Garden of Withered Roses || ON HIATUS

Even in Spring, A Rose Wilts

Cold. It was colder than it had ever been before. Penelope was suddenly so aware of her surroundings that it was uncanny. She had died again, hadn't she? 78. Seventy-eight time loops. She went through almost eighty lifetimes and not once did she receive love. She was happy that she didn't have to survive through her hellish life again, but she never succeeded. All of these lifetimes were wasted and yet she had never once defeated The Leila. Though she would never admit it, she would like another life. A life in which she could experience happiness. Of course she knew this is was a stupid wish, if she didnt go back in time again that means her soul finally gave up.

Suddenly, there was warmth. "There's another presence". She thought. She tried to look around but remembered she was but a spirit. To her surprise however, she could see. "I can see.. But.. I'm a soul? H-How could this be possible..?" fear crept up Penelope's insides. Is this The Leila's work? Is she stuck as a soul bound to witness everything but unable to do anything?

"Dad!" An energetic voice from a distance shouted.

Penelope whirled around to take in her surroundings. It was a bedchamber, extravagantly decorated with its floral wallpaper and gold accents. It was quite obviously a noble's bedroom. She nearly jumped a mile when she saw a little girl with pink hair looking sadly out her window.

"You can't! If you approach him like that father will get angry..!"

Penelope blinked. She could hear her thoughts. She could hear the little girl's thoughts. She glanced outside the window. A small blonde haired girl about the same age as the one beside her was running towards a man with bright red hair.

"What if Gabrielle's feelings get hurt..." The girl thought.

Penelope admits that it was considerate of her to think about her sister's feelings. Although, why was she afraid of her sister's feelings getting hurt? Isn't he their father?

"Daddy!" Gabrielle, was it?, said, hugging the man tightly.

"It's dangerous, Gabrielle!" The man responded with a laugh. A small red-haired boy and an older woman joined them, they laughed together as they took a stroll through the garden.

"How sweet" Penelope bitterly thought, she stared at the people outside the window, they seemed as though they were taken straight out of a portrait.

She spared a glance at the little girl who was now standing right beside her, shock was written all over her face. Why? Penelope didn't know.

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Penelope found herself oddly attached to the pink-haired girl. Which was quite ironic since she didn't even know her name. She watched as she continued with her daily activities, although she noticed that the look of shock she had witnessed this morning never went away.

Penelope was brought back to her senses when she noticed that pinkie (she opted to call her that until she managed to get her name) was on the move. She followed her through the halls, it looked as though she was headed for the dinning hall.

Huh. Since she was a soul, could she eat? It was stupid, she knew. But usually nobles' food was absolutely scrumptious. She never got a taste of that lifestyle, after all, the maids and workers in the Eckart Estate hated her.

"Father I.." Pinkie said. Penelope noted that her voice had a slight tremble to it.

The man slapped her hand away. Penelope clenched her fist. She felt protective of the little girl although she had only known her for a few hours. That damned man!

"F-father..?"

"How dare you!" The man spat, his tone was harsh, much unlike the tone he had used when he spoke to Gabrielle.

"How dare you touch me!"

Penelope stood there unable to do anything as she watched the girl tremble. She felt her heart sink. This was why. This was why Penelope felt a strange connection to the girl. She was like her. Or they were like each other.

She looked around and saw a magnificent tapestry. "Inoaden of Spring"