

            “Hush, my child, it is not your fault.” Penelope then stared at the surroundings with a sharp eye. She warned Harold to stay close. She guarded herself and everyone close to her.

           “Mom, I felt it too.” Celine said as she held her daughter in her arms. Harold moved closer to Celine as he felt the sudden stillness of the trees. The branches of the trees were seemingly waving but there was no wind. The deafness of the night was bad omen.

            “Vicious….vicious being from the shadow….show yourself from the light!” shouted Penelope.  Suddenly the forest was filled with light. There it was revealed a woman wearing black corset dress and a black hat. She was quite attractive but underneatht, there lies a wickedness. “Eeck… eeck… shut the lights off! I heard you. So how is the fun? Eeck .. eeck……” The horrible woman exclaimed as she walked closer. “Look what we have here? Oh is that you Celine? Poor woman have you lost a man?” she teased.

            “Is this your own doing Margery?!” exclaimed Penelope in anger.

            “Even if I tell you could you do something about it? Haha….” The mad woman blurted in laughter. “Look a baby….”

            “Do not lay your murderous ---treacherous hand off my daughter!” Celine relented.

             “Oh dearest mother, I am scared…..” Margery snapped.

             “Leave them alone you witch!” Harold pointed his sword in snap of a finger.

              “So we have a new man here! By the way you stand, oh the finest clothes. You are a royal. Isn’t it?” Margery wickedly teased Harold which drove Celine’s patience to limits.

                “Wicked woman, awful as your face as your soul. For eternity, you shall bear the darkness within. You tore a man’s limb, thy shall you rip as you linger on this world. Goddess Diana, here the cry of your daughter! Perish the soul who defy your will!”

            Celine uttered a new incantation which was not written in the book of shadows. Out in the vast horizon in the dark night, the sky lit up. The moon shone brightly as ever, then petals rose from the ground and surrounded Margery.

“Be clear with your intentions as to how you did this?” Penelope cries out as she struck Margery with lightning.

 “Is my intentions blinding you? I want power of course! Power holds everything isn’t it? As long as you and your daughter live, I am will always be behind your shadows.”

“Who says you are behind our shadows? No one judges you.” Celine retorted while caressing her daughter, Lily.

Margery raised her left eyebrow in disgust. “Anyone can see. I – I know your plans.” She raised her pointer finger at Penelope and Celine. “You are deceiving me. Trying to talk out with me as if the two of you care!” Her body softened and she screamed the hell out of her.

“And you young man --- err you know what is the doing of your wife? HAHAHAHA….” Margery raised while swaying in the air her pointer finger. “All of you may think you defeated me. But hold on, let us see if you will still trust your friends! HAHAHAHA!”

The latter shouted not because the light irritates her eyes but because the scent of the petals and brightness of the moon, turned the evil woman into a crow. When the transformation was done. The wicked witch fled. Then Celine turned to Harold with a question in her face of ‘why’?

“I have no thinking what she meant by ‘my wife’.” Harold explained as he stared at his childhood friend.

“Let us call it a night. All of us are tired. Harold, my dear boy, it is best that you go home. There you will find the answer.” Penelope meddle in the supposed confrontation. “Grab my hand and take a deep breath. This is would be quick.” They gathered around and in a snap they teleported. Harold was not used to teleportation, so his body quiver when they arrived at the front main door of his house.

“My dear boy, we are safe for now. Talk to your wife, she’s waiting for you in your chamber. Deal with her nicely.” Penelope said as she gave the young man a warm embrace.

Celine opened her palm and alas a red rose appeared. “Here take this red rose. Hand it over to her and let her smell the fragrance. In that way, she will recover from the curse.”

“What curse? You two are acting so strange this night.” He shouted out of confusion.

“Things are better if you see them with your own eyes. Good night, my dear boy.” Penelope retorted.

Harold took it from Celine and made his way inside their house. “Oh wait, how about the three of you. It is almost late. I am worried about the baby.”

“Gratitude Harold but we are fine. My dear boy, we can find our way.” Penelope gently replied as they vanished from his sight.

Upon entering the house, everything was quiet. “No one is wide awake.” He said to himself as he went upstairs. On the way into his bedchamber, he saw there was light. He gathered all of his remaining strength, he held the red rose into his left hand. “Why red rose? I cannot believe I am falling for this.” He knocked at the door.

“Who is it?” said a woman inside the room.

“It is me, Harold, your husband.” He took a deep breath before emerging into the master suite.

