Chapter 33:Haunted Memories

One two three, One, two, three. Counting to three and I know I said this before but it still echoes in my mind a lot. Especially right now at this moment. I have found a letter from Rene' and I was giving a clue that I might actually know how to solve but, if I ever get caught looking for her…

I'll never attend a ball again or be able to see the outside world. I would be trapped. So I had to do this carefully or else it was all over. I paced around worriedly, wondering what my next step was going to be and just looking in this room brought back melancholy and determination. So many memories were made here. So much time that I cherished..

It's like I can still almost feel her presence in the room sometimes. Her warm smile lighting up the room and her kind heart that spread all through the mansion. She was a light that this manor needed, a kind soul that we didn't deserve-she was-!

A familiar memory echoed in my mind and it was almost like I was there again on that day. The day where she made my first Lavender Dress. It was such a pretty color, with a white collar at the top of it matched with a bow at the bottom. She would sew delicate prints like little ducks and clouds into the ends of the clothing, smiling at me with her messy curled hair.

Even though it was hard work she didn't mind and she would enjoy my company, sweetly saying things like, "Do you like this one Honey Dumpling?" "How's this? Do you want the Ducklings or Horses?" "How was your day so far? Did you enjoy Piano and Dance today?" "How about later I sneak into the kitchen and make you mah famous Honey Roasted Turkey? So tender and juicy, but don't eat to much though or you just might sleep the days away."

Her laughter echoed in my mind with the familiar tone of this room. She was always forgiving of people, she always knew how to hide her pain so I wouldn't see. She would smile for me even when she was hurting because she loved me and I was like a sister to her almost-! "Like a Daughter." I said aloud as a tear prickled down my face and I quickly wiped it returning to my senses.

I put the letter back in the envelope and carefully resealed it with the lick of my tongue. Together with another sigh I exited the room and entered the dim hallway relived to see no faces. I closed the door behind me, quickly tiptoeing back into the ballroom and just in time too. It seems this "Gathering" was about to end due to the early clean up of maids and butlers.

I turn my head around looking at all the unfamiliar faces and I walked graciously through most of them stopping when I meet face to face with-! "Oh, Charles there you are!" His face goes into a light flush seeing me and he smiled lightly, "Lady. Victoria were you looking for me? My apologies I was also looking for you as well, but I did a terrible job at finding you." I return the smile back and laugh heartily at him as I shake my head, "Oh no big deal that was partially my fault. I got away for a bit to take a breather and then I came back to the returning party."

Charles's face and eased and he put a hand on his chest asking, " Oh mon cher(Oh dear me) really? And it isn't your fault Lady.Victoria just so you know and I hope you are okay. I wish I was there for you. I just had to call my parents to tell them the good-!" I put a hand on my face and he stopped in the middle of his sentence with a brow raise, "Oh you are okay aren't you?" I nodded and he took a sigh of relief, "My thank heavens I'm so glad you are, if you need anything I'm here now I promise."

I felt warmth from those words of Charles' and I was glad I had a friend who cared. A friend that was worth the trouble that I would soon get into.