"You mean, Holly is sick now? She was not able to get too far, did she?"
Chip shook his head sadly, "She's in her chambers having the cold sweats. Mother is trying to soothe her but she will disappear soon just like the others."
"So many innocent lives lost. Is there anything we can do to break the curse?"
The little boy swallowed hard,"I heard talks about something in the garden but everyone is hiding things from me too. I do know where I am not allowed to roam freely aside from the master's chambers."
"Where?" But she knew instinctively because she remembered Pedro telling her too.
"The greenhouse." And that particular structure was located beyond the rose patch. She had to know what was hidden in that greenhouse. It would help her solve the mystery surrounding the castle. For all its beauty, there was a darkness looming around it and it was affecting everyone including herself...
18
The next morning, Miranda was more quiet than ever and a little withdrawn. If she knew anything about her growing fondness of their master or their abrupt ending the other night, she did not say. Chip was his usual self but she did notice a slight change in his color. A little more pale perhaps, she thought. Rosabelle did try to bring about the subject of Holly and Jenkins but Miranda always found something for her to do, an errand that would send her off somewhere or a task that would make her leave the kitchen. Rosabelle was very tempted to stamp her foot in place until someone listened to her! She would have to do a little spying herself to find out what was going on.
Rosabelle was working in the gardens when she noticed Pedro slipping past the rose patch. It was not the first time she saw him go in that direction. In the past, she either ignored his leaving or she would follow him just before the rows of rose bush, always retreating back in guilt. She stopped her digging and followed him, stopping at the edge. This time she was going straight to the greenhouse and find out what was being kept there! She saw him round the corner and out of view. She moved a little closer. She saw him open the door leading to the greenhouse. It was a small glass house and she could not totally look in because of the haziness of the glass.
"Rosabelle." A deep sigh came from behind her.
She almost jumped in fright as she recognized the voice, "Lucas, I was just looking for Pedro. I wanted to ask him what fertilizer I should use for---
"Rosabelle, stop." Lucas took a deep breath and said, pointing towards the upstairs windows,"I can see you from upstairs."
She blushed deep red, realizing her situation, "I am sorry. I guess there's no denying that. I am curious what lies beyond this area. I was forbidden explicitly by Pedro not to cross this area."
"By my instructions, Rosabelle. No one is allowed through the greenhouse except for Pedro and myself."
"What are you hiding over there, Lucas? Why can you not trust me?"
She was getting hurt by everyone treading carefully around her. All these secrets were wearing her down already.
Lucas looked away, "I---about the other night---?”
There was a cry from afar, "My lord!"
It was Keithley, running down the path towards them. He gave a small bow, "Beg pardon, Miss, but Miss Miranda is calling for you. It's Chip."
Lucas took the lead, heading towards the kitchens, Keithley and Rosabelle followed suit. Rosabelle was alarmed at the mention of Chip. The look on Keithley's face was almost in a panic. They went into the chambers behind the kitchens where they saw Miranda sitting on a bed. Chip had his eyes closed but his face was flushed red, obviously sick with the fever. He was having the cold sweats too. Oh no, not Chip, Rosabelle thought. This was somehow all her fault. She should not have ask too many questions about the curse. And the curse found Chip.
"Is it the same illness?” Lucas asked, dread in his questioning.
Miranda stood up and choked back a sob, nodding, "It just started, my lord. I don't know what else to do. He started to get sick and I put him to bed."
"Miranda ---"Lucas began, holding out his hand to her shoulder, trying to console her.
Miranda turned towards his embrace and started crying, "Not Chip, too. Matthew then Chip?"
Rosabelle could not bear to see their grief and started to get a basin of water and cloth. She wrung out the excess water from the cloth and started wiping Chip's face. He did not even open his eyes.
"Oh Chip, get better. This is all my fault." Rosabelle whispered and she repeated her bathing, closing her ears to Miranda's crying. She sent a barrage of prayers to the heavens to spare the young boy's life.