He gazed at his wife, Elaine. His wife was motionless and did not bother to inquire his whereabouts in the wee hours of the night. He removed his grey coat and tossed it on a chair beside the bed. He moved towards his wife, who was staring at the moon from their window.

“My dearest wife, I have a rose for you.” He offered the flower to his wife. His wife was the epitome of beauty, but she remained adamant that evening. She had a hazy blue eyes, white chicks and kissable lips. Smelling the scent of the flower, she protested.

“Remove that from my sight….” She shouted as she tried to run away. But Harold cornered her in the wall beside their bed. He commanded that she should smell the scent. After subduing her, she came into her senses. Elaine suddenly had an expression in her face.

“What is going on, my dear? I felt a bit dizzy.” Elaine shook her head, Harold offered her to sit on their bed and gave her a glass of water.

“My dearest wife, how are you this lately? Did you do something which makes you dizzy?” Harold asked his wife as he wanted to know if she knew something. Then their eyes met in surprise. Elaine rolled her eyes and cannot look Harold at his eyes. “Tell me, what do you know? Or should I rephrase it to, what did you committed?” Harold was holding back the tears from his eyes as he interrogated his wife.

Elaine burst into tears, she told him that there was a woman she met yesterday. The said woman informed her that Celine gave birth to a girl. “I do not know Harold, please believe me……. she asked me about my feelings and ---and….”

“And what! For heaven sake you are a married woman! Married to me!” He shouted in anger.

“Harold…. Please forgive me……Be—cause of that, I ordered Kenneth to spread news in the townspeople about…..”

“About?”

“About Celine’s canting capabilities….oh Harold so sorr—y….”

“Even Kenneth you drag into this….! This is insane!” He put his hands over his head in great remorse. He walked back and forth inside their suite.

“Where are they now, Harold? Are they fine?” Elaine nervously inquired about the succeeding events which occurred right after spreading a wicked gossip. Harold narrated every single details from burning the house to the death of Lawrence. Elaine was listening attentively and beg for forgiveness.

“I hope you are happy. Regret is always the last thing to occur, is it not so Elaine?” Harold recounted as he turned his back from his wife. “From this day and onwards. Your every move shall be reported to me. You will not act recklessly as you did today. You are my wife. You are mine. Am I clear?”

Elaine unable to answer for a while. “Am I clear with that Elaine?!”

“I oblige, Harold.” Elaine finally succumbed to the mercy of her husband.  He did not lay with her that night.

The following morning, while he was practicing fencing in his training room, Harold was informed that Celine came to meet him at his estate. He hurriedly dropped his sword and made his way out. Ignoring his wife as he passed by the dining hall. He found Celine waiting beside the well at the back of their house, near the kitchen door. Celine was looking around and seemed to be in deep thought. She was wearing beige simple corset and her long golden blonde hair was hanging over her back.

“Nice to see you, Celine. As to which I owe this surprise?” Harold greeted his childhood friend.

“Nice to see you too, Harold.” She bowed down. Her face lost the smile she always had for people. “I came because I want to see you. Have you asked your wife?”

Harold kept quiet for a while as he was searching for words. He knew Celine’s abilities but he was also afraid for his wife. “Uhm…,uhm….”

“Seems that you finally talk to her.”

“You will not let this pass, do you?”

“Indeed… I want to know the truth.”

“Things are better if you seem them in your own eyes, isn’t it Celine?”

“My husband died because of her! I want to know the truth why she did it.” Celine shouted out as the tears fell from her melancholic eyes.

“Look Celi--”

“I apologize Celine.” Elaine interrupted. The two women were now strangers. They both love one man, Lawrence. Elaine’s eyes was apologetic with sincerity. “I know what I did was wrong. I am not in myself.”

“Does it make you happy, Elaine?”

“Celine, I know you are hurt. We are hurt too. Lawrence is our friend too.” Harold snapped out.

“No Harold, Celine is right. I became a selfish person. I want everything to be mine. Is there anyway, I could do to…..” she tried to hold the hand of Celine but Celine moved away.

Celine moved backward and stared at Elaine. “One day Elaine, you will know the feeling of losing someone so dear to you.”

Harold cannot contain it his fears anymore. He loved Elaine although she made a mistake. He could not choose which side he was since the two women were important to him.

“Celine, enough of this. Elaine already apologize.”

