Some old wounds never truly heal,
And bleed again at the slightest word.
—George R.R. Martin
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The next morning, Eva blinked open her eyes straightening up in her bed. As she washed her face, the drowsiness slipped off and she slowly remembered last night's events.
The previous night when they arrived back at the house, Eva told her mother how Vanessa was upset at her for rejecting the Lord's proposal. Mrs. Blythe had entered her sister's room and talked to Vanessa for half an hour at least before they both came out. No apology of any sort was given from her elder sister's side, though Eva continued to say sorry countless times.
They were on talking terms again, yet it felt as if a barrier had dropped down in the middle of the two. Eva felt it and tried her best to talk to Vanessa before they were supposed to depart to their bedrooms after dinner. All she received in return were a few words and a stiff hug. It would take time for Vanessa to forgive her and Eva knew that she had to do something before Vanessa stopped talking to her completely.
She had always looked up to her sister and she loved Vanessa more than anything. They were friends more than sisters and shared everything with each other. But somewhere it felt that after growing up, Vanessa had distanced herself from Eva, and instead, she spent more time with her friends than her. Eva didn't mind but guilt and loneliness were soon overtaking her heart and mind even though she was trying her best to remain optimistic.
As Eva put on the bonnet on her head, taking hold of a small package when Mrs. Blythe spotted her exiting the house.
"Eva, where are you going? The shop is closed today, I'm not planning to open it." informed her mother and Eva nibbled on her bottom lip before turning around.
"I was- " she hesitated. "I was going to the market to buy some vegetables. There are no onions left in the house Mama," said Eva and it was not completely a lie. There were no onions left yet it wasn't the reason why she was going out.
Mrs. Blythe looked doubtful but assented. "Ok, but come back quickly. Be safe!"
Eva nodded sweetly with a smile and walked out the door. Her feet were not headed in the market's direction instead, she walked towards a house that was located in the opposite direction of the market. Trees surrounded her path and it was not too sunny today. The clouds hid the Sun making the weather pleasant, neither too cold nor too hot.
Her steps slowed down as she stopped outside an ancient-looking cottage that was covered in moss and enclosed with tall pines which hid it well from the outside world.
Eva gently tapped on the door with her knuckles. A few seconds later, the door opened a crack and an eye looked through it.
"Uncle, it's me."
The door creaked open and an old man appeared in the doorway. His hair had gone white but a few streaks of black were visible which hinted that his hair was black previously. His beard reached his chest and he wore clothes of cheap material.
Eva had first met him when she was alone in the house before her father's death. She was in the habit of strolling the woods and while exploring, she had helped the poor old man who had fallen at a distance from his hut.
After that, she used to bring him food and clothes, as well as the basic living necessities. He was old and Eva had never told her family of the man, fearing that they would prohibit her from going to him.
"I was wondering where you had been these days. Come in," spoke Stanley, as he gradually walked back inside with the help of his walking stick.
Eva grinned, her eyes twinkling. Taking off her bonnet, she placed it on a table and dropped the small package on the kitchen counter.
"I brought food, is the previous supply finished?" she asked, as the old man sat on the couch.
"Only a little amount is left. How are you?"
"I'm fine, uncle. How about you?"
He sighed. "I'm just like how I was the last time you came. You seem tense," he observed, noticing her lost expression.
"I have to ask something from you. It's... my family is having financial issues and I desperately need a job which gives a good share of money. Do you have anything on your mind?"
Stanley's eyes gleamed. "Finally, you asked for my help in something. I thought the time was never going to arrive."
Eva looked down and went to sit on a chair near him. "You knew I was in trouble?"
"Your actions speak louder than words."
"Then, do you know a job that earns a lot of money?" questioned the girl, her silver hair which was tied into a loose braid, came to drop over her shoulder.
"Is it necessary for there to be a job to earn money? Just find a hidden treasure." uttered the man, getting up to walk towards the small kitchen.
"Treasure? Do you know where I can find a treasure? What if it belongs to someone already? Is that not stealing?" Eva voiced out her thoughts openly, looking at the old man who was busy taking out food from the box.
"Gleana has its secrets. Legend has it that the Enchanted Forest is full of hidden treasures protected with different types of spells. And haven't you heard of the term, 'Finders Keepers?'" he added, taking a humongous bite out of a sandwich.
A line appeared between her brows as she thought about what he had just told her. The Enchanted Forest was the place that bordered the Kingdom of Vermont with the Kingdom of Xandria. Rumors floated around about the woods saying that they were cursed. The villagers were too frightened to go deep inside, so the woodcutters only cut trees nearest to the village.
"Are you sure that there is a treasure inside there?" Eva wanted to confirm it, incase if she wanted to try something in the future.
"I am sure. But what I'm not certain of are the dangers that the forest holds. As I said, the treasures are protected by unknown forces."
"How do you know about all this?" asked the girl.
"I read it in a book."
"..."
——
Eva felt her heart growing heavy as she thought about entering the forest after departing from Stanley's cottage. There was only one problem as she contemplated finding the treasure. If something happened to her in there, what would happen to her mother and sister? They would be left without any money and would have to handle all the issues she left behind, by themselves.
Lord Ken would arrive in a month and so would the debt collectors right behind him. Her mind pondered over the possibilities when suddenly Stanley's name flashed inside her mind.
They would stay safe with him while she went to search for the treasure!