Chapter 1
Keswick, heaven on earth would not be enough to describe my town situated in the Lake district. The most beautiful and scenic place anybody can ever imagine. I do not live in buildings but an independent house that is an attraction for the whole town. Basically, it is the Scarlet Garden. Why the name Scarlet Garden, because we have roses of only red here! That is the simple answer to it. Now comes the complex question, why is it an attraction for the whole town and what is so unusual about red roses budding in your garden! The uncommon thing about these red roses is that they never die in our garden! Why they don't die I think my mother knows well but never tells it to anyone! Yeah, not even her own daughter! That is senseless right! The roses don't wilt, don't grow colorless even when someone takes a plant out, a new one replaces it. Scarlet garden is peculiar because it doesn't let sunflowers, or any other kind of floras grow in it. You can grow those in any other part of town but no not here. Oh, another thing it is our heirloom and my granny made me take an obligatory oath to take care of it in life and death. Not to be too dramatic if I have any children after me, they will take care of it that's the implication of in death here! But I do not think so I will be getting marry anyone! I don't want to simply and the idea of it doesn't sit well with me. Rosalie's mother called her. Oh God why! I was again talking to myself! I seriously do not comprehend that why do not I stop and then my mother says that it has something to do with me being an only child! My mother was basically an older sister, and she inherited the garden house or Scarlet! But she told me she never used to talk to herself like I do always in my head! But I am alright with it! It is quite calming and helps me think clearly at times and it drives me mad too but let us wait and see how long it will take for me to get to the mad house! Ha ha haa! 'Okay listen Rosalie, just stop talking to yourself in your head! Come on down now we are getting late!' said Rosalie's mother. How do you already know that! Said Rosalie. 'I am your mother I am supposed to know those things! They quite are natural to me!' said her mother. 'I think it is the right time to talk to her about the dream I had last night! It felt so real! I am just right under its spell!' thought Rosalie.
Rosalie went downstairs in the dining hall where her mother along was telling the housekeeper to clear all the kitchen floor! Alright madam I will take care from now on! Rosalie's mother was a stern person in her conduct she was disciplined unlike her daughter who would just want to stay in her room all day long either reading novels or educational books. She was not interested in musical instruments. The one she hated the most was Violin. Why? because her father used to play that thing!
Now she was standing there looking at her mother and the housekeeper talking as she saw her mother with her beautiful brunette lustrous hair flowing down her shoulder, she had the same ones in her childhood. She was in an evening gown so simple yet so elegant. She saw her arguing to her father! And then she saw herself hiding under the dining drapes trying to avoid the influence the scene had on her mind. His father slapped her mother and she fell all the way through the room! Yet she stood up and said, 'I will not accompany you to the gambling guild! It is absurd!'. But even Rosalie remembered that her mother was weak and could not survive because she loved him, so hopelessly that she would not stand displeasing him! So, even though he hurt her she was ready to join him in his endeavor! As her mother always tried to explain to her but she was not a child even when she was just ten years old. She saw her mother suffering a fateful marriage. She tried to save it but it was her father who was the monster destroying it. She felt so sorry for her mother who at time made her angry but still she loved her. She couldn't understand how she can bear the burden that is out of her might! From there on, Rosalie started hating men, and she decided to be independent and autonomous to such an extent in life that no man can ever make her feel unworthy!
She did not overlook things, but she was quite a capable young lady. She was smart and strategic too. She knew the power she held over people around her and she knew quite well how to use it to her advantage.
Rosalie called her mother. 'Rosalie, you are here, already! That's really good come on pass me those plates or would you set them on the table yourself!' Anne-Marie (Her mother). 'Alright Mama, I will set them myself! Mama, there is something I must tell you about, but it may sound odd!' she told her as she sat in the dining table. 'Odd! In what manner my dear odd human! What can be stranger than you're waking up early today!' she asked. Rosalie continues, 'Mama, that's not of significance now! Please pay attention to what I am about to say mother!'. Her mother remarked, 'Alright! Go on love!'
'So, as I was sleeping, I saw this beautiful girl with brunet hair just like mine, but they were quite the length, I say! She was dressed in a gorgeous pink dress just like the haziest pink that can ever be, but that is much pink to be identify easily with rose-colored roses embroider. Even some of them were actually hanging like beautiful ones in the garden there!' told Rosalie. 'That is awful lot of description, my child, of a mere dress! I presume you wish to buy some new dresses!' her mother remarked. Rosalie felt disturbed and told her, 'I will not continue, till you take me serious!'. 'Continue . . . love! I promise, I won't peck a word!' said her mother.
Rosalie told her, 'Alright! She looked like an adult and was dancing in circles and moving in this very corridor to our garden! She looked so happy and felt like has all the happiness in the world!'. 'May I?' her mother requested for permission. 'Yes, please! What do you think who she was?' Rosalie: 'That was indeed a good dream! Who do you suppose that beautiful princess is?' her mother remarked. Rosalie said, 'She is rather old to be me!'. 'Let me correct you, she was just an adult! And you are eighteen! So, hush up now! And get ready I have to walk you to classes today!' Anne-Marie said to Rosalie. Rosalie said to her, 'Let me just finish and I will get my bag!'. Her mother remarked, 'Where is it? . . .. I will get it for you!'. Rosalie replied, 'It is in my bedroom!'.
Rosalie's mother went upstairs to get her back and brought the keys from her room as well. While Rosalie was munching on her pancakes quickly, she saw her father on the far side of the room sitting on the couch at the fireplace just near the front entrance. Her mother was there too, she was wearing the same beautiful gown with roses as in her dreams and she was dancing and laughing in a delightful manner in circular motions. Her father joined her, and they danced in the golden light in the fireplace. 'Rosalie, dear are you done? I am coming down in a minute!'. said her mother. 'Yes, mama I am all finished and waiting at the front door!'.
While standing at the front of the lawn she saw her parents again as they were playing with her in the rose garden. Her father always desired a boy but got blessed with a daughter. She loved her father and he appeared to be there for her. ''Rosalie come on step out! You are not planning to leave today?'' said her mother. 'No, mum, coming!' said Rosalie. She glanced back at the beautiful moments always drifted along at times and felt like a dream. She cherished the good ones and wanted to hide in them forever.
Her mother interrupted, 'I think you do not desire to meet your friends today!'. 'Mama, that is not true at all! I do want to go! They are the ones that make me desire to suffer even in those miserable ever repetitive classes!' expressed Rosalie. 'I am so glad that you have such good friends! Is Nora joining us this weekend!' her mother said to her. 'No, Mama she will be off to some family engagements that I don't even desire to know about!' pronounced Rosalie.