Lana was watering the garden early in the morning when a carriage stopped in front of their house. She saw a tall man dressed in all black alight, who started to walk to where she was. She put down the bucket and went forward to respond when the man passed a greeting.
"Good morning miss."
"Good morning sir." Lana responded. she stared at the man and for some reason she felt like she had met him somewhere but she couldn't really point where she had seen him. And judging from his clothes she pegged him to come from a rich family.
"Am Sam Haws, Butler of the Carlos mansion." The man introduced himself, 'Carlos mansion,' Lana nodded her head as she finally remembered where she had seen him.
"My master requested me to give this to you," saying that Lana saw him pull out something from his coat. "A carriage will come pick you up on Thursday." Said the Butler handing the letter to her.
Lana was surprised and scared but she still brought her arms forward to receive the letter. With that been done the Butler bowed and left in the carriage.
Suspiciously looking at the letter, Lana went inside the house and informed her uncle about the Butler's visit and handed the letter to him. The man smiled while unwrapping the letter but his smile died down after reading the content.
Lana who standing in-font of him got worried seeing the deep frown on her uncle's face, "Is everything alright uncle?" She moved so she could be able to see the content but immediately took a step back when she saw a paper fly to hit her head. She looked at the paper then at her uncle, mouth agape. His eyes narrowed and his teeth clenched together. "Why does Luke Carlos want to see you?" Mr.johns roared. Katherine and Caitlyn rushed out of their rooms upon hearing the sudden noise.
"What happened papa?" Caitlyn asked not sparing Lana a look. Katherine just stood as she waited to hear what happened.
Mr.Johns massaged his temple and pointed at Lana. Katherine and Caitlyn followed his hand and saw that he was pointing at the paper that was laying down next to Lana's legs. Katherine went to pick it up, she stood stunned for a few seconds. She just couldn't believe it, seeing her expression Caitlyn was quick to realise that something was up.
"What is it, why do you look like someone has died, what's written on it anyway?" She got the letter and began to read,
"Your presence is requested on Thursday for a tea gathering that will be held in the mansion.
To Lady Lana Johns.
Luke Carlos."
"Lady Lana, tea gathering, what the HELL is this?" Immediately, Caitlyn cheeks flushed, and her facial muscles became rigid as she stomped towards Lana. Grabbing her by her collar, she jerked her close to her face, gritting her teeth as she said, "I told you to keep a low profile," her voice slowly grew louder, "I told you that he was mine!" Now she was close to screaming, "MINE, MY NAME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE—" Her sentence was cut off by Katherine who put her hand on her shoulder.
"Come down Caitlyn," Amongst the three of them Caitlyn has always wanted to be married to a rich family. since the were young she has always dreamt of her Prince Charming who would take her away and treat her like a princess she was supposed to be. Yes her family was well off but even Katherine knew that if Caitlyn had a choice she would have chosen to be born in a rich household. "let her go, let's talk things out hm, it's not like his said his going to marry her no, so let's not get physical with each other." Katherine said trying to clear the air.
Lana just stood there still surprised and let Caitlyn do as she pleased, they were not going to believe anything that came out of her mouth so she didn't see the need to explain herself.
"That's enough," mr Johns said barely concerned with Caitlyn's aggressive behaviour towards Lana. He got up from his sit and walked to the door "Am going to see your uncle and see if we can come up with a solution." And with that he left the house. Caitlyn and Katherine did not waste time and went to their rooms.
Lana just stood in the same position as everyone left , she fixed her dress where the top part had now formed wrinkles. 'Why me?' She asked no one in particular but herself. She missed her parents who loved and cared for her. Who did everything to make her happy, she still remembered how sweet and kind her uncle and cousins were to her when her parents were still alive. Her parents had provided a roof for her uncle's family, clothes and food. At that time everything seemed to be content , they were happy but it was only after that derangeful night that everything slowly began to change. She can still remember her parents bodies lying lifeless on the floor covered in blood, she had just stepped out of the house for a moment to only be greeted with such a scene.
"Mama, papa wake up," her little self had tried to wake them up but they did not. she had been frightened and lost. She was only 7 years by age then and 11 years had passed. It's really been long but she still felt heartbroken each time she thought about them. Her uncle had taken possession of all her parents money, houses, businesses and herself.
"Huhhh." She exhaled loudly, she glanced around the room and left to continue with what she had been doing.
Somewhere far away from Woodlensia, in a small house, two men sat in front of the fireplace which was heading to extinguish itself. "she will be a threat to us if we allow this to happen ," spoke a voice in the quiet room. "She would never hurt you, she trusts and loves you." Spoke another voice which was slightly deeper. "You worry too much." the same voice continued .
"Let's see if you'll say the same thing when she finds out what truly happened to her parents." Retorted the first voice. Hearing the last words, the second man straightened his back and with a poker face he asked, "What do you suppose we do then Johns?"
"It's time."