Happily Ever After

Chapter 18

Fire

Heat

Flames

I stood frozen in shock in front of the manor. The burning inferno spread like a plague throughout the entire property, burning and causing anything and everything in its way to perish in the fire. Flames consumed the entire estate along with everyone and everything with it.

~•~

*Earlier that day*

"Today is the day!" I squealed in excitement. "Oh Mr. Spots, I simply cannot wait! Which dress should I wear? This one or this one?" I held the two pieces of apparel in front of his enclosure. As if he could understand my words, he crawled to the left side of his small home. "This one it is! Thanks for your help, Mr. Spots."

"Nanny Isabelle, I shall wear this one for today. Mr. Spots chose it for me. Do help me put in on, please."

"Of course, Miss (Y/N)."

-○-

Pure joy and excitement rushed through my veins as my family and I made our way to the Trancy manor. I could not help but smile at the thought of being reunited with my lover.

'Finally after two long excruciating years of being separated, we shall be together again.'

I imagined what it would feel like to hold him and to feel his gentle touch against my skin once more. I thought of his smooth, silky voice that never failed to send shivers down my spine whenever he whispers in my ear. 'I'm coming, my love.' I tightly held onto the locket he gave me on my birthday.

The sound of Father coughing pulled me out of my thoughts. I noticed that the air had gotten thicker and it was a bit harder to breathe as we approached the manor.

"(Y/N), (Y/F/N), I suggest that you take a look outside," Mother said.

I took a peek outside the carriage and saw a thick grey cloud surrounding the Trancy manor. My eyes widened in shock. Something was not right.

"Is that smoke?" Father asked.

"It sure seems like it," Mother replied. "I mean, what else could it be?"

"Maybe they are just having a picnic a-and umm... decided to cook the food outside...?" Oh who was I fooling? Of course they were not! The Trancy's would never do such a thing! Nevertheless, I tried to deceive myself and think positively. I did not wish to accept the painful truth that lied ahead.

"M-maybe there are other guests inside the manor a-and they are burning more wood than usual t-to keep everyone warm?" Most likely not! It was the beginning of summer. It was already fairly warm, and no one in the right mind would waste wood trying to 'keep warm' in this weather.

"No, something is certainly off," Father said. "Mr. Robinson, please hurry up and take us to the Trancy Manor as fast as possible."

"Yes, my lord."

~•~

*Back to present*

There I stood before the burning manor. 'Alois. Alois is in there. Luka, Uncle George, Auntie Margaret - they are all in there.' My body moved on its own accord. I sprinted towards the burning manor in a futile attempt to save them, to save him.

"No, (Y/N)! It is far too dangerous!" Father hindered me from taking a step closer and potentially causing my own demise.

"B-but Alois! H-how about Auntie Margaret, Luka, a-and Uncle George!" I tried my best to hold back my tears, but they eventually came cascading down my face like a waterfall.

"I must *sniff* save them, Father! They are all *hiccup* going to die! Please, *sniff* please let me go and *hiccup* save them!"

A hard slap suddenly met my left cheek. "(Y/N) (Y/L/N)! Get a hold of yourself, young lady!" Mother said in a stern tone. "Look, I know how hard it is especially for you to accept the whole situation, but this is the reality of life, (Y/N). Everything comes to an end at some point - this is the sad truth," Mother said in a softer tone.

"Believe me, your mother and I would rescue them if we could, but I am sorry to say that it is far too late to do anything."

"The fire has spread throughout the whole manor. There is no way in and no way out."

"So *sniff* you are t-telling me that they *hiccup* a-are all... dead?"

"I'm sorry, my dear."

"We know that you want to protect the people you love, to save them and keep them away from harm."

"But (Y/N), never forget that we are just humans. We are not supernatural beings nor magical beings. We do not possess the power to do everything we please nor hinder death when it comes knocking at one's door."

"So they really are gone," I said. 'He really is gone.' My heart ached, knowing that I could never see him again. I cried into my hands as I bawled my eyes out. My knees gave up on me, causing me to kneel on the ground, grieving for the ones we lost due to the painful tragedy.

~•~

Hi my lovely readers! It's me again. Any thoughts or feedback? Let me know in the comments. Votes are also appreciated. ❤