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.
1712
The fifteen-year-old ginger boy ran through the forest back to the civilization. Sobbing. Crying. He could barely see where his feet stood due to the blur in his vision.
He ran faster than a professional runner.
"Help, somebody help!" he screamed at the top of his lungs
The people looked at him scared, confused.
"In the river…Katarina pushed them to the river!" he continued screaming until he reached Clairy's house
Oliver's screams alarmed people, and his message was passed from people to people until the local authority.
"Auntie…Auntie…"
"Olly, what happened? What screams were that?" Clairy replied in concern
"Auntie…my mother…Katarina…she killed them" he spoke in between sobs
"What?"
"In the river…"
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"I saw them… she followed him and got hidden… I didn't know she was there…all I saw was she running towards them and stabbing my mom, and then she pushed them to the river…"
"Oh my god…Where's Christopher?"
"She pushed him!"
"What?!"
"Auntie…please…we have to find them!"
"Of course! That river passes through a bifurcation; let's hope they go to the lake side"
While Clairy, her husband and Oliver moved to spread the news and gather help for the search, Christopher carried Angelique in his left arm while he swam them to the right entrance.
Katarina's crimes wouldn't stay unpunished. There was a witness. Two key witnesses – Christopher himself and Oliver.
(*)
"Angely…stay with me…we're almost there…are you listening to me?"
"Lo-ve…you…" she whispered closing her eyes
"Stay with me, Angely!" he spoke in despair noticing her unconscious, "Open your eyes!"
Christopher tried all he could to stimulate the irresponsive redhead. He swam for them without minding about the cold water.
He continued swimming and always calling for her, who remained silent.
At distance, he could see the Lake Manor, he swam with more agility gathering energies he wasn't aware he had.
The River town wasn't far from the center of Bohma, where the main castle situated. Riding her horse at full speed, Clairy reached the main gate and screamed for Pierce's name, who didn't take long to answer her as he waited at the front yard.
Upon hearing to her, he had no time to process what he had heard, all he thought was of ordering troops to find Christopher and Angelique, and immediately he hurried to the Lake Manor where there could have a possibility that Christopher had swum there.
That day, the distances didn't matter and none seemed so long as the usual. That day, the towns seemed to proximate and in little time, royal guardian arrived at the land at the exact moment Christopher was at the shore trying to revive the pale redhead on the ground.
Maybe it was Christopher's denial or maybe he didn't realize the woman's skin coloration. She had gone for a while…
"Come on Angely…don't die on me…" he repeated crying in despair as he pressed her chest and blew air into her mouth.
He did and did again.
She was gone. Only god knows how long Christopher was there struggling in not let go of her.
Pierce Northman watched brokenhearted his friend and mentor still fighting the lost battle.
Angelique Stafford was gone when she was still in the water.
Christopher didn't notice that…He was too focused swimming for two –three.
The cold water and the exsanguination took the painter's life in the same path that united those souls.
That lake was the beginning and the end of those soul's story in that timeline. Brief but intense. Short but forever standing.
"Nooo! Angely!"
Christopher's screams of realization echoed in the forests and mountains. The despair of the older former knight and the horrible feeling of powerlessness took over the good man that only dreamed of having a simple and normal life at the side of his love, his family – Angelique and Oliver.
Destiny seemed so unfair separating those souls that truly loved each other. Destiny seemed unfair in not letting them stay longer together. Destiny seemed unfair by uniting him to that monster called Katarina O'Gregon.
How could he ever felt like he did love that witch? She only lied and fooled him! She was the evil woman of the dowser's prophecies and without explanation; he stayed at the side of the evil. Supported her. Loved her…
A love that now turned into hate, and he had no remorse stabbing her in the chest. He wished he had punished her more. He wished she'd be burning by now in hell – just like she screamed to him.
And now without Angelique he was groundless. His soul ached. He wished he could join her in the afterlife – he so wanted to believe there was the afterlife… he needed to believe that. That was his faith… That she would be waiting for him. Watching out for him. Being his guardian angel… his angel.
Without her, his only purposes remained on his family, his children – Olly, Maddy, Lilly, Philly, Beau and the twins.
Without Angelique he didn't want anyone else and that's what he did – he remained faithful to her memory until the last day of his life. He didn't love anyone else.
And one year after Angelique's death, Olly and Maddy gave him his first granddaughter – Angelica.
Yes, the girl he raised like his own daughter became a true part of his family. He wasn't surprised when they announced they wanted to get married, he knew they got along since they were children.
Angelica somehow was a consolation to his empty heart as she carried most of Angelique's features and kind personality.
Angelica became his precious little girl.
21st Century, Edonia
August 25th, 2011
Angelina worked on a new painting at the backyard when she saw her boyfriend George coming to greet her after arriving from work.
"How was your day?" he asked
"Good. How was your work?"
"Tiring as the usual"
She smiled, "Go take a shower while I set the table"
"Alright…and where's Maggy and Diana?"
"Maggy went out with her. They might be home soon"
"I see"
George noticed Angelina didn't seem so excited as her usual, and wondered what could be bothering her, "Is everything alright? You seem to be a bit sad"
"Is that so evident?"
"Yes. What happened?"
