The last dawn

The First Meet

Grandma rushed to my side almost forgetting she was ill and whispered "Who brought you here?" and then dragged me to a chair in the corner of the room. "Sit here and don't move until I say so"She instructed sternly.

I dare not argue with her now.

But I don't understand is why she is behaving like this. It is as if she has just seen a ghost all of a sudden.

I scanned the room to see what exactly is making the old lady this nervous but I saw nothing except for the two young women and another elderly woman looking at me as if they've just seen the strangest thing ever.

Even though I have gotten used to people looking strangely at me due to my color, this one is very different. It's as if they have been drained off their blood.

Aunt Maggie stepped in but did not acknowledge my presence at first. She went straight to grandma and the two started talking in hushed tones even though grandma looked furious. Aunt Maggie then looked at me with the same expression I've been receiving since I got here and then concentrated on grandma as they continued their exchanges.

Someone abruptly opened the door with a force I'm sure would have broken the door if it wasn't strong enough.

"I gave you time! What are you still doing here and where is your replacement?!" The arrogant man boomed. Yes, that's how I chose to call him because of his action earlier.

"Ma...Master, she..she.." Grandma stammered scared to the core.

"She's over there Master," Aunt Maggie said in a rush pointing at me with some fear.

He looked at my direction and his expression changed from stern to surprise and he looked on for a while making me conscious of myself.

Tradition has it that a maiden is only to use a two-piece cloth, one for the chest area and the other to wrap and cover the waist to mid-tie.

After a while, he signaled for me to come to him which I did. I made sure not to get too close. "Who is she?" He asked silently without taking his eyes off me.

"Lizzie's granddaughter Master," Answered Aunt Maggie.

"And she's the replacement?" He asked still with his eyes on me.

"Yes, Master. My sister Stella has been advised by the Physician to not move about because she's almost due."

Aunt Maggie explained but he didn't seem interested and just waved her off.

He then turned to Grandma "You can go home and rest now since we have a replacement." He ordered.

Grandma wanted to say something but he beat her to it.

"Do you have any objections to my decision, Lizzie?" He asked her daringly.

"No no Master" She replied

"Go home and rest now, come back in three days," He said "Your replacement will work here for three days starting from today," He continued.

"Get back to work everyone!" He ordered before he gave me one last glance and then left.

I just felt more insecure being here. Grandma who didn't have any option than to leave me here gave a whole lecture about the castle and how to live in it like a "ninja" as she termed it. I reassured her I'm not going to cause any trouble in there and promised to ask Aunt Maggie for any assistance.

She finally left and I sighed in relief that she can now get enough rest at home.

.............................

I was helping Aunt Maggie by washing the dirty dishes when I heard my name.

"Yaa, give me a hand over here," The elderly lady called out to me. I looked at Aunt Maggie who signaled for me to go and I hurried to help the lady out.

"Help Rosa to serve the master. He has requested an extra plate because he is expecting a visitor, one of the high lords in the world of s*****y," she whispered the last words.

"s*****y?" I asked shocked at her words.

"Shhhhh!" She shushed me from uttering the word out loud.

"It's forbidden to utter that word in here. If the master hears, you'll be punished for it," Rosa whom I suppose is the elderly woman's daughter explained.

"I was just telling you in order not for you to get into trouble. I heard the high lord visiting today isn't a patient one. He runs a bigger castle than this one and is intimidating." She said handing me the tray.

I wonder who this high lord is and what his castle looks like. A castle bigger than this one is heaven. Perhaps that is where all our ancestors reside.

"Follow Rosa and please do not speak until you are spoken to," Mama Rosa repeating what grandma lectured me on earlier. I nodded in response.

We headed outside with the trays. I followed Rosa closely and also continue to admire my surroundings. It is a really beautiful place. We passed three doors along the hallway and stopped at the fourth door. I supposed that's our destination.

We just stood by the door and I was tempted to ask Rosa why aren't we going inside or knocking at the door. Just then the door opened to reveal the master I met earlier with his intense gaze still on me.

He went back inside, then Rosa and I followed him in. Inside was amazing and no word can define this beauty I thought. I was too consumed by the beauty of the room that I didn't realize when Rosa placed her tray on a table and came for mine which she placed on another table.

The master was still looking at me which made me look down to the floor uncomfortably.

Rosa touched my hand signaling for us to leave and I quietly followed her outside.

"Rosa," I wanted to ask whether she has any idea why that Master looks at me like that. "Yes Yaa," She replied.

"Why does everyone look at me strangely? Especially that Master?" I asked her but she gave me a flat look. "What?" I asked innocently.

"It's obviously because of your complexion, you look a lot more like the Masters than a native here" She answered me honestly.

"Hmmm, I think you are right," I admitted but it is just too much. I mean just look at me?" I asked which made her laugh. I guess she found my question funny. How I miss Fafa, she would have understood me easily.

As we got to the door of the kitchen I heard galloping of a horse. Wow! I loved horses, even though I hardly see one except during festivals. I turned around to check outside the window to see who is on the horse but froze by the window as I met the gaze of the man on the horse.

The look I saw on his face was stern, commanding, alluring, all that, and more. I couldn't just move, it is as if he is daring me to look away. I shivered and got goosebumps all over. Why can't I move from my spot?

I stood glued to that position until he dismounted the horse which he handed one of the guards the reigns and headed straight to the hallway. That was when I got the courage to move. I got to the door and as soon as I touched the doorknob he was already in the hallway.

"Stop!" He commanded which sent shivers down my spine and I froze in that position afraid to meet his alluring eyes.

"Turn around," He said in a commanding tone which I am sure can even move a mountain. I obeyed him and turned around slowly still looking at the floor. I stayed like that per grandma's lectures, meanwhile, I was tempted to look up and see his reaction.

And my bad luck pushed me to look up into the eyes of the devil's. I regretted it instantly.

"Who are you?"