UNCLE CEDRIC

I jolted at the sudden voice, and immediately turned to the owner.

Seeing it was Maya, I frowned a little.

"Good lord Maya, I prayed for a peaceful death. Not by an heart attack".

Couldn't she have knocked or something?

Other maids did, but no...

She always did whatever she wished. And I wondered why!

I would be turning 19 this month, at least I should get some privacy.

But maya just rolled her eyes and placed some clothes on my table. Then she walked to my window, and chased the birds away, before closing the curtains.

Gosh, Maya was becoming a bit annoying these days. I rolled my eyes behind her.

And after that, the rest of the day flowed on as usual.

At breakfast, father spoke to his seven sons, my brothers about the preparation of their marriages each.

They were all eagered to it, as they were grinning stupidly. Even uncle Cedric had not thought of marriage yet, and here these fool of brothers kept on smiling lovingly regarding the issue.

Men with ladies, always so eager to have as much as they can, my father could also be a good example if you asked.

But uncle Cedric was the one who's different, I might not know him for one bit, or he might be a dangerous person as Maya speaks.

But at least he focuses on his mission of being a dangerous person, than thinking of ladies all day.

I glanced up to take a quick look at him, as he sat at the farthest seat of the table.

But I could still manage to catch a glimpse of his elegant movements, and I didn't realize that a quick look had turned to a long stare.

But for a second, he suddenly stopped. And then slowly gazed up, at me!

Dear lord, he must have sensed someone watching him like an idiot.

I found his gaze for the first time ever, it looked rather lazily-cold and I couldn't help but feel unknown shivers running down my body. He just stared for a second, before turning back to his food.

I also snapped back and lowered my head.

Holy Biscuits!

I pray Maya never saw that, and my prayer was answered. She didn't.

Wow.., that was the first time he even noticed me.

I couldn't explain how I felt, maybe scared or I was not sure.

When breakfast was over, I left back to my room to read some books.

And within hours, night came.

With me in my night garment as dinner was over. I found Maya not with me again, what was really making her busy to leave me alone for the first time.

Not that I cared, I was happy instead. I never got short privacies of my thoughts.

So I left the book I was reading, and walked straight to the window.

To be honest, I was hoping to find my uncle there again. And I actually did.

It seemed he came there usually, and I was unaware all this time.

He sat there as usual, and as a person who always got bored easily. Yet, i found it quite interesting to just stare at him.

With the way his shoulder-length hair swayed to the rhythms of the wind. He seemed to be lost in his own thoughts.

Does he get lost and free in his thoughts too? I couldn't help but wonder, and that brought a little smile of wonder to my face.

But then I froze, when I found him suddenly get up.

Was he going to leave already?!

I watched his movement carefully, and found him not going back to the castle, but to the dark forest.

I gasped! out loud. As I began to wonder why the hell he would want to go to the dark forest, and this late at night!

No one was allowed to go to that forest, it was strictly ordered by my father. Because rumours had it that the forest was filled with wild and dangerous creatures.

So now I wondered, what he could need in the forbidden forest.

Was he going to do his evil deed there?

That could be it!

The curiousity was killing me.

Finally, I would find out what he really was.

I continued watching his gentle stray to the forest, but I couldn't after some time, as the view had already passed my window.

So without knowing what came over me, I turned to my door to catch up and sneak up at him.

But I paused, the doors of the palace are already closed, and no body was allowed out of the palace after dinner.

Of course men were allowed, which I don't see how it sounded fair.

But, all I knew now was the plan of sneaking through the main door would never work.

So i decided to pass through the back door for the maids and servants.

Luckily, that door would only be closed by the bell that rang midnight.

I immediately rushed down, but quietly and carefully.

And in no time, I was out.

With no time to waste, I ran quietly to the forest, which was a bit near the castle, Fortunately.

And luckily, I was early enough to meet him just arriving at the entrance.

Possibly because he only strolled, while I ran almost faster than a horse.

With my breaths rigid, I hid behind a tree.

I knew my actions was very risky, and I might be punished if caught. But it was worth the risk to kill this dying curiousity of mine.

Which I know would soon lead me to my doom.

Then, while watching him. I felt sudden shivers.

Realising that I had ran out like a mad man in only my night garment, which was very light and thin.

I rubbed my arms together against the cold. But I still didn't have any thoughts of going back to the castle.

Not now, when I was so close, to figuring out what my uncle could be.

I watched him closely, till he suddenly walked easily into the forest.

What!

I gasped out.

Was he not scared a bit?

Now I was more curious of what he wanted to do.

So, without thinking. I followed him into the forest.

And just as I expected, it was so dark and scary. Only the moon shining light to some paths.

And I rushed a bit closer too him, yet far away. Just incase I lost him.

But I soon realized that the more he went deeper into the forest and I followed, the more scared I got.

What if we get eaten by wild creatures?

My mind was running fast.

Well, if such happens. Since he was the one at front, then he would first serve as the appetizer to the creatures, while I make a run for it.

But suddenly, after a whole lot minutes of walking. My eyes widened in shock.

Because, I realized that the more deeper we got into the forest, the more light was appearing around.

And now, the whole place was suddenly filled with light of fireflies.

Wow...

The whole place was filled with magnificent views as it almost brought tears out of my eyes.

Was this the reason he came here?

Because he knew what he would find?

So he only came to watch the beautiful view?

It seems Maya was wrong, he was nothing close to a killer.

He was a beautiful person.

My eyes sparkled as the fireflies glowed all around.

Until I focused my eyes back on my uncle. And he suddenly stopped, right in front of two tall trees.

What was he going to do?

I hid behind a tree and watched him gently.

Until I heard his voice. For the first time ever.