Hannah and Charolette quickly became close to Emma. Her bright and cheerful nature lit up the dull ambience of the Orkwood Manor. Philip was a cheerful young boy as a child, but one incident changed his life forever.
12 years ago.....
The twelve year old boy stood watching the lifeless bodies of his parents. He moved towards his mother, her face pale and eyes closed.
"Mamma....Mamma p-please wake up." The little boy shook her lifeless body tears rolling down his cheeks.
"P-pappa, y-you promised to teach me sword fight. Don't leave me pappa" The little boy broke down crying with hiccups. He glanced towards the little girl who was terrified, clutching onto his shirt and the little infant girl in his arms.
" Brother....why aren't mamma and papa waking up-" asked the little girl her knuckles white with grip she held onto her brother terrified at the sight.
Philip gathered up the courage and wiped his tears. He needed to be strong for his young sisters.
"Don't worry Hannah, mamma and papa are tired. They will wake up soon" he lied to his sister.
That was the day the little boy in him died. He was forced to grow up to take up the responsibility of looking after his sisters. Since then he hardly smiled.
Present.....
Emma strolled through the beautiful Orkwood Manor admiring its beauty. Although the Manor looked exquisite it was lifeless. The servants, butlers, guards all of them worked like soulless beings. As much as it would be considered nosy for Emma to intervene, she was determined to bring the Manor back to life.
"LADY HANAAAAHH", called Emma.
Hannah almost dropped the vase she was holding at the sound of the ear piercing shriek. She hurried to Emma.
"What is it, Emma? Are you hurt??? I am so sorry I should not have left you alone! Do you want me to call the mai-"
"No, I am alright"
"Oh, you scared me. What is it by the way?", asked Hannah.
"Why does your house look so lifeless? Back in my village our house used to be filled with commotion and music. Rich people live like the dead", said Emma.
" Well, brother decides what goes on in the Manor. He isn't a fan of noise.", said Hannah.
" Well, your brother is boring", said Emma.
"I- well I guess I agree with you on this one", said Hannah smiling.
That night Emma walked through the Manor and stopped at Philip's personal library. Outside the library, she observed a painting. It was the painting of a beautiful lady who seemed to be in her 30s was seated in a cushioned chair with a heavily built man standing by her side with a hand on her shoulder. They looked like a lovely couple.
"What are you doing here?", a firm but gentle voice startled Emma.
"For Heaven's sake! Why do you always have to startle me like that my Lord."
"Um, forgive me?" Philip apologized, still confused as to why he was apologizing to the lady in HIS personal library for startling her.
" Well, would you mind if I take a look at your library?", asked Emma.
"Sure, um, go ahead", said Philip.
Emma strolled through the library her eyes glistening with sparks as she looked at the collection of books in Philip's library.
"You have an impeccable taste in books my Lord", said Emma.
"Thank you", said Philip nervously rubbing the back of his neck. He never knew how to respond to compliments.
"Would you mind if I borrow a book? Back in the village, there were hardly a few books that were available. I've always found solace in reading. Your library has to be the best place in your manor.", said Emma.
Philip kept a straight face ignoring the rapidly increasing heartbeat in his chest, his heart threatening to burst out. He courted many women but he never felt like this before.
"Your Grace? Are you alright?", asked Emma.
"Y-Yes ,my apoloigies. Sure you can borrow a book", said Philip.
The next morning......
"YOU DID WHAT?", shrieked Hannah.
"Shhh you do not have to be so loud.", said Emma
"YOU WENT INTO BROTHER'S PERSONAL LIBRARY WITHOUT HIS PERMISSION AND CAME BACK ALIVE??"
"You are exaggerating. Your brother cannot be that bad.", said Emma.
"No, you don't realize! Last time a boy went into his library and he was sent away the next day never to return."
"Oh, but he did not seem to mind my presence said Emma", shrugging.
"This is the first time he let someone in his library, something seems off", Hannah thought to herself.
YOU ARE READING
The Royal Entanglement - Not A Fairytale
Historical FictionTied up between Politics and Love. A conflict between Mind and Heart. What will you choose? Book cover credits to owner
