In Another Life- Chapter 5

It’s been days since her preparation and today’s the day she’ll seek her revenge and attempt to reunite with Marzen. Currently Lissana is sitting down with her mother at their family home's garden. Her younger brother and sister who had not yet debuted into society were playing around. Guards and maids kept an eye on them as they chased after butterflies and rabbits.

“Dear, are you doing alright?” Her mother asked.

“I am fine, mother. Just…I wanted to share a cup of tea with you.”

Her mother smiled.

“Always so thoughtful dear.”

Lissana glanced at her siblings. They were young. She was so unsure that…if she left would they even remember her?

“I know what you’re thinking.” Her mother said.

Lissana’s heart began to pound. She took a slow sip of tea, a faint smile on her lips.

“Do you now?”

“You’d like to see him again. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Mother, it’s fine.”

“It is not. I was the same way after all.”

Lissana blinked.

“Pardon?”

“How else did you expect for you and your siblings to be alive? I sought out a prince. I went through the spell book and I woke up all alone in this era. With no one to rely on but myself.”

“Wait mother, time? Prince?”

“It is a very long story. My point is I support you. Your father may have passed two years ago but that doesn’t mean I don’t still yearn for him.”

“You stayed for your children.”

“To which you do not currently have. So, go. I will be fine and perhaps you can find your way back to me.”

Lissana looked down at her tea cup. Her reflection showed her glossy eyes and her mother smoothing down her hair.

“I will always support you, dear.”

“Thank you, mother.”

***

At Lady Penny’s manor she looked over her crystal ball in her quiet room. No windows, guards at the door. She watched the man in the hooded cloak go through the alleyways of a district. It looks like he went through a wall. From there she had no access to him.

Lady Penny pulled back from her crystal ball, rubbing her mildly throbbing head.

“Here.” Her guard Vince said. He held out a glass of water for her.

Lady Penny wrapped her hands around the cold glass, her fingers brushing against his.

“Thank you.” She said, he looked away clearing his throat. His ears slightly turned red.

Lady Penny looked down. By now she has understood the manners of this mysterious man but his identity is well concealed.

“From the list of nobles there is no man who went missing during last night's ball.”

“He could have slipped out. A moment is enough to do what he needs to do.”

“Or…he could be an illegitimate child. They do not come balls or any events. They are raised in secret and often outcasted in their own household.”

“I can find out which families have an illegitimate child.”

Lady Penny looked through her notes. She chewed on her lower lip before pausing on a specific page. She had underlined fate a numerous times.

“They have a belief. That what is meant for them will come.”

Vince tapped on the hilt of his sword.

“The Synx’s?”

“They are very secretive. They also are close with the royal family but only in formality. In reality they despise each other.”

“I will head over tonight.”

Lady Penny stood up. Holding the empty glass in her palm. She gently pushed it into his chest, and this time his hands brushed against hers first.

“No. We will go together.”

***

When night had arrived Lady Penny and Vince snuck into the House of Synx. They wore the uniforms of a maid and butler. As they venture through the halls, Lady Penny notices a room. The door was slightly creaked open, a man had sat with his head low.

“Do you really think my father would appoint you as heir because his only son died?” A woman said.

The man stayed still. Silent. A fist clenched beside his thigh.

“It does not matter whether it has been one or three years. I will become the duchess of Synx.”

She took a teapot from a maid standing beside her and poured the rest of her tea over his head.

“Trash.” She scoffs before turning to the door.

Vince had pulled his lady to the room next over. The woman and her servants leave the room. The man inside let a quiet, almost muffled scream. Thunks that could be assumed as a fist hitting the marbled ground.

“I will destroy you.” He snarled, his footsteps loud as it approached the room they were in. This time Lady Penny pulled Vince. They hid in a large closet. The door’s finely shut, with enough space to peek. The man came in, ruffling his hair. The room was fairly empty. Cold and clean. He lifted a small mirror and began to chant.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome.”

A voice echoed from the mirror.

“Calling me again? I think you’re too eager to see me.”

The voice was haunting. Gave Lady Penny the goosebumps.

“How is everything? Are you able to ascend?”

“I will be when you summon me. For every drop of that delicious blood I can provide you with what you desire.”

“Do you need more? I am not sure if I can get near the crowned prince.”

“It’s fine. That last one you gave me was more than enough. His blood was quite strong…”

“What’s wrong?”

“I feel a bit odd. As if I tasted something forbidden to me.”

“Are you sick? You’re a spirit. You said that you cannot feel.”

“I cannot. Magic is something I do not mix well. Those with the blood of a witch.”

“Are you saying he had witch blood inside him? That’s impossible. Royals cannot mix with it, that’s why they are in a constant state of fear of being overthrown.”

“Impossible? No. It is rare, that is all. I will have to cleanse myself. You claim the father is alive, correct? If his father is a duke, according to you humans he is a royal.”

“Therefore he is not the one that is a witch.”

“I will get him for you.” The man said.

“Until next time.” The spirit cackled.

The man sighed. He turned towards the closet, running his hand over his face looking at the ground.

“Suppose I’ll have to get my hands dirty.” He whispered.

Lady Penny felt Vince move closer, and it made her jump. The closet jolted a bit from her startled. Vince quickly covered his mouth.

The man took a few steps closer before someone knocked on the door.

“Sir?” A voice called out.

The man looked towards the door, then back at the closet. He left without a word, the door quietly snapped shut. When the voices trailed down the hall, that’s when Vince let go of Lady Penny’s mouth.

She lets out short deep breaths before looking at him. He simply brushed some hair out of her face. Taking the time to smooth down her baby hairs.

“Let’s go, my lady?”

She looks away while fluttering her lashes.

“Let’s.”