“I know, Harold. You are a dear friend. Do not judge yourself.” Celine reassured Harold. “I came here just to hear it personally. Lawrence by the way, believe in you Elaine. He hoped that you may found your happiness.”

“Celine….” Harold uttered as he feared Celine’s magical affiliation. She was a friend, no doubt about it. But the certain turn of events made him doubt the patience of the other.

“I shall leave now, till the day we meet again, dear friends.” Before she leaves, roses sprang from the ground. Creating a scenic view, whoever stares at it, will definitely feel light and loved. “One day but not too soon, you will be needing these.” Then she disappeared from their sight. 

             After a decade, Count Harold was sleeping comfortably in his bed. When someone visited him in a dream asking for help. “Celine, what is wrong this time.” He saw Celine inside a cave begging for help as there were armed soldiers wanting to capture them.

            “There is no time Harold. Please save my daughter, Lily.” Celine stood at the mouth of cave with the moon shining brightly that night. “You have been to this cave before when you were healed.”

            “Heaven’s sake, I know that place.” Harold agreed to save the child.

            When the sun came out, Harold and Elaine rode their carriage to find Celine and her family. Kenneth was driving the carriage. They took a different path so that the soldiers would not their plan. They hid for a while in bushes and waited for a signal from Celine.

“Harold dear, are you sure this is the place?” Countess Elaine asked as she was looking for signs of Celine.

“Let us wait here a bit more. And yes this is the place where we should wait.” The Count answered back. Then a black carriage passed by and they were alerted. Suddenly roses’ petals appeared, the blue sky turned darker even more. They heard a girl’s voice crying out in the wilderness.

“Please come back. Mummy…..” Cried out the little girl.

“She must be the daughter of Celine.” Exclaimed Countess Elaine.

“Oh dear, Sire… it is getting darker….. it looks like a rain is coming.” Nervously said by Kenneth.

“Just keep still. We will save the child.” Count Harold recounted. As the petals drew near towards the child. Covering her body as she fell to towards the ground. Countess Elaine went out the carriage and carried the child in her arms. “Finally, self-retribution.” She told to herself.

*****************************

“Is that all Sire?” Alisa sternly asked about her past.

“Definitely, Alisa.” Count Harold nodded.

“So father, those roses what are they exactly for?” Edmond recounted.

“Those roses are for pacifying a troubled mind. Like what happened in the previous days. I’ve been healed right.” Count Harold replied.

“Father I do get it, that those roses have power to heal. But what I cannot fathom is the reason you are under a spell.” Edmond relents the past events happened to his father.

“What occurred in the past is the past. My conclusion, we paid the price of all the things we committed.” Count Harold kept silent as he stared at his wife’s portrait. I stormed out of the room. I felt the heavy burden in my chest. I was trying to swallow all the information in my head.

“I cannot believe I heard those things. The people who led to the murder of my father were with me all this time. So much more they took me in.” I told myself.

Edmond ran after me. He was worried that he might lose me and our unborn child. He called out my name, but I kept on running away. Edmond chased me until we reached the portion of the garden where all kinds of roses blooms. Far from it, you could smell the sweet scent they brings. Suddenly, I felt the sudden force underneath me, as if it waited for me for so many years. I stood up in the ground, closed my eyes and opened my palms in the air as if I am praying. I allowed the wind to cradle me. In that moment, my body escalates as I was lifted from the ground. The scent of roses --- no petals surrounded me. I felt the power which lies in it.

“Alisa, here me out.” I heard Edmond’s sad – voice, my beloved. When I turned around to face him. He was staring at me from below. He was indeed crying, shaking his head as he pleads. He was wearing a white shirt, black pants and black boots. The three buttons were opened revealing the masculinity of his chest.

“Look, this has been an awful day for both of us. But please, I am begging you do not leave.” Then he cried even more to his knees.

Damn it, I wanted to respond but I cannot. The flowers forbade me to move. I do not know what am I doing or much worst who am I?

“Alisa, stop this madness! I know my parents, particularly my mother, offended your family. But that was a long time ago. We are in the now.” He pleads even more.

Oh dear heaven, he pleaded. As seconds came by, the petals were becoming thicker and thicker. My body was elevated even more at the ground even more, I wanted to fly.

“Please stay, I beg of you. Pull my hand, we can fix this, together.” Edmond raised his hand, he was trying to hold my hand. But he can’t.

I also pleaded to the heaven to allow me to move. I wanted to touch him once more. My heart could not bear a second that he would be away from me. Darn it, my body was still motionless.

