Two weeks had passed since Serena had learned of her father's plan to find her a suitable husband. For the most part, Serena secluded herself away from the household. She had no desire for her parents to see her in such a manner of disarray. She spent most of the mornings and afternoons exploring the countryside with her trusty mare, Aerionna. Every morning, Jael would pack her a satchel of bread, a few vegetables and a water skin and Serena would disappear until the evening arrived. With the setting of the sun, Serena would gallop into the courtyard, settle Aerionna in the stables with the usual oats and a good rub down then head straight for her bed chamber and collapse on the bed. Sleep would finally consume her until the next morning's sun rose.
One evening as Serena returned from her normal trek across Ruby Field's majestic hills and country, Norman met his daughter as she alighted the massive stone stairway leading to the main entrance of the Huff mansion.
"Papa, I did not expect to see you this evening. Is everything alright?" she asked as a servant took her cape and fur wraps. As the season deepened into Winter, the temperatures continued to drop considerably.
Norman tapped his silver cane on the wooden floor boards.
"Of course my precious. I wondered if perhaps you would accompany me to the Library for a nice round of your favorite, peppermint tea and perhaps some snow cream? I hear that Chef Louie added extra cream!" Norman laughed and took his daughter by the arm. Serena tried to pull away.
"Papa, I really do not-"
"Nonsense! Come with me." he smiled pulling her down the long hallway that was lit up with hundreds of candles. Shadows danced across the painted walls as Serena followed her father into the Library.
Once they were seated in the Library in front of the fireplace, sipping hot tea, Norman broke the silence first.
"I understand that you have been somewhat...distressed by what has been happening the pass couple of weeks." he leaned forward and set his mug on a wooden end table.
"I have let you have your peace and be alone. But the time has come Serena, you must realize that marriage is inevitable." he said calmly. Serena stared into her father's hazel eyes. She did not frown but she did not smile either.
Norman sighed and blinked back tears. In the soft light of the fire, his ever blossoming daughter looked more and more like his beloved Seren every day. And to think that Serena had no idea who her real mother even was.
"Serena...I...." Norman stood up and paced the floor. Serena looked up to her father and watched as he encircled the giant embroidered rug.
"Papa. is something wrong?" she asked quietly. Norman turned to face his daughter. He then sat down beside Serena and took her small hands into his larger ones.
"Serena, I have something to tell you...." he began, his voice cracking with uncertainty. Serena's eyes widened as she waited for the news her father was about to bestow to her. Had he found her a husband? Was she to be married within the month? Why, this was all happening so fast!
Calm yourself, Serena. she told herself and patted her father's hand.
"What is it, papa?" she asked gently. Norman blinked, opened his mouth as if to speak then paused. Gaining control of the situation, he cleared his throat and looked into his daughter's worried golden eyes.
"Serena...your Mother...is dead." he said quickly. Serena gasped and jumped to her feet.
"What? How? She was perfectly fine this morning? What has happened to her papa?" Norman stood and drew his daughter into his arms.
"Scarlet is very much alive," he started. "...your real mother, Seren Huff is...dead." he said blankly, holding Serena close. At this moment, he was glad that he could not see the reaction on his daughter's face. Serena's body shook, she could not believe what she was hearing.
"My...real mother?" she asked, her voice shaking. Norman gently pulled Serena's slender frame away from him.
"I think you better sit down. I have a long story to tell you." Serena nodded and he lead her to the settee and sat down beside her.
Norman began to tell his daughter of her true mother, Seren, how they met each other one day while harvesting crops from a field. They were only poor peasants that fell hopelessly in love and desired to spend the rest of eternity together. He told her how he found out just a few short months after they had married that Seren was with child and then how she fell ill right after Serena had been born.
"A deathly plague had swept through the land. Seren had lost her brothers and also contracted the plague while tending to them. I forbade her not to keep going to their home, especially in her condition being great with child, but she kept saying how her family needed her." Norman went on to tell her how she had just enough energy to give birth to Serena, then she grew deathly ill. Two months after Serena's birth, she died.
"I was then a widow with a wee infant to take care of. I had no money, no way in which to feed you. I was desperate." Norman told his daughter how he had even kept Seren's dead body to allow Serena to suckle the last remaining droplets of milk from her cold breasts.