When Miranda finally calmed down and sat near the bed, holding her son's hand in hers, Rosabelle went out to the gardens in search of some herbs she remembered her mother used to prepare for the fever. This she boiled in water to brew it as tea. She came back to the room and showed it to Miranda.
"Miranda, we'll have to spoon feed him this tea. He needs to take some of this to bring down his temperature. Lucas, I will need for you to hold his head up for me."
Lucas came forward and held Chip's head up. Rosabelle started to spoon feed Chip the brewed concoction. At first, Chip was just dribbling it out of his mouth but later on, there were small sips and swallowing. Still, Chip did not open his eyes. It was a tedious task but they were able to manage to get some of the tea in the little boy. Miranda looked at her in silent gratitude when they were done. The fever seemed to break a little but Chip was still unconscious. She stepped out for awhile as Lucas spoke to Miranda privately.
Rosabelle waited for Lucas outside the chambers, away from the room. When he finally emerged, she took a deep breath, "I need to know what is going on? I want to help."
"I think we are beyond help. This curse is my fault and it's taking the lives of the people in this castle. You better leave before the curse takes you too. Keithley can---”
"I am not leaving!" Rosabelle finally stamped her foot down. "You need my help. It's either you tell me the whole story or I go to someone else and demand some answers."
Lucas paused for awhile, thinking for awhile then he finally relented after a big sigh. He took her elbow and guided her out towards the gardens.
"Many years ago, a young woman fell in love with a man who did not return her affections. He was handsome but vain, only thinking about his own pleasures. He was not even aware about her existence until she proclaimed her undying love for this man. The young man was unmoved by her tears and shrugged her aside. She was after all beneath his rank and position. The young woman went home and died of a broken heart. But the story does not end there. This young woman came from a family of magic and her godmother was one of the most powerful enchantress around. Hearing that the young woman died, she confronted the young man in one of his nightly parties. She saw how vain and carefree the man was, uncaring that he caused her goddaughter's death and cursed him to wear a white mask so that all who see him will be terrified of him. When he is alone, he will be able to gaze at his own face but when there is another person's presence, the mask stays on like second skin. The mask was a reminder that he cannot control his destiny. Added to that curse, she cursed him to live a lonely life. One by one, people around him will die, vanished into thin air until no one remembers his name. What was once his life of pamper and prestige will no longer be."
He looked at her and she could see his eyes held back tears of sadness, "The servants are loyal people and I do not deserve them. When I hear one of them die, I feel their loss. I am resigned to this fate but not at the expense of the servants' lives and their family. Not like this."
"What was her name, Lucas? The lady who loved you."
Lucas thought for awhile, "I believe it was Mabel from Canterbury."
"And how do we break the curse, Lucas? There must be a way!"
They have reached the front of the greenhouse. Lucas looked up at the sky and closed his eyes for a moment, "My father, upon learning the abomination that was upon me, hired magicians, enchanters and the like but none knew how to break the curse exc
ept for the one who wielded it. Believe me, we tried to look for Esmeralda but she was not to be found. I even tried to leave this land but I was tied to this place, unable to get free. We had all lost hope until an apprentice of Merlin came forward. He was able to obtain a seedling in King Arthur's garden."
"A seedling of what?" She asked, curious where the story was leading. They had reached the one place Rosabelle had not seen yet.
Lucas opened the door to the greenhouse, "The magical rose."
She gasped at the sight of a rose plant in the middle of the greenhouse. It held a small rose bud not yet in bloom. But she knew it was magical because of the aura it was emitting. She could see the colors of orange, yellow and purple in changing hues around the plant itself. It was beckoning her to touch it. Her eyes mesmerized at the beauty. Her hand wanted to touch it.
"When in full bloom, the petals are said to make wishes come true. It is our hope that we wish the curse to be broken and for the people who have gone to return."
Rosabelle then remembered her father, "I suppose this is the same flower that was blooming when my father plucked it."