“Where you go, I go. Remember? You are far better than this. There are mistakes from years before. But those are in the past now. Alisa!” he screamed out.

I felt his hand grabbed me and drew me closer to the ground. “Alisa, please wake up. I beg you. Stay with me.” His waking me up but still I cannot move. I felt the warmth taste of lips as it touches mine. Then I woke up from a slight sleep I had.

“Edmond…you are crying..” I touched his face with tears in his eyes. The petals were raining over us. I lift my left hand to catch some of it, then Edmond held me in his arms. For how long, we did not care.

“Do not run from me, ever. We vowed to be with each other, aren’t we?” Edmond kissed me again. He pulled a red small box from his pocket. “Since the petals are hovering over us, I want to take this chance. Alisa, will you marry?”

I giggled. “Yes Edmond! I will marry you.”

“Now let us get back inside.” He carried me in his arms. “I still prefer the brunette and brown eyes Alisa.”

Whoa. “What my hair and eyes changed again?”

He nodded. “For a second your hair transformed to golden blonde; your eyes to sky blue. Forget those not so important things.” He kissed me again in my forehead and lips.

“Witch or not a witch. You bewitched me by being you. I love everything about you, Alisa.”

“Oh Edmond.” Those words softened my heart. He carried me back inside the house as if we were newlyweds. Though the stillness of the wind could be felt in my cheeks, I don’t care. What matters to me was that I am safe in his arms.

12

Celebration and Death  

The day our wedding was set. One week before the wedding, the remaining household of Williams, decorated the garden. At last, the garden had a life. Since the day Count Harold was under a spell, the estate became barren. Thomas cut the long branches of the shrubs. We lend a hand in organizing our wedding. We planned it to be simple. Madame Giselle and the rest of the household were the guests. Count Harold did not wish to see so many guests. He was fully aware about the news which hounded the estate for so long.

My wedding gown was sewn in white long dress. Tiny Swarovski crystals were attached to the gown. The gown had an off-shoulder fit and it reveals my cleavage. The white pair of shoes with heels was designed as if it was suited for a princess. Madame Giselle fixed my hair too.

“You look stunning in that dress. You are gorgeous as ever.” Madame Giselle said with a smile on her face.

Then we heard a knock on the door. Madame Giselle opened the door for me. It was Count Harold. He wore a velvet tuxedo and a bow tie. Once he stepped inside the room, Madame Giselle, left us to be alone. He embraced me so tightly.

 “How are you Alisa? Lily?”

            “Sire,” I brushed off my shoulder, “any name you prefer to address me.”

            “Oh sweet child, no need for formality. You may now call me father.”

            “Alright, father then.”

            “Listen up, before the ceremony, I want to say thank you for coming into our family. You made my son, Edmond happy. The things which I told you in the previous days, I did not---”

            “No need to worry about that father. I have forgiven you. You are under a spell…”

Count Harold and I embraced each other once more. He led the way downstairs. Outside of the house, the musical symphony could be heard. That day was a moment of blissfulness for all of us. It was a humid morning, we could hear the chirping of the birds. All our friends were there. I for one, cannot wait to see my betrothed. He was wearing a white tuxedo which gave an emphasis on his biceps. He was the sun and I am the moon. Reverend Father Daniel presided the ceremony. Unknown to us, the witch hunter was watching us. The ceremony ended when Edmond and I sealed it with a kiss. Everyone cheered for us. By the time, the luncheon began and so as our nightmare. When we were about to cut the cake. We received a note:

Though it had been so many years now. I know who you are, witch.

Best wishes anyhow.

    “Who could have sent us a note?” I asked Edmond in bewilderment.

    “I have no one in mind. Surely.” Edmond assured me as our guests were gazing at us, why we took so long in slicing the cake.

           We smiled anyway. Edmond squeezed my hand and his other hand touched my womb. He gave me a look that everything will be alright. From afar we heard a loud scream. Kylie, the youngest maidservant in the house of Williams, came running at us from the kitchen. She was followed by the witch hunter, Sylvester. Like our previous encounters with him, he was still armed with sword and gun. Then he grinned at us.

            “You are not invited. Leave now!” Edmond shouted as he hid me in his back.

           Sylvester ignored Edmond’s words. He walked with arrogance and much worse was he was determined to kill me. He exchanged a sharp eyes with Count Harold. Oh yes! He knew the Count from the burning of the villa, the night my father died. All the household of Williams could not hide their fears from their faces. I hardly exchange looks with them. Because I knew I am to blame for this disaster. I was preparing my counter attack, you see. I opened my left palm and silently calling the petals to come out. But Edmond touched my hand, he gave me a look that I should not do it.