"I got a call from Mr. Lionel's assistant and he said Lionel is in his final days, and said he wanted to give me something before he passes away"
"Oh…I'm sorry to hear that"
"So I'm thinking of going next weekend to pay a visit to him, will you come with me?"
"I'm sorry but I can't go with you..."
"Why not?"
"Because I have business trip to go tomorrow"
"Oh…I see…"
"Yeah…I really wish I could pay a visit to him too…"
"I know babe, I understand…but I won't postpone my visit…But I don't think bringing a baby with me would be good in this occasion…"
"I know and you shouldn't do it. Mr. Lionel has a lot of appreciation for you and it wouldn't be good if you didn't fulfill his last request. You go with no worries; Maggy will take good care of Di, actually she'll love it"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah!"
She smiled lightly. Angelina didn't like staying away from her little girl, but George was a good father and Maggy a great grandmother. She trusted them and didn't use getting so worried in her absence, but it was undeniable how attached the little girl and her were. Trusting them didn't make her miss her less.
"Now, in a very long night, I was a candle that had to withstand the wind, all by myself. They did not know how deep my wounds were. My sorrows that reached every inch of me, my grief. They do not know how every face I saw before me was making my eyes quiver as they took in the sight! Is peace of loyalty of friendship like the flowers of spring, that wither and die, or does it stay forever, does it have power? Where is that writer of the heart that burned the candle? Does he write about our conditions (right now) and if he does, who sees it? Who will hear about our condition? O the one who knows about my heart. Do not hold my mouth, otherwise my heart which is wounded will flood the place with blood."
(*)
Year of 1747
The young man stopped in front of the cell. He heard a hum of music in the background.
He unlocked the bar.
The humming stopped.
He entered the cell, some guards waiting outside in the hall.
The cell was simple, clean and organized. There was a simple bed, a blanket, a desk, and some chests and an old bookshelf. The cell looked more like a quarter of a commoner.
That prisoner was special, so there were some luxuries. A miraculous act of concession coming from his uncle Henry, the present king of Edonia. She was there somewhat before he was born.
His gaze turned to the side and he saw a middle-aged woman with long braided hair, dressed in a simple black dress, sitting in the chair, staring at him in surprise.
"Katarina..."
"Who are you?" She asked defensively. His features were so familiar.
"My name is Lionel"
"What do you want?"
At that moment, a counselor came to the cell door.
"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" The man asked.
"Leave me please! That's my problem" the young man said politely.
"Your mother is looking for you"
"She can wait"
"But sir..."
The prince of Bohma turned with a serious and firm expression, which intimidated the royal counselor. Without insisting, the man withdrew.
The prisoner just watched. She could noticed the strong personality of the young prince, which contrasted with his friendly character - as like Christopher's.
But the truth was, she knew who that boy was. Her late daughter, Maddy, had told him about him on a visit years ago.
"You may not believe it, but I'm flattered to meet you in person, the infamous and famous Katarina O'Gregon"
"Why the admiration tone, when I am the shame of the family?"
"I wonder why you're still so young and beautiful at your age. You're still full of vigor at the age of 72!"
"Beautiful and prisoner..." she rolled his eyes
"And that's why I'm here"
"Go to the point, I do not have time to listen to the babblings"
"I've come to reallocate you."
"To another cell?"
"No, for a place a little better than this" he said staring around
"Where?"
"To the Tower of Exile"
She did not move a muscle of reaction and spoke coldly, "What if I do not want to go?"
"Would you rather be locked in this poorly lit cell with just a small window? And all alone?"
"I will be stuck there in the same way and I am not alone here…"
"Why not?"
"Sometimes I have the company of the spirits of my deceased children, and of my deceased ex-husband – hating on me…"
The young prince disguised the incredulous reaction. He had heard that Katarina had gone mad in 30 years of voluntary imprisonment, and especially after Christopher's death two years ago.
Yes, volunteer. After killing Angelique, due to the blow Christopher had given her, Katarina had been killed. She lived a few years in freedom, lived in another country and wandered in disguise to not be recognized. She knew the bad name that her name had become.
Erroneously people accused her of being the principal of the strange soldiers' incident.
However, without Christopher, without her children, only with Lucy's support and tormented by her actions, Katarina decided to return to Bohma after the death of her eternal and loyal companion.
Flashback
1712
"Milady? Milady?" Lucy the favorite and most loyal lady-in-waiting of Katarina poked the woman in black lying on the ground, unconscious. At a first glance from afar, she thought the brunette was dead due to the blood on her chest and the knife in the woman's left hand. She thought Katarina had taken her own life after the fight with Christopher – that was what the people were saying in town.
She knew Katarina had grown suspicious of Christopher's often visits to Clairy. It wasn't already enough Katarina's suspicions on the boy Oliver who seemed to share very similar traits to Christopher's as he grew.
Suspicions after suspicions, Christopher's behavior – the behavior he seemed to be hiding something - and the history of cheatings. It was just a matter of time until Katarina would investigate him – follow him and maybe catch him.
Lucy accompanied Katarina in the chase and waited for the brunette at a tavern, while Katarina went after him after spotting him.
