Disclaimer As I've already said, I only own the characters you have not seen in the book!
Lauren and Catherine both nodded as Eric concluded his telling "But who would want to kill the your father?" Lauren asked.
Eric looked thoughtful. "My parents are pretty brief about what happened in their past." He said, slowly. Then, his face lit up. "But, all their diaries and such are up in the attic. Mother goes there often at night. I've heard her get up occasionally." He finished.
Lauren nodded. "Of course!" She exclaimed, hopping up.
Catherine got to her feet too, and held Eric's hand. Eric smiled. "Let's go, then." Eric said.
As they approached the stairs to the attic, they made sure that there was no light in there. They didn't want to surprise Ella as she was reading or thinking. Lauren had insisted on bringing a small lamp that would help them to see.
Eric opened the door to the attic. He hung the light on a nearby pole that was right next to a desk. There were at least ten boxes. "Alright. I'll check the three boxes over there." He said, pointing to the right.
Lauren nodded, and took Catherine over to another set of boxes...
Eric looked in the first box. There was a worn down book, with a simple brown cover on the top. Eric opened it to the first page, and read;
I must never tell Char of the spell. I can't. I have been ordered to tell no one, and I can not disobey. Father is sending me to finishing school, where I will become a "proper lady". Mandy gave me a book, a beautiful necklace that belonged to my mother, and sent me with enough tonic to last me a life time. I will get away from the school. Ella.
Eric blinked. A spell? Who put his mother under a spell? He skipped a few pages, then read again.
Last night I met the most dreadful woman and her daughters. All of them were plump and talkative. Their names are Hattie, Dame Olga, and Olive. It seems as though Dame Olga wants to marry father. Ella.
He flipped pages again.
I can't believe that father married Dame Olga! Hattie and Olive treat me like a slave, and Dame Olga helps them to think of new chores. I can't disobey. If they ordered me to kill myself I would have to. I must go, more chores to do. Ella.
Eric was furious. This Hattie must be the one that was to be married to King Elm. He walked over to Catherine and Lauren to see what they had found.
Catherine showed Eric a book. "Look, Eric, fairy tales!" She said.
Eric looked, and found a letter.
Dear Areida,
Yesterday, my firstborn, Alex, was born. I write to you from a bed in the west wing. How are you and your husband? I hope he treats you well. My regards to the children and your husband!
Your Friend,
Ella
Eric recognized the name as his mother's best friend. "These aren't fairy tales." He said.
"Yes they are." Catherine said. "Lauren just read my a story about trolls and bridges."
Lauren nodded. "It's the first story." She said.
"Look." He said, handing her the book.
She gasped. "This wasn't here a second ago!" She exclaimed.
Eric thought for a moment. "In the journal, mom said that Mandy gave her a book." He said, thinking out loud.
"Fairy gift!" Catherine and Lauren said at the same time.
"Enough searching for tonight, let's go to bed." Eric said.
Lauren picked Catherine up.