You may have heard of tales related to a mushroom circle being the home of fairies, or myths of pixies coming out of the forest to cause mischief. Depending on where you grew up, I’m sure you’ve heard all kinds of stories. This one is different; this one happened to us. My sister and I were vacationing in England just last week. It was a small break from Finishing School, Father took me out for a month so I can visit with my family. Yet my father was too busy to come, his siblings said; "maybe sometime, if I have time." and my current stepmother already decided she hates me. Oh sorry, my name is Katrina. I am 15 years old and I am a human not a pixie... long story. This all started a week ago when I arrived at the summer home. See this was to be my last vacation with my little sister. I am due to be married in the fall. My husband to be, is adopting my family name due to the arrangement our parents made. Supposedly Christopher knows much about this business. Worry not I know my place... I also know how to persuade with mere words, so we'll see how things goes. I can only hope that he is a bit more open minded than Father. We were to meet after my visit… but everything went awry. Well as I said, I have a little sister, Lillith is 11 and it is her fault we are in this mess.
One week ago… The year is 1863.
The horse pulled carriage slowed to a stop and the side door opened slowly. A young woman peered out. The butler waiting by the entrance bowed and he walked over. "Welcome back Miss." He said. Katrina sighed as she offered a gloved hand and slowly stepped out. Long golden blond hair shimmered in the sunlight. The birds singing and a perfect summer breeze made this scene picture perfect. She though glanced at the man with her cold jet like eyes and simply gave a small nod. "Thank you Kerland." She replied as she dusted off her blue petticoat. With a flick of the wrist she had the coat unbuttoned and it was handed to Kerland. She was wearing a long white dress with blue ribbons laced around it. "Lillith is anxiously awaiting your arrival Miss." He said, as he took the coat and folded it over his arm. Katrina nodded and was about to speak when she heard a faint noise. "Sister! Sister!" A young girl, looking much like Katrina was running over from the mansion. She had a lighter shade of blond hair and carried bright blue eyes. Her dress was purple and blue with ruffles and layers that boggled one's mind. Lillith was running over waving her right arm high in the air. She had a bright smile on her face and her cheeks flushed with excitement. It’s been months since she had seen her big sister. Just as she reached the top of the hill she tripped landing face first into the grass. Katrina sighed before walking over. She helped her sister up and sighed again seeing Lillith was crying. “That’s what you get for running up that hill.” She said. Lillith nodded as she cried rubbing her eyes with her gloved hands. She knew her sister was right. Mother always scolded me for not acting lady like. I guess this is my punishment. She thought and tried to stop crying… but still. Her knee hurt. Katrina glanced at Lillith’s knee, the stocking was now torn and some blood was leaking from the graze. “Come on let’s go get you cleaned up.” She said hefting Lillith up and on her back. Being at 4’3” Lillith was only a foot and three inches shorter than her sister, but Katrina hefted Lillith onto her back with ease. “You will dirty your dress…” Lillith said ashamed. “Not a problem.” Katrina said as they walked to the mansion. Lillith smiled feeling a warm glow happy to have her sister home again. “Thank you.” She said resting her head on her sister’s shoulder.
Katrina passed the garden seeing statues made out of the bushes. She glanced back at Lillith and asked, “How long have you been in the summer home?” Lillith paused then said, “Two weeks. Mother grew tired of Holland, and Father said I should come with.” Katrina curled her upper lip in distaste, “Step Mother.” She corrected. Lillith widened her eyes. Katrina knew better than to be so disrespectful. Why was she acting so different? She thought. Katrina felt Lillith stiffen and sighed about to comment, but she spotting a man she did not recognize. Something about him left her chilled. “And who is that?” Katrina asked ignoring Kerland following close behind insisting Katrina would accept the Madam. “That is the gardener. Mother hired him I think.” Lillith said as they reached the front door. Kerland hurried up ahead and opened the door. “Avoid him… ok?” Katrina said taking once last look at the gardener. He was staring right at her. Scoffing Katrina walked inside and Kerland closed the door. “He seems nice… why?” Lillith asked. “Just do as I say.” Katrina snapped as she placed Lillith on a chair by the entrance. She examined the bloody knee once more and ordered Kerland to get some supplies. “Must I?” Lillith asked with a sigh and Katrina simply went to work fixing Lillith’s knee, ignoring the comment. Kerland returned and soon Lillith was properly bandaged. “Did you learn this in school?” Lillith asked. “I soon will be married, children will follow. It is my duty to know these things.” Katrina said and stood. Lillith lowered her head trying not to cry again. Oh enough tears… Katrina wanted to say, but she instead patted Lillith on the head and said. “Who don’t you help me get settled in my room. We have a whole month together.” Lillith looked up smiling brightly. “This way! I picked it out last week.” She said taking Katrina’s hand and pulled her to the second floor. “I’ve been working on a new dress for church. Would you like to see?“ Lillith said as they walked the steps. “Sure, and if you would like I can help you with some if it.” Katrina replied truly smiling. Neither noticed a shadow in the far end of the room. “Are you sure?” A voice asked. “I am sure. It is them.” Another voice replied softly, deep within the shadows.
