The Sister's Return

"Madam, let me make this clear, for this house -no, castle! the king regent himself is offering unimaginable sums of money! You'd live in comfort for the rest of your days! I assure you, you'll never have an offer like this again," a short, stocky man yelled. He was young with brown hair and dark eyes though his face was marred with anger.

The lean, old woman remained unaffected by the sudden burst. She replied in a cold, calm tone, "Tell the king he is no different and will receive the same treatment. Others have tried only to fail, what makes him think he will prevail?" She leaned closer to the man, their noses almost touched, "Only the owner's seed will receive the deed." With that, she stepped away from the prince's latest negotiator and left the room, "If you want to live then leave. At night the woods get dark, tark." The man growled at the insult but did not say another word simply packing his bags and leaving.

Upon the sound of the door's click, she sagged. Her stance that had been proud and confident bowed to an invisible weight. Yet, she did not seek the help of a wall to stay upright nor did she hold the handles as she moved up the stairs. The hallway before her was dark and grim, promising nightmares for anyone who entered. It did not disturb her. She had been the house-keeper for years upon years, there was nothing that her own creation could throw at her.

"Joshua, you'd have been disappointed," she muttered, "at the king's appointed. It's ridiculous! He throws large amounts of coin as if the king would be so frivolous." She stopped suddenly, surprising even herself. Looking up, the towering portrait of a stern-faced man with dark eyes glared down at her. She ignored the picture, taking a few steps forward, and placed her hand on a doorknob.

It was, at that moment, the doorbell rang. "Leave, is what I told that fellow," she grumbled, "if that's him...I'll paint his tailcoat yellow!" Making her way back down the stairs and to the front door. She threw the door wide open, ready to yell.

"Miss?"

It wasn't the stocky man from before, no. It was a young child, a boy with brown eyes opened wide and an innocent smile on his face, "Miss, why are you in my house?"

She growled, "This is not your house so runoff, you little mouse." The little boy only laughed, and walked past the madam, making his way into the house. Without a look back, he strode through the halls. His eyes lazily looked to the walls as if checking over a possession. Needless to say, the old woman closed the door and rushed to stop him from going any further, "Now who do you think you are to waltz into this house instead of eyeing it from afar? This is my home, I am its creator! So leave you unknown buyer."

The black-haired boy only rolled his eyes, "I said this is my home, so if you'll please excuse me. I will go and claim a room for myself." A thoughtful look passed his features, "Oh, you're that house-keeper that won't let anyone go in aren't you. Well," a sly smile formed, "I can prove that this is my home."

The old lady scoffed. She should've told the child to run off or leave or kick him out. . .but anyone was allowed to prove that they were the owners' child even if that was impossible. An arrogant smirk replaced her scowl, "Go ahead, I will listen and consider us a temporary coalition." He nodded but didn't say anything instead walking deeper into the house, his strides certain and sure. She narrowed her eyes but did not question it.

In silence, they walked through the house, and not once did the little boy ask for directions, not once did he falter. The old lady began to worry, questions circling her head. How had this boy, certainly not old enough to be one of the workers here at the house's building known his way around? There were only three people who knew the house that well, two of which were dead. She stole a glance at the little boy. Was it possible that Joshua had had another affair? Joshua and this little boy shared the same beautiful brown eyes. . .but the similarities stopped there. She shook her head. No, that was impossible. Brown eyes were ridiculously common and Joshua -no, all of them had learned their respective lessons after the curse. Joshua was a smart man, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice especially one of such magnitude.