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.
Green Hills, Bohma
"Her father confirmed her death to a royal witness. Although he never forgot you, reason why I'm here… watching for his memories – his sweet memories. You can change your name but not your past. You cannot change it's Christopher's genes in that boys' veins! You're the one who walked away!"
"I did walk away…" Angelique admitted to herself as Pierce's words echoed in her mind while she was sitting on a bench watching the night sky in the backyard of the Talbot's Manor
Since the day, she returned from the Lake Manor, she couldn't stop thinking about that discussion and all the revelations coming from the version of the Duke of Bohma about Christopher's past attitudes that for the nine years she kept resentment.
Nine years believing her own lie or apparent untruth from those events. Fateful events. Nine years…
In nine years, she learned how to move on with her life. Moved on with George Talbot. Her husband-to-be. In one month, they will become husband and wife. However, she couldn't make that step before letting go completely of her past. Before letting go of Christopher and his meaning to her. She never believed she could ever love again. She couldn't! She couldn't while she kept herself into the shell of her memories.
Slowly she did leave the shell as she allowed herself to let George enter her heart and together the two wrote a new story for them. Their story. Gradually, George with hall his patience, acquired her trust, her care, her friendship, her attention, her thoughts, her decision, and a part of her heart.
She didn't fall in love with him. She didn't infatuate with him wildly, like she did with Christopher. No. her feelings for George were way softer, kinder, solid. They did have a solid ground as they had built their bond on a secure level. They had time to get to know better. No rush, no pressure. Gradually, he conquered her admiration.
Something that didn't happen in her very first love experience. Today, she could see it clearly and fast things did progress between her and Christopher. Within a year, they made eternal promises and vows. Within a year, their love multiplied in the form of Oliver. Within a year and something everything was gone between them. Everything but Olly. Everything but the Lake Manor. Everything but the Lake. Olly was conceived in the Lake Manor. The Lake Manor belonged to him. He as a male heir had that right, didn't he? Besides her banishment. Now she wished she could pass that manor to him.
What about the Peasant Manor? She wondered what had happened to it. Maybe one day she would have the courage to take a look and pass by there. A manor that had never really been hers and didn't really keep her sweetest memories. No it didn't! All tragedies and bad memories happened there. In that land. In that province. Katarina, Christopher's departure and her brutal capture by her blood family. Maybe she didn't really want to kill that curiosity to know what Christopher had done with that. It was his. Not theirs. Not Olly's, theoretically.
Although, she did face the Lake Manor and Pierce.
Pierce Northman, the man Christopher told her great stories about their friendship, the man of one kind, the only person he trusted in the court. The man that had saved him and also the kingdom of Bohma.
Pierce Northman…she didn't really see him with those eyes. Once she believed he was indeed that good man Christopher spoked highly. The day she met him she did trust him and the info he gave her. Until that day she did believe Pierce was the man Christopher described.
Now she couldn't say the same. He kept them apart. He didn't tell her where she could find him while she still had the courage to do that and tell Christopher about their son. No, he did keep them separate for personal reasons. Selfishness maybe? She couldn't really tell his reasons besides that apparently he did have feelings for Katarina too.
Why did he allow it? To lose the love of his life?
Ah, she had Christopher's child. She forgot that detail. So he let a boy without a father to allow another child – and a precious little girl – to have her father.
Thinking of it now, maybe he did make the right decision. Maddy needed someone to protect her from that evil woman.
How could he love her? How could both men love such an evil woman? Maybe she was a witch.
And for Maddy she regained some courage to face her past and her demons, still not enough to face Christopher. Yet, not out of option. However, just like Christopher she entrusted Pierce that holly task and watch out for the child and reason why he once let go of his greatest love.
She hoped he would be capable of doing it again. Maddy spoke highly about Christopher and how much she loved and felt safe with him.
She did too, a decade ago. She did feel safe with Christopher, in his arms. She trusted him. Blindly, until she saw him on his wedding day walking the aisle with the stunning witch.
