Chapter 3: Ghost of a Lover

Diana had spent the last week in her room. No one had come for her in those days. Not that she was complaining since she had barely been conscious for most of it. The first night she had slept three days by the time she woke up the blood drenched dress had dried in its crumpled form. She had thrown it into the chest Mikkail had given her before wipping down the flaky blood from the white marble flooring. She had busied herself with cleaning in her attempts to rid herself from her dreams. They had been too real, too strange, too foreign yet familiar.

Green eyes. A group of three so far away. A boy with green eyes staring. A snake. A blonde boy in despair. An old man falling. A lake frozen over. Green. "I'd never treat me this shitty." A swing on a tree in the woods. 'I love you more than you know,' words unspoken. A silver haired girl with radish earrings. A prophecy, a death. A boy with bright green eyes. "Come with me." Pleads for deaf ears. Always green. Lies. Michelle.

It was too much in too little time. Diana never remembered her dreams. Sometimes she'd wake with the worst migraines that only Leo could alleviate. Sometimes she'd even wake up crying or angry though mostly she was always scared. Too much was happening inside her head. What she did remember from her dreams range from extremely vague to unnecessarily detailed. She wanted to paint some of these dreams but whenever she focused too much on one it would either quickly fade or just be a literal pain to remember. For a moment she even suspected she might be a seer but that idea died just as quickly. To be born with the Gift would not have been overlooked and it couldn't be developed so she must just be going mad she concluded. She pushed those thoughts away.

It was the seventh day that she received a note from her mother to meet her in her study. It had certainly come later than expected which left her to assume Leo must have done damage control. His way of apologizing, again. Her anger still lingered when she had woken up she had been ready to kill the man but after a much needed shower and her annoying meditations her mind did indeed become clearer. It was a calm frozen anger now. It was also the most dangerous type. She would ruin everything he holds dear. It may sound extreme and if she's being honest it is a little too much but he had doubled crossed her. She didn't care if it was for her safety it wasn't what she wanted. Being brutally honest she'd rather have taken a Zoldycks death than the name of another. But since that decision was taken from her she had new ambitions in mind. She would chip away at his influence. She didn't know where to start but she knew she could do anything she set her mind to. You're the most likely to get what you want. She heard this growing up a lot and every time she proved them right.

For now she debated wearing a purple court gown, or a red low cut short dress she found in the unexpected slutty area of her new wardrobe. Should she play by her mothers rule or outright throw them out. In the end she decided to do neither. Instead she chose a flowy high waisted skirt with a sleeveless black tight turtle neck shirt. She knew court gowns were the proper dress code for Obsidian even if it was technically her own home. With the Keeper's presence and the unexpected guests the Zoldyck children had always abided by these rules but of course Diana wasn't only a Zoldyck but also a Vitale. Her father had always allowed her free reign in her clothing no matter how outrageous or odd he had always indulged her in this. Now her mother would learn to do the same. She let her hair down, wore gold jewelry, and white tennis shoes.

It was not till she stood in front of her mothers door that she began to regret her decision in clothing. She debated doing a small prayer to whatever deity or force out there that her mother wouldn't notice or at least not say anything yet she decided against it. It wasn't till she walked in with her mothers scrutinizing eyes instantly landing on her that she regretted that decision as well. She mentally cursed herself. Diana knew she had grown too emotional that it had been clouding her judgment a lot more than she cared to admit. But to think that acceptance would come out of something as plain as clothing felt ludicrous.

"Mother."

"I'm not standing in as your mother today, Domina." Her voice was tense yet her face gave nothing.

"Kaisen then."

"I'm not even going to mention what I walked into last time I saw you. You couldn't possibly phantom the favor the Keeper holds towards you, child. Even I can't understand what makes you so different. So worthy."

Ouch.

Diana's eyes widened. She was not expecting that. Damn if she wanted to call me a worthless piece of shit she should have just said that.