Lucy noticed Katarina was taking too long to return and decided to look for her, until she noticed a commotion in the streets and people talking about people in the river. Immediately she ran to the location and found Katarina's body. After checking her, she noticed the woman was still breathing.
It took a little while for Katarina to show she was regaining her conscience, and she opened her eyes abruptly. Scared. Confused. She stared around, but only saw Lucy kneeling next to her.
"Milady…we have to leave…Soon the authorities will get here"
Katarina didn't reply, and with her friend's help, she stood up and both left the location before other people witnessed them together.
Dressing black cloaks, the women left the town and moved to another country where Lucy had a land of her family's. They lived simple life – compared to the court's standards.
The two lived there for five years, until Lucy's death by a disease.
After burying her only friend, Katarina decided it was time to pay for her crimes and face the consequences of her actions, and returned to Bohma.
Castle of Bohma, 1717
After Angelique's death, Christopher requested his retirement so he could take care of his children, and Pierce Northman took his place as the head of security of the kingdom.
During Pierce's round break, another soldier called him in the knight's chambers and told him to go to the main gate.
His eyes could not believe what they were seeing when the silhouette before him removed the cloak's hood.
"Katarina…"
"I came to turn me in"
(*)
Lake Manor
Christopher was sitting at the lakeshore pensive. Since Angelique's death, he moved there with his children: Lilly, Phil, Beau and the twins Melissa and Henry – with exception of Maddy and Olly with whom he finished the cottage's construction at the Peasant Province and gave it to the young couple live with their family after their marriage.
George Talbot couldn't stand staying in that place as memories of Angelique saddened him, so he accepted Christopher's request to live there when he left the court. Somehow, George did believe he didn't belong there, but Christopher.
Even after Angelique dying in his arms in that same location, Christopher needed to stay there. When not handling his children, or doing home chores, he spent his time fishing. It was his only way to feel close to Angelique somehow. To their memories. To the frozen moment at the lake that now was immortalized in the eternity.
"The years passed quickly. Everything changed at home. I also changed along with everything around me. It's nothing else like before and I'm not the same man anymore. But I also can't forget everything I lost. I can't feel the joy I should feel, you know… Because I feel an emptiness... sometimes, my revolt betrays me and I end up doing things I wouldn't do. My mind deceives me. I don't know how to control myself. I don't like what I've become. I do not like it at all... That's why I miss you..." he sighed sadly, as he stared the lake.
Soon after, he heard Pierce's voice and turned around to stare him who didn't seem to have a good expression.
"You don't seem to have come to invite to a party"
"I'm afraid not…"
"What happened?"
"You're not going to believe who has been imprisoned"
"Who?"
"Katarina…"
Christopher frowned, exhaling bitterly at the mention of that name. Cursed name.
"A bad penny always turn up"
"Yeah…but I did hope she had died after your blow…"
"A creaking gate hangs longest"
"Unfortunately…"
"Have they decided her death sentence?"
"No…"
"What are they waiting for?"
"I'm afraid that's not going to happen…"
"Why not?"
"The laws of Bohma determine that the punishment for a deposed regent is the gallows or the prison or the exile. Even after all her mistakes, Charles granted leniency alleging she saved his life and there were no proof that she acted against the state, so instead of death sentence, she received life imprisonment for Angelique's death"
Christopher huffed, "Son of a bitch…"
"I voted against her and pled for death sentence by showing the Angelique's father letter, Vladimir's testimony and the necklace she used for payment, but all in vain… Charles decided in her favor as prison for life was enough for her to pay for the assassination"
"Injustice! That pussy decided under his feelings and not for the justice!" Christopher shouted
"I think the same… at least you managed to annul your marriage to her based in her lie about her pregnancy…"
"Don't remind of that…Actually…I don't want to remember that monster ever existed! I just want to forget that bitch! I hope she rots in prison… as in the end… nothing will bring my Angelique back…"
End of Flashback
.
.
Solitude in "freedom" and solitude in a cell no longer made any difference to her.
It was worse to deal with Christopher's look of hatred and contempt on the first and only time he had visited her in prison two years ago.
Flashback
Year 1745
Katarina had heard footsteps coming toward her cell. Steps that sometimes seemed hesitant, others were firm steps.
She continued her activity - writing. Since she was arrested, to spend the time she wrote several letters, several texts, poems. Or she just hummed.
She continued writing until she heard the steps stop in front of her cell, and the padlock unlocked. She ignored the silent person, imagining that there would be some more guard or whoever else...
The silence lingered for long seconds until she was driven by curiosity, turned her face to see whom it was. She'd rather not to. She felt an instant numbness, a heavy sensation that spread through her body. She could not hide her face in amazement as she saw the old man with white hair and wrinkled skin. Tired expression. And a penetrating and mysterious look, but his energy was still the same as it had been years ago - of anger, fury.
The woman who was once imposing now was without reaction, but involved in remorse and shame... one day have been able to destroy the man she loved the most - even if in a crooked way.
The woman in black was unable to even look at him - in the eyes.
They remained that way, immobile for eternal minutes. Who knows what was going on in each one's head.
"I knew you would come... someday," she said, showing some relief, full of hope for waiting so long for her redemption, for forgiveness, and perhaps for deliverance - not necessarily physical deliverance. This detail would be the decision of another's.
