Seven

After a long bath, I found some clothes on my bed. Clearly, she dropped it there. Or maybe a maid, that's if she has one. My emotions were mixed up in some way I  can't explain. It's really hard to take it all in . That I, Katty will live in a royal cottage for the rest of my life as a child to this lovely woman. I feel blessed but I just can't believe all this yet. And I'm bothered, extremely bothered. I shouldn't be, right? But I am.

I have a purpose for my existence. I have a quest. Will I abandon it for luxury?

I should. It's not a big deal if i do. But my guts, if only they could allow me think straight.

 I brush my hair and tied it into a knot. It wasn't perfect but I didn't care though I use to.

When i was done dressing,  I rushed down the stairs. Following the sweet scent of  seasoned bacon, I found her at the dinning table, waiting for me I guess. 

Her smile made my heart melt.

Oh my, my mother. I thought. I wish she was my mother.

She came forward and accompanied me to a seat by hers. All I wanted was to stay in her arms ... forever and something more...

I want to have a feel of her thoughts. Why can't I read this woman's thought?

Why?!

"Thank you" I said while she served my food.

Still nervous. Sylvia thought. What gifts is she thinking about? I still love her anyway. Thank you mother! For the curse.

"You're welcome baby" She responded.

We ate silently. When we were done she took back to the garden. I guess she had something to do there before but I  distracted her then.

"Yes" She said to me while we walked in.

I was shocked. Did she just answer my thoughts or what? Why 'yes'?

Sylvia cursed beneath her breathe. She should not have done that, not now. 

What would she think of me now? She thought.

"Why 'yes'?" I asked even though i didn't want to ask. I should have ignored but of course, it's Katty's way.

"Never mind..." She trailed on her words. "Just a slip of tongue"

"What's wrong?" I sensed worry in her expression. She was fidgeting and that's strange to me. " Are you okay?"

Caring. Sylvia smiled in her heart.

"I'm fine." She tried to relax. "Come on, lets get a feel of the garden"

We walked in, my hands in hers.

There was a gorgeous range of flowers; roses, daisies, hibiscus, daffodils and many others. Carved hedged depicted strange shapes all around the space. 

We had a beautiful garden back home too, but it was nothing compared to this.

"You know why I love to come here?" Sylvia asked.

I didn't hear that. 

I was lost in the beauty of this garden and the feeling of walking side by side with a mother, a very beautiful and caring one.

"Huh..., Pardon I didn't get you"

She nodded. "I love to come here everyday. This garden is the place i cherish most in the cottage and I'm glad you like it too"

I like it, yes, but i don't remember saying that to her. Maybe my facial expression betrayed me.

Hush! Katty, you worry too much.

" I love it. It has too many flowers. Even the ones that is rarely seen in this part of the world. How did you get them?" I said.

"Huh... I lived here with my mother and my mother loved flowers" She responded. " We had a lot of maids then and each of them nurtures at least two type of flower in this garden. It was my mother's order"

She has a mother. I thought. Where is she now?

"My mother is dead unfortunately. I wish she was here" Sylvia added.

What again?!

She's answering my thought.

'Calm down Katty, It's just coincidence.' I said to myself

"Humph , Sorry for the lose." I said. "I hope I didn't bring back sad memories"

Smart girl. Sylvia thought. You brought back more.

"No Problem dear" She smiled. "Well, I have a surprise for you"

"Really" I smiled back.

"Yes, close your eyes"

I closed my eyes without hesitation.

Sylvia got to work. She untied Katty's hair and began to plait. When she was done she picked her best flowers, the roses and arranged the beautifully on her hair. The colors matched perfectly. Katty's golden hair and the red roses. She admired it for a while. It's just perfect. This is the girl of her dreams.

"Open your eyes, baby girl" She laughed as she handed a mirror to me.

"What?!" I screamed. The image shocked me. Like, this woman just transformed me into a fairy princess. I looked more like a doll. Her plait was perfect.

"Oh my God..." I gasped.

She was still laughing and i didn't notice when I joined her.

"you're the best!" I said and gave her a hug.

"Thanks a lot my beauty queen" She replied.

She turned to leave and I followed.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Huh... show you around a bit. Then I'll let you get some rest"

We then went through the halls that led to several smaller halls. The smaller halls had several doors that led to different rooms. One hall led to the kitchen, the pantry, and the storeroom. Another hall led to the guest room and the dining room, and another one led to the library and study. There were several other halls, but we went through the hall that led to bedrooms and the bathrooms.

"How many people live here?" I was forced to ask.

"Me alone" Sylvia answered.

I was surprised. I shouldn't be, everything about this cottage is amusing already

.

"Why are there too many rooms?"

"My mother had many staffs. I cherished my privacy so I laid them off"

And there's another reason...

I couldn't stand them because they loved my mother and despised me just like she did. Sylvia thought. She's a child. She wouldn't understand if i tell her.

"Oh"

We were back in my room. She led me to the bed and put me to sleep like a little baby.

Of course, i couldn't sleep having her watch me. 

"Should I sing you a lullaby then?" She said.

A lullaby wouldn't help. I thought. Just leave.

"Alright then I'll leave. Have a good sleep darling" She added.

My heart skipped. She just answered my thoughts. Again!

Who the hell is she?