NIGHTS OF HALLOW

Daemon’s carriage stopped at the entrance of the mansion and the five occupants alighted from it.

Daemon turned to look at Serena, Leonard, and Fredrick, he said, ”Serena will follow me while you two will wait for her in the tea room.”

”No,” Came the firm words of Leonard and Fredrick that came out at the same time.

”We will follow Her Ladyship to meet with the king.” Frederick took a step forward as he spoke.

”I believe Your Ladyship has been alive without you two for a long time now, hm? What makes you think she will die now?” Daemon questioned, his eyes squinted in challenge towards Fredrick.

”Still,” Frederick insisted, his green eyes boring into the dark red eyes of Daemon.

Marco stared between the men and wondered why they were glaring at each other. The ride back to the castle had been filled with daggers exchanged by the flares of the angry orbs he feared would scrap him if he opened his mouth.

Before Daemon, Leonard, and Fredrick could continue with their invisible war, the voice of Perdita cut through their fight.

”Marco!” She almost screamed as she walked with hurried steps to where they stood, and behind her was Sthena taking his time to walk towards them.

Not taking notice of others, Perdita dragged Marco to the side and began to examine him, turning him back and forth, and at a point, Marco laughed at her.

”Don’t you dare laugh, Marco.” Perdita scolded with a warning look, but it didn’t stop the smile on Marco’s face.

”I was informed by a maid that you were going out, and before I could come out to stop you, you were gone. Where did you go to? Don’t you know it’s dangerous outside? Huh?” Perdita’s scolding voice filled the place making them the center of attention as everyone stared at them.

”Oh, sis,” Marco got hold of Perdita’s hand which was shaking slightly, ”I went out for a while, and nothing happened to me. You don’t have to worry.” He said and gently rubbed the creased forehead of the frowning Perdita.

”What if something happened to you? You’re still sick, Marco!” Perdita chided still frowning.

”I’m sorry for leaving without informing you myself. I’m back and I’m fine, stop worrying about me. Besides...” Marco smiled, ”You’ve created quite an impression now.”

”What do you mean?” Perdita questioned in confusion.

Marco did not speak, he shifted to the side to let Perdita see the people looking at her display the characteristics of a mother hen.

Perdita’s eyes widened a little when she saw the number of eyes that were staring at them, precisely at her. Two dark red eyes, where the ones that belonged to Sthena were amusingly staring at her, Daemon’s red ones held no emotion.

Then there were the six green eyes that were curiously staring at her as if they wanted to see beyond who she was.

Perdita’s green orbs narrowed on Serena’s face, and then at the two men. It was as if there was something she was trying to decipher from them, but found nothing but the feeling of dread kicking in as she subtly took a step back.

Everyone was busy accessing each other when the deep voice of Sthena broke everyone’s eye contact and reverie.

”Ah,” Sthena sighed, ”Since the little drama is over by our most talented actress, can we now move to what we gathered here for?” This earned him a glare from Perdita.

Serena chuckled, ”Of course. It is not every day we see such affection between siblings.”

When she said siblings, she looked at Marco as if reminding him when he said he didn’t have a sister, and Marco who got the message tightened his hold on Perdita and subtly glared at her.

”That being said,” Sthena began, ”I would like Serena, Marco, and Perdita to join me in the drawing room while Daemon will keep these gentlemen company and will wait for Serena in the tea room.”

Leonard stepped forward and made to protest, but was stopped by Serena who shook her head to a no.

On the other hand, Perdita and Marco were surprised to be included in the sudden meeting. She turned to Marco and mouthed, ”Did anything happen?”

”Nothing that I know of,” Marco shrugged.

”Shall we?” Sthena gestured his hand for them to follow him while Daemon led Leonard and Fredrick to the tea room.

Sthena walked in front, his back looking strong as he exuded the absolute authority he had in the kingdom.

Serena walked a little behind him and Marco and Perdita walked at the back. At a point, Serena deliberately slowed her steps to catch up with Perdita and Marco.

Seeing what she was about to do, Marco immediately switched sides with Perdita and instead stood beside Serena.

Serena smiled at what Marco did. He didn’t know that he had done her a favor by switching sides because he was the one she wanted to talk to.

”You have a beautiful sister,” Serena complimented with a graceful smile. ”And striking green eyes too.”

”Of course, I have a very beautiful sister,” Marco replied and at the same time wondered why she was interested in the green eyes. He had been wondering how the three of them could have those green eyes and they were all looking for siblings who had green eyes too. What was that all about?

”It is very obvious,” Serena vaguely replied. ”I believe that is why you were hiding her from us?”

”What do you mean? She’s not the one you’re looking for.” Marco sharply turned to look at Serena.

”Oh,” Serena’s face appeared surprised. ”I think you misunderstood my words, Marco, it is?”

”Yes. I’m Marco.” Marco replied.

”And your sister?”

Marco seemed hesitant at first before he answered, ”Perdita.”

Serena nodded and went on to speak, ”I think you misunderstood what I meant about your sister, Marco. What I meant was that you were hiding your sister because of her beauty. Elder brothers can be protective sometimes.” She said the last sentence to Perdita with a knowing smile on her face which Perdita didn’t seem polite to return as she was still confused by everything the woman and Marco were discussing.

”She is the elder and not I,” Marco cleared the misunderstanding.

”Oh?” Serena mouthed in surprise.

”Also, it is not wrong to protect my sister from the prying eyes of people that could cause her harm.” Marco countered back, not liking Serena one bit. He had this feeling in his heart that Serena had another motive behind the gentle facade she was displaying for them.

”You are right, Marco.” Serena agreed. ”Family is very dear to everyone. And losing not only one but two, I know the feeling quite well.” Serena’s words sounded sad with a distant look that went quickly as it came.

”You must be so attached to each other.” She said and increased her pace to walk ahead of them, leaving both Perdita and Marco confused.

Perdita stared at Serena’s back and felt a tug in her heart she couldn’t pinpoint what it was. Maybe it was because the woman spoke about losing a family member and she knew what the pain felt like when they lost everyone in their family leaving her and Marco to fend for themselves at such young age.

This was the reason why she always made sure Marco was safe and sound because he was the only family she had. The anchor that kept her moving forward each day. He had greatly worried her when he left the castle without informing her.

Marco gave Perdita’s hand a gentle squeeze and a warm reassuring smile that seemed to speak more than the words they had exchanged.

The walk to the drawing room was a long one, considering how huge the castle was, and when they walked inside the room with Sthena in front, Perdita felt her heart skip a beat and an ominous feeling of dread slowly crept up her bones as she wondered why Sthena called them.

Was it about Marco’s health, or was it about what they originally were before? Perdita questioned herself as they sat down on their respective seats while waiting for the king who had been quiet to start speaking.