Lucas gave a nod, "It has a mesmerizing effect. Whenever someone plucks it or touches the petals, it withers and dies. It takes months to cultivate it to flower. For the magic to work, we believe it has to be in full bloom at midnight with the moon at its brightest. The rose has to be under that full moon. We have not been able to touch the flower at all much less transfer it."
"But we do know there is an enchantress who can tell us what to do." Pedro came in to join them. He gave Rosabelle a smile.
"Who?" Rosabelle dreaded the answer.
"Esmeralda." Pedro replied. "It is certainly ironic that she gifted the original magical rose to Merlin. It is our only solution to the curse. It was fortunate Merlin and I were able to get a seedling from the same rose at all."
And there lies the problem, she thought, Esmeralda was nowhere to be found. Or she was somewhere unreachable.
"How about getting a seedling from this rose and planting it outside? Surely that would work."
Pedro shook his head, "The magic will be lost. This magical rose was the offspring of the original magical rose but it will not propagate another. I have tried. It just becomes an ordinary rose bush as you can see." He pointed to the rose bushes outside in the gardens.
They were silent for awhile, all in their deep thoughts. Time was ticking for all of them especially Chip who was lying in his deathbed.
"If only we can find Esmeralda..." Rosabelle muttered in frustration.
"There might be a way." Pedro began, hesitating, glancing at Lucas. "We have a magic compass that helps the wearer find his way to whatever destination he desires to seek. We would have used it sooner but the curse had already claimed us to this place and we could not venture out too far. But you can, Rosabelle. You are the only one who has not lived here too long."
"No!" Lucas said. "It's too dangerous. Rosabelle cannot face Esmeralda alone. She will destroy her or worse, curse her into something dreadful. This is not your problem, Rosabelle. You have not stayed long enough for the curse to claim you. Leave now, Rosabelle. Leave us to our doomed fate."
Rosabelle felt a little lightheaded for a moment as she was thinking deeply. She glanced at Pedro who gave a small nod. She was their only hope.
She felt strong and brave as she approached Lucas. He looked so vulnerable. He was giving up already. His last thread of hope disappearing. She held up a hand and touched his face. She felt the coldness of the white mask, shimmering at her touch.
"No, Lucas," she said softly, gazing into his eyes. "This curse has to end. We need to save Chip, you and the others. I can do this. Let me help you. Let me help all of you."
Lucas touched her hand that was touching his face. She felt that same initial spark and she looked up at him, his eyes sad, "Esmeralda may not be someone to be reckoned with. I don't want to lose you, Rosabelle. My lovely Rose."
She smiled, "You don't have to. I will come back."
She stepped back a little, still holding Lucas' hand and faced Pedro, "What do I have to do?"
Pedro's eyes were a little watery from unshed tears, touched by their emotional moment. He muttered something about getting his duffle bag in his old shack and left.
Rosabelle continued to hold Lucas’ hand as they gazed at each other, silent. They did not know what else to say. Or if they should say anything at all.
Pedro came back moments later with an olive colored shoulder bag. This he handed off to Rosabelle.
"I took some provisions from the kitchens, enough to feed you. And this is to find your way."
He held a gold compass in his hands, small and delicate. "You open the face and ask it to direct you to wherever you want to go. It should point you in the right direction."
Rosabelle accepted the compass and the bag. She gingerly placed the compass inside the bag. Her bag was light but she needed some items from her room before she left.
Lucas gave a short nod towards Pedro, "Have Keithley prepare the carriage.” And then he turned back to Rosabelle explaining, “He will take you as far as he is able to before he has to turn back. I will meet you at the stables."
They parted ways for awhile. Pedro went off to the stables to find Keithley while Rosabelle went to check on Chip first. Miranda was still sitting beside her son, holding her hand, afraid to let go. Rosabelle put a hand to Chip's temple and kissed him lightly on the forehead, "I will find a way, I promise."