He then told her how he met Lady Scarlet. He had went to the Cathedral to beg a couple of pennies from the priest so that he could buy some bread and perhaps pay a woman to feed Serena. Lady Scarlet was there for the morning mass.
"I was still grieving for your mother yet there Scarlet sat dressed in an all white gown. She looked so beautiful that day, like an angel." Norman told Serena how he had sat down in the back of the Cathedral to wait till the service was over but half way through, Serena let out a piercing cry that echoed through the high ceilings.
"I tried everything I could to calm you, but you had been three days with no milk, you were starving. Scarlet turned to see me sitting in the back, rocking you, trying my best to make you quiet down. She immediately stood up and rushed to my side. She took you into her arms and began to rock you gently.
'Kind sir, when is the last time this poor child has eaten? Where is her mother?' she asked. I told her that your mother had just passed three days earlier and that you had not eaten since. Scarlet called for a wet nurse and within the hour, a local nurse was brought in. The woman took you into her arms and immediately began to feed you." Norman continued his story of how Scarlet offered money to him to help pay for a wet nurse and food however he refused. Norman told her it would seem improper. Scarlet then devised another idea. She proposed a marriage to Norman right then and there.
" ' Sir Norman, you have no means to provide for yourself and the child. Come live with me, I have a mansion and wealth beyond measure. I will take care of you and your daughter.' And the thought was tempting. Scarlet assured me that love did not have to matter and that she had pure compassion for me and you. Reluctantly I agreed, but only for your sake, Serena. I could not bare to see you starve again. I was determined to do everything that I could to provide for you and make you happy. As I am now only trying to do what is best for you." Norman said softly.
Serena sat there, her back glued to the frame of the cushioned chair. She was unable to say anything, she was still trying to take in the story that her father had just spent an hour unfolding to her. All this time she had believed that Scarlet was her true mother. All these years she fought to live up to Lady Scarlet's expectations and listen to her every command and to think that the sour woman was not even her true mother.
"Do you love her?" the words came unsteadily and rolled off of Serena's tongue. Norman blinked several times and cleared his throat.
"What did you say?" he asked although he heard good and well what Serena had asked. Serena turned and fixed her gaze on her father's face.
"I said, do you love her?" Norman stood up and placed his hands on his hips. He paced a couple of steps then turned to face his daughter.
"Serena, I...well you see...it's like this...I...well, no. No I do not love Scarlet." he said in exasperation. He waved his hands frantically.
''I have tried to love her. I honestly have. Scarlet has been a good wife to me. She took us in, gave me titles, money, wealth, and secured our future. She has been attentive, never complained to me...why can't I love her?" he asked, sinking back down into the cushions of the chair beside his daughter.
"She does not have your heart." Serena replied in a blank tone, staring into the fireplace. Norman shook his head.
"Nay, she does not indeed. My heart died along with your poor mother seventeen years ago." he stated. Serena looked at her father, searching his face and eyes.
"Why did you not tell me until just now? Did I not deserve to know the truth?" Norman Huff leaned over and reached for Serena's hands.
"Of course you did, my love. I was just scared to tell you. 'Tis not an easy thing. It took a great deal of courage to do what I did tonight." Serena nodded her head.
"I am grateful." she replied then stood and smoothed her skirts with the palm of her hand. "But if you excuse me now, papa, I think I shall retire for the evening, good night.'' she said as she headed for the door.
Norman sighed heavily. relaxing into the cushions as the door latched behind his daughter. What was he to do now? Serena had not taken the news well. Of course, how did one expect their daughter to receive such news that the woman they had grown to trust and perhaps love was not even her real mother?
Norman looked over at the wooden bowls of now melted snow cream and let out an audible sigh. Lazily, he stood and made his way to the Spirits cabinet across the large room. He popped the cork on a bottle of ale and turned it up, draining the amber liquid. He opened his mouth and breathed deeply, forgetting how strong the ale was. He raised the bottle staring at it longingly and said, "Oh faithful friend, may you consume my worries, problems, and sorrows. Drown me in your fiery pool of sinfulness, cause me to forget my pain and heal my broken heart." He then lifted the bottle again to his lips, finishing off the liquid. Languidly, he grabbed two more bottles of the strong liquor and made his way back to the settee.
