Sleep was considered a time of tranquility and peace for one's mind. It was a gift given freely by the night. A gift many should treasure, it even allowed one to dream of those dearest to them or live a time once again. It relaxed the body, mind, and soul.
Slowly turning over in your bed rest away just as the others, suddenly feel a soft touch rest on your cheek, its thumb gently stroking your cheek followed by a light kiss of red lips that fluttered your eyes open. It was blurry at first but soon became focused as you sat up. "Yes? Hello?" Addressing them gasp sharply at who it was sitting there on the edge of the bed.
A warm smile on their lips and their red eyes filled pride as they kept stroking your cheek. This couldn't be, right? It just couldn't be, blinking a few times to make sure find them there each time. Seeing your reaction they draw their hand back rather offended. Turning a shoulder to you.
Their chin up. "Well, that is rather rude." Madam Red said sharply. With a side glare at you, only to break into a laughter. "Oh, so serious you are."
Serious? Of course, you had to be, wait what? Why was she here? Shaking what she said out. "Mrs. Dall-"
"Ah!" Her finger pointer presses on your lip shushing you. "Now, I am sure that I've told you not to address me as such. It is Auntie or mother. You know this."
She playfully pinches your cheek. It hurt a bit. Because there was a bit of anger in it. "Yes, sorry. Of course. Auntie Red, I-" she stops you again with the same gestures.
"You know, mother would be much better. Yes, I believe it is more suitable. After all, you have inherited my name and title. It only seems right. That I be given such an honorable title as well."
She was rather over the top at times, you kind started to see where Harmony developed it. Sighing, you nod. "Mother," you address her. Getting her full attention. "please tell me...why.."biting the bottom of your lip to hold back the words you wish not to speak but knew you had too. "why are you present? Please tell me?"
A question that made Madam Red stand and turn her back to you completely. "You know," her voice softens looking around the room. "when you and your sister first came to me," she picks up something off your nightstand and sets down. "my heart filled with such joy and sorrow for you both. The sorrow came from realization about you both,"
Your heart froze from her words, did she know?
Following her as she walked around the room her back remained to you. "The two of you were alone and lost those dearest to you. All you both had was each other." Was she purposely not answering? You weren't sure. "two sweet girls all alone. In a world not their own. I had to do something and the way I saw how much love resonated between you both, from you especially my child." She stops at the foot of your bed. "It mirrored the love that I had for my sister. It was strong, stronger than anything. I knew right there..."she stops herself looking up, tears trickle down the corners.
She was crying, why was she crying? And why was she here? Why? "Mad-I mean Mother," you call to her softly, rising from the bed tentatively. She didn't turn around so you take light steps towards her. Reaching out. "Mother, please...pleas-"
"No." she growls smacking your hand away. "I'm sorry." She covers her eyes. Moving away. "Forgive me. I did not mean to..you've grown well, May. Into such a lovely young woman." She finally looks at you with a swelled heart. "Turning into the young woman I knew you could be, the new Madam Red, it surely suits you. And yet..." her shoulders slowly drop, as she struggled to keep her voice from cracking. "your past was painted in red as mine was it not?"
Red? you repeat what she said, just what she trying to say. And what did she mean by red? Blood? Was that it?
"Red is a color I've hated you know," she expresses with a mix of bitterness and stinging love. "it took so much from me. So much, a color meant for passion. Meant for love. Just as yours is, hmmm.." she walks over reaching out and gently runs her fingers upon your hair. "Why the world gave us both a curse I will never understand."
What was talking about? Her words made you tremble and step away. "Mother, what are you talking about?"
Her ears glossed over your question just like the ones before. Her hand continued reaching for you with every step you took away. Tears ran down as she smiled. "Our color has bonded us to our fate. It is our curse we must bear. It is what we must endure. Red took everything away, as it will with you. I wish I could have spared you from such, but.."her lips drown in grief along with her eyes. Burying them in her hands. "I could not. I could not."
"Could not what? Mother? What is it?" Rushing to her side grip her by the shoulders squeezing them. "Mother, please? Please tell me!" You beseech her answer, her response. Only to get more tears.
Lifting her head Madam Red eyes ran with black and red tears, from make-up it had to be. Her eyes could barely look into yours, weight their sinful weight. "And dear little Harmony,"
"W-Why are you mention her name?" You demand this time now.
Still, no answer. "That poor and sweet girl. So, so innocent..."the mention of her name brought a serene smile on Madam Red. "I see her as a treasure, as I see you as my jewel." Her eyes lock with yours send something strange shivering through your body. Opening your mouth close your dry words. "My sweet daughters. My sweet children." Her arms slowly embrace and wrap around you. Melting in them realize something...it was cold.
Quickly you pull back finding her hold like a constrictor, coiling around you, squeezing the very breath out of you. You try to speak, you try to scream but nothing escaped. As you dealt with the agonizing pain, Madam Red remain talking in loving and grimace words.
"My precious flower, May. My little mouse, Harmony. Both precious. My dearest child, if I could take back, take away all that I have thrust upon you if I could turn time back and take it all away, then I would. Know that I love you and will always."
You bones cracked sending rushing pain through you, with each word she spoke more pressure was added. Feeling the sharp tips of your ribs slowly begin to penetrate the pleura membrane of your lungs. Like a needle to a balloon.
