The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
A/N: I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.
Dungeon, Castle of Baveen
Albert Walker, a tall, blond and blue-eyed man, from a noble family have been imprisoned for over two years. Accusation: witchcraft.
The man was sitting on the ground when he heard footsteps in the corridor and the guards who watched him, leaving as they obeyed to a woman's order.
He waited until the woman would present herself in front of his cell. He grinned as he saw the beautiful brunette.
"Albert Walker… the sorcerer… the scientist!" she spoke sarcastically
"Am I free to die?" he replied with irony
She laughed, "If I wanted you dead, we would not having this conversation by now"
He remained in silence
"Are you willing to talk now?"
"Are you willing to make a deal now?"
"It depends on what just like all the other times"
"Tired of being a grand duchess…only one level below the royal family?"
She laughed again
"I can smell your ambition…"
"I have merit to be who I am. To be where I am!"
"Still not enough…" he paused to observe her reaction, "You want more…"
"I deserve more!"
"I suppose! It must not be easy to someone who almost became a queen!"
"Who told you that?"
He laughed with mischief, "People talk… a lot… especially when there's no one around…and someone to listen to them…"
"Gossip!"
"Yet, it's good to be updated"
She remained in silence staring him
"Ah, that sound… the delicious sound of the consented silence! You surely are ready for the deal"
"I am always open to good deals…"
"It's pretty much admirable what a beautiful woman like you can do and obtain with the power of persuasion you have…orally…or physically" he spoke ambiguous
She smiled cynically, catching the double meaning in his lines
"You're a smart woman!"
"If you think that your compliments will take you out of here, you are roundly wrong!" she interrupted him
"I know and that was not the intention. I was just mesmerizing the fact that you managed to enlace a man like Christopher… have become an authority and rules the country through the king without anyone ever suspecting of it. probably not even himself. That's impressive! Not a woman of a kind! And in so little time. Ten years ago you were a bubble noblewoman with a rebel spirit seeking for freedom…"
"A freedom that did not come"
"Yet, my dear…yet…and that's the deal I have to offer you"
"How?"
He stood up from the ground and walked over the cell's bars. Katarina remained still.
"The especial mines at the border of Arthena with Edonia"
"What about it? Gems? Ore? How can that give me the freedom?"
He shook his head with a mischievous gaze, "No ore, no gems, but certainly will give you all you want and deserve!"
She stared him waiting for a better explanation
"Power!" he added
She laughed loud, "What is so valuable in there that can give me power?" she asked incredulous
"I'm a 'sorcerer'. I tell the miracle but don't say the saint"
She laughed with disdain, "No deal then!" she spoke walking away
"It must still hurt to be an almost anything" he yelled out
Katarina stopped half way
"Almost loved by Christopher Reed, almost unique, almost free, almost a queen…"
She turned her back to stare the man, resented
"Do you have knowledge on how to handle parasites? If you do, I take it all back and apologize for insulting your brilliance"
Katarina remained staring the man and let out a sigh
Castle of Bohma, Garden
Angelique had finished giving classes to her students and was on her way to leave the castle to go home when she spotted Madeline sitting alone under a tree.
Two years had passed since she had met Christopher's eldest daughter who was a very close friend to Oliver. Both children had no idea they shared more than just friendship. They used to spend a good time whenever Madeline came to visit her aunt Elizabeth.
For two years, Angelique managed to escape the eyes of Christopher whenever he was in the castle or in town. In those two years, the redhead and the little blonde acquired a good relationship. Surprisingly, or not, none of her parents had related her name to Christopher's first wife.
"Hello Maddy"
"Hello" the little blonde girl replied with a saddened tone
"What happened for you to be here all alone?" the redhead asked as she sat next to the girl
"I'm sad Angely…"
"Why?"
The girl remained hesitant
"You know you can trust me, don't you?" Angelique spoke with a calm tone
Madeline nodded her head in confirmation, "I know, but…"
Angelique took the girl's grip, "You know you can count on me for anything… if there's anything I can do for you, just let me know"
"I know Angely, but there's nothing you can do for me about it"
"You'll know only if you tell me…"
"I know it…" the girl spoke with conviction and before Angelique could reply the girl continued, "My parents are moving to Arthena…mother, my siblings and I will go first…and I don't want that!"
"Oh…"
"I don't want to go with her!"
"Why not? Children stay with their mother…"
Madeline looked down fighting her tears, "That's so wrong!" she shouted covering her face between her knees
Angelique noticing the girl's sadness took her into an embrace of support. Of comfort. She could sense there was something else the girl wasn't speaking.
In fact, in two years, she had had the chance to know the girl at some extent and many times she could see her own young persona in the little girl. Shy, reserved, quiet, and her tendency to isolate.
Many were the times she had wondered if the girl shared the same history as her at the same age.
"You prefer going with your father?"
The girl nodded in confirmation
Angelique wasn't sure if she should go deeper in that matter. She could already make some guesses from the girl's behavior.
"Maddy, why don't you say it to him? Maybe he will listen to you…" Angelique spoke with a caring tone
"Because he's the one who decided that… and he's always busy so I'd be a trouble for him…"
"Don't say it my little girl. I'm sure Christopher would listen to you"
"How can you be so sure? Do you know him?"
