DARRYL
No matter what I did, the atmosphere in the mansion just kept getting sour. Lord Grace wasn't willing to teach me anymore so I just went over the motions of what I was already taught. Every single day felt like a drag and everyone drifted apart. Only one thing was consistent.
Winifred's presence.
She never failed to be present for me. We are together, learned with Lord Silver together and she endured dance classes for me. I still stepped on her toes. It was embarrassing, especially since I was the seeing one.
"You're stiffer today, Darryl. What's on your mind?"
"Nothing. Maybe I'm a little embarrassed from stepping on your toes too much."
"I think you're worried because everyone isn't getting along and this place is starting to feel like the orphanage all over again."
"It's not…"
"Change is inevitable, even though it's hurtful. It's difficult to adjust and you might feel like everything is hopeless. But this change is good. If you trust me, everything will turn out better in the coming months. I can assure you that. So, don't worry too much about it and focus on not stepping on my toes."
"Yes ma'am."
"Darryl, when dancing, looking at the feet of the lady I rude. Look in her eyes and smile. Remember, dancing is a way of courtship and you are meant to amaze the lady with your gaze and your skills," Lady Freya said as soon as I looked down at her feet.
"But I can't stop stepping on her."
"That certainly is a problem. Why don't we stop for now and practice dancing individually? Oh, it's almost the end of the class. We can continue tomorrow."
"Great. Now, can we go have a picnic outside?"
"A picnic?"
She nodded, picking up her cane. It looked like she had already prepared something and so we followed her to the garden. She led us to the huge tree in the garden where a blanket was already laid out and someone was waiting there for us. It was Lord Silver.
"You took so long, I thought you weren't going to make it."
"Men are supposed to wait for ladies," she retorted. He helped her sit beside him and smiled at us as we sat. She wasn't the only one who prepared this.
"What is this, Lord Silver?" Lady Freya asked, surprised.
"It's a private picnic. Lady Winifred was worried about how sour you two had become lately so she decided to plan a picnic for just the four of us. She said you would both prefer it. What do you think?"
"It's…"
I couldn't help but chuckle. She was one step ahead, already knowing how I felt. It was almost like she could feel how sad and detached we were, doing this for us. She knew words wouldn't be enough. That's how precious she found us.
"Thank you, Winifred."
"There's no need to thank me neither is there a need for elaborate explanations. We're just having lunch outside since the weather is nice. I didn't want to nap under this tree alone. So, just eat."
She would never admit it. But that's okay. I knew why she did it and I appreciated her for it. It just convinced me that her words were true. Sometimes change is not that bad. I mean, look where it got us.
Winifred was eating well until she suddenly stopped. She slowly turned her head to the sky and said;
"Something's coming."
Lord Silver's face changed and he looked guarded, staring at the sky.
"Is it the same beast you saw last time?"
"No. It's like…a portal perhaps?"
"A portal?"
There was nothing in the sky, at least where she was looking. There was nothing there the last time too. I didn't know what she was seeing but…
"What is that?!" Lady Freya screamed, gesturing at the sky. The bright sky suddenly turned dark and the place Winifred was pointing too now had a hole in it. The clouds were swirling around it and it looked like it was either about to rain or suck everything in it. The wind started to pick up and it was getting stronger by the minute. The servants outside were running inside the mansion.
"I was wrong when you asked me if it wasn't the beast. The portal brought the beast here," she said, making the situation worse. Lord Silver swore and sprung to his feet.
"Everyone get inside now! Board up the windows and the doors!"
"What about you?!" Lady Freya asked.
"I'm going to get rid of that thing. I leave Winifred in your hands."
"I'll all the knights."
"They can't deal with something like this. It would rip them to shreds before they can even draw their swords. Just keep everyone inside the mansion."
"Shall I call the Bishop?" I asked. If it was a creature of darkness, he could help exorcise it. But Lord Silver shook his head.
"I need him inside to protect those inside the mansion. All of you need to go now!"
"I'm not leaving," Winifred declared, sitting still. She looked calm, like she couldn't see what was in the sky. But it looked like she saw it before we did. Those were probably the prophetic powers of the Saintess she wasn't supposed to have since she wasn't the Saintess of Oriel. It was hard to comprehend.
"Why?! You can't be thinking to fight that thing."
"I'm not. But, it's not like you can see it, can you, Lord Silver?"
He stopped moving agitatedly and looked in her eyes. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, scattering it.
"You're right. I can't see it. But that doesn't mean you can stay here."
"The beast won't hurt me. It's here for you. So, let me help you."
"You can't just decide that! I would never forgive myself if anything happened to you, Winifred."
"Nothing will happen to me. I'm sure of it."
"How are you sure?"
"It's because I've seen the future, of course."