"Let the night begin!" he said in an already drunken tone, popping the cork on the second glass bottle.
There are no problems in life so big that even liquor can't cure! Norman thought to himself as he raised the bottle and gulped the stinging liquid. As it scorched his throat, it literally seemed to melt away all of his worries and fears.
One evening as Serena returned from her normal trek across Ruby Field's majestic hills and country, Norman met his daughter as she alighted the massive stone stairway leading to the main entrance of the Huff mansion.
"Papa, I did not expect to see you this evening. Is everything alright?" she asked as a servant took her cape and fur wraps. As the season deepened into Winter, the temperatures continued to drop considerably.
Norman tapped his silver cane on the wooden floor boards.
"Of course my precious. I wondered if perhaps you would accompany me to the Library for a nice round of your favorite, peppermint tea and perhaps some snow cream? I hear that Chef Louie added extra cream!" Norman laughed and took his daughter by the arm. Serena tried to pull away.
"Papa, I really do not-"
"Nonsense! Come with me." he smiled pulling her down the long hallway that was lit up with hundreds of candles. Shadows danced across the painted walls as Serena followed her father into the Library.
Once they were seated in the Library in front of the fireplace, sipping hot tea, Norman broke the silence first.
"I understand that you have been somewhat...distressed by what has been happening the pass couple of weeks." he leaned forward and set his mug on a wooden end table.
"I have let you have your peace and be alone. But the time has come Serena, you must realize that marriage is inevitable." he said calmly. Serena stared into her father's hazel eyes. She did not frown but she did not smile either.
Norman sighed and blinked back tears. In the soft light of the fire, his ever blossoming daughter looked more and more like his beloved Seren every day. And to think that Serena had no idea who her real mother even was.
"Serena...I...." Norman stood up and paced the floor. Serena looked up to her father and watched as he encircled the giant embroidered rug.
"Papa. is something wrong?" she asked quietly. Norman turned to face his daughter. He then sat down beside Serena and took her small hands into his larger ones.
"Serena, I have something to tell you...." he began, his voice cracking with uncertainty. Serena's eyes widened as she waited for the news her father was about to bestow to her. Had he found her a husband? Was she to be married within the month? Why, this was all happening so fast!
Calm yourself, Serena. she told herself and patted her father's hand.
"What is it, papa?" she asked gently. Norman blinked, opened his mouth as if to speak then paused. Gaining control of the situation, he cleared his throat and looked into his daughter's worried golden eyes.
"Serena...your Mother...is dead." he said quickly. Serena gasped and jumped to her feet.
"What? How? She was perfectly fine this morning? What has happened to her papa?" Norman stood and drew his daughter into his arms.
"Scarlet is very much alive," he started. "...your real mother, Seren Huff is...dead." he said blankly, holding Serena close. At this moment, he was glad that he could not see the reaction on his daughter's face. Serena's body shook, she could not believe what she was hearing.
"My...real mother?" she asked, her voice shaking. Norman gently pulled Serena's slender frame away from him.
"I think you better sit down. I have a long story to tell you." Serena nodded and he lead her to the settee and sat down beside her.
Norman began to tell his daughter of her true mother, Seren, how they met each other one day while harvesting crops from a field. They were only poor peasants that fell hopelessly in love and desired to spend the rest of eternity together. He told her how he found out just a few short months after they had married that Seren was with child and then how she fell ill right after Serena had been born.
"A deathly plague had swept through the land. Seren had lost her brothers and also contracted the plague while tending to them. I forbade her not to keep going to their home, especially in her condition being great with child, but she kept saying how her family needed her." Norman went on to tell her how she had just enough energy to give birth to Serena, then she grew deathly ill. Two months after Serena's birth, she died.
"I was then a widow with a wee infant to take care of. I had no money, no way in which to feed you. I was desperate." Norman told his daughter how he had even kept Seren's dead body to allow Serena to suckle the last remaining droplets of milk from her cold breasts.
He then told her how he met Lady Scarlet. He had went to the Cathedral to beg a couple of pennies from the priest so that he could buy some bread and perhaps pay a woman to feed Serena. Lady Scarlet was there for the morning mass.
