Immense thanks to NAZ and Duckky for their constructive reviews. I am aware of how short the chapters are, but I believe they will get longer as more happens. In the meantime, I shall try to upload these small ones frequently. As for Andromeda's secret, well, that is something you will probably guess soon….
Chapter Two: Portrait Murmurs
I cannot bear to be in this house any longer. I feel the eyes of the portraits on me wherever I go. My mind falters and for an instant I'm sure, sure they must know—but nothing happens.
Nothing ever happens.
Mother has taken my sisters shopping for new robes, despite the fact that Christmas was two days ago. She frowned when I requested to stay home alone. I see now I should have gone, acted as though these new silks and velvets were all I cared for. That is what I would have done last year. That is who I would have been, had it not been for….
What is so wrong with me that I have such problems? My guilt grows stronger every day. It is at times like a worm, gnawing away at my stomach, and other times like a Lethifold, smothering me with its weight, pulling me into these deep recesses of thought.
"Your guilt is not all that grows," says the painting of Great-great-aunt Altais. She has been reading over my shoulder! I am frozen, I know not how to respond. Certainly she has not guessed…?
I have run to my bedroom. In the end I spun to face her, wizened old biddy that she was, and demanded to know what she meant by "your guilt is not all that grows".
She folded her wrinkled hands and gazed at me smugly. I felt my heart stop.
She knew.
I have flung the blankets over my head and only a few moments ago ceased sobbing into my pillow. My miserable life may as well be at its end. She will tell Mother. I ought to murder myself and save her and Father the trouble.