"Yes, I did walk away… I did walk away when I saw her belly bump. I did walk away for Maddy… Now I know that belly bump's name and how related we are. Both have suffered in the hands of those ones that were supposed to be our guardians and the real ones to love us. Shelter us… I survived and I want Maddy to survive too… she still has time to keep better memories from her childhood, like I did when my mother and grandmother were alive and the three of us lived in the Lake Manor… and as a mother, I just want Maddy to have a better life. Maddy was the reason why I let go of the love of my life too and sacrificed my own child to have his father, but Olly never had anyone hurting him. Olly had the chance to have guardians at his side, at his protection, sheltering him. Olly knows what family love is… Maddy only has Christopher and absent godparents. Maddy needs Christopher more than anyone! Maddy is Christopher's real kingdom…"
Angelique returned to reality when her son suddenly closed her eyes with his small hands to make her a surprise. He was a sweet and happy child. She always feared one day not being capable to not have or give a good family to her children. Luckily she found George and Maggy, or were they who found her? It didn't matter. All she knew she was grateful to be part of their family and soon she was going to start a family of their own too alongside George.
Olly was an easily amused child, so opposite to Maddy.
Maybe it was better to keep things that way.
Oliver seemed to have understood growing without his biological father, although he got his mother's curiosity trait… or was it from his cousin's? Christopher had told her how curious and nearly nosy his cousin Clary was a curious person.
Oliver didn't have the Reed surname, but he definitely had the Reed's traits.
Baveen's Commerce
"Have you heard about Albert's release?"
"It's the hottest subject in town. It seems that the people are not swallowing the grand duchess' decisions. The man that once she ordered the imprisonment under accusation of witchcraft, didn't apply the punishment and now she ordered his release"
"It will be very difficult for the people to bow to her." said Anastacia
"We should not underestimate the governor. Katarina is a clever and intelligent woman, and she was always very seductive, and she always got what she wanted, and this time she will not retreat," a mysterious man with a short – to medium-length style that contrasts the top with the perimeters, left long on the top, while the sides are buzzed quick, icy blue eyes, brown leather coat, black pants and boots warned as he heard their conversation
The women looked at him noticing his elegant posture and visibly an outsider.
"You say that because you're a man… the typical man" said one of them
"Typical man as in?"
"Who gets easily trapped…I mean attracted for beautiful women"
"That's indeed! My wife is the most beautiful woman of Arthena!" he spoke proudly
"So what are you doing here in Baveen? To look for the most beautiful woman of town aka Katarina?"
The man grinned at their provocation; "Maybe…" he spoke with his velvet tone of voice and walked away
The women exchanged gazes giving a shrug.
"I don't doubt that man could be one of Katarina's lovers… they say her marriage is not in a good phase"
"Again?"
The other woman nodded in confirmation
The woman replied with a smirk, "I guess not even beautiful and powerful people can live a fairytale…"
"That's true and that is a contrast with the grand duchess speeches…"
"That's why I don't bow to her and I'm happy to know they're moving to Arthena. Baveen will finally regain its peace back!"
"Indeed! And the wives can finally breathe in relief!"
Castle of Bohma
"Angely Reed…" Christopher Reed spoke with a sigh as he was sitting on the armchair in front of the window, with sight to the town surrounding the castle
"Is it just a coincidence or are they the same person?" he spoke to himself, "My Angely…" he thought letting out a long frustrated sigh
Christopher Reed, the Grand Duke of Baveen and future governor of Arthena. All positions he never dreamed of. All positions he shadowy acquired with the perspicacity of Katarina.
In nine years of marriage, he saw the bubbly noble brunette become a serious and ambitious woman of power and influence in the kingdom of Bohma. He saw that young brunette girl who sought for freedom from a patriarchal tradition and submission, oppression of women become a fiery fighter for the equality of genders for work, for a space in society, for the independency of "fragile sex".
In nine years of marriage, he learned to admire her strength and ability with diplomacy with other nations. Her unique influence. He liked that about her. He loved that about her. Her struggles for the less favored in society. He admired her brilliance. Her passion. Passion! A word that described Katarina perfectly. She always put passion in whatever she embraced.
