The Baron and his Lady

Twenty-three: Èlixir

"Where are we going?"

"Shhh, it's a surprise."

I held unto Lucian's hand as we treaded down a slope. There had been some rocky parts that were too difficult to walk on. I almost slipped several times.

"Almost there..."

We stepped outside the bushes and into a vast area of land. There were fewer trees here but it wasn't hot, in fact the weather was perfect. 

Across the grassland I saw what looked like stone hedges, they were much bigger than the what I saw in Discovery channel but they looked oddly similar.

"What are those Lucian?"

"I called them slates. Come, you have to see them up close."

The rocks stood about eight feet and was wide enough to resemble a buffet table. Upon closer inspection I noticed they were reddish in color, almost as if they had been covered in mud before.

I touched the surface and was surprised how smooth it was, I was expecting a rough edge.

"They look amazing.."

"Yes."

"Why did you call them slates?"

"They're flat in most areas, it provided me a good material to carve my years in here."

I stared wide-eyed and noticed the neat knife carvings on the rock. He wrote them in French.

"You kept a journal on a rock."

"I did. This one here has my memories before I was imprisoned and this one was when I first climbed a tree and fell.."

He continued pointing out to the rocks that specifically contained his years of loneliness.

"And this one right here, was when I first met you.."

I walked closer to the carved area, Lucian had indicated the date and my age. A brief description of how I looked like and what I liked to do, my favourite colour, preferred bed position and even Oggy.

"I wish you'd meet him, he's a sweetheart."

Lucian kissed the top of my head, "I'm sure he is."  

The breeze blew around us, a comfortable silence settled in. 

"Krista?"

"Hmmm?"

"I want to ask you something..."

"Yes?"

"Who is that Tristane to you?"

I took a deep breath first, "He's a friend, I met him the first time I arrived at your manor. He's Letecia's descendant but he isn't like her."

"I learned that when he was forced to open the passage. But the way he looked at you I thought that you and him were..."

I shook my head, "No. We aren't."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"But he feels something for you."

It wasn't a question, I knew he saw us that time. 

"Yes he does. But I do not feel the same for him."

"What about me? Do you feel something for me?"

I let out a soft laugh, "Don't be silly! I gave my innocence to you, that should convince you enough."

He smiled and my world was complete, "I guess I only wanted to hear it from you."

My face turned beet red. I know how I feel about Lucian but why is it so difficult to blurt out the words?

"I...I..."

He suddenly went down to his knees. Hold on, is he?

"Lucian?"

He took my hand, "I love you Krista and I want you to be mine forever." He pulled out the emerald ring he wore on his finger, "I want to exchange vows with you, love."

Tears sprang to my eyes, "Oh Lucian..."

Outside world

Tristane's pov

"Why are you doing this again?"

"I'm still a person Tristane, I can have a change of heart, too."

Emma drove us down back to the manor, we cannot perform the dispelling until tonight. She decided to come back for Patrick.

"Are you going to restore his memories?"

"Yes."

I nodded and sank back into the passenger seat, she refused that I drive. Though I insisted I could very well do it, seeing her hands shake, I gave in. In a span of 24 hours she went from the evil witch stepmother to a changed human being. Anyone would be shaking if they were on her shoes.

I saw the manor after several minutes, daylight bathe the house in glorious sunlight. We emerged from the car and went straight inside the grounds.

"He might still be out, I left him in his room."

"And Louie?"

Emma climbed the stairs and pulled the door open, "Still drunk, I hope."

The inside was dark, when Krista and I arrived we left the lights off and went straight to the study. We found her Dad unconscious then Emma attacked us.

"Give this to him," she handed me a bottle with a suspicious looking liquid inside, "empty it all or he would have a massive headache for days."

"How long until his memory comes back?"

"Not long. Go on. I'll go get us the materials needed." She went off towards the kitchen. Though the house was renovated and furnished from time to time, the structure and original design remained. Emma knew her way around.

I took the bottle with me and searched for Patrick's room. He occupied the second floor guest room, I found Krista's and went to the door next to it.

The door creaked and groaned, I peered inside first to check what awaited me. The room was dark despite the sun shining brightly outside, Patrick had drawn the drapes on the windows. I listened for any unusual noises, he was snoring deeply. Good.

I tiptoed towards his bed, careful not to step into anything. Patrick's head was buried beneath several pillows his right arm sticking out.

There was a lamp on the table, I flicked it on and a soft yellow light bathed the room. Patrick snorted but did not stir. I had to do this now before he wakes up to find a stranger on his bedroom.

I pulled the pillows away and found his face, the man's face looked older than the last I time I saw him. I could see Krista's features on his, a few wrinkles and laugh lines appeared but Patrick Neville still looked handsome.

Emma had found a wonderful man and he clearly cared for her. It was sad to imagine they couldn't be together after all the time they've spent with each other.

Sighing, I popped the cork and gently lifted Patrick's head. His mouth parted slightly allowing me easy access to pour the contents of the bottle. 

As the liquid touched his tongue I saw a whiff of magic evaporated into thin air, I tried to catch a glimpse but it disappeared too soon. Patrick's eyes opened.

Crap!

I quickly hid the bottle and stepped away from the bed, he sat up instantly.

"Who are you?"

"Patrick, relax. It's me, Tristane.."

"Who?" He looked around, "where am I? What am I doing here?"

The elixir isn't working yet, how much memory did Emma erased?

"It's alright, you're in Penthurst Manor. I sold you the house, don't you remember?"

"I have a house in Richmond, why would I buy another one?"

"You uh, it was for your research."

His brows furrowed, "What research? I'm a banker."

"Patrick, try to remember." I pulled out my and gave it to him, "look, see that girl? She's your daughter. She came here with you."

Patrick stared at the photo I took the night prior when Louie invited me for dinner with them.

"I...I have a daughter?"

Bloody hell. He doesn't remember at all. The elixir might be useless after all. I tried again.

"Yes Patrick, her name is Krista. You called her Kristania but she hated it, it reminded her of her mother."

"Her mother... my wife? I was married?" He stared at his fingers, no ring.

"Before, but you divorced her some years ago. She stays with your daughter during weekends. You haven't talked to her except when really needed."

"I don't understand...how can I be married? And have a daughter?" He closed his eyes, frustrated how he couldn't remember.

"Patrick—"

"Stop calling me Patrick," he opened his eyes and met my gaze, "my name is Claus. Claus Riveron."

It was only then I noticed how his manner changed, his way of speaking, the way he ran his hands on his hair and a habit of blinking faster when he was nervous. 

Emma, what have you done?