The Eclipse Moons Grimoire: Lilith's Soft Whispers

Codex 0: Sequentia II: Fragmentum IV: Manipulation Mishap

After the incident with Isabella, due to her lack of experience in the kitchen, she nearly started a fire. When the neighbors rushed over, they saw Isabella and her family covered in black soot, and the house in chaos.

This incident quickly became the talk of the village, eliciting laughter from everyone. Many were baffled by how such chaos could arise from simple kitchen work. However, there were exceptions, namely the neighbors residing next to Isabella's house. They were frightened at the prospect of Isabella inadvertently starting a fire that could potentially burn down the entire village. Being the first ones in line for potential harm, they were eager to take precautionary measures.

In order to save their own skin, they approached Sera, requesting permission to teach Isabella household chores. Sera acquiesced, but stipulated that they refrain from providing cooked meals.

After rigorous and patient teaching and practice along with Reynard's and Julian's unwavering assistance in handling laundry and household duties, Isabella's family finally had a barely edible meal after a month. Meanwhile, Reynard, Julian and Isabella had become lean and destitute due to lack of adequate food and clean clothing.

Raven's Crest buzzed with laughter and gossip about Isabella's family situation. However, as time passed, people's curiosity gradually waned, returning the village to its mundane routine.

****

In the castle's tranquil courtyard, leaves carried a gentle breeze, Tia gazed at the sky as his mind drifted through a myriad of thoughts.

'A year had passed since Baron Rolland and his family's visit to Raven's Crest. Life in the village continued as usual, marked by significant changes.

'To start, numerous children from noble and merchant families began proposing marriage to Sera. Some suggested an engagement between their children and Vina. Naturally, these would be engagements for the future, with the actual marriage ceremony to follow later on. There were even requests for my hand in marriage, and some audaciously proposed marrying both Vina and me. Well fuck off.

'I was utterly dismayed when I heard about this. Some of them seemed like pigs in human form. To begin with, the idea of marrying another man was utterly inconceivable to me—I simply don't swing that way. Furthermore, the notion of having a stepfather or a brother-in-law didn't sit well with me. Their blatant desire for the title of Baron can't be any more obvious.

'Thankfully, Mother rejected all of them. Some individuals even resorted to threats. However, Sera remained steadfast, and they didn't push too far, likely because they knew mother had the support of Countess Ravenna.

'Julian and his family fell silent. Julian ceased his bullying behavior, and Isabella rarely ventured out of their house. Yet, their disdain for others remained evident on their faces. While people were initially amused, they soon lost interest and paid them no further attention.

'The most significant change, which directly concerns me, is Vina.

'Ever since aunt Eleanor pulled her stunt of punishing doggy Rolly, Vina began to change gradually. She used to be a bundle of bright laughter, laughing from the depths of her heart. Her infectious smile could light up any room. However, at some point, she stopped laughing altogether. In front of Mother and me, she even ceased to smile.

'She no longer shares what's on her mind with us. She used to be very clingy to both Mother and me. But now she distances herself from us mentally. She only smiles when we're with our friends, but otherwise, she seems lost in her own thoughts.

'I feel a deep sense of bitterness whenever I see her like this.

'Though, Mother doesn't seem concerned about Vina at all. Whenever I express my worries to her, she brushes it off, saying that Vina just needs some time for herself and asks me to give her space. But with each passing day, I can't shake the feeling that she's only getting worse.