Illusion and Reality

An attack

A few days passed after that astonishing ball and some things had changed, Astrid had been spending more time either locked inside her room or collecting the rare ingredients. The only addition was Lily, she would accompany Astrid on her visits to collect special herbs.

Lucius would go to do some work immediately after breakfast and come back at night, which meant I would end up being alone in that house. 

I would read a book or sit in the garden or take a nap most of the time.  

With a yawn, I closed the book in my hands and threw it on the bed. I went near the window of my bedroom, looking around I thought about a particular neighbor. I was bored and had nothing to do, I was more than ready to leave the house but a particular thought wasn’t leaving my head what if it’s dangerous and she figured out everything?

Putting the thought aside, I convinced myself not to spend another day inside the four walls. 

I wrote a note Going out to see Valeria, will be back soon, I left the note on the table in the living room and made my way towards her house.

Within two minutes I was standing in front of a bright blue house with yellow borders around the window. It wasn’t large like Lucius and Astrid’s home but it had a homely vibe to it. I looked around to search for a doorbell for something but remembered they protected their homes with enchanted writings and spells. After not finding a way to call Valeria, I was about to turn around when I heard a loud thin voice, “Samara? Why are you standing outside, come inside.”

Valeria waved from a window, with a smile I waited for her to open the door, the door finally swung open and I was met by a bone-crushing hug, “I am happy to see you here.”

I giggled in response when we finally let go, “I am happy to see you too, Valeria.”

Without the mask, the small freckles on her nose were visible, which made her look more beautiful, her hair was tied in a messy bun and she had some paint on her hands, “You paint?”

Her cheeks turned slightly pink as she tried to hide her hands, “It is merely a hobby, I live alone so this helps me from not losing my mind and chase cats.”

The inside of her house was bright and full of life. It wasn’t organized in symmetry and perfect angles like Astrid liked to do, but it was organized in an artistic way. Miniature decorative things were placed here and there, “You have a beautiful home,” I looked in awe at the tiny cactus next to some other succulents.

“I love these things, they make me feel like a giant,” she laughed, “give me a minute I should wash my hands.”

The miniature lavender plant was giving a fresh and strong aroma, which I assumed was due to the essential oils she would have used. I went near the plant to have a closer look but was met by a shock when the plant felt real underneath my fingertips.

I looked at every plant and they all were very much alive.

What if I made a mistake by coming here? What if she is a psychopath witch who likes to shrink people after luring them in?

“Do you like my little garden?”

I sucked in a breath and put a hand over my heart.

“Oh my goodness, did I scare you?” she asked with concern.

“No, I was just too engrossed in looking at the plants which I thought were fake,” I laughed nervously.

She giggled in response, “Oh these little things? They are adorable but unfortunately, I do not have a green thumb so I take some help from the magic.”

“Oh,” I shook my head slightly.

“I hope you like coffee,” she said passing me a cup of coffee.

Inhaling the strong aroma of the coffee, I smiled, “I love it, thanks. I hope you were not busy.”

She put a stray strand of hair that fell from her bun behind the ear, “Oh no. Honestly, I never thought you would come here.”

“Lily went out with Astrid, Lucius went somewhere too and I was alone at home. I feel bad for just dropping here without informing you first.”

"No, are you kidding me? I am really happy you came here, I live alone here unless my cousin decides to check up on me, and whenever she comes here I have to practice magic all the time," she said the last part in a slightly different tone but I didn't pry.

We continued talking while sipping coffee, Valeria was fun to talk to. I learned a few things about her and told her some things about me, but I was on my guard not to let anything slip off.

“When are you going to show me your masterpiece?”

A grin formed on her face, “Remember I am not a professional.”

We went to the room near the entrance door, from where she waved at me. The creamy mint room had a large window to provide natural light during the day. A canvas was placed in the middle of the room and a few paintings were covering the walls.

I looked at the painting she was making, it was a sunset scene. Clouds in the pink and blue sky reminded me of cotton candy, the whole sky was reflecting perfectly on the surface of the water, “It is amazing, Valeria.”

“I saw this sunset one day and could not get it out of my head,” she replied with a shy smile.

“I should leave now, it’s getting dark,” I looked out of the window.

“You are always welcome here,” she turned to leave the room.

I copied her action but stopped immediately when my eyes fell on a particular painting on the wall, it was a huge tree on a field of flowers, but it was not any tree, it was the tree I saw in my dreams. 

“Hey, Val? Where is this painting from?” I couldn’t take my eyes off the painting.

“Oh. this one, it….” she stopped in the middle of the sentence, her iris turned slightly yellow, “Astrid is waiting outside for you,” she said with a smile.

I dropped the topic and followed her outside giving one last look at the painting. 

I hugged her and said goodbye.

"What were you doing here?" Astrid asked sternly as we started walking.

"I was bored so I came here to see a friend.”

"Well pardon me your highness for not doing enough to entertain you,” she said in a sarcastic voice as we entered inside.

"Your sarcasm and your snarky comments are getting old. I know what I am doing, I don't need your permission or a babysitter for doing everything. I am really grateful for your help but now I am getting tired of your mean attitude especially when I have not done or said anything to you,” I didn't wait for her reply and went directly to my room.

Ever since we came back from the ball, Lucius and I hadn’t talked much except for exchanging a few words in the morning. I didn’t get the chance to talk to Lily as well, as she would accompany Astrid every day.

I plopped down on my bed wondering, ‘What if Lucius finally realized that helping us was not a great idea after all? Maybe he regrets helping us? I don’t care about him or Astrid, I just have to ask Valeria about the painting tomorrow.’

Suddenly the door swung open making me startle a little bit, Lily appeared from the door looking as though she had seen a ghost, “There was an attack.”