"Then don't." She shot back. This woman may be her mother but she sure as hell didn't raise her. So she had no right to talk to her this way.

The Kaisen's eyes narrowed, "I know you've been going through things and I haven't had much time to speak with you since you got here but don't mistake my absence for leniency." Her voice was harsh this time not masking the anger in her words.

Diana bit her tongue not trusting herself to not speak out to the woman. Hadn't had much time ?! Is she fucking serious right now? The woman who dared call herself her mother hadn't even bothered with her magicless daughter. It wasn't till her magic awoke that she was given the Zoldyck name and taken from her aunt. Then after ripping her away from the only world she knew she threw her to a strange man to deal with. Diana could count on one hand the times she had visited her in the past year.

"I apologize but you must have mistaken my silence for compliance." This woman is a stranger and she expects me to do whatever she says! She may try to pull the Kaisen card in some personal matters but that doesn't mean jack shit to Diana who saw her only as mother up until a year ago. An absent, unsympathetic, narcissistic poor excuse of a mother but a mother nonetheless. "Since you don't want to talk about last time then please say what you called me in here to say. I wouldn't want to take up too much of your time."

Her mother stared at her but not in the anger as she expected. No, her mother looked sad. Are you kidding me? I literally throw her words back into her face and now she's sad!

"You have your dad's spirit. He would always use my words against me." She looked lost in thought as if she was seeing memories of a past life before her eyes. "He treated me like a normal person. I guess I just forgot what that was like." There was remorse, grief, and pain in her eyes and for the first time she looked human to Diana.

Diana was caught off guard that she couldn't say anything. The numbness didn't last as she processed her mothers words. Diana reminded her of her dad. That's why she was sad?! What audacity did this woman have to mourn the man she left to decay with their sickly daughter! Lately all Diana ever seemed to feel was irrational anger. All she could hear was her blood running through her ears and her face felt so hot as if she was going to combust. Her voice was shaking, "Please say what you wanted to tell me because I can't even look at you right now."

A flash of hurt crossed her mother face before all emotion disappeared. Her voice was monotone when she finally spoke in a tone that said business. For the first time she was grateful for her mothers easy detachment of roles. This wasn't her mother she was speaking to, it was the Kaisen. Despite it being the same woman this was one she respected, one she'd listen to. "On the 15th of June 1943 you were issued an Honorary Sanctioned Mission by the Keeper and on the same day you accepted said mission. As such I have been authorized by the Keeper to inform you of the missions basic information and what it will intel. Do you concur that this mission was accepted of your own free will."

At this Diana stood straighter, projecting the same image of business. This separation of business and personal was really too easy at calming her that she would even consider it a bit unhealthy. "I concur that I have accepted my mission of my own free will."

"The Head has noted your truth then I will continue. You, Diana Perséfone Zoldyck will take on the persona of Diana Persephone Solstice as there is no one that knows of your true identity the Keeper has decided that you should keep your given names as is. Do you accept this change?"

"I do, Kaisen."

"Then from now on you will be a warden of the Drakøn Clan of House Solstice. Your father will be the 56 year old recently deceased Bellator Pasiphae Solstice of the third Solstice branch. You will be a pureblood of unknown maternal origin. Your birthday will remain the same being the third of September 1924. You were born in the Main Ancestral Solstice Manor in Gabriel, Texas but raised outside the Creed. Due to your fathers untimely passing as the only remaining relation of the third branch you have taken up the mantle of joining the Creed to keep your fathers legacy alive. You are a warden of House of Solstice but due to lack of available Creed guardians and Solstice Creed mentors you are left to receive your education in the magical school of Sinnore located in the Allied Kingdom. There you will commence your 6th year was one of the few Creed Foundlings to ever recieve outside education. You will have to take additional vows protecting any Creed information you will gain during your stay in Sinnore. Do you accept the condition?"

"I accept."