In nine years of marriage, he saw her passion increase to other matters. She was definitely a passion woman. And her passionate nature seemed to have affected him.
In nine years of marriage, a different passion had ignited in him about her. He had fallen for her braveness. For her determination, mixed with her strong femininity. He loved her femininity.
Femininity…it had always been a very well known trait of hers. Since they were young, she always loved all those girly stuff. Ointments, fancy dresses, makeup, hair products, skin recipes. Anything that could enhance her natural beauty. She was always impeccable even wearing simpler dresses. But nothing seemed simple on her. Such a fact that not even her naked skin made her look simple. Even after four pregnancies, her body was still fit. She worked hard to keep in shape.
Not that he cared about that either…
In nine years of marriage, he really learned how to desire her with all his core. His skin burnt next to her. Their relationship was pure flame. Even at their low moments. Nothing was simple in their relationship. Nothing! Such a fact, that he even couldn't define what he really felt for her in all those years together. Or even beyond that, he couldn't define his own feelings at the very first time his eyes laid on her. Or was her eyes that laid on him?
No simple answer. His feelings were always ambiguous about her. at the same time he desired, he rejected her. At the same time he was jealousy, he was unfaithful. He hated that about him. Yes, he did have other women in the beginning of their marriage until they had their first time as husband wife. Since then, he remained faithful to her despite her not believing him, until he met Cathlyn White.
With Cathlyn everything was different. His feelings were different. She was a softer woman. A simpler noblewoman.
Different of all the talk about them, he had never ceded to his feelings until that only kiss the previous day. Maybe a consequence of the bad phase he and Katarina were going through.
Nine years of marriage, was nine years of conflicts too. Katarina was as much strong-willed like him. As much stubborn as him. As much proud as him.
He didn't like the man he was becoming. His principles breaking. He wasn't supposed to be an unfaithful man. He was not like that!
But he missed her. He wanted her jealous. Lately she was so occupied with her own agenda that she didn't complain they were distant again. His doubts got him insecure at some extent and influenced in his ceding for Cathlyn. Would Katarina mind to know he had kissed that woman? Would Katarina mind for her status or for her own feelings, the love she always claimed to have for him?
He needed to know that! He missed his Katarina. Not the grand duchess. But his Katarina. The young girl he met, her bubbly personality. Her "simpler" persona. The Katarina he was sure that loved him with all her core.
However, to make all things more complicated he found those paintings in the art gallery of the castle. All in name of Angely Reed. The same alias his late wife used for a short time.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard noises on the door. He looked back to see Madeline coming in.
"Maddy? What happened?"
The blond girl looked reluctant, "Is that woman my new mother?"
Christopher made a puzzled face, "What woman? Why new mother?"
"The woman you were kissing…"
He couldn't disguise the panic in his expression, "What?"
"I saw you together… the door was half-open… I didn't mean to peek…"
He was speechless. He didn't imagine to be caught by his lovely daughter.
"Is she my new mother?"
"Of course not!"
"So why you kissed her?"
"Maddy…it's an adult thing…"
"But I don't want mother to hurt me because of her…" the girl spoke bursting into tears
Christopher immediately hurried to console her. That was Madeline Reed O'Gregon, Maddy. His sweet daughter. His little angel.
The reason why he was forced into a semi-love marriage to Katarina. The seed that united him to the woman that unveiled the worst of him, but that wasn't always a bad thing for him. He liked that. She made him stronger. A better warrior. A good father. She gave him his sweet Maddy.
Maddy, so innocent and brave. Almost like Angelique. His Angely.
For Maddy he accepted another woman's love, Katarina's love. For Maddy he learned to love Katarina in a visceral way. For Maddy he turned Angely into his sweetest and deepest secret. But not even Maddy could make him let go of Angely completely as he asked Pierce to look out for the Lake Manor and he bought the land in the Peasant's Village where he completed construction of the cottage that once were meant to be his and Angelique's. For Maddy he kept those properties in secret to leave for her in case anything bad happened to him as he knew Katarina abuses. For Maddy he was a defender like for Angely he was a protector. A mentor.
