6 Years

Chapter 1

The dawn chorus is the herald of spring. It starts with a lonely, serenading minstrel, usually a blackbird. He is clear and melodious, as fresh and sweet as the gardens he will later raid. In the neighbouring tree, his future ex-wife trumpets a fluty duet. Her saucy fanfare dares others to match their salsa song of the canopy. The competition rouses from their slumber, opening their beaks to the heavens. The avian aria slowly becomes a fugue, bouncing through bough and bower. The lilting majesty of their song cascades into open spaces, through glassy windows, and onto the smiling lips of the dreamers within. Spring is here.

Roseanne's POV

I wonder if I will get to beat Mycroft in chess today, I thought to myself, scanning around to see young middle class children playing on the cobblestones.It was not often to manage to get a break from Morland and Mycroft's gruelling lessons on being a spy for the MI5 and MI7 because I have to be a much better spy than my sister Daphne or the rook, which was her code name.Oh, how I envy Sherlock for skipping classes! I was just about to enter the library when suddenly......

"DON'T YOU HAVE EYES, BRAT?!" A noblewoman yelled.

"I'm very sorry my lady......" Sobbed a little girl who was apologising profusely to the noblewoman who narrowed her eyes in disgust.

"MY DRESS IS REALLY EXPENSIVE! HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSE TO PAY FOR IT?!" The noblewoman continued to yell at the little girl hysterically which caused a commotion.I frowned and casted a glance at the noblewoman's family crest- Wolfe.I recalled that Countess Annabelle Wolfe was known for her bad temper and her dislikes for the underclasses and middle classes.That means that nasty noblewoman must be her.So how should I help Count Wolfe to "educate "his wife?

"It seems that a little girl had spilled her drink on Annabelle Wolfe's dress," I mumbled to myself.

Out of the blue, Countess Wolfe raised her hand, one tight slap from her landed on the little girl's cheek! The little girl's cheek swelled red at that instant before started crying louder.And just as Countess Wolfe was going to give her another slap, I dashed towards her and grabbed her wrist tightly.Everyone was stunned until Countess Wolfe's temper sparked.

"How dare you commoner brat !"She exploded.

"My, my.I did not know that Countess Wolfe love slapping so much, it seems that Count Wolfe has not been educating his wife well." I laughed sarcastically at her who was glaring daggers at me as her face reddened in embarrassment.

"I guessed I should tell my father that Count Wolfe should have sit at home to educate his wife than sitting in the house of lords? Or should I tell him to inform her majesty that the Wolfes are embezzling the orphanages 's finances?"I whispered to her in a matter-of- fact way.

She stood rooted to the ground, mouth agape as she stammered in shock, "You... you are from... the Holmes... family...!"

I grinned.She finally gets it.

Taking that chance, I grabbed the little girl(who was still crying) 's hand and ran as fast as our legs could carry us away from that nasty woman and from the crowd."Remember, Countess Annabelle Wolfe! That your husband's position will be in danger tomorrow!"I shouted at the top of my lungs as we ran through the crowd.

Roseanne laughed while running towards a cafe.Totally unaware that twelve years old William James Moriarty was studying her from head to toe.His red eyes lit up with interest as he murmured, " Interesting... using her own family power to help a commoner... it will be nice to see her again."

Albert, who had also witnessed the whole scene, chuckled at William.

"Should I do some research on her, Will?It is a first time you have taken interest in a girl ."

"I remember hearing that she is the only daughter of Secretary Morland Holmes.Due to her weak health, she does not attend social gatherings often.I think Enola Holmes is her name."

Albert gave him a puzzled look.

"Weak health?She looked and sounded perfectly healthy in my opinion.Especially in the way she ran.It seems to me that she can run very fast." He stated while William crossed his arms over his chest.

" She is a really mysterious person," he told Albert before he continued

"But our missions come first.There are a lot of devils we need to clear."

Albert nodded his head in agreement.

"And please don't push yourself too hard, Will.Or else Louis and I will be worried."

William was a bit taken back but gave Albert a reassuring smile, "Don't worry brother Albert.I can handle it."

At the library, Roseanne was reading a book written by Shakespeare after sending the little girl home.She was so immersed with the book that she did not notice that a boy was standing behind her.

"Do you enjoy reading Shakespeare?" He asked curiously which made Roseanne flinch in surprise due to his sudden presence. She gasped before she answered,"Yes. Though I don't really read it often."

William smiled warmly at her.

"I enjoy his works too.I find his Macbeth an interesting read."

Roseanne examined the boy closely. He is a very handsome boy who was about the same age as her but a bit taller.He has light blonde hair with scarlet eyes and a face singularly acute and intelligent which reminded her of Mycroft when he plays chess.

"I am wondering why a boy from the nobility like you would come to a humble library like here?"She asked, putting the book back to its respective shelf. The boy gave her a half shrug.

"Then why would a daughter from the Holmes family come here, if you could have gone to Bodleian Library instead?"

"There are too many people there knows my father and they disrupt my peace.And how did you know that I'm from the Holmes family?" Roseanne began to give him a fake smile as he explained, " I heard your whispers between that noblewoman and you."

Roseanne gave him a "oh" before leaving the library but the boy still followed her.

"How about let's us be friends?" He suggested unexpectedly, much to her surprise.

"Why?"

"You also hate those corrupted nobility don't you? I also hate them, so we have a lot in common." 

He brought out his hand.

Roseanne raised a brow, contemplating whether or not to accept it.Well it did not seems to be much of a problem so why not? Since she has no friends other than that troublesome Sherlock,  it might be a good thing to make a friend.

Coming into conclusion, she took his hand and shook it, "Enola Roseanne Holmes.A pleasure to be your friend, Mr?"

"Moriarty.My name is William James Moriarty but you can call me Will or William.And please to be your friend."

"Then you can call me Rose, Will."

"Yes, Rose..." He said, thinking about how the name suits her really well, for she was as beautiful as a rose.But a rose also has thorns.

Enola/Rose