Chapter 10 After The Last Guest
881 Words
The celebration slowly came to an end.
One after another, the luxury cars disappeared through the Harrington Estate gates as guests thanked Richard and Eleanor for a memorable evening.
Inside the ballroom, the orchestra played its final piece.
The laughter that had filled the mansion for hours gradually faded into quiet conversations among the few remaining guests.
Charlotte stood near one of the tall windows, still holding Lucien's pen.
Every now and then, she smiled to herself.
She was eighteen.
Her father had finally said the words she had waited years to hear.
Tomorrow, he would entrust her with a Harrington secret that had been passed down through generations.
For the first time, the future felt close enough to touch.
---
Eleanor walked over with two glasses of fresh juice.
"I think our birthday girl deserves a break."
Charlotte accepted one with a smile.
"I didn't know birthdays could be this exhausting."
Eleanor laughed.
"Being a Harrington is exhausting."
Charlotte leaned gently against her mother.
"I'm glad you're both here."
Eleanor looked at her daughter with affection.
"So are we."
Richard joined them moments later.
"We should be leaving soon."
Charlotte nodded.
"I'll just say goodbye to Katherine."
Richard smiled.
"Don't keep us waiting."
"I won't."
---
Charlotte found Katherine on the rear terrace overlooking the illuminated gardens.
The night air was cool.
For a few moments, neither of them spoke.
They simply admired the beautiful estate that had witnessed so much of their childhood.
"It went by so fast," Katherine said softly.
Charlotte laughed.
"I know."
"It feels like yesterday we were hiding from your tutors because we didn't want to study."
Charlotte smiled.
"And Mrs. Bennett always found us."
The two girls laughed together.
"I miss those days."
Charlotte gently squeezed Katherine's hand.
"We'll make new memories."
"We always do."
---
Katherine noticed the pen in Charlotte's hand.
"You really like that gift."
Charlotte looked at it.
"I do."
She traced the engraved words with her thumb.
"Write your own future."
She smiled.
"It reminds me that my future starts now."
Katherine looked at her friend.
"You've changed."
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
"In a good way."
"I hope so."
---
After a brief silence, Charlotte remembered what her father had told her.
Her eyes brightened.
"I almost forgot to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Dad has been hiding something from me for years."
Katherine looked surprised.
"Hiding something?"
Charlotte laughed.
"Not in a bad way."
"He says tomorrow morning he's finally going to show me a Harrington family secret."
Katherine's curiosity immediately grew.
"What kind of secret?"
Charlotte shrugged.
"I honestly don't know."
"He wouldn't tell me."
"You didn't even guess?"
"I tried."
"And?"
"He just kept saying, 'Tomorrow.'"
The two friends laughed.
---
Charlotte lowered her voice excitedly.
"We're actually leaving tonight."
"So soon?"
Charlotte nodded.
"Yes."
"Dad wants the three of us to spend the night at our country residence."
She smiled.
"He says tomorrow morning will be quiet there."
"No meetings."
"No visitors."
"Just Mom, Dad and me."
Katherine smiled.
"That actually sounds nice."
Charlotte looked toward the mansion.
"I think he wants it to be a family moment."
"I'm really looking forward to it."
"I've waited years for this."
Katherine hugged her.
"I'm happy for you."
Charlotte hugged her back.
"I'll call you tomorrow."
"You'd better."
"I promise."
Neither of them knew it would be the last promise Charlotte would make as Charlotte Harrington.
---
A few minutes later, Katherine walked back into the mansion.
She found her parents speaking quietly with another guest.
When they finished, she joined them.
"Dad?"
Edward Blackwood smiled.
"Ready to leave?"
"Almost."
She smiled innocently.
"Charlotte and her parents are leaving now too."
Edward nodded politely.
"I see."
"They're spending the night at their country residence."
His expression did not change.
But he listened carefully.
Katherine continued without thinking.
"Uncle Richard says tomorrow morning he's finally going to tell Charlotte some important Harrington family secret."
"He said he's been waiting until she turned eighteen."
Edward exchanged the briefest glance with his wife.
It lasted less than a second.
But it was enough.
His wife spoke calmly.
"Did Charlotte seem excited?"
Katherine laughed.
"Very."
"She couldn't stop smiling."
Edward placed a gentle hand on his daughter's shoulder.
"I'm glad she had a wonderful birthday."
"So am I."
"Go and say your final goodbye."
Katherine nodded and walked away.
The smile remained on Edward's face until she disappeared from sight.
Then it vanished.
---
His wife looked at him quietly.
"You heard her."
Edward gave a slight nod.
"The country residence."
"Tonight."
Another long silence followed.
Finally, he spoke.
"It seems Richard has decided the time has come."
"What are you thinking?"
Edward looked toward the grand staircase where the Harrington family could be seen preparing to leave.
"If Charlotte learns what Richard intends to tell her..."
He stopped.
His wife finished the sentence.
"...everything changes."
Neither of them spoke again.
Edward calmly picked up his car keys.
"It's getting late."
His voice remained perfectly composed.
"We should be going."
Outside, the Harrington family's car rolled slowly toward the estate gates.
From an upstairs window, Edward Blackwood watched the taillights disappear into the darkness.
His expression revealed nothing.
But somewhere behind those calm eyes...
A decision had already been made.
- Writer
