The Watcher

“Join us for tea, Sis.” She requested. “And bring this book.” The quiet latch of the library door announced her driver’s arrival.
“I thought we might have need of these.” Her driver stated. Her driver was wearing her white robe and carried her sister’s and her robes, as well as the sword and sceptre.
“We shall make it a semi-formal ceremony and see who joins us.” She stated. “To be completely fair, I think we should make our way well before anyone else does.”
“I agree.” Her driver and sister responded together. She quickly discarded her clothing and donned her robe while her sister did the same. Her headpiece seemed to appear on the desk beside her as though she had summoned it to her.
“Ready?” she asked. The other two women responded with out speaking. They quickly positioned themselves in the corridor. She stood in the centre holding her sceptre. Her sister stood to her left holding the Grand Duke’s book and her driver to her right with her sword held in front, pointed at the ceiling. They slowly began walking in unison towards the patio entrance doors. Upon arriving at the glass doors leading to the gardens beyond, they found two family members waiting to open the doors for them. After passing the doors they did not look back, but knew that before they reached the garden tables, robes would be hastily found.
They came to a slow halt under the arch next to the gazebo, turned around and faced the hall. They stood there and waited. They did not wait long as the colours of the other nine house colours began to appear. Everyone assembled, as they would have done had they gathered for a robe ceremony in the great hall. The lone figure of her cousin began pacing the distance from the patio steps. Her cousin’s red robes flowing about her as she walked towards them. Her great grandmother spoke from behind her.

“I have only ever witnessed one book ceremony in my lifetime.” Her great grandmother spoke softly to her. “I never thought it possible that the three of you would shame a family member that had just become engaged to be married.
“I do this, not to shame her, but to give her strength for what lies ahead of her.” She responded back to her great grandmother. “The only shame to be shown today is my own, as I will be her guide. I allowed myself to be deceived as she hid her true self while I announced the date for her to wed.”
“Then it’s true then, the evil which manifested itself is using her as its vessel.” Her great grandmother asked.
“It is true.” She spoke softly. “And I had no idea this was a book ceremony when I commanded her to meet me here after tea.”
“Most impressive that you are performing it as though you knew exactly how it should be done.” Her great grandmother whispered. At that moment, her cousin had finally arrived in front of her. A small stone table rose slowly from the ground. Her sister waited for the table to cease rising, then advanced the single pace to the table and laid the book upon the smooth stone surface. Her driver placed the sword across the book’s face diagonally and finally she laid her sceptre across the book in the opposite diagonal.
“I beg your pardon, Ma’am, but this is not the great book.” Her cousin stated.
“You are correct, it is not.” She stated. “This book is much, much older than the great book and contains what you seek.”
“Only the great book contains what I seek to find.” Her cousin almost commanded.
“If you truly love your future husband, then what you seek, you will find within this volume.” She spoke with her mind and projected this thought to everyone. It seemed that even her great grandmother stifled a gasp for the statement she just made to everyone.
“You may challenge my honesty and wisdom to you, at the time which was specified scarcely an hour ago.” She projected to everyone. Her cousin regarded her with a cold stare. The remainder of the ceremony would be completed if and only if her cousin returned to the same spot and requested the sceptre and sword removed from the top of the book. Afternoon tea was waiting to be served, and the book ceremony would have to wait to be completed. She knew everyone’s mind was on what action her cousin would take next. In unison, her driver, her sister and herself turned around and walked slowly from under the arch and walked silently into the gardens, away from the hall. She was certain her cousin would request the sword and sceptre removed. Her great grandmother followed them into the garden. Once they had finally hidden themselves, a safe distance within the gardens, did they stop. A single table was made ready for them, deep in the gardens. They all sat together as though waiting for the inevitable.
“I hope you know what you are doing.” Her great grandmother stated. “You will not return as Head of the Family if she does not find what she seeks. You are taking a great risk for a family member who is not married.”
“She thinks only the great book can help her find a way to trust her future husband when she does not know what it is that torments her. The evil I speak of is jealousy and no one in the family can help her fight it, but perhaps the book’s enchantment can trap it and give her the courage to look within herself.” She stated to her great grandmother.
“Enchanted? Of course.” Her sister continued. “That book was written entirely by the Grand Duke himself.”
“Where did you find this book?” her great grandmother asked.
“I found it in the sealed room.” Her sister answered.
“Have you been reading this book?” her great grandmother asked of her sister.
“Yes I have, at great length.” Her sister replied. “I find it so full of love and compassion that I find it impossible to think the Grand Duke was capable of the jealousy we have always been taught to know.
“Balance, Ladies.” Her great grandmother spoke softly. “The best advice I can offer you is to remember balance.”
“I think its time.” Her driver stated.
“Work together, and guide your cousin to what will help her.” Her great grandmother spoke to them before departing.
“I saw you reading that book, Sis.” She started. “Remember Ma’am’s advice.”
“Of course!” her driver exclaimed. “If the book has the opportunity to be reunited with a missing half then it is held in balance, that’s why the room was able to remain sealed all these years.” The three of them remained seated and joined hands. They projected their thoughts together towards their cousin.
“Hear us, and let us guide you. Our thoughts bound to your thoughts.” They projected together.
“Let me be your guide, cousin.” She projected singly to her cousin. “I will show you the path, but you will have to walk the path alone.”