Rosabelle then went up to her rooms and packed a small sweater and her keepsake box into the bag. The keepsake box was a gift from her mother and it had survived the fire. She always brought it along with her because it felt like her mother was with her. She looked inside the bag more thoroughly and noticed Pedro had packed some bread and cheese into the bag.
At the stables, Lucas was there already with Pedro. He was giving some instructions to Keithley who was seated at the driver's seat on the carriage already. One horse was tied to the end of the carriage, already saddled for her.
"Lucas," she called out as she neared them.
He approached her, his eyes through the white mask raking over her face, "Are you sure, Rosabelle? There is time to back out. We will understand."
"Yes, I am sure." She was prepared to do this.
"All the people in this castle are appreciative of you. I am deeply grateful. Here, take this." He handed her a heavy pouch. "That is yours. If you should change your mind, I wish you a happy life, Rosabelle. I will not think less of you."
She looked into the pouch and it was filled with gold coins, enough to make a lady like herself live a life of luxury. She took out three gold coins and put it inside the duffle bag, handing the small pouch back to Lucas. He started to protest when she pressed it back against his hands. Rosabelle had to compromise.
"Keep it then for me until I return. I will come back, Lucas."
He stared into her eyes and then took his ring out from his finger, "Then keep this with you. My thoughts will be with you always."
He slipped the ring in her ring finger and she looked down at the ring. It had the family crest seal on it. It was too big for her finger and she clasped her hand closed in a fist to keep it in place. It was a symbol of the promise made. He then held her hand and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. It was fleeting and almost too soon to be over but it made her warm all over.
"Come back to me, Rosabelle." He whispered as he withdrew from her.
She felt herself blush red, "I will."
She then turned to Pedro who was waiting for her by the door of the carriage. He was carrying a red cloak which he put around her. It was a rich velvety color and beautiful.
"This is to keep you warm but it is also a protective cloak from the dangers of the outside world. No woman should travel alone but alas, we have no other choice. Keep safe, Miss Rosabelle."
She murmured her thanks and went up the carriage, sitting inside.
Pedro gave her a worrie
d look as he said, "Remember, when you are away from the castle, take out the compass and ask it to point you the way. Best of luck, Rosabelle. We await for your return."
He then shut the door to the carriage and Keithley gave a commanding click, sending the horses forward. Rosabelle looked back from the window and waved her goodbye. Lucas held one hand up in response. Rosabelle looked back until she could no longer see him or the castle. She gazed down at the ring. It was already slipping from her finger. She took it out and placed it in her breast pocket, close to her heart. She held a hand over it and whispered, "I will not fail. I will come back."
19
It was several hours later when Keithley stopped the carriage. They were in a crossroad. He got down from his driver's seat and opened the door for her.
"The horses will no longer go forward, Miss Rosabelle. I'm afraid this is how far I can go."
She alighted from the carriage, duffel bag in hand. Keithley helped her down with one hand then started to untie the horse. He brought the horse to a stand.
"This here is Bessie. She's a good horse, Miss Rosabelle. She will do you good."
"I'm sure she will. She will do very nicely. Thank you, Keithley."
He helped her up and she sat on the saddle, taking the reins from him. Her bag was strapped across her so she had both hands on the reins. She nodded her thanks to Keithley.
"Our prayers are with you, Miss Rosabelle. Thank you for helping us."
She gave a small smile in acknowledgement. She watched Keithley drive away and then took out the compass from her pocket. It fit perfectly in her hand. She can see the letters on the compass and it looked like any ordinary compass.
"Show me where the enchantress Esmeralda is." The compass needle started to move. It pointed to north then east then south then west until it went back up to north. The needle did not stop. It was making circles. This was not what they expected. Esmeralda was either nowhere to be found or that the compass was not working. Great, she thought. Where to? She tried to recall what Lucas told her about his story. And then an idea struck. She held the compass out again.
The White Mask & The Red Rose Page 9