He remained silent. A storm of feelings stunned him. His own past. His own memories. His own story. All there gathered in one place, bumping into the still young figure of the beautiful brunette and ex-noble woman.
"You were late, but I knew you'd come. That is why I waited… I wrote you several letters…"
Yes, she had actually written several letters that never reached the recipient, but all were stored in a trunk in the castle's basement.
"I know that words fail you. I see that you still are angry with me - and not without reason. I know I made a mistake. I know I hurt you, but... I paid for my sins. Here, alone, in the dark for endless days. Reflecting all my mistakes and actions…"
"I can't forgive you!" he broke the silence
"But you have already taken the first step - to face me…"
"Your fate is in my hands"
"Certainly! I did not expect any less from you"
"What do you expect of me?"
"Your decision"
"What if I want to condemn you myself?"
"I am already doomed!"
"You're just imprisoned..."
"True... death is only a matter of time, and this is my condemnation"
Even though not looking the age she actually had, Katarina was still clearheaded. She was still wise with words – base of her known manipulation skill.
"What really matters to me is that you are here! You have already given your step to face your conscience"
"My conscience?"
"Yes, your conscience! After all, you live in it. In your past, in your memories. In your memories... in your ghosts"
"Ghosts you created with your wicked mind! You usurped places that didn't belong to you!"
"And I paid for it! Now I am just a shadow... of mine, of yours, of our past... and of their past... finally I have become what you wanted most of me – be the shadow of Angelique"
"You killed her!" He shouted
"Yes, I killed all of us! I wrote my story and became the shadow of it myself!"
"You don't seem to be regretted"
"And what is the use of repentance with you? It will not erase what has already been done and will bring nothing and no one back"
"You have not changed at all! Time and isolation have not taught you anything!"
"They taught more than death would have!"
"I should take the chance to be alone here with you and take revenge for everything you did to me... Of all the things, I regret... my greatest regret is that I have not stabbed you more. Of not getting rid of you every time I had the opportunity..."
"Then do it now... if it is what will make you feel good... and become like me, so take your revenge. I have been waiting for this for a long time!"
"Demons don't die"
"I am not a..."
"Aren't you?" He smirked, "Good people don't do what you did!"
"I agree... I agree..."
"Why? Why did you do everything to hurt me? Hurt your children? What did I do to you? What did we do to you?"
"You did nothing Christopher... The wrong one was me!"
"And what did you get out of it?"
"I won my life sentence..."
"Is that what you wanted?"
"What is the point of talking about it? You did not come because you care... You came to punish me... for your vendetta... Angelique's vendetta"
"Don't say her name! You don't have that right!"
"Excuse me... I was just telling the truth... your truth!"
"You said you loved me!"
"And I loved... how much I still do love..."
"You don't know what love is!"
"I agree..."
"Are you going to agree all the time?"
"What do you want me to say, Christopher? What do you want me to do? I cannot change the past! Do you want me to kneel, humiliate myself and beg for your forgiveness? You will never forgive me, I already know that! And you already know how much I mourn for destroying you, for destroying us! Do not you see the nightmare that I live, the nightmare I have won when I lost you because I was the biggest mistake in our history? I live alone and isolated in this cell in the company of my demons and memories just waiting for the final judgment that never comes! I have lost everything I have struggled to achieve, I have not seen my children grow up, I have not seen my grandchildren born and most of my children hate me! Do not you think I am already being punished for my mistakes? I know I was stupid! I do not need anyone to remind me of this!"
"That's little for what you did to me! To us!"
She did not answer and knelt before him and spread her arms, waiting for the sentence.
Christopher stared her. It was up to him to decide the final outcome of Katarina O'Gregon.
Or is it not?
He hesitated. Thought. She felt that he was doing everything she said, as if she were deciding her own end through him.
No, he did not want to do her wish! She made him feel like he was following her game. To kill her, free her, torture her, whatever he did, he felt she was fulfilling her desire. How should he handle it? How could he not feel manipulated by a 70-year old woman?
She kept her eyes on him. Waiting.
She was not a queen, but she seemed to dictate the rules.
"I didn't come to see you humiliated... I just came to be sure that you really are a witch... Your appearance has hardly changed... while me..." He looked at himself, "Because the only explanation for me to have held you for so long, was that I was indeed bewitched!"
She did not reply.
"I will never forgive you... Katarina! Never! You're a murderer!"
She smiled, "You love me"
"I hate you!"
"Hate is a form of love..."
"I never loved you!"
She laughed, "Oh, you did! A lot! So many times, you loved me. You loved my body. You fought for me. You called me yours! You were jealous and even got scared to lose me! You marked my body, my soul with your love! With your hatred! But you loved me wildly... madly!"
"Witchcraft!"
She only smiled lightly, "If I really were a witch and had bewitched you... you would only have been mine and no one else's..."
His blood boiled at her insinuations. He hated himself for having ever liked - loved - that woman. He was out of himself for allowing himself so much. Although he did not regret the children she had given him.
Among so many reconciliations, he could never understand what really connected them. And even now he still could not. Yet he needed to know after so many years... but in vain.