“I HATE YOU! YOU ALWAYS BEAT ME AT EVERYTHING! I WAS NEVER GIVEN THE CHANCE TO EARN WHAT I WANTED BECAUSE YOU AWAYS TOOK IT FIRST! YOU STOLE IT FROM ME, AND I HATE YOU BECAUSE OF IT!” Bellowed her cousin’s thoughts within her mind.

“I love you, cousin. I can never hate you, because I love you. Look inside yourself. Feel all the love you have and know that even if you feel afraid to express it, know that my love for you is unconditional. Such is the power of love.” She projected her thoughts in a manner she was sure her cousin could hear, but only just barely.
“I will show everyone how you cheated me, how you lied to get what you wanted.” Her cousin projected back towards her. She felt the same blast of warm air sweep past her that she felt previously at the hotel.
“FERULE! Help me. I have need of your wisdom.” She spoke softly aloud.
“Aye, Mistress. You shall have it.” Ferule spoke to her, having appeared behind her by her command. “I know what must be done. What ever happens, do not brake contact with your cousin.” She felt Ferule leave her presence, but felt the ground shake slightly shortly after. Ferule must have transformed into his true form. She opened her eyes and found herself looking at what her cousin was seeing. Ferule’s true form of a green dragon advanced upon the garden arch. She felt her cousin’s hatred being replaced by fear. It was at this instant that the three of them pushed harder than before to reach their cousin. What they found made her smile most of all. Her cousin was remembering her most recent joyful memory. The day her cousin presented her letter and thusly requested permission to marry. She could feel her cousin’s love for the man who would be her future husband.
“Feel it cousin, let him know you feel this way. Let everyone know how you feel about the man you have chosen. Let us return that same feeling to you.” She projected. She continued sensing Ferule’s presence near her cousin. The fear began disappearing.
“Are you finding I spoke the truth to you, cousin?” she projected.
“Yes, Ma’am.” She heard her cousin’s voice in her head. “I beg you return to us.” The three of them broke their contact, and set off back to the garden arch at a full run. The sight which greeted them, made her smile. The mouldy book her sister had found was nothing but a pile of ash upon the stone table. Her cousin stood beside her great grandmother. Both their red robes fluttered slightly with the light afternoon breeze.

“Well, cousin. Did you find that which you were seeking?” she asked.
“That, and so much more. Thank you. You are indeed the head of the family.” Her cousin smiled.
“But what happened to the book?” her sister asked. “I haven’t finished reading that yet!”
“You are fortunate, the book drew to it that which it desired most. A balance.” Ferule spoke. “The pieces of the Grand Duke’s soul that consumed him. His anger and jealousy, combined once again by the book, destroyed themselves, hence destroying the book with it.”

Her cousin picked up the sceptre and sword from the ground. The finishing part to the book ceremony was as simple as the action of her cousin physically returning the sword and sceptre to their true bearers.
“I return to you, your rightful possessions and declare you the most worthy to fill your stations.” Her cousin spoke aloud. “Forgive me for ever doubting you.”
“I affirm my pledge to you, I will never give you reason to doubt me.” She spoke softly. From within the folds of her robe, her cousin drew the same letter, which was presented at the previous robe ceremony.
“I once again ask for your wisdom in choosing my wedding date, Ma’am.” Her cousin spoke to her. She did not accept the letter from her cousin.
“My decision remains the same as it was before.” She commanded. “You shall be wed on the day already chosen for you. And this time, I suggest you begin planning your wedding day immediately.”
“Yes, I will, Ma’am.” Her cousin replied while fighting back tears.
“And cousin.” She started.
“Yes, Ma’am.” Her cousin replied.
“Your plans will include arrangements for you to supervise the remodelling of your bridal suite.” She concluded.
“Ma’am?” her cousin asked confused.
“It seems a certain suite at the hotel requires renovations before it can be used again.” She spoke. “And I suggest this should be done as soon as possible before my sister tries using her key.” Her sister attempted in vain to compose her surprise at this announcement.
“Something wrong with my suite, Ma’am.” Her sister asked.
“Nothing wrong, Mistress.” Her cousin interjected. “I shall see to it that your suite is returned to the same condition it was before.” Her sister knew immediately about what had transpired previously in the suite from the projected thoughts of their cousin.

