Captivated by Innocence

Prologue. Legend has it...

"My dearest, I know I can not fathom being apart from you like this, but you must trust me as I will do everything in my power to search for you when this is all over. I will go to the ends for you. I just ask you, to not give up hope. For if you do, I will not be able to search for you, and you shall not see me again in this lifetime or the next. Please my darling, please say you will wait for me as I promise I will cross times and all the land to find you." 

During the Roman and Greek Empires, there lived many artists who strived for perfection when it came to their work. Some dabbled in the art of painting, some in sketching, and then there were the artists who took time and effort to make gorgeous statues that you see today in the most prestigious of museums and venues. Every artist has a story for what they craft. A painting can have a thousand words or even a thousand stories. However, there was one statue that was created that was different from all the others. But this statue was not created until the late 1600s. That was around the time when the devastating witch trials occurred. Surely, creating such masterpieces during this time must have been difficult. For a regular artist yes, but not for one particular person. No, this person was indeed special. So special, that he is a mere legend inspired by many artists out there who strive to have the same passion and devotion that he had. 

"Alright, is everyone ready for the beautiful sculptures we have ready for you for today's artisan tour?" Said a tour guide at the Museum of Art & Culture in New York City. 

It was 1975 on a windy autumn's day at the art museum. The statue of a legend had just arrived only a week ago and was now being presented in its own room at the famous museum. Everyone was eager to see the statue in person. There was a red velvet cloth around a figure which was guessed to be the sculpture underneath it. 

"I know you have all been waiting to see the famous Mon Destin attend Violette. It took a lot to get this beauty here. She had come all the way from Europe." The red velvet cloth disappeared from the large and realistic-looking statue. A young woman stood as if she was in a state of panic and desperation. Her face could make anyone who views it yearn for what she's feeling. 

"Her name is Violette. The statue in French means "My Destiny Awaits for Violette." 

Violette, her name was of color but her essence was pure beauty. Her hair was long and she had a face of an angel. Even angels would cry seeing her face of despair and yet one could wonder why the artist would create her to look so sad. Her arm was outstretched as if she was reaching out for something or someone. There was something unusual about this statue. Unlike the other statues where the eyes were white with no detail. Her eyes had every detail imaginable. Down to her iris and pupils. It was so realistic looking it was a bit disturbing. 

"Wow, she's pretty Mommy, but why do you think she looks so sad?" A little girl gazed upon the statue. 

"Indeed my dear, you know there's a legend about this statue. A very sad tale but quite fascinating." 

"What is it? I want to know!"

"Well, legend states that this statue is not an ordinary statue. But that Violette here was turned to stone." 

"What? Really? B-But H-How?"

The woman let out a breathy chuckle from her lips. "From what I remember, the legends state that she was turned to stone by her very own lover. But his reasons were for good intentions." 

Suddenly, the crowd gathered around the woman telling the story to her young child, interested in what she had to say. 

"You see, the lover was a young and handsome sorcerer. But, no one seemed to know that this sorcerer was indeed magic. During the 17th century, anything of the supernatural or anything that was related to magic was deemed bad and evil. Many women during this time were accused of being witches for unfair reasons. Some were witches, but most were wrongly accused. Sadly, they all were put to death. The young sorcerer could not bare what was going on in his village, but he had no power to stop it. Instead, he had to hide his true self away from the village people. Eventually, he had come to the decision to flee before it was too late. However, that all changed when he set his eyes on the young and beautiful Violette. He had pure love for her as she captivated his heart with her beauty with one glance. The two became closer and were lovers in no time. However, the accusations and trials were getting worse. People were starting to assume that Violette also was a witch due to the accusations against her mother and also because women were jealous of her beauty and popularity with some of the village men. Violette was accused of being a witch and was to be sentenced to death. The sorcerer knew he had to do something and wasn't going to stand for his only love to be executed before him. Thus, he made the decision to hide her away. Somewhere where he thought no one would be able to find her. He had turned her to stone and put a spell on her so that she could not be broken no matter how many times she may fall or if someone were to try to inflict harm on her. The sorcerer locked her away to where he believed no one would find her and he vowed that 300 years from when he turned her to stone, he would find her again. After that, the legend states that the sorcerer went into hiding, keeping himself young in hopes to find Violette again. "