"You have only my hatred and eternal contempt Katarina"
"Fine, now leave me alone." She answered coldly and turned her back on him.
(*)
That was the first and last time they saw each other after Angelique's death. Katarina bursted into tears and silently pleaded with him for forgiveness. The forgiveness that never happened.
Shortly thereafter, Christopher died of natural causes at age 71.
Katarina began to live in eternal mourning. In addition, his death, was the day she stopped taking the black pills and the effects on her looks progressively showed up.
End of Flashback
"I know you do not believe me, and I do not care if you believe it or not, and you may think I am crazy too. Maybe I really am. It may be foolish to refuse the opportunity to live alone in a "better" environment, overlooking the sea and entitled to some visits when I have no one else to visit me in life"
"You've never lost the right of visitors. Your children visited you…you still have grandchildren…"
21st Century, Bohma
Lake House Land
Katerina didn't seem to enjoy Bohma that much like Chris and Piers did. She admitted it was a beautiful place, but there was something there that didn't seem right. Actually, she still wondered what made her accept their invitation to visit an old man she didn't even know.
As they arrived in the famous Lake House, Katerina spotted from afar the old and abandoned barn before the lake itself, and a strong headache hit her.
"It's a beautiful place, don't you think?" Piers asked
"Yeah it is, but gives me the creeps"
"It gives you the creeps? A beautiful place like this?"
"Yeah, weird huh!" she shrugged
He made a face not knowing what to say
Christopher only listened to their conversation without saying anything. Even if he wanted, he couldn't. At that moment, his attention only focused on the beautiful redhead girl leaving the Lake House. His heart raced and a smile formed on his face. He couldn't control it and rushed to greet the ginger painter.
"Angie!"
"Chris!" she smiled largely and greeted him with a hug
He hugged her back, enjoying the strange sensation that cored through his body – her body fit his perfectly, "Fancy meeting you here!" he said smiling largely back
"Yeah! I'm so happy to see you again!"
"You look great!"
"Thanks, you too!"
He nodded accepting the compliment, "I didn't expect meeting you here…today…"
"I anticipated my visit to Mr. Lionel after the message about his health condition…" she replied with a saddened expression
"You got it too?"
"Yeah…did you get it as well?"
"Yeah…I did…But I actually would come here next month for a job…and the message just made me speed it up."
"Ah, I see…that's nice of you. Mr. Lionel really loved meeting you"
"It was a great meet indeed…too bad the second meeting is not in such a good vibe…"
"Yeah…"
That moment, Piers and Katerina approximated to them. Angelina greeted Piers with a friendly look, but the moment the ginger and the brunette's gaze met, a strange bad sensation cored through her.
A mutual sensation for Katerina.
"Angie, this is Katerina. Katerina this is Angelina" Christopher introduced the women to each other
"Nice to meet you" Katerina spoke politely
"Nice to meet you too…" Angelina replied
No shake of hands. None of the girls felt comfortable to do it so.
Soon after, the group headed to the Lake House.
"Mr. Lionel, you have more guests!" Angelina spoke with a happy face to the old man sitting on the couch
"Oh really?" he lifted his eyebrows and smiled
From that moment on, everything seemed to work in a slow motion. Mr. Lionel saw one by one passing the door and coming to greet him. Chris was the first. His grip strong and amicable. Piers seemed to hesitate for a while as he looked to the side and talked to someone else who was still outside.
"Piers…I don't even know him!" Katerina spoke hesitant
"He's alright. He's a nice guy… you'll see"
Katerina let out a sigh and inhaled gaining courage
"I'm sorry Mr. Lionel, we brought a friend with us. We hope you don't mind…" Piers said greeting the old man
"Oh, really? Who is it?"
"Her name is Katerina. She works with us…" Piers replied
That moment the brunette stepped by the door, and the old man's heart raced inside his chest. His body trembled in mix of feelings – excitement, surprise, relief. She wore a beige blouse and jeans, and red high heels – beige, something so similar to the last outfit Katarina O'Gregon wore in her last day.
The wheel of life was turning again.
"Hello, Mr. Lionel. Excuse me being the intruder here…" the brunette a bit awkward as she headed to greet the man who seemed perplexed
"Kat…" he whispered with his eyes widened
"I liked the Kat, but you can call me Kate too" she replied politely
The man nodded, "Welcome…Kate…Be my guest..." he said waving to her sit whenever she wanted
Winter Memories
1774
The years passed while Katarina lived in the Tower of the Exiles, courting the sea and the only road that there was to that place.
"It is cold today, the wind blows over the lake water and marshes with the scent of the trees. In weather like this, if my family were still with me and the war had ceased, we would not be trapped in one place, watching a leaden dawn and a sunset of dull red; we would be traveling with the king's court, on progress through the weald and downland of Baveen and Bohma, the richest and most beautiful countryside in all of Edonia, riding high on the hilly roads and looking out for the first sight of the sea. We would be out hunting every morning, dining under the thick canopy of the trees at midday and dancing in the great hall of some country house at night in the yellow light of flickering torches. We were friends with the greatest families in the land, we were the favorites of the king, kin to the queen. We were beloved; we were the O'Gregon's, the most beautiful, sophisticated family at the court.