            “What makes you think you can gate crash a wedding feast?” shouted Count Harold as he stood at the center defending everyone. Though my father-in-law was old and weak gait. He stood there as if he was in his twenty’s, that I believe. He looked at us and raised his right hand. A signal. Edmond understood what it meant. Edmond made an eye signal to the rest of the house hold to escape.

            “Old man, from day one, you know what I came for. So step aside…” a harsh – less impolite words of Sylvester. In his face, we could described that he knew Count Harold from the night my father died.

            Count Harold, raised an eyebrow and said in deep loud voice, “This is my estate—my house—family. I will not watch and stand here while you ruin our celebration.”

            “Oh my manners, I forgot about them, sire.” He teasingly bowed down before the Count. All of a sudden he spank the Count making him fell towards the chair.

            “Father!” Edmond cried out.

            “Count…….” Shouted the rest of the servants.

            I froze.

            “Oh…. Oh,… this looks good. Hahahaha” The witch hunter drew his sword as he came walking right through us. Edmond drew his sword too. It seems like they will be having their duel. “No Edmond, don’t please.” I begged him. Though I beg, he still held his sword in his hand. They fought.

            With each attacked by Sylvester, Edmond was successfully counter attack it. Edmond did not used his strength but rather used the opponent’s strength. The tricky hunter when he was almost lost the battle to my husband. He grabbed a dagger from his left thigh, when Edmond was near to stab him at the right shoulder. The hunter hit Edmond at the right thigh, making my dear husband vulnerable.

            “Edmond….” I shouted as I ran towards my man. The hunter leaned on and upon seeing me, dropped the dagger and grabbed his gun.

“Die, you witch.” His aiming for me, damn him!  I ran anyway, ignoring his threat. Then the hunter pull the trigger.

 “NO! ALISA……...” Edmond shouted.

            We were breathless. The event was so fast. We did not able to predict it. The hunter was aiming for me. But instead, my father-in-law received the bullet that was for me. “No……..” we shouted at the dying Count. His head was resting on my lap. As he tried to speak blood came out at his mouth. My poor father-in-law. He was hit in his chest. Words were not enough to summarize our emotions that day. For a minute, he was here. For a second, he was gone.

            “A----li---sa…”offering his right to mine, “my deb—t i-s pai—d. No—w I ca—n be… wi—th m-y wi-fe…” He said while gasping for air.

            “No… father… please stay…please say no more.” I beg him as I was losing my I father too. Since I am an orphan, he was the closest father figure I had. “The bullet is for me. Why did yo---u”

            “No wor—ds fo—r th—at… I am o—ld. Wan—ting to re—st no—w. M—y so—n ma—ke hi—m ha—pp-y.”

            The hunter was determined to get me. He was coming right at us again. This time, Edmond came and punched him in the face. The hunter then kicked Edmond. He pulled a chair and before he hit one more time, my spouse. I stared at the flowers and waved my hand in circles. The petals drew near and tossed it towards Sylvester. He was immediately blocked by the swarms of petals. It gave an ample time for Edmond to move and be with his father side, for the last time.

            “Dad….” He called out to his ailing father.

            “Son…. Be happy…  forgive m-e in my shortcomings……I kno—w I di-d no-t be-cam-e a –goo-d fath—er to yo---u . I ..”

            “Hush… father.. do not speak anymor—e, you will be safe. I will call a doc—tor.”

            “S---o—n no n—ee---d for tha—t…..huh…” he was now gasping for his last breath, “it is so peacef—ul….” His hand fell to the ground and he closed his eyes.

            “NO…..FATHER…….NO….” Edmond cries out. I mourned with him. We all mourned with him. The household servants gather around and paid their respect. Through the years we were with him, he was a father to us all. Even though he was under a spell for quite some time, it was not important to us. The day of our wedding was the day we lost a dear father and master.

            Then we heard voices coming just outside the estate. “The townspeople are here, oh dear…” Kenneth uttered in freight. They were armed as well. They had axes, torches, broom sticks, plows, knives and even wooden crucifix. Oh dear, they wanted my head. Alarmed that they were now near at the gate of the estate. Edmond told the rest to escape and save their lives.

            “How about you sire and you are bleeding?” asked Madame Giselle.

