Water Lily | E. Riddle

[02] Guilt

The table was laid out for breakfast and three out of four chairs were filled. They had not yet started to eat for Demelza wasn't there yet. Belvina glanced at the clock knowing that it was getting late.

"Shall I get Mum?" Eridanus spoke up, gaining their attention.

"I'm sure she will be down any moment now," Herbert remarked, gesturing him and Belvina to keep seated. And while both Herbert and Belvina were trying to pretend as if everything was normal, they could not disguise the concern that dripped from their features.

Ever since Nathan Whitburg had paid a visit and revealed the truth about Tom Riddle to the family, Demelza had been extremely disturbed. The revelation had had an adverse effect on both her health and her mental peace for she blamed her own self for becoming an easy bait for Riddle who used her as a tool in his plan to destruct the Burkes.

At last she stepped in the dining room and took her seat beside her mother. Her skin was no longer the lovely rose hued complexion that many girls her age envied her for, instead it had faded into a deathly pale tinge. There were dark rings round her eyes from lack of sleep and her delicate frame had grown even thinner as she barely ate enough.

"Demelza, dear, I have made your favorite dish today," Belvina handed her a plate, persuading her to eat something, "try some of it, I'm sure you will like it."

She nodded, placing a small amount into her plate but sat still as if she could not bring herself to eat. Herbert gestured them to not bother her further for he knew she would eat only when she felt like it and if they tried to persuade her, she would leave the room.

"Did you sleep well last night?" Belvina asked, noticing the fatigue on her features.

"Yes Mother, very well," her reply was devoid of emotion and truth even for it was clearly evident that she had spent the night in anguish.

She took small reluctant bites from her plate and barely managed to finish it. When Belvina asked her to take some more for she had had even a quarter of a proper portion, she refused.

Young Eridanus came to her side, distracting her from her troublesome thoughts, "Mum, can we go to Aunt Ila today?"

Her hand gently stroked the boy's head but her features did not break into the inviting smile like before, instead a haunting sadness gripped her intensely, "do you want to go there?"

"Yes," he nodded enthusiastically, "I miss Luc and Aunt Ila and Uncle Abraxas. Nana says we can go and stay for a week."

Her gaze locked with her mother's, "we can?"

"Of course dear," Belvina nodded, "that way Danny will have company too and Aquila will take good care of you. In fact it was her who had suggested that you two should come over."

She nodded then looking over at Herbert, she spoke, "Father, may I go and stay at Aquila's place?"

"Certainly, you have my permission."

"Thank you," then she bent down gently caressing her son's face, "let us pack our things, Danny."

The boy seemed overjoyed from the decision as he quickly nodded. She stood up from her chair, limbs shaking a little but Eridanus had taken her hand in his own as he led her to the room. Belvina and Herbert watched the two leave, an unmistakable silence gripping them.

"My poor dear Demelza," Belvina sighed at last, her own eyes welling up with tears at her daughter's pitiable condition, "seeing her as such makes me wish that we had somehow stopped Mister Whitburg from telling her the truth."

"What has been done can not be reversed," Herbert remarked and though out of them, he was the one who kept calm and composed, deep down he too was quite worried fr his daughter, "I pray she gets over her sorrow soon. There is nothing we can do for her except to support her and pray for her."

"Indeed," Belvina nodded, her eyes welling up with grief, "my sweet little angel... My darling Demi... How lovely and full of life she used to be once before Tom Riddle stole her heart and set it on fire. Now she is nothing but ashes, my fragile little girl has been reduced to a ghost and all due to that ruthless man. May the Lord hold Riddle accountable for his sins, may he perish in hell for making my children suffer so terribly. Perseus, Renata and my lovely Demi... All in pain because of him. May the fire of hell burn Riddle forever."

Herbert gently placed his hand upon his wife's, "have patience. The time will come soon when that monster will be brought to justice. In the meanwhile pray for the betterment of our child and the rest of us, do not waste your breath upon cursing that demon."

They grew silent as Demi had returned, her hand tightly clasping her son's tiny one while the other held a bag consisting of all the essentials the two would be needing. She stepped forward and Belvina and Herbert left the table to come towards her and bid her farewell.

"Mother, Father... I ask for your blessing before I leave," her voice was a muted whisper as if deep inside those words were piercing her heart, "even though I have caused the utmost of pain to you and I do not deserve to be blessed."

Belvina reached forward and engulfed her in a loving embrace, "oh my sweet beautiful child, pray do not blame yourself so much. Seeing you in such pain harrows my very soul."

"It is not easy for me either. The guilt of my deeds keeps me up at night and ravages my conscience," Demelza held on to her mother tightly as if afraid that she would crumble the second she'd let go of her, "yet I wish I would never again be the cause of any pain to you."

"Then stop blaming yourself," Herbert had placed his hand on her shoulder comfortingly, "you can not change the past but do not endanger the future due to it. Look at us, look at your son, we all need you to be strong and steady. All the horrors that have befell upon you must not weaken you for ahead lies another battle which you must be able to face with courage."

She knew exactly what her father was referring to; that battle was for her to ensure that Eridanus would not follow in his father's footsteps. And she had to gain victory in it or else no power could stop her from being eternally doomed.

"May the Lord bless both of you and keep you safe from all evils."

"Thank you," she bowed her head, "for everything."

"We will always stand by you Demi," Belvina kissed her forehead as she bade her farewell for the fireplace was ready to take the two to Malfoy Manor via Floo Network, "always. Take care of yourself and Danny."

She nodded, "I will. You also take care and keep writing to me frequently."

"Bye Nana, bye Grandpa," Eridanus waved as they stepped into the fireplace and soon afterwards vanished from sight.

Herbert led Belvina back to the living room, knowing that parting from their daughter and grandson had saddened her, "you must stay strong too. For Demi and Eridanus. They need you as much as you need them."

"I know Herbert and I try. But these old bones have borne so much sorrow that I fear I won't have the strength in me lest something happens."

"Hope for the best," he mumbled, "we can only hope for the best. And pray that the guilt lessens from Demi's heart for I can see it is eating her up alive. Pray that she finds her repentance in solace and comes out of this misery."

Belvina nodded solemnly, "Amen."

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