Pierce had told him Maddy's request to continue in Bohma with them until he moved permanently to Arthena. He didn't need too much explanation from Pierce to understand the situation. Katarina was being a bad mother to Maddy behind his back. That was something he hated about her. That was one of the things that invoked the worst of him. He had warned her long time ago, and he was willing to keep that promise if he had to. Especially now…
"So how are your painting classes going?"
"They're good… I'll miss Olly and my teacher. She's so nice"
"Yes. You had commented that before, but you never gave details…"
"You never asked" she spoke with an obvious tone
"That's true"
"You know she's Olly's mother, right?"
"Yes, I remember that detail…she's also the wife of Lord Talbot, isn't it?"
"Not really. They're engaged. Not married. But they will get married next month"
"Ah… So they had Oliver first and now they decided to get married…"
She shook her head in denial
"No?"
"No. Olly's father is her former husband's"
Christopher frowned intrigued
"Olly said he wants to meet his real father and when he gets older he will do that"
"I thought he knew his father and that he was dead"
"No… but daddy, may I ask you something?"
"Yes, absolutely"
"May Olly visit me when we move to Arthena?"
"Sure, if his mother and the lord give him permission…"
"They will! They know Olly is like a brother to me. He even calls me sister"
He smiled at her comment. He was aware of their close friendship. In fact, he was fond of Oliver too. He was a brave boy. Even at such a young age of eight, the boy already demonstrated courage and a strong temperament, despite his lovingness.
The girl showed signs of sleepiness and Christopher made sure to tell her a story to sleep. The story of two young couple who met at a lake a long time ago. The angel who saved a soldier's life. Of course, the blonde little girl fell asleep before he could tell it all.
That wasn't a problem for him. He was more telling the story for himself and arranging some pieces and Oliver Talbot seemed to fit the puzzle somehow. Just like the art teacher.
In the morning, Christopher awoke early, as the usual for his obligations. Madeline continued sleeping profoundly in his bed. He was heading to the main gate when he saw a familiar woman coming to his way. He smiled and walked to her direction to greet her with a hug.
"Clair!" he spoke happily
"Good morning cousin. Long time no see!"
"That's true and I'm glad you received my message"
"I did and it was surprising and intriguing at the same time. What's the urgency?"
"First of all, my condolences. Your husband was a good man and I'm sorry for not going to the funeral…"
"Thank you and it's alright. I understand you have obligations"
"I do, but..."
"I can see you don't look good… What's the urgency, cousin?"
Christopher asked her to follow him as he explained the whole situation.
"So Maddy…"
"Yes. She fears Katarina and I myself don't trust letting her alone with her either and since I have to travel a lot… I need someone of my trust to watch for Maddy"
"And that one is me?" she said lifting an eyebrow
"I thought of you, but I'll understand if you don't accept my offer… it means you'll have to move to Arthena and live with Katarina…"
"I accept it"
He looked at her, "You do?"
"I do accept your offer. I really do need a change and my children are already adults and have their own families…You know I love children and even more Maddy, but I do have one concern…"
"Katarina" he assumed
"Yes"
"Don't worry about her. She's my concern, not yours"
"She can be against it"
"It's her choice. Or this or the separation!"
"Separation? Are you sure of this?"
"More than never! This will be my last ultimatum and she has been warned of it long ago. She's not the only one with the last word!"
"All the best my dear brother… you know you're like a brother to me…"
He smiled kindly, "I know and you're like a sister to me"
"I hope everything will solve in peaceful terms for you. Even though I can't stand Katarina, but Maddy needs someone who can protect her from that…tyrant!"
Christopher nodded in agreement and they continued the conversation, scheming their plans of action.
Thank you Pin for the review! :D
Thank you everyone for reading :D
So in this chapter we have a new character introduced briefly. Wondering who he may be and his real intentions! xD
Stay Tuned!