The Black Rose

Chapter 1

                                                                         1847, London

                             "Which is the loveliest in a rose? 

                                           Its coy beauty when its budding or its splendour when it blooms?

                  "I dare say its splendour when it bloom", she said.

                   There she was out in the fall morning drinking tea in the gazebos, delighting the fresh cold air  and the warmth of the sun which dared to peek at intervals from behind the clouds.

                   A young woman with magnificent flowing blonde hair and mesmerizing pale aqua eyes sweetly sings her poem. She gently picks up the still rose, careful as to not prick her fingers with its thorns for it has yet to be tended to. She stands and her divine white dress seems to flow around her. The beautiful maiden admires the grandeur of the rose.

                          Claire Annabella Sera is the beauty of her family. Greatly resembling her late mother, Lavinia Sera; with her pale complexion, heart-shaped face, and sweet rosy smile, she continued to be admired by many fine men yet she would turn them down saying she is too young to have relationships and would not have thought to do so.

                           "Claire!" the young maiden turns to see a little girl running down to join her. She welcomes the child with a bright smile.

                                 "Good morning, little sister." the maiden said.

                                 "Good morning to you too. Is it not a beautiful day?" the girl asked.

                                 "It is indeed. Just look at our roses blooming so nicely." the maiden proudly said as she pointed to the bushes nearby.

                                  "Roses have always been your favorite." commented the girl.

                                  "Of course. It would be a shame to miss them in our garden." the maiden said.

                           Emily Sera or simply just Lily was the last daughter of Lavinia before she past away. Being ten years younger, Lily has treated Claire like her mother though she knows of the truth. Due to Lavinia having sickness during child bearing, Lily had acquired an unusual white hair; nevertheless she is as pretty as her mother.

                  Emily takes a seat as well beside her sister. he younger girl turns to Claire and asks,'Would you dress my hair?". The maiden smiles and takes her sister's hair. all the while Emily hums a melody. Claire pitied the child. She grew up without her mother and her unconcerened father. So Claire took all the responsibilities that was undone by their father and raised her sister together with her step-brother.

                                     "What was he like?" the young girl suddenly asked.

                                     "Who, my darling?" Claire said.

                                     "The Duke of Lancaster, our father." the girl said.

                            Claire, suprised, didn't say a word. After a while, she spoke voice laced with sincerity.

                                  "The Duke of Lancaster was a great man. But he lost sight of the biggest picture in life ever since our mother died." she said, hint of sadness in her tone.