Chapter One
4:00 a.m. / August 23
I was reading inside my room about Biology 2e on my laptop and is sitting on a monoblock chair while in front of the study table in the corner of my room and is two meters away from my bed. Better to have some basic knowledge before classes start at 8 o'clock. While reading on my laptop I felt a bit of discomfort, like every move that I make is being watched and led my sight up towards the ceiling.
Well, it's only 4 a.m. so I thought that it's just some random presence of a ghost. Not that I fully believed in supernatural beings but I'm also not removing that possibility. Who knows? Maybe I get to see one, one day?
I resumed reading where I left off and didn't put too much thought to what just occurred.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
{The princess who's sitting on her throne noticed that the man she's observing in the floating magic mirror directly looked towards her. But since it's only for a short amount of time she can't confirm if that man really felt her presence.}
I looked closely at the magical mirror for a couple of seconds because of the reaction that the man gave in the mirror's projection. I turned my left index finger towards the right to change the scene and person being projected by the mirror.
The projection showed a girl and a man, after some time the man starts to shoot towards the girl's head. Here comes another murder case.
NEXT! – I, again turned my left index finger.
The projection next showed a man wearing a black mask inside a convenience store and is stealing but I'm not interested.
NEXT!
Two hours have passed of me changing the projection because there's no interesting thing to see and observe. I ended up observing him again. The guy reading on his laptop.
Although I'm from the 15th century I studied the changes that is happening on this world. I still don't know how to use the other features of other thing like cellphones and laptops though.
Well, I am smart enough to answer simple calls ang text messages, but I lack the knowledge of using this thing they call social media.
But my castle's caretaker, Mang Ronald(50 years old) know how to use those things. Mang Ronald is a kind and good man blessed with three beautiful daughters. I first saw him 20 years ago on the street. It was raining heavily that day and he's pushing his cart after selling coconut juice. I became interested in his way of life because even though it is raining heavily, he's working hard. So, I followed him to observe.
I'm not bothered by the rain because of my //Coating ability. It is an ability that blocks the pouring rain 2 inches before it reaches my body.
When he reached their small-humble house I used my ability to go //Invisible and //Teleported myself inside their home. There I saw his three daughters welcomed him home.
The inside space of the house is quite small and there are rain drops entering their old roof. I was about to leave when I heard their laughter coming from the dining room. I walked slowly towards the dining room and saw what's on their table. Rice, dried fish and soy sauce. I couldn't understand why they can still smile and laugh despite their poor situation.
I, who have an ability that surpasses humans and rich, can't express any emotions.
I explored their house for a while and entered a room. It's cold, raining heavily, strong wind, and a wrathful sky, but this room feels warm. It's like full of warmth from someone you love.
I saw a picture of a very beautiful woman with Mang Ronald lying above an old three-layer drawer, I was about to walk closer towards the picture when I heard some footsteps nearing and after a while Mang Ronald entered the room. He slowly closed the door and his smile started to slowly fade and leave his face.
There I was on the corner, watching and observing as he slowly walks toward the picture. He took it and began to hug it tightly. Together with the stormy afternoon, he cried. A cry of longing for someone which he cannot hug tightly like how he hugged the picture. I can't comprehend why he's crying over a simple picture, maybe it's because of how long I walked this world that I now lacks the capacity to feel and understand the emotions of others.
But there's one thing that I know for certain that time.
That he truly loves the person in that picture. Something inside me was touched because of his actions. I know that it's only a small portion of my long-lost emotions, but I felt something that hurts inside for a short period of time.
So, I decided to give him a job.
The next morning, I knocked on their house's door. The door was opened by his youngest daughter named Anna.
"Good morning little girl. Is your father inside?" I asked with a cold tone even though it's not what I intended to do.
>PAA!
She shouted.
>There's a beautiful girl looking for you!
>Please come in and have a seat. (Aiza)
I entered their home and sat on the chair that they provided for me. When Mang Ronald exited the comfort room, he sat on the chair in front of me to begin our talk.
"Good morning Sir. You can just call me as Miss B or Miss Black."
Its my favorite color so I wanted him to call me that. It's not like I don't have a name, but I only say my name to those who have a special connection with me. I our case, we don't.
"I would like to hire you as a caretaker of my home."
>What did she say? (Rhea)
>I don't know. Something about a caretaker. (Aiza)
>What does that mean? (Rhea)
>Taking care of someone that takes care? (Anna)
The three children whispered at each other while on the corner.
>That's a kind offer Miss Black, but I only know how to sell coconut juice.
"It's won't be a problem. You'll learn eventually. What matters now is whether you'll accept my offer or not.
I will cover all of your expenses: electricity, water, clothing, allowances and daily necessities as long as you're working for me. I am also willing to send you daughters and their tuition fee will be fully covered by me as long as they perform well in their academics with a general average of 80 above. I will also provide them with a school service to ensure their safety traveling back and forth.