The robed family members began dispersing into the hall. Her sister returned to her reading in the Library, and her driver excused herself to carry out other duties. She remained alone under the arch for a great deal of time after her great grandmother and her aunt escorted her cousin to the hall. Tears welled up within her but she felt unable to shed them. She felt the child growing inside herself.
“Forgive me.” She spoke to her unborn daughter. “I know you will be born with all the power I have, but not the knowledge and wisdom to go with it. That you will have to learn, as you grow older. Your grandmother will teach you as my grandmother taught me. You will be as powerful as I am, and one day you alone will become head of the family.”

“Forgive me for intruding upon your solitude.” Her Father spoke from beside her. “Sounds to me like you’re speaking as though I will be a grandfather in the not too distant future.
“Yes Daddy. You will be.” She spoke as she turned and wept into her father’s waistcoat.
“This is a time to be celebrated.” Her father spoke softly to her. “Dry your tears and remember how proud you’ve made us all.”
“I Fear I may have miscalculated when my cousin should be Wed.” she continued crying.
“How is it possible you’ve miscalculated?” her father asked.
“It’s possible that the day I chose for her will be very close to the day I give birth.” She wept. “And I do not want to take a single moment from her day.”
“Trust me when I say, you will not.” Her father consoled to her. “You will witness your cousin’s wedding while holding my granddaughter in your arms. This I have seen.”
“Daddy?” she asked. “What is it and how have you seen?”
“I never told a single soul of the vision I had the day you were born.” Her father spoke to her. “The gift of my foresight was a present from your mother. Your mother awoke me from a dream where I saw a beautiful blond haired young woman holding a child while another young woman walked down the isle. There will be no doubt in my mind that this will be, as I remember seeing the child this young woman held. I met what looked like her hours later when you were born. I look at you now and know that it was you I saw holding my granddaughter and not The Grand Duchess holding you.”
“Daddy, you must not tell a soul.” She pleaded. “Only James and Catherine know I am pregnant. Swear it to me.”
“Your secret is safe with me until you have announced it to the family.” Her father promised to her. “Not even your mother or sister know anything, and you know how they think I can never keep anything a secret.” This made her laugh, because she had grown up always hearing from her sister and mother about how her father had always divulged some secret about someone.
“Daddy, why did you think the Grand Duchess was holding me?” she asked.
“The portrait of the Grand Duchess used to hang in the Matriarch’s Reception room.” Her father stated. After you were born your great grandmother had asked me personally to take the portrait down and have it stored in the storage room hidden behind the bookcase in the east wall of the library.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She cried. “Can you show me sometime how to open the bookcase, I should like to know what else is in the storage room.”
“That’s simple enough, remove Gulliver’s travels and turn the great book’s stand clockwise at the same time.” Her father answered. Now knowing her sister’s and driver’s secret from another source, she was planning to open the hidden bookcase in front of her sister and driver. She also realised how her great grandmother could have overheard her reading from the great book.
“May I have the honour of escorting you to your husband?” her father asked.
“I will need to change from my robe first, but yes, nothing would please me more than having you escort me to my husband.” She spoke softly and kissed her father’s cheek. Walking back to the hall she realised that the portrait’s hiding place must have two entrances, as her driver had mentioned previously to show her the passage to the portrait’s hiding place and her father had mentioned the hidden room behind the book case.
“Penny for your thoughts?” her father asked as they had finally reached the entrance to her bedchamber.
“Sorry, Daddy, but tell James I will meet him for dinner as we had planned. I remembered I have to meet Catherine before dinner.
“I will pass him the message.” Her father replied and she gently closed the door to her bedchamber behind her. She quickly removed her robe and noticed clothing already set for her on the bed. The fabric was much like the clothing Ferule had set out for her previously at her hotel suite. She consciously thought of Ferule as she began dressing.
“Thank you once again, Ferule.” She spoke softly.
“It is my pleasure, Mistress.” Responded Ferule’s voice in her head. She hastily retreated from her bedchamber to find her husband waiting for her patiently in the corridor after she had completed dressing herself.
“Why didn’t you come in?” she asked.
“Because a Lady should always have some time to herself.” Her husband responded. “Your gentleman has mentioned this more than once recently.”
“Most thoughtful of you.” She whispered while kissing him passionately. “Escort me to the Library, James. I have an appointment before dinner.