Nobody knew Christopher without desiring him, nobody could resist Pierce, everyone courted me as a passport to their attention. Christopher was dazzling – dark brown hair, light brown-eyed, and handsome - always mounted on the finest horses, always at the side of the King. Pierce was at the peak of his beauty and his wits, as alluring as dark honey. And I went everywhere with them.
The two of them used to ride together, racing, neck and neck like partners or even real siblings, and I could hear their laughter over the thudding of the hooves as they went flying by. Sometimes, when I saw them together, so rich, so young, so beautiful, I couldn't tell which of them I loved more.
They had unique traits that I adored.
All the court was besotted with the two of them, those dark Knight flirtatious looks, their high living: such gamblers, such lovers of risk; both so fervent for their reform of the politics and safety, so quick and clever in argument, so daring in their reading and thoughts. From the king to the kitchen maid there was not one person who was not dazzled by the pair of them.
Even now, I cannot believe that I will never see them again. Surely, a group so young, so radiant with life, cannot simply die? In my mind, in my heart, they are still riding out together, still young, still beautiful. And why would I not passionately long for this to be true? Many years passed since I last saw them…
Thirty-one years, two months, and nine days since Maddy's careless fingers brushed against mine, and she smiled and said, "Good day, mother, I must go, I have everything to do today,"
I am a woman a ninety-nine years old, with a face scored by frustration and sorrow, mother to buried children, the oldest survivor of a disgraced family, heiress to scandal.
My dream is that one day this luck will change and the embrace of death will hug me tight, and comfort my soul as I sleep forever.
I never thought I would live this long, encaged. I heard people died earlier in prisons, and my real punishment has been living all this long, alone and disgraced.
It was painful learning of family members, my children dying before me. That is not the usual course of life. Or the ideal.
I suffered bringing them to life, but I suffered more they were gone, and worse of all, I could not be there at their funeral and say goodbye to any of them. Nor to Elizabeth's.
and then the penult one… Christopher…
now he is in heaven with his Angely.
And me still claiming for forgiveness.
My dream is that the world will change again, swing topsy-turvy until we are uppermost once more, and I am forgiven.
My great sorrow was that I ruined all of us, I destroyed the two handsome men who now ride and laugh and dance only in my dreams. I touch the milestone once more, and imagine that tomorrow the messenger will come: "It is time to go Katarina O'Gregon…You are free now…" he will say, looking at my plain kirtle and the dust on the hem of my gown, my hand stained with dirt from the barn of the Lake House."
(*)
A 44-year-old man was climbing the stairs of a castle tower. He was dressed in luxurious clothes; he was tall, light-skinned, with brown eyes, and gray hair.
The walls were lit by little archaic lights and at the bottom of the stairs a small hall leading to a single door that was guarded by two sentries. He ordered them to open the door, and as he entered the room, he saw an elderly woman with long white hair lying in a simple bed. Looking around, the room was impeccable in terms of cleanliness and organization, and was decorated with some flowers, which was a request from the prisoner.
Lying there in bed was she - the black widow. The former great noblewoman. The old self-proclaimed empress, now known only as a black widow.
The famous Katarina O'Gregon lying in her bed in place of exile, wearing only an old long black dress. The shoes at the foot of the bed were shabby. In the corner there was an old desk with stacks of letters and diaries she wrote over 57 years of isolation from society, and a trunk. 57 years alone with her ghosts. Ghosts of a glorious past. A condemned past. A bittersweet past.
"Is she still alive?" He asked one of the guards.
"Yes, your majesty"
At the sound of the voices, the woman moved slowly on the bed and smiled broadly at the sight of the man
"Christopher!" She said cheerfully.
How much time had passed for that old woman, but at the same time, time had not passed to her. At least not to her memory. To her mind. She did not realize that she was no longer her beloved one there before her, but their descendant. And also descendant of Angelique, Vladimir, and Charles.
The blood of them all ran in that man's veins. The bloods of the most relevant families in the history of Bohma and part of the history of Edonia: Lionel Horvat Stafford-Hansen O'Reed.
There had not been a long time since they'd met, only a month.
A very tumultuous month for him after being crowned as King of Bohma. He was the son of Thomas Horvat O'Reed, grandson of Charles II of Bohma, son of Charles III and Lilly O'Gregon-Reed; husband of Angelica Stafford-Hansen Reed, whose parents were Maddy and Olly.
After Henry O'Gregon-Reed won the war after the defeat of Charles III in maintaining sovereignty over the two kingdoms, Edonia and Bohma became independent countries, despite the friendly relationship between the two.
Lionel got a chance to hang out with them all, except Angelique, George, Clairy, Charles II (king Charles) and Vladimir.
Lionel grew up listening to everyone else's versions. Some he lived more than with others, but he was aware of their versions of the events.
He knew that ever since Katarina's trial, Pierce Northman had never seen Katarina again, and he did not look favorably upon Elizabeth's visits to her sister, even after learning the truth. Despite everything, Elizabeth took pity on her sister's situation, despite disagreeing with some of her actions.
Pierce became a more rational and objective man after the disillusionment with Katarina, even though he was known as the man who loved her the most.
Phillip never forgave his mother's mistakes and never saw her again after her disappearance in 1712.