"I was still grieving for your mother yet there Scarlet sat dressed in an all white gown. She looked so beautiful that day, like an angel." Norman told Serena how he had sat down in the back of the Cathedral to wait till the service was over but half way through, Serena let out a piercing cry that echoed through the high ceilings.
"I tried everything I could to calm you, but you had been three days with no milk, you were starving. Scarlet turned to see me sitting in the back, rocking you, trying my best to make you quiet down. She immediately stood up and rushed to my side. She took you into her arms and began to rock you gently.
'Kind sir, when is the last time this poor child has eaten? Where is her mother?' she asked. I told her that your mother had just passed three days earlier and that you had not eaten since. Scarlet called for a wet nurse and within the hour, a local nurse was brought in. The woman took you into her arms and immediately began to feed you." Norman continued his story of how Scarlet offered money to him to help pay for a wet nurse and food however he refused. Norman told her it would seem improper. Scarlet then devised another idea. She proposed a marriage to Norman right then and there.
" ' Sir Norman, you have no means to provide for yourself and the child. Come live with me, I have a mansion and wealth beyond measure. I will take care of you and your daughter.' And the thought was tempting. Scarlet assured me that love did not have to matter and that she had pure compassion for me and you. Reluctantly I agreed, but only for your sake, Serena. I could not bare to see you starve again. I was determined to do everything that I could to provide for you and make you happy. As I am now only trying to do what is best for you." Norman said softly.
Serena sat there, her back glued to the frame of the cushioned chair. She was unable to say anything, she was still trying to take in the story that her father had just spent an hour unfolding to her. All this time she had believed that Scarlet was her true mother. All these years she fought to live up to Lady Scarlet's expectations and listen to her every command and to think that the sour woman was not even her true mother.
"Do you love her?" the words came unsteadily and rolled off of Serena's tongue. Norman blinked several times and cleared his throat.
"What did you say?" he asked although he heard good and well what Serena had asked. Serena turned and fixed her gaze on her father's face.
"I said, do you love her?" Norman stood up and placed his hands on his hips. He paced a couple of steps then turned to face his daughter.
"Serena, I...well you see...it's like this...I...well, no. No I do not love Scarlet." he said in exasperation. He waved his hands frantically.
''I have tried to love her. I honestly have. Scarlet has been a good wife to me. She took us in, gave me titles, money, wealth, and secured our future. She has been attentive, never complained to me...why can't I love her?" he asked, sinking back down into the cushions of the chair beside his daughter.
"She does not have your heart." Serena replied in a blank tone, staring into the fireplace. Norman shook his head.
"Nay, she does not indeed. My heart died along with your poor mother seventeen years ago." he stated. Serena looked at her father, searching his face and eyes.
"Why did you not tell me until just now? Did I not deserve to know the truth?" Norman Huff leaned over and reached for Serena's hands.
"Of course you did, my love. I was just scared to tell you. 'Tis not an easy thing. It took a great deal of courage to do what I did tonight." Serena nodded her head.
"I am grateful." she replied then stood and smoothed her skirts with the palm of her hand. "But if you excuse me now, papa, I think I shall retire for the evening, good night.'' she said as she headed for the door.
Norman sighed heavily. relaxing into the cushions as the door latched behind his daughter. What was he to do now? Serena had not taken the news well. Of course, how did one expect their daughter to receive such news that the woman they had grown to trust and perhaps love was not even her real mother?
Norman looked over at the wooden bowls of now melted snow cream and let out an audible sigh. Lazily, he stood and made his way to the Spirits cabinet across the large room. He popped the cork on a bottle of ale and turned it up, draining the amber liquid. He opened his mouth and breathed deeply, forgetting how strong the ale was. He raised the bottle staring at it longingly and said, "Oh faithful friend, may you consume my worries, problems, and sorrows. Drown me in your fiery pool of sinfulness, cause me to forget my pain and heal my broken heart." He then lifted the bottle again to his lips, finishing off the liquid. Languidly, he grabbed two more bottles of the strong liquor and made his way back to the settee.
"Let the night begin!" he said in an already drunken tone, popping the cork on the second glass bottle.
There are no problems in life so big that even liquor can't cure! Norman thought to himself as he raised the bottle and gulped the stinging liquid. As it scorched his throat, it literally seemed to melt away all of his worries and fears.