“My pleasure.” Her husband replied to her. They quickly began walking towards the library. It was several minutes later that she kissed her husband and closed the library door behind her. She thought to herself while finding the library deserted.
“There is something more than just the hiding of the Grand Duchess’s portrait behind this bookcase.” She thought silently to herself while staring at the bookcase her father had mentioned previously. She crossed the library floor and quickly scanned the bookcase for Gulliver’s Travels. The title stared back at her as though the book wanted to leap into her hands. She gently removed the book from the bookcase and walked towards the stand cradling the great book. She opened Gulliver’s Travels and rested it on top of the great book. She pondered for a moment as she carefully examined the book. She took notice of how the back cover of the book felt slightly thicker than the front cover. She opened the back cover and slowly ran her fingers over the inside paper covering. She trembled slightly as she felt a familiar sensation under her fingertips.
“This is not supposed to be here.” She whispered to herself. The inside back cover held the imprint of the family coat of arms. Holding the book in her hands, she crossed the library floor to her sister’s desk and retrieved a letter opener. She slowly pried the paper cover from the binding and turned the cover back. Underneath was two pieces of onionskin parchment. The paper was translucent and bore neatly scrolled calligraphy she recognised instantly, as she had often seen her great grandmother write. This writing peaked her curiosity, but would have to wait until after dinner to be read as the chimes of the clock on the wall announced the quarter before the hour mark. She hastily closed the book and returned it to the bookshelf. She gently folded the parchment into her blazer’s pocket and closed the distance to the library door. The library door gently opened and her driver almost stepped directly into her.
“So, sorry.” Her driver apologized. “I expected, I might find you here.”
“I will need your help after dinner this evening.” She commanded softly. “Walk with me to dinner, please. I have questions that need answers.”
“Did you find it?” Her driver asked.
“Find what?” she asked.
“The parchment.” Her driver whispered. She slowly withdrew the parchment from her pocket only enough so that her driver could see she had it.
“I have not yet had time to read it, though.” She whispered back. “You obviously know more about it than I do.”
“I do indeed know about it.” Her driver responded. “It was I who recited what was to be written on it.”
“That now makes four people involved with its creation.” She stated calmly. “Would you be breaking a vow to tell me if I am correct?”
“Clever, very clever.” Her driver rebutted. “I would not and yes, you are correct. Do not ask more of whom. For that I fear, you will come close to asking me to break a vow.”
“I understand.” She whispered. “I can therefore conclude, that since you know what is written, I was possibly meant to find it, but only if a precise sequence of events took place.”
“You always did love puzzles.” Her driver quipped.
“And this puzzle includes you, my sister, Ma’am and my father, yes?” She enquired.
“You’re getting warmer.” Her driver gently sang.
“If I recall, you mentioned showing me a passage.” She whispered to her driver. “I would like you to show me this passage tomorrow morning.”
“It will be my pleasure.” Her driver spoke softly to her. She regarded her driver’s stare momentarily and the two of them broke into hysterical laughter.
“Dinner first, I am starved.” She giggled.
“And your sister has a secret she’s been keeping from us.” Her driver noted.
“Is she…” she began to ask.
“That makes all three of us, now.” Her driver beamed.
“Our gentleman will know long before we announce anything to the family.” She quipped. “How about if my husband makes my announcement after port is served.”
“And your sister and I shall not fill our glasses. It might be fun to see when he acknowledges it.” Her driver giggled.
“He’ll know. He always has known things we’ve tried to keep secret from him.” She giggled back. They quickly composed themselves as they rounded the last corner to the dining hall. Ferule stood at attention looking resplendent in his butler’s uniform standing next to the dining hall’s doors. The family coat of arms embroidered in white thread upon his grey tailcoat, denoted his station as personal butler to the head of the family.
“Very handsome, Ferule.” She projected towards Ferule.
“It has been a long time since I’ve had the pleasure of announcing dinner for the family.” Ferule spoke inside her head. She noticed Ferule reach behind him and gather a very tall walking stick with the family coat of arms mounted to its top. She stopped a few paces from the doors and noticed her driver had stopped half a pace behind her. Ferule marched into the dining hall and firmly knocked the walking stick against the hardwood floor.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Duchess of Brougham!” Ferule announced to the dining hall. Ferule smartly bowed while backing himself against the door’s open frame to allow herself and her driver to step into the dining hall. She walked proudly down the left side of the dining hall towards the seat at the head of the table. She turned and stood facing her husband who stood at the opposite end of the dining hall’s vast table. She noted her driver’s husband stood to her left and her father stood to her right. She noticed her mother and her driver stood on opposite sides of her husband. She felt Ferule’s presence directly behind her. She remained standing and glanced down the entire length of the table. Everyone remained standing.