Beau and Lilly had ambiguous feelings for her, and rarely visited her.
Phillip and Beau died together saving innocents of war - a very hard blow to Christopher for burying the remains of his children, and Katarina who could not say goodbye to them.
Lilly married Charles's son, and after the marriage she stopped visiting her mother for ethical and political reasons.
Oliver hated Katarina until the last day of his life. He saw Katarina for the last time during her trial, and died shortly after the death of his father Christopher in 1745.
He had a close relationship with George and the other siblings from both sides. George did not remarry and died of natural causes. Oliver died in poor health after surviving an accident with toxic plants.
The twins Melissa and Henry had a wealthy life. Melissa married a French nobleman and moved to France. She had never met her mother after being influenced by Christopher and Phillip's views on her.
Henry was a pathfinder, with high combat skills and strategy like his father. Since a young age he proved to be the most reserved of the O'Reed clan, and never felt like meeting his mother.
Of all the children, Maddy was the only one who visited her mother until the end of her life, even after all the bad childhood history. Katarina has indeed changed the way she treated her daughter, and gave to her the care and maternal affection she had denied the blonde when she was little. Maddy, like Elizabeth, could see the innocent, insecure side of Katarina. She became her mother's greatest source of real-world information, and also her ally for continuing to provide her the black pills.
Maddy maintained a friendly relationship with Vladimir after the revelation of his paternity, but she remained closer to Christopher, not only like her father of creation, but also like her father-in-law.
She married Olly and they lived happily on the property of the Peasant Land, they had 4 children, and had only a great disagreement, the opposite relations with regard to Katarina.
Maddy became Angelique's successor and became an important local painter. She died in 1743 because of an illness.
Christopher distributed his patrimony and one half he shared equally with his heirs, and another half he used to help poor and needy people.
He took Angelique's work from the mausoleum of his land in Arthena and became the greatest promoter of the redhead's art along with Olly and Maddy.
He lived until his last day at the Lake House, and his body was buried by Oliver next to Angelique's in the "Lake Cemetery," a more secluded part of the property.
"I knew you would come again! Did you decide who's going to kill me?" She asked, bringing the old man
"Kill you?" He asked back slightly confused
"Yes... my sentence... Or have you ever forgiven me?"
Oh yes, definitely the time stopped for Katarina. She now lived her memories, the distant past in real time. Paralyzed in time.
In fact, she wrote her story and became unforgettable to the people of Bohma and to some of Edonia. She broke down barriers and left a legacy, even as a legacy stained with the blood of Angelique Stafford - the painter who condemned her forever.
Angelique lost her life, but became a hero; she was consecrated for unmasking Katarina - the evil queen - who became the shame of the nation, with few lovers of her intelligence and determination.
Katarina would've become all she wanted to be, if were not for cowardly machinated Angelique's plot and death.
62 years later, Katarina was still here, with lapses of lucidity, and in solitude. She no longer maintained the spoiled and superior pose. She now looked defeated, reliving the times of youth inside an isolated tower, with white and brittle hair, worn clothes. The very distinct vanity left her the day died and she stopped taking the black pill - the pill he now studied the mysterious properties as well its regeneration effect.
Once upon a time Katarina accused Christopher of living and loving his ghosts, today she did the same - in a severer degree.
Lionel sighed deeply and held out his hand, "I have already decided your sentence..."
"And which one is it?"
"Come with me"
As he led her out of isolation, he caught the terror in her gaze. Worried about finding executioners.
As they walked, he listened to her incessant speeches, talking to someone. Someone who definitely was not him.
She was startled when she saw the light of the day and the open countryside around them and the eyes of the servants and guards staring her. She hid her face with her hands.
Katarina O'Gregon was no longer a threat.
He demanded that her cell had to be searched and they found inside the trunk some old notes of Albert and William, as well other notes of the location of the black herb plantation – that herb that was part of the agreement that Albert made with Katarina years ago when she freed him from prison because being young and beautiful was always a desire of her and he used her weakness to manipulate to accomplish his evil plans to use human experiments.
.
.
When I was called in to the Tower of the Exiles, I knew that Katarina's health was impaired, not just the mental health, but the physical health in general.
While I myself was studying the forbidden black herb, Katarina remained in the old room of the O'Gregon's chambers, but her presence caused a negative commotion; and most people refused to assist her, and because of that I took her to Lake House that since Christopher's death remained abandoned, and I thought there was the safest place to keep her in her last days.
I hired an assistant to stay full-time with Katarina as I unfolded between my obligations and the care of my great-grandmother.
Katarina walked slowly and with difficulties and I got tired of playing the King - something I never really wanted to be - I abdicated the throne and my eldest son succeeded me, and then I moved to the Lake House.
Days, weeks, months passed, Katarina spent most of her time staring at the lake, talking to her dead parents, or her deceased sister, and also mentioning the names of some strangers – people she met.
A few times, she ended up mentioning the Duke, her biggest nightmare and complained about his accidental death.
While Katarina spent her days at the shore of the lake or at the barn - yes, in the barn. She preferred to stay there and I had to improvise a room for her in there.