Also, your children are free to choose a course that they wanted after they graduated from highschool. I won't mind if it's on a prestigious school and if its tuition fee is expensive. (It's a thank you gift for making me feel something from my long dead heart.)
The house that you'll be taking care of will also be your temporary home until you've gathered enough money to build your own house. Your salary increase will depend on how well you'll perform on your duties for the duration of your work.
I'll give you time to think about my offer."
Confused and speechless, he sat there not knowing what to reply to the things that I've just said. I sensed that there's doubt in his mind. I mean who wouldn't? A complete stranger came looking for him and started to give him a job. Not just a job but also some absurd things in which he cannot repay.
"There's no need for you to worry that much about what I've just said. Every word that I've spoken is real. All you need is work for me."
Before I stood up, I gave the still confused and full of disbelief man a card using my right hand.
"This is the address of my home. I you have come up with a decision to work for me, call the number imprinted at the back of the card."
I handed over a black smart phone.
"Call me using that phone"
I stood up from my seat and said my goodbye. Rhea's the one to see me off from their home and after accompanying me, she closed the door. As soon as she closed the door, I used my //Teleportation ability to return to the palace.
{Rhea opened the door because she forgot to thank the girl and say a proper goodbye but to her surprise the beautiful girl isn't there anymore, nor on the near street. There's no one walking around because of the general community quarantine being implemented because of the continuing threat of the COVID-19 virus so even though the girl is walking away she should be able to still see her. She became confused and just closed the door.}
Mang Ronald called me eventually after two days. The next day after I received the call he(Mang Ronald) go to the address imprinted on the card that I left. He was accompanied by his daughters and as soon as the gate opened, I welcomed their arrival.
I gave them a tour of the whole place which is tiring and boring, but I don't have a choice. I chose to give him a job anyway.
[House Rules]
1. Telling lies is strictly prohibited.
2. No exiting the gate unless accompanied and is permitted to do so.
3. It's not nice to bother people doing important things so anything that is inappropriate during busy days are prohibited.
4. Be alert to your surroundings at all time.
5. NO POOL PARTY or any kind of party if there's no important occasion.
6. Do house chores before playing or using social media.
7. Study well.
8. Having a relationship is not permitted if your school grades and performances are not stable.
(These are the rules I've come up with for now but maybe, just maybe I'll add some more.)
I also showed them the rooms on the second floor with a twist.
Well, my palace appears to be a normal two storey modern house with three bedrooms on the second floor and a parking lot for two cars but it's actually just a disguise and serve as the main entrance to the castle.
The second room on the corner of the left side of the second floor is the real entrance to my home.
[The Lonely Castle.]
Since we're on the same house, there's no point in hiding these things. Besides, curiosity one of the human natures
Of course, like a normal human being they thought that I'm mad until I opened the door and showed them what's behind the closed door. I trusted them to keep it as a secret from the outside world and from other humans.
For 20 years they keep their promise and didn't make anything to shatter my trust in them.
But now, I need to find a new caretaker to replace Mang Ronald. I think it's time for me to look for a candidate to be my husband.
I've never been in a relationship for more than 500 years. It's not like I don't want to. Its just that, they always fail the test that I give them and ended up dying.
Incompetent fools. All they wanted is my body and wealth and it led them to their demise.
I let out a sigh and while continuing in changing the projection in the mirror Mang Ronald knocked on the throne room's door.
>Miss Black. Breakfast is ready.
"Thanks, Mang Ronald."
I stood up from my throne and as I stand up the mirror slowly float towards the right, away from sight.
>Ma'am, for 20 years I told you to just call me Ronald.
"And for 20 years I've told you that I'm used to calling you Mang Ronald. I may be 518 years old but in terms of physical appearance you're older."
Mang is something to address someone who's older than you in Filipino language.
I may not be getting hungry but, who can deny the good smell and taste of food?
"Is Rhea, Anna, and Aiza awake?"
>Yes Miss Black.
He replied in a respectful manner.
For a long time that I'm with Mang Ronald's family, I learned to smile and feel the feeling of belongness despite of my peculiarity from them. They treated me as equal even though they're aging while I stay the same. I didn't hinder them to nor affected how they treat me. It's not because they can use me for being generous but it's because of their way of expressing gratitude. I've witnessed and attended their graduation from elementary and went up the stage with them as a family member.
Aiza is now a licensed nurse in a well-known hospital, Rhea on the other hand is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and is currently resting before taking a board exam and of course Anna. Anna is currently studying Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Science and is on her third year of schooling.
They have many lovers who wished to court them but as long as I don't give my approval it's a no go. I could give my permission to Aiza but since she's dealing with a lot of work, having a boyfriend will only add to her stress.
{When Miss Black and Mang Ronald left the throne room, the floating mirror began to glow, and it showed a projection of the man that Miss Black saw earlier studying Biology 2e on his laptop.
What does this occurrence mean?}
____________________