"I have caused you to be taken back to the darkness, to a place with no light. I have caused you pain."
Another bone cracked you weren't sure which it was, scream mentally, crying out for it to end. For sweet relief from this horrendous position. How many bones were broken now? You couldn't tell...you couldn't feel...everything started to become light and airy. Your vision blurred, in a matter of seconds, your remain strength vanished. Limped now in her arms she lays you down on the floor, and kneels over you. Her hand now stroking your cheek as her tears fall on you.
"My, dearest daughter. Forgive me." Her last words you heard before her hands found themselves around your throat, shutting your eyes open them to find yourself being the one choking and...Harmony the one you were chocking. she took strangled the last bit of light in her. And scream.
Harmony..."Harmony!" you shoot up panting. Gripping the sheets till your knuckles turned white. Drew a long breath as your body shook, though not as violently as your hands. Your clean and clear hands...nothing in them except air.
And most importantly no...no Harmony. Her small throat being crushed by your hands, watching her life slip into darkness. You would...you would never do such a thing, you couldn't. You could never hurt her, you just couldn't. Squeezing your eyes shut, bring your knees up and bury them in deep.
A horrible nightmare...just horrible. All of it was, all those vague words Madam Red spoke. None made any sense, but there was a something dark attached to them, that filled you with oozing fear. That rose like the rising sun, only casting a shadow. A shadow over...you weren't sure. All that rang in your mind was Harmony, her and only her. Then there...was red. Red, like the flames that ate Ten Shen, red like her slipped blood on the floor and splattered on you. It was everywhere, it filled your eyes that day...that you made the single-minded choice. A choice no...decision that was off...
"Baroness," a gentle knock came. "Madam, it is Marian. I've come to fetch you."
The sound of her calm and meek voice dosed just a little in you. "Y-Yes, please come in." As the door opens you quickly tuck them away and greet her with a smile.
Which she returns for it to drop, she quickly rushes over to you. "Madam, are you alright? You seem pale." she takes your hand, quickly draws back. "And you're cold." Fright filled her eyes along with baking worry. "Madam, I shall fetch your Aunt right away."
Your hand shoots out grabbing her by the wrist. Forgetting your strength accidentally yank her back, causing her a bit a discomfort. "Ah! Forgive me." Quickly you rise and help her up. "I-I did not mean too..."
In a bit of a daze she fixes herself. "I-It is alright, you were just...Madam, are you sure you do not want me to-"
"Please don't!" you raise your voice making her flinch. Realizing what you did release her and cast a sigh aside. "I mean, it is alright, I suppose I was just spooked by the cold weather. It is nearing winter."
Marian eyes search your words and your smile. It wasn't her place to question so she excepts. "Yes, of course. If you are in chilling feeling then I shall draw up a warm bath."
"Yes, that would be wonderful, thank you."
She gives a simple smile and leaves to do. Once she left your smile quickly fades, digging your nails into your nightgown hang your head. Whimpering silently, stop hearing a child's laughter echoing faintly through the halls, it was Harmony. Pain gripped in your chest, grabbing the area clench it tight. Fight back against it.
"Harm-"
"May! You're up!" She pops right in throwing herself on you with her bright smile. "It makes me so glad. Look!"
The pain it stopped, all of it the second she appeared and took your hand. "It's snowing! A lot!" she said hopping up and down. "Look!" Pulling you with her to the window, the two of you look out at the soft drops of white fuzzy falling. Covering everything in its blanket. With her face pressed up against the glass her amber eyes stare out. "That means hearth is coming? Right?"
Hearth...hearth, the holidays. "Yes, that is correct. It is coming soon."
She squeals delightedly to hear. "That means apple cider or hot chocolate. And music and cookies and treats and...and..." she rambles on and on about the day. Hearing her voice squeezed at your heart.
Her lifeless body under you, staring back with blank eyes. "-And the tree too. I can't wait!" she expresses breaking your somber thoughts. Turning to you. "Right May?"
What to say? What do you say? "Maybe," she speaks with softness. "We can have it with Ciel and everyone." Her head drops a little but her hand squeezes more. "I really want to go back, back home." She buries her head in you. "..."
"Harmony," you rest a hand on her head lightly. "...I-"
"Madam," Marian comes back. "your bath is ready-oh lady Harmony."She bows to her. "Good morning. Forgive me if I was interrupting anything."
You shake your head. "That's alright. Harmony, I must go now. Alright?" her big eyes look up at you pleading but cancel understanding. You give her a smile and separate from her. Just as Paula comes running in nearly bumping into you.
Quickly she apologizes and hurries to Harmony. "Lady Harmony, there you are. I wondered where you ran off too. Come now your bath is ready as well." Taking her by the hand leads her out. "You have your lessons rather soon."
Following Marian down the opposite way, Harmony was being taken, stop for a second and look back. Watching the growing distance emerge. "Marian,"
She stops and gives you her attention. "Yes, Madam?"
You kept your eyes on Harmony, Marian waited patiently for your words. "As I bathe please set up my pen so that I may write to my cousin, the earl."
"Yes, Madam."
With that thought, you head to the tub.