Maybe she knew that the house once belonged to Christopher and Angelique, and in there was still their energies, or maybe she'd rather stay in the barn to stay close to the memories of some barn from her past, after all, she'd been talking about the dead horses she had.
3 days before Katarina's 100th birthday, she spent nights and days at the lakeshore. And I feared that at any moment she would throw herself into the lake to join the souls that disturbed her in the little serenity she had left.
She only called names, and no longer had long conversations, she only cried out for forgiveness.
She did not eat anymore, hardly drank water. The end of her was near.
I spent nights and days almost without rest. It was almost endless days and nights listening to her screams by the lake.
On her birthday night, she called for the only known names she had not yet mentioned.
"Christopher! Angelique! "
I was in my bedroom - the room that Christopher had once been - when the attendant called me astonished.
"She jumped in the water!"
Immediately I ran worried, and there was Katarina on the edge floundering - Katarina didn't know how to swim.
"Kat!" I screamed" I've never called her that way, maybe it happened after I spent a good deal of my time reading my ancestors' notes, and also hers.
With the help of the assistant, we rescued her from the water.
"Christopher, Angelique," Katarina said looking frightened at us. She seemed to see the deceased couple in us.
Then we took her inside the house to take care of her. After days without eating, it was that time she accepted the soup.
That was a long night!
One winter morning, I woke up feeling watched and looked at the door. There she was: Katarina O'Gregon smiling pompously, in a long beige dress, perfect makeup, and black hair.
I was almost amazed for a brief moment, because seemed as if I had seen the young bubbly Katarina waving at me, smiling and I could smell her fragrance - floral essence.
"Thank you very much for everything, Lionel!" She said sweetly and bowing like every well educated girl of the nobility.
I felt the sincerity in her tone of voice and then I saw the old image of old Katarina in an old beige dress, black hair and walking slowly to the barn, and before going inside she looked at the lake.
A sudden sleep came over me and almost at the end of the day; I woke up and saw a letter from Katarina on the table.
"Where's Katarina?" I asked the assistant.
"In the barn"
"Did she get dressed only to stay in the barn?"
"Yes"
"Any special occasion of her memories?"
"I do not know, she just asked me to dye her hair, help her with the make-up and then she thanked me"
"Have you checked on her?"
"She is sleeping"
The hours passed and the cold night fell. The full moon shining in the sky that illuminated the barn, but the interior remained dark. I thought it was strange and looked at the clock. It was late at night and after sleepless and noisy days and nights, finally the silence prevailed in the property.
Was Katarina still sleeping of exhaustion?
I decided to go to the barn.
"Katarina?" I called her as I entered the place and spotted her on the bed, lying on her side.
No reply.
"Kat?" I called again and touched her shoulder lightly.
Immobile. Rigid.
And that was when I realized, Katarina was really asleep – in the eternal sleep.
(*)
"The hand of death that reaches out has touched me…it is very cold, my body is cold, my soul and my heart. O people. I was on the seventh level on earth. Hear me, look at me, know me. I am the Great regent. The mother of believers, master of the office, the elder valid, the punished sovereign, Katarina O'Gregon! The refreshing rain is finished. The sweetness of spring. The lights have gone out. I have left, I have left the home of this world that has six doors. No right, no left, no death, no back, no forward, no top, no bottom. The doors have closed. Before me, a journey unimaginable…"
(*)
I went into mourning. I mourning for all who lived there. I mourning for all who died. I mourning for the last survivor of that special group.
I felt a chill wind and felt myself again being watched and I looked at the barn door. I saw a figure and I went out to investigate, and I almost bumped into a mysterious woman - the famous dowser.
"The vortex of time. Here is where a cycle started. Here is where a cycle ended. Here where another cycle will last Beyond Time.
You have become the guardian of this new cycle.
The guardian of these souls in a new opportunity in the future when they return to this world.
You have the secret of longevity, and you must take one portion per day.
I will open the chakra of your third eye so that you can recognize them and you'll be sure that they are the ones.
You will be the advisor of their fate, but don't feel martyrized by their individual choices.
Everyone has free will, but every free will comes responsibility.
And do not fret if they or some of them repeat the same mistakes, because you are not responsible for their personal choices!
.
.
.
And here they are: the Four ones.
I finally found Katarina. She may be capable to write her footsteps, but her footsteps brought her to me...
"I am happy and eternally grateful to have all of you on my birthday!" Said the gentleman with a relaxed tone and a broad smile on his face.
.
It was not his birthday, in reality, but it was a celebration day for him.
A week later Mr. Lionel Horvat Stafford-Hansen O'Reed died at the age of 281.
Mission Accomplished!
Thank you Pin and silver scropion for the reviews! :D
Okay, mission accomplished literally. Two "monsters" of chapters in a row have drained my eyes, my brain, my neurons xD But I'm happy I made it! :D
Creating all that was so fun! :D
It has been a long journey and this just felt like the end of the story lol - it can be if you want it to xD
Stay Tuned!
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Models
Christopher Reed - Ekin Koç
Pierce Northman - Ekin Koç
Angelique/Angelina - Abigail Kasyanyuk
Older Katarina - Nurgül Yeşilçay
Katerina - Merve Boluğur
Young Lionel - Doğaç Yıldız
Old Lionel - Haluk Bilginer