            “I am terribly alright. It is just a wound.” Edmond replied as I helped him to get up.

            Madame Giselle did not attempt to escape. “I opted stay behind. I will destruct them as you and your wife escape.”

            “But Gisel-le” I protested.

            “There is nothing to worry about me. I am old. I am grateful because, you came and I had a daughter.” I embraced Madame Giselle, aside from Countess Elaine, she became my foster mother at the house of Williams.

            With heavy burden, we left the estate. Madame Giselle was the only one who stayed and defended the estate from the townspeople. The rest of the servants quickly ran off, to which direction, we do not know. Edmond and I were set to cross the river that was situated behind the estate. I helped Edmond to step inside the small boat, as I was about to release the knot, Kenneth appeared. The three of us, prayed to God to have mercy on us. When we began to set sail, we saw black smokes coming from the house. We knew then what fate came up with. Two souls were lost this day all because of me.

13

To Eternity

            All throughout our journey, I felt numb. I felt I have no face to show after all the things happened in our wedding. Celebration like this should be blissful but ours was melancholic. My fingers touched the water and I saw my reflections. I knew it was me but then again I saw something else, a WITCH! My fingers then crossed it out from the water, Edmond saw me.

            “Dear, what is the matter?” he kissed my back and held me so tight.

            “Forgive me Edmond. Forgive me Kenneth.” Then tears filled my face again.

            “What for, honey?” Edmond touched my face.

            “It is all because of me. A witch person like me is cursed!” I shouted out. Kenneth kept quiet as he paddle our boat. Edmond placed his thumb on my lips.

            “You are not a witch. I will not forgive you if you call yourself like that!”

            “All these, it is becau…”

            Edmond shook his head and recounted, “No….no…… these happened because it is already laid out right before we are born. None of us chose this! It was fate who brought us all.” He then embraced me so tight. He allowed me to cry over his shoulders. I never cried this long.

            “Kenneth, why you decided to stay with us?” Edmond asked Kenneth just to alter the mood of the day.

            “Sire, I have nowhere to go. I am also an orphan. For the longest time I’m with your family. It became my family too.”

            “I apologize.”

            “You don’t have too.”

            The journey was a peaceful one. The boat then docked on the shore of Crummock water. It was a tiresome journey. Kenneth and I helped Edmond to get up. We hid in a nearby small cave. Though I have magical abilities, healing was unknown to me. I did not practice it for years. I am glad Kenneth was with us, if it was just me and Edmond, oh no, I do not know how would I carry him.  Edmond sat in upright position and placed head against the stone wall. I tore a piece of my wedding gown to tie it around the wound of Edmond. Then his ring finger touched my ring finger.

            “I vowed that I will make you happy at all cost. But somehow I think I failed--- the two of you.” His eyes were filled of sadness once more. I was afraid that he would retreat again to his original self. The Edmond that hardly talked to anyone. I kissed his affected thigh. I placed my head on his lap. His other hand then touched my back. “This is not the place where I intend to you on our honeymoon.” His head rested in between the rocks at his back and stared at the wilderness.  He moved his hand from my back to my womb. “Is our child doing fine?”

            I nodded. His lips reached out for my lips which I was voluntarily surrendered.  His tongue was once again in my throat.  I felt a sudden chill in my nerves. The villa of the late Countess Elaine fogged my mind. The first night that we did ‘it’, was the unforgettable event ever. It was the night we lost our virginity. I slightly opened my eyes and oh boy, his tantalizing eyes were staring at me.

            “Look at you, you are enchanted by my kisses and glaring eyes. I cast a spell on you.” He kiddingly tickled my bones as he whispered.

            It was becoming darker that I noticed Kenneth was nowhere off sight. The last time I seen him was when he led a hand in carrying Edmond in safety. Suddenly, Kenneth came without warning. I was about to ignite two rocks so that we could have a fire that would lit up the dark cave. Edmond was alarmed how Kenneth stared at us. He was like being a frozen chunk of ice that refused to see the heat.

            “Kenneth, are you alright?” I uttered. Edmond startled, he knew it wasn’t right. Kenneth was not with himself. From the shadows a boldy man appeared. He was determined to kill the hell-shit out of me! Like a thief in the night, he pushed Kenneth towards us. He yanked me in his arms. Either my dearest spouse or Kenneth was motionless. I tried to delete in my mind this desperate witch hunter won.

