6 Volume 1.5 Night of Unease

"And they live, happily ever after." Madame Rebecca closed her book when she saw both of her children were sleeping already. She planted a kiss on their foreheads. First to Myrene and next was to his son.

As she did that, her gaze went to the hidden left corner of the room of the kids.

"They are finally sleep, your grace." Frayah's reappeared. Her purple eyes were glinting in the dark corner of the room. "I will lead you to your room now." She opened the door as quietly as possible and gestured for Rebecca to go out.

Madame Rebecca smiled faintly as she stood up from the bed of her children. She gave one last look to her kids and walked outside the room.

In the hallway, there were only torches that were a meter apart from each other that lit the pathway. The rumbles of thunder and the wind pushing the closed windows could be heard in the hallways. Rebecca gave a sideways glance and it could be clearly seen the raging storm outside.

"We've arrived, your grace." Frayah cut off Rebecca from her wandering thoughts.

"Thank you, Frayah." Rebecca said with a faint smile and entered her room. When she closed the door, Rebecca listened carefully to Frayah's retreating footsteps until she couldn't hear it anymore.

She opened her palms and two swirls of wind appeared above it.

"How's my children?"

{"They are still sleeping, peacefully."} A meek but gentle voice of male came out from the swirl.

"Then we have to proceed with the plan now." Madame Rebecca whispered. There was a tinge of determination placed in her voice.

{"Are you certain about this?"}

"We don't have much time. They will take my son away during the ceremony. I can't never let that happen."

{"I promised you that I'm here to protect you at all danger. And this plan of yours is dangerous. I don't want to endanger your life."}

"Please, help me, Wind." Rebecca begged. "My children are my life now."

{"You really have change now, Rebecca."}

"I truly regret that I met him. My greed to acquire power has long disappeared since my children arrived in this world. I don't want them to be burdened by the mistake I've committed."

{"And you repeated that mistake twice, that's why you have two children right now."}

"You know, that it is not easy to defy him. Or else my son will be killed." Rebecca said, sounding desperate. "Please, you're the only one I can ask for to save my children."

There was a brief silence before Wind responded. He heaved a deep sigh.

{"Sigh. The Gardener is still patrolling outside. The chef is guarding the door at the main entrance and that head maid, her presence is meek but she is currently at her chambers right now. With the brewing storm outside, this will be the perfect chance for the three of you to escape. I will do everything to distract them.}

Rebecca smiled with relief. "Thank you, Wind. All this time, I always rely on you."

{"Hurry up now, the maid, I can sense that she is sleeping now."}

Rebecca nodded her head and she dropped her hand, the swirl disappeared. She walked towards the painting that was near her bed then removed it. There was a black brick behind and it was different from the rest of the red bricks. She pressed it and the walls started to break into two.

It revealed a dark hallway ahead. She grabbed a torch and lightened it. Once she walked inside, the wall closed.

***

"Myrene, how is your school today?"

"It is all good, mother. Though, Billie made fun of my drawing. But my teacher said that my drawing is beautiful so I didn't get affected by him."

"Ora-ora," Her mother patted her head. "Our Myrene is so mature."

"Of course, mom, you said I should not fight with my classmates. You will be sad if I do that." Myrene said with enthusiasm, delighted to hear her mother's words.

"Such a good girl," Her mother responded with a bright smile as she retracted her hand from Myrene's head. "But if you will get hurt or someone you care will get hurt, remember that it will be ok for you to fight back as well, understand Myrene?"

Though the seven year old, Myrene really didn't understand it completely she nodded her head with great enthusiasm. "Yes, mom!"

***

Myrene opened her eyes and a single tear fell from her eyes. She sat down carefully to not wake up her elder brother who was asleep next to her. 'It's been a while since I dreamed of my past life.' She leaned her head to the headboard of her bed. If one could see her pain and longing reflected in her red round eyes, one would question themselves if they were looking at a three year old girl.

*Pitah!*

Myrene was surprised when the window of their room burst open. The strong wind outside hit her face completely sending chills all over her body. The three candles on the candleholder were also turned off due to the wind.

"Ehm..." Myrene glanced at her eldest brother. Despite all the noise, he remained asleep. Myrene just helplessly smiled as she tuck the sheets more to her brother. Then she jumped from her bed and headed towards the window. She grabbed a stool and climbed it to reach the window. Though the wind was strong, she tried her best to closed the window,

After almost ten minutes, she was finally able to close the window. But as soon as she wiped off the sweat on her head she stiffened when she felt someone touch her right shoulder.

"My daughter."

That gentle voice!

Myrene turned around to see her mother. "Mother?" She yelped a bit startled.

Rebecca put her index finger to Myrene's mouth and hushed. "Myrene, will you lower your voice to not wake up anyone in the house?" She said that was almost a whisper too.

Myrene, though confused, simply nodded her head. But her mother's next words caused more confusion to her.

"My daughter, we will leave the house tonight with your brother, now."

A feeling of unease started to swirl inside Myrene as she looked at her mother's expression. Although she was smiling, her gentle blue eyes rippled with worry and fear. The same expression Myrene saw back at the garden.

Rebecca held both her daughter's hands. "Let's wake up your brother, now. We don't have much time left."