Year 1814.
"Lilly! lilly! look, what I bought!" a young boy entered in the humble house of Averdale with some breads. The Averdale family was neither poor nor was rich but in Glasgow they are quite popular and wealthy compared to other folks as Marcel Averdale was a business man and usually he used to travel within different states.
"Oh! Marcus how many times I have to tell you that you should not leave the house alone" lilli replied with a stern face "you look tired lill', I just wanted to help you a bit." Marcus said with a low tone afraid that his elder sister will scold him or might even complain to their mother.
"I know sweets but you are aware of the current situation aren't you? And with an increase in the number of night creatures in our town, it is not safe-" Lilliana does her best to comprehend this young man about the current circumstances.
-Especially for kids" with that lilly completes her chores and turn towards her younger sibling.
"I'ma big boy now!" the young lad exclaimed.
"You are, but for us you're still a little boy, we were worried for you baby, especially mother."
"I will say sorry to mamà but I won't stop helping you. Even, felix works outside like a big boy" Marcus exclaimed.
"Okay, I won't stop this big boy from now on but you'll do the works which I'll tell you to do." with that lilli bend down to pick Marcus's cap which was covered in dirt.
"Now go and clean yourself."
The family of Averdale consists of six members including Lilliana. The head of the family Mr. Marcel was out of the town for some work he went to capital. Its been two months since his last visit and with the last massacres done by witches. Almost every town is tensed and scared even council isn't taking any immediate actions as human lives doesn't matter that much in the eyes of upper class people. The only is thing that matters is their blood.
Lady Adriana is the wife of Marcel well second wife and step mother of lilli but she never got that motherly love from her. Maybe because Adriana never accept lilli as her own child. She didn't abuse her but still never cared for her like a mother does or how she cares for felix and aera.
Even in her early forties, lady Adriana looks like she is still in her mid thirties. When she got married to Mr. Marcel she was in her thirties and already was a mother of two 'felix and Aera' felix being seven year old same as lilliana at that time and Aera was barely six. Its been almost ten years of their marriage and lilli will be eighteen next year.
As the saying goes time and tide waits for none. After the death of lilli's biological mother, she can't accept lady Adriana as her own mother. After all its a human nature, she just can't replace any other women as her mamà. Her mamà was her best friend, her everything, even though life played unfairly with Lilliana, she got some handful moments that she shared with her mother but the thing she knows that she'll cherish those moments her whole life.
"Aera, listen would you please cut those fruits. Meanwhile, I will call felix and mother for dinner" lilly asked her younger sister, who was continously reading a letter again and again.
'Okie' aera replied as she moved towards the kitchen.
Lilliana made her way towards the backyard of the house where she saw her mother and brothers. Her step brother felix was same age as her, maybe that's the reason they became friends quickly compared to Aera, as Aera being the shy and introvert type of girl needs time to get comfortable with others.
Meanwhile, lilli was neither introvert nor extrovert might be ambivert, she knows when to speak or how to handle the critical situations in the absence of their father.
"Lill' look at this, I received a letter maybe father is coming back" felix said as he forwards the envelope to lilliana, its very rare for humans to know how to read and write 'cause home schooling is very expensive, not every person can afford this luxury. Especially humans, they even think that it is useless as they had to spend hundreds of gold coins on some mere home tutors.
But Lilli knows how to read and write a little, her mother taught her many valuable things, including this. Back in time when her mother was with her, there were many rumours that she is a witch because her beauty was divine with some unrealistic facial features, some even says that she is like a real fae as she used to heal many people at their village including animals. And now because of Lilliana every sibling of her knows how to read a little in the case of emergency except felix.
"Lilliana, would you please go through the letter." Lady Adriana said while looking at the sky, it seems like it is going to rain tonight as well.
"For sure, mother." Replied lilli as she read the letter.
"What happened lill' ? why are you looking tensed?" Felix asked.
"Mother, the letter is from uncle Samuel. He is saying that they f-found a body in the capital a-and that man was wearing papa's ring
And they asked for one of the family member for en-enquiry" a lone tear escaped her eyes. Even though she wasn't that close with her father but still she loves him the most. After all he is only parent she'd left after her mother's demise.
She didn't even know how her mother died or when she died. Many people claim that her mother abandoned them for another man or was a witch.
As far as she remember her father once told that a night creature was to blame for her mother's demise.
When lady Adriana got married to her father. It was always about their family, her papá rarely comes home because of work and even when he did, he spend most of time with felix and Aera, incase they would not feel left out.
There was barely a year difference between them. It wasn't like Aera was some sort of typical step sister. Infact the young girl was too kind for her own good.
"Mamà are you fine?"
It was indeed a shocking news for her, one thing lilly knows that lady Adriana loves her father alot. He is her entire world.
"It-It's lie tell me you're lying lilly, how things can turn out like this? H-he pr-promised me lill' that he will come back."