            “No, Alisa….” Edmond whispered as our eyes locked up. My heart beat was beating so fast. Half of me was telling me ‘This is the last.’ The other half was betraying my emotions. It does not revealed the true intentions. But I knew somehow my grandmother blessed me with her intuition---clairvoyance. I closed my eyes as I cannot withstand the pain, fear, regret, lose and most of all death. In a snap all these feelings sank in the deepest part of my heart. It dig horrible images right there in my subconscious mind. Images which I, myself did not wish to recount. Edmond stood with his sword as his cane. But Sylvester gave a notion to my husband that he should be weary of his plans.

            “Err, your highness. Think before you act. Trying to save a perished soul.” Sylvester warned my husband as he held a dagger in my throat. My hands covered my belly as any mother to be would do for their unborn child. I tried my very best to hide my fears. I do not wish Edmond to see I am weak inside. Since childhood, he knew I am a tough woman.

            “Set my wife free! How many gold you wish as your payment?” Edmond dared to bribe this hideous man.

            “Negotiating master Edmond. Eyyy?” Sylvester annoyingly replied a she grinned.  “Any substantial treasure your family holds dear the most, your grace, I am afraid would not be satisfying.” The witch hunter’s voice grew deeper similarly to the depths of the Earth’s core.

            “Save yourself Edmond. My heart is with you for all time sake.” I cried as my mind commanded to do so. This maybe the last but at least I said what I wanted before time claim my life.

            Desperation fueled Edmond’s heart. He attacked from the front. Sylvester forcefully pushed me to the ground. Kenneth then pulled me to safety. Though he was injured in the thigh, he fought valiantly. Edmond successfully made the defense and offense in the duel. With great internal pressure in my body, I bled.

            “Oh dear, gushing of blood in your……” blurted Kenneth in panic. He covered his face with his hands. Then I looked at my legs, indeed blood was everywhere. My tarnished long white gown was covered with blood. I sobbed.

            “My ba---by…” I exclaimed in freight. I had a feeling that karma knocked on my door. “Am I paying the sins which my forefathers did? Or this is a price which I have to pay for ruining the lives of so many?” These were the questions which ran through my head. I am defeated. I lost everything.

            “Alisa…..” shouted Edmond as he saw that I am bleeding. In his eyes, I saw grief. Then Sylvester kicked him at his chest. Edmond fell to the grass.  The witch hunter held his gun and was about to pull the trigger, I hurriedly moved. Though my body was weak, with all my conserve energies I ran towards my husband. No amount of spell nor curse could fathom my earnest desire to protect Edmond. Out in the tranquility of the night a gunshot was heard.

            “NO!!!!!!!” loud cried was heard. My body grew weaker. I found myself lying in the ground. The moon was at its brightest. The beauty of the moon transcends in the evening sky. I could not breathe anymore. Silence was all over me. My left arm was numbed. My right hand ran gently to my chest. It was wet, bloody red.

            “Al—i—sa….   Stay with me…. eyes on me my dear.” Edmond cried out of fear or anguish I do not know. His right arm supported my neck, his face met mine. Words were not coming out of my mouth. Vocal cords lost the letters to speak. My eyesight was becoming blurry. Everything seemed black and white to me.

            “Murderer! Murderous beast!” Edmond screamed. I hardly saw what happened. Kenneth came, he was saying something but I do not understand. I closed my eyes. Deep within me, I prayed to the heavens to give me strength as I wanted to see Edmond. When I opened my eyes, Edmond was covered with blood; from his face down to his body. Good heavens! My left arm finally moved. My two hands were in the air, welcoming Edmond in my arms. His warmth embrace radiates in my weak body. Tears fell in our eyes. “Yo…u se---em hu-rt.” Soft words were spoken as my left hand brushed off his bloody cheeks.

            “This is no—thing,” he cried as he kissed my forehead, “stay please….” He finally beg.

            “Forgive me, for losing our child.”

            “Do not speak anymore….promise me you will not leave me….”

            I stared at the bright moon. Oh the Moon Goddess, I heard her calling me. Gentle wind blew touched my cheeks. In soft-weak voice, I utter “Love is pure, our hearts will forever be intertwined for all eternity. I am with you throughout time.”

            I felt my body elevated. When I turned around I saw Edmond and Kenneth mourning --- for me. My dead body was lying in Edmond’s arms. His whole body was covered with blood. There was continuous flow of blood from his head which I did not saw earlier. Then I saw the spot where he fell, there was a shiny sharp rock with blood. I remember now, his head might hit that rock when Sylvester kicked him. My heart bled. I kneeled beside him and caressed his cheeks but no response. Along the shore there I found the witch hunter’s body. The sword of Edmond pierced his heart.

