Chapter One: The Road and Time
High school students in Japan, tired from the plane ride, arrive in England. To a town where the places speak for themselves about their great history. The students were here because of the approaching annual convention of schools, where they compete and the school that has the best result is allocated money to keep the school in good condition. Everyone hoped that this year they would be doing something athletic, but the board decided that, in addition to sports, it would be good for the students to learn the history of their countries and to prepare a comprehensive report when they finish their stay abroad. Her mother Naoko has been hesitant to let her daughter go on the trip for a long time, but finally with a gnawing heart gives her permission, while taking her word that Haru will be as careful as possible. Hiromi, who heard all this, teased Naoko, but she paid no attention to it, because she knew that their family was unusual and very connected to the place where they would stop for their history research. She made a promise that no one would know what blood ran in their veins. And knowing full well that the time had come, to learn the secret hidden for decades, before her daughter ran off toward the waiting bus, she handed over an envelope with the words:
"You're too old now, so you can know the family secret, but please, no, I beg you open it when no one is around and do not tell anyone what you read there, if anyone finds out who we really are, we will be hunted by not very good people, do you promise?"
"Yes, mother, since you say so, I will do it for you"-said Haru while hugging her mother tightly
"Thank you, my little happiness"- Naoko pulled away a little and ruffled her daughter's hair.
"I love you too, Mom"-this made the older woman grin
"I love you too"-she replied, and let go of her mother's arms, after Naoko looked at her daughter, who passed on to the young girl, surprised at how quickly children grow up, only recently held in her arms, and already running away to new adventures, to her new future. Back in reality, she went into the house to finish the quilts, because they will not make themselves.
England. Our days. It was September 8. The time was 12:00 in five hours we must arrive at our destination, or rather, at the manor of von Gikkingen himself.
Everyone sat and talked, about possible ghosts, told spooky stories they had heard about the place and how long the drive was. Only it seemed Haru was somewhere far away in her thoughts, or rather pondered on what her mother had told her.
And what was in that letter that couldn't even be told to anyone. Why had her mother, made her promise? Why hadn't she told before, but only now? And why, this estate belonging to her? As far as she knew, there were no Englishmen in the family, or were there? Haru had never thought that a single container would cause so many questions that made her head spin, she didn't notice her best friend waving and calling her name for three minutes. These actions made her wince.
"Oh, what? Sorry, Hiromi, I was thinking a little"-Haru fidgeted a little in her seat, but returned her attention to her friend, who giggled slightly at her thoughtfulness
"I was wondering if you had another apple"-Hiromi said with more cheerfulness
"Yeah, sure, just a sec"- Haru picked up her backpack, and started looking for an apple-"well where are you, I remember I put you down here, and here it is-getting an apple, she held it out to Hiromi's already outstretched hand to take it. Throughout the time she was eating the apple, she was very curious about the reason she was so thoughtful. And curiosity got the better of her.
"So, what made you go into the trance"-Hiromi suddenly asked, which made Haru flinch.
"I can't tell you, I made a promise"-it sounds stupid, but I hope she will forgive me, Haru hoped.
"But you can penny for your thoughts"-which made even the brown-eyed girl laugh
"No, if I've made a promise, I'll definitely do it"-she crossed her arms over her chest
"Okay, you don't want to tell me, but let me try to guess"-said, after a moment a smirk appeared on her face
"Try it, you have one shot, but I think you're going to fail," I said sarcastically to my friend, who only rolled her eyes.
"Thank you for your support, but my suggestion must more or less be right, because a black-haired young man whose name begins with the letter 'M' is involved, isn't it"-said the blonde smugly to her brown-haired friend
"No, he didn't, I wasn't thinking of him or even the boy.
"Then what made you escape from reality?" asked Hiromi without losing her curiosity.
Just, a little worried about this trip"-Haru half admitted
"Pfft, you couldn't think of a better excuse than that"-from what she said, Haru was about to object, but her teacher interrupted her
"Haru Yoshiok and Hiromi Monnok, you can talk when you get there"-said Tarroko sternly
"Okay" said Haru and Hiromi in sync. After a while Haru decided to watch what was going on outside the window, it was solid forest and gradually sleep took over and she fell asleep.