The Mistletoe

Chapter XIII

The dynamic that arose between me, Laura, and Carmilla was, let's say, quite peculiar, to put it mildly, strange. My main tasks involved running errands here and there, chopping wood, and generally doing minor chores that required physical effort, which was perfect for me, given my superhuman condition.

My initial conversations with Laura happened during the day, specifically in the morning while Carmilla was asleep. Most people found Carmilla's schedule very intriguing—sleeping almost all day and only appearing at dusk. "If they only knew how many young people in the present would behave similarly," I thought. Many times, we'd stay up all night playing video games and take long naps during the day before a gaming session. But it was a valid point; locking oneself away and not emerging until dusk was an unusual habit for them, though not for me.

Laura helped me read some of the Arthurian legends since the English in the book was quite difficult. She often explained to me what she was reading, step by step, much like an English teacher.

We used to sit during my breaks under a tree or in the mansion's garden. It was very difficult for me not to be distracted, but I tried to think of her as some sort of cousin to avoid getting more nervous.

During one of our conversations, she said, "Have you understood the sentence and its meaning in the poem?"

"Umm, I think so. To be honest, I read very little until now," I confessed.

"Oh, I'm sure you worked very hard for your family," she said.

The comment hurt me because it made me realize how lazy I was at home after dropping out of school. Even though I worked part-time carrying materials and doing things, I never really did anything significant unless it was at my father's request, for my personal improvement. When I wasn't playing, I was reading messages and posts on social media. I was truly lazy. In this era, if you didn't read, you worked, and you did so with the sweat of your brow.

"Well, yes, but not enough, I think," I finally replied after a long pause, trying to figure out what to say.

"I'd like to confess something to you since I already feel we're friends," she said seriously. "Tell me, no problem, I'm like a tomb," I said jokingly, covering my mouth.

"It's about my dear friend Carmilla. Well, she is truly a refined lady, and I enjoy my time with her, but I feel she's a bit rude," Laura said, looking ahead, as if processing what she was about to say. "It seems she doesn't want to talk to me about her past or family. She has only vaguely mentioned her family; I really don't know who she is, but somehow she manages to deflect attention using her charming speech," she concluded.

I really needed to get used to this very poetic way of speaking from the upper class in this era. What did my dad call it? Oh yeah, Victorian. I think Laura was expecting some kind of advice on how to handle the situation, but I was the least suitable for those types of situations. First, Laura was the first person my age with whom I could really say I was having a decent human relationship. Second, I had also lied to half the world here about my past or origins.

"Just be honest with her, confront her and tell her, you guys are friends, right?" That's all I could answer.

Laura looked at me with a smile and replied, "You know what? You're absolutely right, my dear Miguel. I'll try to be more direct with her; if we're really going to be friends, honesty is the most important thing."

Once, while I was organizing some things, I passed by several rooms near Laura's room, where she and Carmilla were having some kind of discussion. Basically, Laura was following my advice, and Carmilla muttered something like:

"Dear, I know your heart feels hurt. Don't judge me as cruel: I just follow an unavoidable law that constitutes my strength and my weakness. If your heart is hurt, mine bleeds with yours. In the midst of my great sadness, I live off your exuberant life, and you will die, sweetly, for mine. It's inevitable. And just as I come closer to you, you, in turn, will approach others and learn the ecstasy of cruelty, which is a form of love. Don't try to know anything more about me or my life, but trust with all your love."