Angelique swallowed hard with the questioning. She wasn't ready for that, "From what I've heard about him… he seems to be an understanding man…" she spoke trembling her voice in distress
Madeline remained in silence. They remained in silence for a while.
"Angely…"
"Yes"
"Would you do me a favor?"
"Sure!"
"Could you please talk to my father?"
Angelique's eyes widened. Her heart nearly jumped out from her chest in scare, "What? Me?"
"Yes, you… didn't you say I could count on you? Or you didn't really mean that?" the girl couldn't help her disappointment
The redhead bit her lips in distress. That was an uncomfortable situation. Not for the girl who definitely needed her, but for herself and her past with the grand duke.
No matter how much Angelique tried to avoid that man. Something always seemed to take her to him…
Castle of Baveen, Royal Chambers
Katarina and her favorite lady-in-waiting were packing the luggage when the maiden politely asked about the paintings Christopher keeps.
"Ah that trash? I do not know why Christopher insisting in keeping it. They only serve to keep dust and precious space!" Katarina spoke rolling her eyes
"So will your husband take that to the new location too?"
"Do you have any doubts?"
"Not at all… I noticed your husband cannot let go of it, although I agree there are some beautiful paintings…"
"I forbid you to compliment that trash in my presence! It is already enough having it from Christopher all these years!"
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset milady"
"Angelique Stafford is dead but her trash is very much alive!" Katarina commented bitterly
"So… have you been to Arthena?" the maiden asked changing subjects
"Yes, a couple of times. Christopher has a land there… a gift from Charles' father to his father or something…"
"Are you going to move to his land?"
"Yes. The manor is simpler but - I do not intend to stay long there" she thought, "Yes, but it suits our needs…" she replied
"By the way, the new location will keep you away from the not so pleasant company of Vladimir"
"I would say it was a competent company. And for my real purpose, which was to have a child he was quite adequate," Katarina replied
"Ah... men are all smart, cunning and insightful... until a woman invites them to bed." commented the lady of company
Katarina smiled in agreement
"By the way, your highness has already given up the idea of Christopher and that woman... Well, you know..."
"If Christopher gave his wife the attention he gives to any other woman, I would not have had to do all I have done... I must stick to my plan anyway, Lucy. When Christopher takes the throne and comes to me work around the fragile situation between Bohma and especially Edonia… I will make sure that I will head straight for the castle and lock the kingdom up."
"But I thought Charles would…"
"More than ever, I will stand up for myself and be made their queen or even better… their empress!"
"But your husband doesn't seem to share the same goal…"
Katarina laughed, "He will!"
"How?"
"Wait and see my dear Lucy, watch me!" said the grand duchess with determination
Nine years have passed since I have last been here. In the Lake Manor. The place where I dreamed the pinkest plans. The pinkest dreams. The pinkest wishes.
The lake is still so clean and blue. The forests are still so green this time of the year. The birds still chirp. The wind still so fresh.
Almost as fresh as my own memories. My own sensations.
Being here is like the time still remains frozen.
The barn is still the same, except that there is no horse.
The house seems quite abandoned. Obviously. My father never really showed interest for this property.
I don't even know why my memories keep being dragged to this place!
But since that day and the conversation with Maddy, I felt like I needed to come here and face again myself realistically. I know I'm in debt with him! My conscience never allows me to forget it no matter how hard I try to ignore it.
Every time I look at Oliver, my heavy conscience slams my brain and sometimes it causes me a headache. A heartache…
Every time he lands in town is the same headache. Heartache! The same drama of hide and seek. I'm actually getting tired of that!
Standing here before this manor, still unable to enter, reminds me the time is not so frozen. Actually, is not frozen at all!
The woman standing here before this manor has changed. Has grown up. has matured. The woman standing here is now engaged to the most loving man!
The woman standing here is a mother…
The mother of the child of the man that once lived in there…here…
The man that once I saved from drowning in that same lake. Surely not the same waters…
The man that once I helped saving his life. The same man that took my life away. My crappy life away. Back then, I didn't see it that way, but now…
I know it was somehow worth it.
They say there are people that are the journey and others that are the final destination.
That knight seemly the journey and George my final destination.
That knight the eternal journey as we have a son… Olly. The best part of my life! The best part of me. The best part of us…
Now this woman have a second promise to fulfill… I promised Maddy I'd think about her request.
But for that I need to face this! To face me! To face my past… and my past starts right here…
Angelique slowly opened the door. She still had a copy of the keys. She couldn't see much except the parts that the outside light illuminated. She blinked her eyes a few times. Was she seeing it correctly?
The interiors seemed clean… well…clean for an abandoned house. She wondered who had done it.
She didn't even have time to sink in her surprise as she heard footsteps outside the manor.
Before she could hide, her eyes widened and her legs weakened when she saw the shadow of a man standing in the open door.
Thank you Pin for the review! :D
I'd like to thank everyone out there reading the story! You guys give me the force to continue improving. And at some extent the fic will finally get more into RE world! :D
This piece is not just a romance/drama story, it couldn't only be that either.
I hope you continue enjoying the journey :D
Stay tuned!