Three hours later
“Sister! Sister! Come see!” Lillith said excited. They were by the brook behind the mansion, just before the forest that they have been warned never to enter in. They were having tea together, the dress Lillith had been working on now lay at Katrina’s side. Katrina glanced up from her book and saw Lillith knee deep in the water with her dress tied off to the side. “Lillith!” She exclaimed knowing they both would punished if Lillith was seen with a dirtied dress. Lillith was 11 now. Time to start acting like a lady. “See?” Lillith said running over, splashing water everywhere. Something green and slimy leapt from Lillith’s hands landing on Katrina’s dress. Katrina stood fast with a screech and sighed frustrated seeing the frog hop back towards the brook. “Oh! You’re letting it get away!” Lillith said disappointed and she chased after the hopping frog. I guess some things never change. Katrina thought as she muttered something about growing up and shook her dress. Picking up her book she walked over to the garden to take a seat at the bench, needing some peace and quiet. Sometime later, Katrina was back reading her book, and Lillith was searching for her friend frog. “Hello little lady. You must be Kat. Lily has been talking about your arrival since she got here.” A voice startled Katrina causing her to drop her book. Lillith looked up from the brook seeing the gardener talking to Katrina. Why tell me I can’t talk to him, and you can? She thought with a slight frown. She watched the frog swim off and sighed heading back to the grass. Katrina use to like exploring the creatures in the brook. She use to smile more too. Lillith thought lowering her head. I don’t know what to do. I wanted to try something that would make her smile. She added resting her head on her knees. “I did something wrong… again.” She said softly. Katrina was more fun when she would chase after butterflies with me, or search the brook for a new pet. I thought for this one day when I got to spend time with her we could do the games we use to do. Back when our first Mother was still alive. There was a ribbit and Lillith glanced towards the sound. The frog was back, sitting next to her. “Hello little frog.” She said with a smile and noticed it had something in it’s mouth. The frog ribbited again dropping the golden object. “What’s this key for?” Lillith asked picking up the key with one hand, the frog with her other hand. The frog let out a croak and hopped onto Lillith’s shoulder. She giggled and mimicked the noise. Katrina closed her book and glared at the man. “My name is Katrina, and my sister is Lillith.” She said. “You’ll remember sooner or later.” The gardener said with a odd smile. True he seemed familiar, it was why she was uneasy around him. Tall, almost 6 foot in height, he had dark hair and cold eyes. Katrina stood, backing slowly. “You are mistaken sir…” She said and walked away heading to Lillith. Her heart pounded, for some reason he scared her. “Lillith, come let’s get you cleaned up before… Mother sees.” She said remembering to remain polite around adults. Her comment about the step mother before would have gotten her a lashing, but the butler was kind, he never repeated conversation overheard, nor did he correct. Lillith frowned but picked the frog off her shoulder and stood. “Alright.” She said sadly and together they went indoors.
Once back in Lillith’s room Katrina was helping her sister change. “You will never get a husband if you keep behaving like this Lillith.” Katrina muttered tightening her sister’s corset. Lillith frowned and thought, I could say the same thing sister. Katrina had been sent away to finishing school because she spoke her mind. It seemed that has not changed; Katrina was just more capable to hold her tongue around adults. That could easily be avoided since there were only a handful of adults in this large home. The mansion was something their father bought years ago, when their birth mother was still alive. Since their father worked so much in England he had bought a place there. The girls use to reside in the west wing but now they are in the main building. The step mother resided in the east wing, claiming she wanted privacy. Thus far she spoke to the girls twice since Katrina‘s arrival. “You are lucky you still training. Wait till you are at my level.” Katrina muttered glancing at the corset. Lillith sighed. “I wish it was easier to sleep in.” She admitted with a wince. “I wish we didn’t have to wear them in the first place.” Katrina muttered. “Remember years back we pretended we were from another land. Where we could make up our own rules?” Lillith asked glancing back. “That was long ago. We must face reality…” Katrina said with a sigh helping Lillith into her dress. “You’ve only been away for a year. Have you changed this much?” Lillith asked sadly. I was sent away because of that thinking… Katrina wanted to say, but instead she replied. “Why don’t we finish making that dress. You brought it in right?” Lillith nodded and pointed to the chair she let it rest on. As they worked on the dress, Lillith kept bringing up the land where there were fairies, pixies, and magic. Katrina simply ignored the comments, but she too remembered the dreams they had when younger. The beautiful land they often visited with their imagination. It was fun to remember, a little.
{Still editing
crying sorry it's taking me so long!!}
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