To Love A Monster

Chapter Three

~*~*~About 18 years later....~*~*~

"Ma'am there's a letter for you here." Victor said as he entered their gathering room.

"Thank you Victor, just set it on the table" Victoria spoke softly taking another sip of her tea,

Letting the nice warm liquid soothe her as it travels down her throat. She glanced at the letter and a puzzled look befell her face.

To: Mrs. Victoria Erastis

From: Your old friend Erik Masters

Who?

She hastily opened the letter and began to read it to herself.

Mrs. Erastis

I'm sure the years have made you forget me and I do not hold this against you. Allow me to refresh your memory, it was almost 18 years ago when a stranger came to your doorstep offering aid for you darling baby girl. Do I sound familiar now? At the time you promised me your greatest treasure and I assure you soon I will come to collect. I do hope you forgive my intrusion but my master has grown impatient and wishes to collect payment as quickly as possible. See you soon.

-Sir Erik Masters

Victoria read the letter again, the wording not sitting well with what she read. She began to think of what she would be paying him with and why all of a sudden he needed it now. Still puzzled, she sipped more of her tea until she heard small faint footsteps approach the room. She knew those steps from anywhere, she smiled and glanced up to see her darling Raven standing before her.

"Hello mother, may I join you?" Raven asked sweetly, her melodious voice soft but powerful as it traveled across the room.

Victoria simply nodded and gestured toward the chair across from her. Raven smiled and walked gracefully toward the chair. She wore a light gray dress with black lace around the bodice, a red floral design trailing around her petite waist.

"Thank you, how are you today mother?" As she waited for her mother to answer she poured herself some tea.

Victoria smiled at her lovely daughter and said, "I'm just fine darling, I do hope you're feeling well, are you excited for your birthday celebration tomorrow evening?"

Raven glanced up with a huge smile on her face. "Oh yes! I'm very excited! I cannot believe I shall be 18! A fully matured woman... Mother? Will I feel different tomorrow?"

Victoria pondered her daughter's question before she spoke. "Yes and no my dear, physically you will feel no different, but mentally you will know that with this age comes great responsibility. You will soon find young men trying to gain your interest and you must start thinking of your future."

At this Raven began to feel strange.

Why would I want men to start paying attention to me now? I have no interest in them.

She thought to herself, but simply smiled and took a sip of her tea thinking of the wonderful evening to come her way.

~*~*~The next evening~*~*~

Raven sat at her vanity whilst her personal maid Luna let loose some curls and began putting pins in her hair. Rarely did she wear makeup but today was such an occasion. Her eyes were covered in a light gray, making her eyes look bolder and brighter. Yet, it was her lips that stood out, a bright bold red covered her perfectly sculpted lips, she was not one to be vain but always liked wearing this color to enhance her beauty.

"All done miss." Luna said as she stepped back.

"Oh miss you look so wonderful!" Luna said as she helped her to the full length mirror in the opposite end of the room.

"Oh thank you Luna! But please must I tell you to just call me Raven? You are younger than me by only a few months. I consider you more of a friend than a maid anyway."

Luna smiled as he spoke to Raven "Yes of course, I'm glad you like everything, shall I let your parents know you are ready?"

Raven smiled again and twirled once in the mirror before looking back at her friend,

"Yes, please do so."

Luna left quietly, closing the door. Raven glanced in the mirror and couldn't believe she was a woman now. For such an occasion her father had gone and bought her a dress in her favorite color, red. It was the same shade as her lips with her signature black lace bodice she loved so much, the corset she wore made her appear skinnier than she already was, reminding her of those mannequins she would see at the store. Her simple black shoes complimented her outfit and the lovely silver rose pins glistened in the candle light. She was ready for this party. Just then a knock came at the door.

"Raven, my treasure, are you ready to grace us with your presence or shall you keep us waiting till your next birthday?"

Her father called from the other side, always mocking her, but she loved him very much. She walked towards the door and swiftly opened it, stepping out and closing it behind her. Her father stepped back and looked at his daughter.

"You look just like your mother when I first met her" he said as he began to tear up.

"You look so beautiful my treasure, which is why I have something for you"

James reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box tied with a blue ribbon.

"Happy Birthday my dear." he said, handing her the box.

She smiled and tore off the ribbon, peering inside she saw a single small chain, at the base was a beautiful rosary, a small black cross with red stones all around it. With a single tear rolling down her face she looked at her father, hugged him tightly and said,

"Thank you, I love it! It's beautiful, will you please put it on me?"

Her father took the box and Raven turned around, lifting her hair as her father placed the small cross on her neck. She then let her hair fall and turned to face her father.

"It's truly beautiful on you my dear, shall we go show it off to your guests?"

"Yes, let's go." she said excitedly.

Her father led her down the hall and to the top of the staircase where he cleared his throat and addressed the party-goers.

"Thank you all for coming, it is my greatest pleasure to introduce to you my little treasure, my daughter Raven."

They then began, arm in arm, to descend the staircase. Raven's mind goes crazy with her thoughts.

What if I fall?

Is my dress good enough?

Do I look okay?

What if I embarrass myself or my parents?

What shall I do?...

When they arrived at the base of the stairs her father bowed slightly and walked over to greet her mother, leaving Raven alone and scared out of her mind...