She nodded her head before looking down at the documents in front of her. "Your mission during your time there is to get close to the children of specified influential members of Allied Kingdoms's Magical Society. You are to give weekly reports on any change in environment, any strong shifts of political, societal and economic stances inhabited by the student body. Any and all information deemed vital must be reported. Children repeat what their parents say so listen closely, not just to the loudest. The strongest view can at times be those left unsaid. You can get close to those not listed in fact I encourage you to get close to as many people as you can. Since you have not experienced class schooling do you anticipate any challenges that may araise?"

"No, I know who I must be and so I will."

Diana didn't focus on her too deeply but the Kaisen looked pleased with her response. "You will find more information in this packet but be aware of any updates or notices regarding your mission. Expect an official meeting with the Keeper before your departure which should be in a month or so. Now do you have any questions?"

"Only one."

She signaled her to continue.

"Why was I given the mission? Why now?"

"I can not say exactly why because I don't know. It's against protocol to ask about the nature of a Sanctioned Keeper's Mission not my own. Yet I can tell you this. The air is changing. The times are changing and war is changing. It's best to stay on top of these things unless we want to get taken under by them. This is why I belive you were given this responsibility but if you want to know the real reason, go to him. But I will remind you Diana Perséfone Zoldyck, watch your tongue and manners around the Keeper. I know he has a soft spot for you but that does not change who he is. The Keeper is the greatest pillar within our Creed; he speaks and commands with the voice of Our Mother. His word is sacred and his decisions are law, even still he has given you a choice. You want to make the Creed proud, this is how you make them proud. Now go to him."

"Kaisen, as I take my leave." Diana didn't say more than this formal farewell. There was not more to say. So she spoke respectfully and curtsied before taking her leave.

The Kaisens words left much to ponder. Diana knew firsthand how the change in war had affected the populace and especially the returning men. Her father had been one such victim. On the way to the Keepers Tower Diana thought of him, more precisely what she would say. She was nowhere near ever considering to even forgive him. And to make it worse just thinking about him still infruitated her. But she had to play nice. So she was going to do the only thing she could. She was going to mind fuck him. Apologize, show remorse for her actions, disappointment towards his, and finally forgiveness. She would make him feel worse about his own actions and in turn lessen her own. She was excited.

By the time she got there she hated to admit there was a bounce to her step. The beginning of her own personal mission was to commence. She stopped a moment outside his black stained door, getting into character. He wanted her to be someone else so she would play that. She let him get close, he was the only person she had for a year but of course he had to ruin it. A bump in the road is what he will think so let him.

Three solid knocks on the door and she was granted access. He knew I would come to him. So you really do think it's a minor bump in the road. If only you knew, love.

"Diana. . ." His voice was uncertain and he almost sounded shocked as if he was starting to doubt she'd show. His beautiful grey eyes were wide and watchful, "Am I still allowed to call you Diana." She had been mesmerized with the sense of innocence he had been projecting, she had remained silent for too long. Diana had made him insecure of their standing, that was good.

"Oh," She looked at him in slight shock before uttering a single endearment in poorly disguised disappointment," honey."

He looked relieved and at the slight twitch of his plump pink lips, she'd even say happy.

"I didn't think you'd come."

"Of course, I'd come."

"You're not mad?"

"I was hurt not mad."

"Are you still hurt?"

"Will you tell me why?" Diana responded.

He looked at her with an almost conflicted look by the way his nose slightly scrunched up. "I didn't think you'd succeed. I am not going to lie to you I was hoping you wouldn't. I just needed time to think of something. Of someway . . ."

"You can say it."

"Of some way to keep you from the battlefields." He finally admitted as if he were ashamed of it. "I don't want anything to happen to you."

"Why?"

"Are you going to make me say it." He whispered looking away from her.

"Why me? I understand you've taken me under your wing for a year but that's nothing to you. You who has lived through the fall and birth of civilizations. I know you've taken care of others before. So why?" Why are you so attached? Possessive? Scared?

