Whisper (Book II)

Chapter Seven

The entire village was covered in a heavy layer of snow. It drifted in gargantuan mountains around the houses. Many of the smaller houses, the ones closest to the fields, were snowed in, their inhabitants currently residing in the houses of friends and relatives. The farther north one travelled, the smaller the drifts. As the houses got larger and more elegant the streets got clearer, until one reached the Shelton Manor.

The Shelton family was the wealthiest in the village, Mr. Shelton was a former merchant from the royal village. He'd met Mrs. Shelton in the courts and fallen in love immediately with her elegant air and refined nature. They got married shortly after and moved to the little farming village to escape her controlling father. There, they had two children. Edward was their golden boy, now serving as part of the King's royal guard. They told anybody who would listen as much. However, on this chilled day, it was the younger Shelton child that sat in the manor on the hill, looking over the village thoughtfully.

It was strange, she thought, how light the snow looked as it fell. As soon as it hit the ground it got so heavy. At least, that's what it looked like as the boys of the village cleared the paths before their house. They always came to the door panting and sweating beneath their caps and scarfs. She watched from the top of the stairs as her father counted out money to each for their work. They fascinated her. All of the villagers fascinated her.

"Olivia, dear, how are your studies?"

She turned back to her private tutor. He was an aged man with papery skin and kind eyes and his voice was always low and pleasant. She quite liked him, but that didn't mean that she could focus on the assignments he gave her. "I...I'm sorry, sir, I just got distracted." She murmured shyly.

"Of course. Come here, child."

She obeyed, taking his hands as he indicated. They were frail and wrinkled to the touch, but they were much warmer than she anticipated.

"Your studies are very important, you know that, don't you?"

"Of course, Sir." She said, unable to meet his eyes. She hated when he played the disappointment card.

"But your humanity is so much more important."

She looked up in surprise. "I don't understand."

 "I am not at liberty to suggest breaking any of the rules that your father has lain for you, so all I will say is that I have heard that the Forbidden Forest is quite captivating this time of year."

"Sir, are you implying..."

"I am implying nothing, however, I do believe that I am in need of a nap."

Olivia watched in wonder as the slender man glided to the door and shut it behind him tightly. For a moment she waited in the middle of her bedroom, waiting for him to return, laughingly explaining that it was all just a joke. Just a clever ruse.

Once she was convinced that it was not she allowed herself a grin. She bounded to her armoire and hastily donned her winter cloak, drawing it around her face before moving to her window and throwing it open. The air outside was frigid and she laughed in exultation, watching as her breath clouded before her. The air was like a balm as it coiled down her throat. It was perfection.