            Edmond got up by an inch but fell down on his knees. “Sire, you are hurt. Your head….” Kenneth uttered in worrisome voice. Edmond touched his head, with a gentle smile on his face he fainted. His body was lying on top of my life less body. I felt helpless. I cannot reach out to him. A familiar voice whispered, “You and I are inseparable.” I gazed up and Edmond was standing in front of me. He offered his hand in mine. A bright light shone upon us. It was very warm and peaceful.

            “Goddess Diana?” I called out as the light was surrounding us in oblivion.

14

God of chances

            A man came out of the light. He held his arms high as if welcoming us in his embrace. “I am the God of all the gods. ¹I am the beginning and the end.” The unknown but warm man exclaimed. Then winged spirits came following him. They had an angelic faces. All of them were smiling at us. I noticed that there was a tiny – charming winged boy.  He had Edmond’s profile.

            “This whole thing is so strange to me – to us both.” Edmond gently retorted as he move me closer to him.

            “There is nothing to be strange off or afraid.” The enlightened Man gave us a welcome embrace. “I heard and know everything. Come with me, take my hand. You will find solace in my kingdom.”

            “Oh heavens! God is this for real? I – I mean… how could this be? We are not worthy of your mercy. We….” He was interrupted by the Light.

            “Alas! I am the God of mercy and love. I heard your prayers. I know your plight. I am your Father. Take my hand. ²I will give you rest.”

            Without any more hesitations, we took his hand. We were surrounded by his beautiful angels. “Tell me my child, your concern. I will listen.” His fatherly love gazed upon me as he held us in his warmth embrace.

            “Yo—u see, uhm….” I hesitated for a moment, my tongue could not form the words. “I have a dark past, something against your will. For a moment Lord, I thought of you as…” my eyes rolled as I am not confident to speak the name of a deity in his presence.

            God just smiled. “No need to doubt yourself for your past. Whatever taken place before, let it be. You are now because it is you. Whatever sin you have committed, it is already forgiven.”

            Words were not enough to describe the time with God. Deep inside I knew my affiliations in black magic was forgiven. We came into a marvelous land. In that place, peace could be heard from the gate towards the vast garden. Everyone seemed joyful. Neither fear, anger, remorse nor hatred were unknown in this place. Time stopped at this kingdom. We saw our dearest loved ones. Edmond’s parents were there and Madame Giselle. In my disbelief my parents and grandma were there too. Indeed God is forgiving. He redeemed our souls. We were briefly reunited. The charming young boy never lose his sight from us.

“This might be the kingdom of God.” Edmond whispered as he took a deep breath.

            “Both of you prayed for a chance to rewrote your life and amend the future.” He gave us a tight embrace. We returned the gesture he gave us.

            “I will return the two of you in earth. In time you will find each other. Never lose faith, since I never lose faith in you.” His loving eyes stared at us.

            “You will give back our life? Why?” I asked.

            “I am the God of chances. I brought you here so you could see a dark past will not be a hindrance in my mercy.” He laid his hand on top of my head. “³There is no greater to love than sacrificing yourself for the welfare of others. Your deed proved that you are capable of love and forgiveness.”

            As the Father uttered those words the gate behind us opened. He led us to the edge and shown us the earth once more. The young boy who had Edmond’s profile approached us.

            “Mama, Papa… I want to be your son again.” Then he turned to God and said “God would you allow them to be my parents once more?” His innocent face broke my heart. Though I had him in my womb for two or three months, he still preferred us, his parents.  God nodded and took the little boy in his arms. With a wave of hand tiny clouds covered our body.

                                                    ***************

            I woke up in winter morning, I thought it was all a dream. I looked around, the place was different. There was no bed. I may lying in a mattress with colorful hand sewn fabric. My dress was different too. I touched my hair, it is properly braided and the color of my hair is dark. My skin tone somewhat transformed into yellowish appearance. There was a woman at my doorstep. She was saying something in a language I do not know. She went in, she was wearing an odd attire for me. Her attire seemed to be bathrobe of three varied colors. Her hair was braided around her head. A hair dress that I haven’t seen before. She said her name was ‘Park.’ She’s calling me in a name I never heard of. She called me “Soo kyung.”