Chapter 1 — The Witch and the Curse

"Is Lady Serina Lourdemayne around? I was sent here to deliver a message from the King."

Pulling the gate, the girl who seems to be aged around 10 motioned the man to enter. The trembling man swallowed his hesitation with a deep gulp and spoke a quick prayer in his mind. Surely his visit in this old mansion will be the talk of his colleagues for days, whether or not he'd make it back alive. 

"I assure you we do not keep any carnivorous creature here, Sir. Please do relax yourself."

That short speech earned a little jump from the man and his anxiety rose rather than relieved. Knowing this won't do him any good, he calmed himself with a silent breathing exercise. Still at the state of unease, his eyes tried to wander around the labyrinth-like yard. 

His journey from the Palace to this remote place was a long one—crossing rivers, even a hill, and dark forests. This manor house's theme, being literally in the middle of the woods doesn't compliment less with its surrounding. It is, however, too grand anyone would feel like they entered a portal that leads to another world — a world of fairies would fit the best. 

After almost a minute of walk, the little girl in front of him took a turn left and as he follows from behind, what was shown before him was truly a wondrous sight he wish he could preserve like a painting at that very moment. A picture of a lovely lady glowing under the direct sunlight would make the best subject no painter could possibly let go of. 

The red waves of hair tucked behind her head was made more vibrant with the warm light of sun wrapping it, and her pale white skin radiates the rays like a bright full moon. Oh, this lady can't be one of those wicked creatures, he thought. Surrounded by tiny fairies, she seemed to look like their Queen as she shower with their fairy dusts. 

"Teacher, a messenger from the King," the girl introduced the man to the lady she calls 'teacher'.

Turning her head towards the two, her pair of deep green orbs first met the man's occupied ones. "I see," she responded in a low and calm tone. The fairies then left as she walks forward to meet the man. 

The messenger felt the same level of panic he had earlier but this time, it was no fright. 

"Mister?"

"Y-Yes! Uhm. . ahem," clearing his throat, he continues, "The King of Londevé, King Wilfred III, is asking you to personally see him at the palace as soon as possible, Lady Lourdemayne. He also had me deliver this letter to you." He reached out his trembling hands to give her a white paper envelope containing the words the King wanted to reach her. 

"Wil . . ." she uttered softly, scanning each words written on the sheet of paper. There was a slight and quick shift of emotion almost got uncaught by the two people present near her but no one dared to at least speak a word. 

The three remained silent for a few seconds until the Lady herself broke it. "You have my gratitude, Mister. I am more than honoured to see him. Anyway, would you like to stay for a while to rest? Your travel must have been troublesome."

The now flustered messenger came to his senses and immediately turned down the offer, then politely asked the permission to leave. 

After assisting the messenger, the girl went back to see her teacher who looks somber sipping her tea, staring at nowhere. 

"Teacher?"

"Ah, yes. My apologies for spacing out. Anyway, tell Mr. Rossi we will be having a little trip."

***

"Looking good today, eh?" It is a young girl, probably a seven-years old. Her small arms does not look so burdened with the heavy wooden tray she's carrying, even placed it atop the bed of a sick-looking man at a height higher than her chest. 

"You think so, my little Anne?" The man, the young girl's father answered with a weak genuine smile. 

An adorable scene it is, from the eyes of a spectator who just came but for the one's who knew them for long, it is something worth a shed of tear. The girl's enthusiasm is just a fake facade. Even at a very young age, she's more than aware of the tragedy her father would end up with sooner or later — a tragedy the two of them share with their predecessors. 

Resting her chin on her father's bedside, the girl spoke, "Is she really coming? It has been like 2 days since you sent your messenger out."

"She does not break promises, little one. Her house is just really far."

"Ooh yes! I read it in a book that witches hide themselves on—"

"Anne," he seriously called, not too loud but sharp enough to serve as a warning. The girl's sudden drop of energy made the King felt the guilt for spoiling the mood for such a shallow reason. No, it mustn't be like this, he thought, he has no such time left to start something he would regret later. But before he could even utter his first word of apology, another presence barged in, and spoke, "Sorry for interrupting your conversation, Your Highness, but Lady Lourdemayne has arrived already."

The arrival was an expected one but the King's face shows otherwise, his pale, ill-looking face fainted even more. 

"Is the council complete yet?"

"We're still waiting for two more, Your Highness."

"Then lead Lady Lourdemayne here before we start."

***

"Uhm. . Ms. Attendant?" the Princess called out of unease. With her bedridden father busy catching-up with his visitor, the little girl was left outside his chamber unable to do anything but wait. 

"Yes, Your Highness?" one of the three maids present answered. 

"Uhm-ah. . how many minutes has it been?" It was a question far from what she has really been wondering about for she knew they will not be able to answer her anyway. 

"More or less twenty, Your Highness." 

Real question aside, she realized her father never had the energy to at least have a decent talk with her for ten minutes since symptoms of his illness affected his physique. Who is this woman, really? Her face gloom with sadness and her chest started to get heavy. But before she could even shed a tear, the dull squeak of the wooden door in front of her made her hastily raise her head. 

And that was the first time the round window of her blue set of orbs met her sharp emerald ones. 

Enchanting..

The woman — a witch not by nature but by kindred— is undoubtedly far from what she had imagined. 

Breaking the gap between their height, the lady kneeled down, matching the level of the little one's face, and with a gentle voice she spoke; "You are. . Princess Antoinette, right?" 

"Y-Yes," she shyly and nervously replied, almost a whisper.

Even with full acknowledgement of the girl's fear, the lady attempted to continue but was then interrupted. "Lady Lourdemayne?" a servant called. 

"Coming," eyes still on her, she continued, "I will see you later, little one." With an elegant flourish of her slender index finger tracing the bridge of her tiny nose without touching it, the innocent princess was left clueless — did not even notice the lady be gone from her sight. 'Was it her magic?' she couldn't help but wonder.