Chapter 1

A Chapter by ChildishDoodle

“Oh dear,” Rose Marianne murmured, stepping skillfully over twigs. “Mistress Claudia! Get back now!” She threw an uneasy glance back at the mansion. It seemed even larger at night. Rose Marianne took another cautious footstep. “Mistress Claudia! Please,” she begged. A giggle drifted out from the dark abyss of the woods. “Claudia!”

The house seemed to keep Rose Marianne going any further into the thickets. It seemed to be watching her… Rosemary went forward, and then stopped. “Mistress Claudia, come out right now,” she ordered. There was a bit of rustling as Claudia emerged from the wood. Her eyes sparkled mischievously and a wicked smile played on her face. She was refraining from giggling, it seemed.

Her face was illuminated by the full moon. Her shoulders were hunched. She clasped her hands together and shyly said, “G’day Rose Marianne.” The caretaker gave a grim frown. “Miss Claudia! Whatever in the world may have possessed you to come out here in the middle of the night?? You’re mother would have had my head if she’d known that you’d snuck out!” Claudia’s smile had vanished completely; her eyes were misty. “Yes, I know!” she cried out. Rose Marianne was taken aback. Mistress Claudia hadn’t ever been so quick to admit a wrong-doing! She always pinned the blame on another.

Claudia’s face was serious now, as serious as a 6 year old could get. “You know?” Rose Marianne stammered. “Why in the world did you come out, then??” Abruptly, a voice quiet and calm, but none the less more mischievous than Claudia’s, sounded. “Excuse her, Marianne. I had her come out. It was my fault entirely.” A figure crept out from the thickets. She didn’t have to see him in the light. Rose Marianne knew this person anywhere.

Eyes wide, she said, “Xavier?” The boy gave a playful bow, smirking. “Marianne! As dense and forgetful as ever,” he said. He looked tired. “Well, rude woman, aren’t you going to invite me in. You don’t expect me to enter the household without permission, now. That would be disgraceful."

“I suppose it would, Master Xavier,” she sighed exasperatedly. He raised an eyebrow suggestively at her tone but said nothing. “Thank you,” Xavier grinned. Rose Marianne gave a curt nod and went on her way, the other two trailing behind. She kept throwing glances back at them. Claudia didn’t seem to care either way. She was being carried by Xavier who has petting her head absentmindedly.

She traveled up the stairs to the looming doors, making sure not to tread on her nightdress. Xavier was closer now. He was looking around with mild muse. “I see Mother’s taken on a liking for wine red and cream white,” he commented. Rose Marianne nodded. “Do you like the change? It took her 5 months to choose out, even with help. I preferred the green and white, however.” Xavier murmured something to himself, and sighed.

The door gave a small, moaning creak that echoed throughout the empty foyer. Rose Marianne cringed at the noise. She stood at the entrance hesitantly for a moment. Abruptly, Xavier snorted and said, “Marianne! Such a scaredy cat.” He walked right on in. Xavier didn’t bother to keep quiet, either. His shoes slapped noisily against the marble floor as he examined the foyer. Its rich, vibrant colors seemed to disgust him.

Xavier stretched his free arm, yawning. “So,” he murmured tiredly, rubbing his eyes. “Where is my bedroom?” “Your bedroom?” Rose Marianne said unbelievingly. “You came unexpectedly! We don’t have a room reserved.”

“He can share mine!” Claudia piped up, dancing around. Despite the early hours, she seemed as energetic as ever. Xavier laughed loudly. “Hmm, I dun think so,” he laughed. He grabbed and threw her in the air, to which she screamed with fright and joy. “Shush!” Rose Marianne chided them but it was too late. Footsteps clomped down the stairs. At the top, a woman stood with her hands on her hips. Her eyes were burning with anger.

“Rosemary! What the hell is going on?!” she demanded. Rose Marianne didn’t get to answer. “It’s 3 AM for God’s sake! And all this noise you’re making is ruining my sleep and presumably, my daughter’s!”

“I’m sorry, but-”

“Excuses, excuses!” She took a step down. “Rosemary, you disgusting thing of furniture! Must you always disobey?? I ask you to do something, you do it! This includes taking care of my child!” She was glaring angrily. “I should just fire you, you pathetic reason for a servant!”

“Mommy!” Claudia shrieked. “Don’t fire Rosie!” The girl started to cry. The woman promptly ignored this and went on ranting loudly. Rose Marianne tried to explain during every pause but would always be cut off by a sharp, “Shut up!” Xavier watched this amusedly.

Hair brushed his knees as he gave another playful bow. He shot a look at the small crowd of gathering retainers who’d awakened during the woman’s rant. “O Mother! ~ Where’s my warm welcome?” A flicker of surprise passed over the woman’s face. Her head turned slowly to look at Xavier. Her face was indescribable. “You,” she said dryly; perhaps she was sleepy? “What are you doing here?” Xavier tried to withhold a big grin.

“Why, Mother, I understand it’s a late hour, but courtesy would be very acceptable at the moment.” Her expression didn’t change. Everything was silent now, except for the occasional sniffle from Claudia or the soft murmuring of servants. An angry sigh escaped the woman. “And what courtesy would I owe you, boy!” Xavier couldn’t help it anymore. A grin threatening to crack his face unleashed.

He stood erect. “Whatever courtesy you wish to give. Any amount would do.”

His mother seemed to be struggling just a bit. “You spoiled child,” she said quietly.

“Oh my. Disobedience from a grown, not to mention noble, lady? Tsk, tsk.” Xavier shook his head in mock shame. Her face flamed, half embarrassment & half anger. “You spoiled child!” she repeated with a snarl. Rose Marianne was frowned at her reply, but said nothing.

The woman’s eyes were bright once more. Instead of anger, they were filled with ice cold hatred. Her lips were set in a grim line. They opened slightly, as though to scream words at the boy. But weariness seemed to overwhelm her suddenly. The woman turned on her heel sluggishly and staggered back up the stairs. The servants parted like the Red Sea as she passed. She was like a limp doll.

As she ascended into the darkness that flowed from upstairs, her harsh unpleasant goodnight call drifted back. The servants too, disappointed and tired, climbed up back to their bedrooms. Now the only ones left were Xavier, Rose Marianne, and little Claudia. She wiped the leftover streams of tears from her face. She looked up at her caretaker with wide, crispy blue eyes.

“Mommy’s not gonna fire you, is she?”

“I….” Rose Marianne wasn’t sure how to reply. Xavier looked back. Light circles had formed under his eyes. “Of course not!~” he said with as much zest as he could muster. He patted her head again. “Now, Marianne,” he said, smirking. “Where do I sleep?”