“You must seat your guests, Mistress.” She heard Ferule’s voice in her head.
“Thank you, Ferule.” She projected back. “Help me through this or I shall die of fright.”
“Thank you, Please be seated.” She commanded softly as she took her own seat.
“Summon the servants with the small bell next to your right hand.” She heard Ferule’s voice in her head.
“Thank you again, Ferule.” She thought to Ferule.
“My pleasure, Mistress.” Sounded Ferule’s voice in her head as she gently rang the small bell resting on the table. With Ferule’s expert advice she flawlessly worked the servants to deliver seven complete courses. As the port decanter was brought forth and passed down the table from each diner to the next she pondered if this was as good a moment as any to make news worthy announcement to the family.
“Ferule, if I wish to make an announcement… she began with a thought to Ferule.
“A defined pause between two peals of the bell.” Ferule’s voice sounded in her head before she could finish. Gently she raised the bell as the port decanter remained in her father’s hand waiting to fill her glass. She rang the bell in the manner Ferule had advised. She lowered the bell back to the table and rose from her chair.
“Ladies and Gentlemen. My husband wishes to make an announcement.” She spoke in a softly commanding voice as she returned to her seat.
“Please rise and announce our daughter to the family.” She projected to her husband only.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Her husband spoke while standing. “It is my pleasure to announce to you all that my wife, Your Matriarch, is with child.” The shock of this news resulted in the gentlemen immediately standing, as everyone raised their glasses to her, everyone, except her sister and her driver. Her great grandfather looked directly at her.
“As Gentleman of the family, I propose a toast to our three newest family members.” Her great grandfather announced to everyone present. Confusion abounded as everyone looked at each other, then back to her great grandfather.
“I think two other ladies do not fill their glasses for the same reason the head of the family did not fill her own glass.” Her gentleman announced. Her driver’s husband and her sister’s husband confirmed the previous statement with affirming gestures. She regarded her great grandfather with a serene smile as he raised his glass to the each of them in turn.
“The three of us will need to confront him and ask how he does it.” She projected to only her sister and her driver.
“I agree.” She heard both of them respond back to her.
“Married less than a month and pregnant already, Sis? Her sister’s voice spoke in her head. “Catherine must have told you I was pregnant.”
“She did.” She projected back to her sister. “Since we’ve never kept secrets from each other, if you didn’t want me to know, then you shouldn’t have told her.”
“Keeping secrets is a skill I’ve had to learn the hard way.” Her sister projected back to her. She could vividly see her sister’s grinning smile.
“To our newest family members!” everyone spoke as they simultaneously raised their glasses to her sister, her driver, and then to herself.
“It will be quite an occasion that the youngest of the fifth generation alive, will be born near the time when the eldest of that same generation is to be married.” Her great grandmother proclaimed. Discussion continued long after she excused herself from the table and was escorted from the dining hall by her husband. Her sister and her driver followed closely behind her, escorted by their husbands.

“It has been a long day, James.” She spoke softly to her husband. “Walking with you, reminds me of our wedding day.”
“Aye, barely a month ago.” Her husband spoke gently back to her. She felt her ring as it softly glowed on her finger, as she thought of the daughter growing inside of her.
“We have our suite to renovate before our daughter is born and my cousin will no doubt bombard me with questions for advice about her wedding.” She softly spoke.
“Your parents have both mentioned that they are available to ask advice from about how to arrange a nursery.” Her husband stated.
“I have an even better idea, if you agree to it.” She quipped.
“What ever you want, you shall always have, Darling.” Her husband stated boldly.
“How do you feel about having my mom supervise the renovations?” she asked.
“Perfect way to free up some of your already busy schedule.” Her husband quipped.
“Yes, more time to have you all to myself.” She spoke seductively.
“Aye, lass. And if you’re not careful, you might succeed in seducing me again.” Her husband whispered to her. They came to a stop directly outside her bedchamber. A very coy smile crossed her face before she kissed her husband.