Another chapter of the tale of mystery.
FAMILY SECRETS
A HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE FANFIC
Chapter 37
It took sometime for a young man who I didn't recognize to appear. Judging from the way the guards treated him I guessed that he was the boss. They gave him a wide berth. The man dressed himself in the finest of silks. It reminded me of the way Howl dressed himself - only his colors were less gaudy and more refined. His hair was red like mine and his eyes were blue-green. Mirroring what I saw everyday on my own face. It was quite startling. It had been a long time since I had seen anyone who looked so much like me. It was disquieting to see it on the face of my captor. This man had gone out of his way to kidnap me. Why I did not know. If we were truly family then why didn't he just reach out to me? There was no reason for all this. I wouldn't hold him responsible for my Grandfather. I wouldn't blame him for that! Why did he do this?
The nodded to his men. Who then removed my restraints. Yet another thing that I did not expect. I had no idea what he was playing at. He explained, "I do apologize for your ruff treatment. If I had my way then I would have simply asked you here. Alas, I could not guarantee your arrival that way. I need your help more than anything."
I was highly suspicious of this man. If he had asked me earlier I might have wanted to help. After he had attacked my family I didn't. I did not trust him one bit. I wondered what was his angle was. Why did he want me so badly? What was he willing to do to get my help? I wasn't sure I really wanted that answer.
"You could have asked."
He sighed. "I am sorry. I should have asked. However, I couldn't take the risk that you would turn me down." He gestured for me to stand. Once I was stood up he continued, "Come. Let me show you why I did this."
I followed the man out into the castle. As we walked I was struck by the state it was in. It was in various states of decay. From just a little dusty to about ready to fall down. I marveled at it. I couldn't help it. This was not how I expected a castle to be like. It's not how the palace looked like at home. I knew that this was a home for a Lord, not a king but still. It should not look like this. It was very sad.
"This is but a symptom. The true problem lies elsewhere."
He led me to a ancient study. It was dusty, but otherwise well maintained. It was like the rest of the castle was sacrificed so that this room could be maintained. I thought that it was a bit odd, but I said nothing. I did not want to show my hand just yet.
He gestured towards a seat, "Please, sit." After I sat down he waved his men away. "They are hard workers but I'm afraid that they are not conversationalists. Please excuse their rudeness."
"It's fine." I managed to croak out.
He sat down at respectable distance. He made no moves towards me. Instead, he just smiled kindly at me. It was almost as if he hadn't tried to capture me over and over.
"Now, where were we? Ahh! Yes! Introductions: My name is Edvard von Sedgewick. I am your grandfather's-brother's-grandson. Your second-cousin if you will. I am most of what remains of our once-great family. Besides you and I there is only your sister still alive. The rest have fallen. Be it to hunger, disease or other means. They are all gone. It is truly piteous."
What Edvard said was tragic, but honestly at the moment I did not care. I had no real connection with the Sedgewicks. In fact, I didn't even know that I was one until he told me! My world was different than theirs. I was not a noble by any stretch of the word. I was just a daughter of a hatter. True, that hatter happened to be a wizard, but it did not make it any less true. I was not really a Sedgewick. I just happened to share the same blood, that's all. At least that's how I saw it. I admit that this interpretation came with a fair amount of anger. Could you blame me? My mother had to run from her native land in order to protect me. Any sense of concern or loyalty died with her that day. I did not want to help them.
"I know that you are angry. I understand why." He sighed. "What the Earl did was wrong. He waisted our wealth and power on a foolish dream. He ignored the needs of his people and his family. And as a result, we fell to ruin! I do not blame you for hating him. Nor do I blame you for hating me. It's perfectly understandable."
I shook my head. "I don't hate you for what he did. I hate you for what you've done."
He looked utterly shocked. "What I've done?"
I flew to my feet, almost throwing Howl on the ground. "YES!" I launched into a rant. "You attacked me over and over, kidnapped me, and killed my father! I will never forgive you! I do not care about you or this family. It can rot for all I care!"
He looked even more confused than ever. "I admit that I kidnapped you. For that I am sorry, but I did not kill your father. I only learned of your existence a few weeks ago. That's when I sent someone to fetch you. I know nothing of the attacks you speak of or of your father's death. I assure that I was not a party to either. And I don't know who was."
I didn't believe him. I couldn't believe him! None of this could be true! It was all lies!
He's telling the truth, Sophie. He really doesn't know. He's not the one responsible.
That's when my plan fell apart.
Next Chapter coming up!