Diana knew the excessive touch and closeness in front of others meant more than intended. She saw the shocked and loathsome stares of those in the court room. She knew what they had all been thinking at the time, ' what makes her so special?' Her mother as well had even admitted it, bold enough to say it out loud. She knew Leo was to those in the creed a god of sort. Something untouchable and only to be admired from afar. Yet here was this forgein impotent girl whom he lavishes with affection unseen before. Diana was one such spectator to the extent that she only saw him as a man, a lonely one.

But that was the thing why did he choose to let her in so quickly when she herself had been standoffish? From the moment they meet he had taken an unprecedented interest in her. He was unnaturally patient and understanding, always telling her of the simplest things like a child eager to tell their mother or a friend. At first she didn't think much of it, it was not till she began to gain a deeper understanding of his status within the Creed that she became uneasy. She could understand people being cautious of passing any boundaries due to his stoic outside nature but for so many years someone must have been bold enough yet no one seemed to know or even think so. She had seen how Mikkail acted towards him and how they all revered him. She couldn't understand it and maybe that's why. But she had to hear him say it. Say it.

"I care about you, Diana. More than you could possibly know. I won't apologize for trying to keep you alive but I am sorry for misleading you. I shouldn't have done that. Not after seeing the look in your eyes when you came to me that night. Had I known you would look at me like that I don't know what I would've done."

Diana stared at him silent, though she had wished it she hadn't expected him to confess so profusely and so Diana decided. She would match his energy so she put on the best mask she knew how and looked at him with a pitying look. Her voice was a whisper of a confession, "I love you.." The only way a person like me could ever love someone like you. "You're my only friend."

"And I will always be here for you no matter what." He spoke softly looking into her violet eyes. It's words like these that make me not trust you. Diana could not help but think. He had that look on his face again, the one that made her believe he was thinking of another person. And maybe he was. Who do you see me as? Who do you catch a glimpse of when you look at me, Leo? Who did you love so much that you are projecting onto me? Who hurt you?

"Let me help you the way I can. Take the mission, learn your purpose because it is not dying, Diana." He urged her leaning forward from his seat his hands clasped tightly.

She didn't respond to that instead giving a question. "They say you can see futures. What do you see in mine?"

He was silent staring at her with conflicting eyes. Finally he spoke, "I see a lonely future. That whichever path you take will be covered in thorns. But I also see greatness and I know you will be extraordinary. If only you see that too."

"And if I dont?"

He shook his head as if the thought itself was preposterous. "You will come to know who you are, Diana of Gabriel."

"So what is my purpose of going to the school? I know you well enough to know there's more behind it." Behind my safety, behind your love, behind your deceit.

"You're right. The only way you will survive the times to pass is not by gaining power or growing stronger but in better understanding the enemy. You will know them more the more you come to understand yourself. Only then will everything else fall into place."

She frowned her brows at his cryptic words, "I don't understand."

He gave her a solemn smile, "That is all I can say."

She stood there a while before nodding her head to take her leave. "It was nice talking to you like before, Leo."

"Yes, I missed us." Not me. You don't miss me. You miss her.

"I will take my leave now."

"So soon."

"I have much to ponder and a mission to study up on."

As she turned to head out after exchanging smiles she halted in her place when the oddest realization hit her. She turned around with frowned brows.

"Leo," He had been watching her leave with his eyes lighting up at the call of his name. "I just realized something. How can I attend schooling if I don't have a wand ?"

"I - I didn't really think of that." He looked embarrassed, his usually pale face a nice shade of pink. He played with the ends of his hair as he thought deeply on the dilemma. "I think I may know of someone that might have a wand but I'm not sure if even your mom will be able to find her."

"Why is that?" Her mother was a pretty powerful and influential person yes she wasn't widely known to the masses but she was to the people that mattered.

"Let's just say the Witch of the Barren doesn't take kindly to visitors much less a Zoldyck"

"That sounds like history."

"Oh trust me there is."