"Mother, they didn't precisely say that b-body belongs to papà. Ex-exactly like he promised y-you, he will return home"
She can control her sobbing anymore. After her mamá, even the mere mention of death terrifies her to core. She can't lose her loved ones like this and she won't.
"I will head to the capital, mamà please stop crying" felix knows that his mother's condition won't allow her to travel. After lilly, he is the eldest and the only man in their house, it is his duty to protect his siblings and mother. Marcel loved him and his sibling more than his father.
Lilliana is more than a sister to him, his first best friend, his secret keeper, his sissy, likewise for lilly. He won't ever allow lilly to travel alone especially to Edinburgh, she is silly and sometimes stupid.
The capital is full of lies and mysteries. That area is solely ruled by vampires and it isn't safe for humans so far. He can't risk his love ones, can he?
Even the council rarely takes action against vampires in the capital. Apart from them, witches are whole different scenario, they says witchcraft is evil only if they knew witches seek the sacred knowledge that the rest of the world already forgotten.
Maybe that's the reason vampires aren't in favour of witches, half blooded vampires are afraid of them but the thing is different for pure blooded vampires.
There are many massacres done by black witches at a large scale. Humans are already against any kind of witches or anything related to witchcraft, they killed many young ladies that are suspected to be a witch.
Several families lost their loved ones due to witches, legend says that black forest is full of magic with those creatures that are said to be mythical. Only God knows what secrets are hidden in the depth of that forest.
Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why residents tend to stay away from the capital, as they had to pass through a tiny section of the black forest.
"No, I'll leave for the capital day after tomorrow" While wiping away those tears, Lilly said. Felix had to stay here for mother and her younger siblings, they needs them more and what if something happened to him?
"But y-"
"I'd to felix, mother needs you more and who'll look after Marcus and Aera?" Lilliana whispered, she is well aware of their current financial situation.
The gold coins that her father left are about to end and with her earnings she can't manage everything plus their other expenses. Felix works for upper class as their coachman. The pay is not enough but atleast it is more than her monthly earnings.
In the absence of her, her mother and Aera would look after bakery but if felix's left, he might lost his job as well.
"Please lixie, take Mother to her room; I'll be back with dinner." It been a while she called him with this nickname.
"Fine, I'll call aera and Marcus too"
Lilliana passed a smile as she walked into the kitchen.
The night passed sooner than expected. Only she knew that how desperately she wanted all this to be a dream.
The sun began to rise higher and higher very slowly and the colors became more vibrant. The sky and water connect with each other and the light struck across the water. The sky began to cast all the colors in the sky onto the water. The light began to shine brighter and brighter to eliminate the darkness.
As the sun rose, Lilliana hastened to open her bakery, "The dough flow", her mamá loves to cook and she found peace in cooking and baking. She had to settle down the things as she will travel to the capital tomorrow and her younger sister had to look after the bakery.
Market was as usual full of life, children are running towards their favourite sweet shops, womens are gossiping about the new events that occur within last week, it was fair day for everyone.
As compared to other days, Lilliana had a remarkable sale today with the total of thirty-two silver coins. But this is not enough, she needs atleast hundred and twenty to manage her expenses.
"Lilliana, wait!" As sun was about to set, a boy in his late teens approached lilly, who was about to leave.
"Yes Carter"
"Felix told me that y-you are going to capital" he cursed himself for stuttering in front of her, lilliana was his childhood love. He admire her for who she is and not only just for her beauty. On the other hand, Carter is from middle upper class family, the young lad is popular for his looks among girls. Meanwhile, the girl he wants never looked at him in that way.
"Ah-that-- yeah! I had too." apart from her father and step brother, Carter was the only male she interacts freely.
"Are you sure, you can manage alone? I mean you never travel without your father." She can tell the boy cares about her. She feels her heartbeat quicken, Whenever he shows compassion for her or compliments her.
"Yes, I'll manage"
"Here, take this and please don't reject it."
The young boy gave her some silver coins, which is almost fifty. He is well aware of her current situation but won't tell her that this is his last months savings.
"I can't car-"
"Please lil' , take it as a gift from this friend of yours." He doesn't want her to feel like he is pitying her. Even though lilliana didn't want to take it but she knows that it'll be a huge help, she will surely return him this money ad she is well aware that how he earned those coins.
"Thank you so much Carter."
As it was getting close to nightfall, they both moved in the direction of her house. Even in the dark, he can make out Lilliana's stunning appearance in her light pink ankle-length dress, tiny waist, her pale skin with a little mole on her collar bone, those light brown hair, which together with her hazel eyes make her look like a true fae. Additionally, it is her demeanour that is intriguing him the most.
Carter said goodbye to Lilliana as she approached her home. He had no idea when they might cross paths again, but he would wait for her without a doubt.
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