1 PHANTASY

*SNEAK*

"Why do you stare at me in such way?"

"How do I stare at you?" he questioned as though he did not know what she was talking about.

"Your gaze is...." she stopped, glanced at him and searched her brain for the right word. "I cant tell. Its unfathomable."

He smiled and pulled her closer to him so her chest clashed with his. Staring into her blue eyes, his mouth twitches and his face morphs into an amusing one. As if she were entertaining him. "That is because I am trying to see, how someone as sweet as you could have cheated on me when you despised it the most."

Her legs froze and she couldn't help but stare back at him. "Cheat...cheat on you...?" in her mind she knew this was something she must have done although she didn't remember it.

He caressed her face in  a loving manner and gave her a mischievous smile, one that only made him look more evil. She tried to pry herself from him but he held her closer and moved his face at such angle that his lips caressed her cheek. "That too...with my brother." The cold breath touched her face and she slumped but he held her to himself, unwilling to let go. Happy about the fearful drumming of her heart against her soft breast. "Why did you kiss him yesterday?"

And with that same intense golden gaze he gave her, Phantasy dropped and fainted.

Who knew, this might be the last time, she would see the light. After all, this cruel husband of hers, has been forgiving enough.

_____________________

"The castle here on this map is unchartered. How did she mark this?" she mumbled starting to feel unsure of her grandmothers map.

Being an archaeologist ran in their family. Her mother was one, so was her father. Her grandparents she learnt, although passed on before she was conceived were archaeologists too. When she was young, she had dreamt of living in a very ancient castle with her music. She had wanted to become a music teacher but weirdly, growing up, she found herself attracted to antiques and digging up old tattered books in the library for interesting archaeologists sites.

Her name was weird in itself. Her grandparents as she had been told had given it to her. Although the old ones didn't know she would be conceived, the name was to belong to their first female granddaughter, which was her.

So they had named her Phantasy.

Often time, she wondered why? Phantasy wasn't specifically a name. It was an old version of Fantasy. Introducing herself to people was something that lowered her self esteem slightly and when she thought about it, that was probably the reason she refused to socialize in the first place. Leading her to the introverted life she led, with only a female friend whom she had known since childhood. Some found her name fascinating but she knew they mocked her behind her back.

Especially for her blue-black natural hair and her vibrant blue eyes which stood out no matter how hard she tried to act invisible.

Phantasy tucked her phone into her pocket and stared at the map once again. Studying the map was one of the first things she learnt since she decided on her career. When she was young, she had found this map in the old library of her grandparents house, where she would usually spend the winter because it was warm and somewhat cozy. In a comfortable way. This had piqued her interest because her name was crafted on it. Not in pen but in what seemed like stones. Stones that shone blue. Her mother had said it was a rare item her grandfather collected back in his agile days.

Sacarstic. She had thought. Hypocrites. She had called them. In her young mind which seemed to process nothing but to have a change of name back then.

Right now she knew better. She might still be mocked for it, but she felt it was great and unique in its own way.

Coming to England was her own idea. Her parents had warned her off it but she was no child. Being a second year student and following the recent pandemic which she had doubted would end quickly, she made use of the chance to dig up something from the old castle her grandparents seemed fascinated with before their death. She hadn't met them but she knew she was the exact resemblance of her maternal grandmother. Her paternal grandparents were weirdly doctors. Living in the bustling city of Los Angeles unlike she who had grown up in a quiet part of Texas. She was grateful for the little things she got and she was glad as well.

The castle was a bit far off amidst some old town, lying in the middle of a not very thick forest as she had learned from the map. Although she wasn't sure how thick the forest would be now. After all a lot of time had passed.

She flagged a taxi after exiting the train, which she almost was unaware of as she had been focused on the map and the exciting things she would find in the castle. So her mother said. There was a treasure only she would find. Phantasy loved challenges and she was more excited about the treasure only she could find. Her parents were hosting her grandparents who had left Los Angeles to Texas to stay home for the recent pandemic. She knew it was unsafe for her to go around. But surely a twenty year old like her knew better how to protect herself or so she thought. Besides, it wasn't like she would be running around adding to the work of the medical staff in case she caught the virus.

She would be obediently at the castle digging up whatever she could find. The map was some sort of ticket to the castle as she had been told.

As Phantasy alighted from the taxi, she paid the T-fare and gave the taxi driver a warm smile. He hadn't bothered to speak to her as her eyes were clearly unfocused, showing she was thinking a lot. Half his face and hers had been hidden behind the safety mask that was now a must wear for everyone around the world. She actually hated it when drivers tried to make small talks with her. As she dragged her luggage behind her, she accessed the small town she had been brought to. Just one more town ahead and she would be there.

To the castle she had fantasized about since she was young.

"Excuse me Miss, can I ask you a question please?" her shy voice contained traces of hesitation as she had internally battled weather to ask or not to ask.

On a normal day, her introverted self would have won and decided to keep mute. But she had to be sure of what was on the map. It had after all been years and possibilities that a new town could have been built was quite high.

The young lady straddling her little daughter turned to look at her. She looked fatigued as she too contemplated weather to reply her or not. Her daughter suddenly let put a sharp cry as she was about to speak. She used her other idle hand to pat the child lightly and see raised a brow at Phantasy, her displeasure not hidden in her eyes.

Phantasy was awkward for some seconds before deciding to talk. "I Am headed to F town precisely Phantasy Castle. Could I trouble you for directions?" she pleaded, not wanting to displease the young mother further.

The young lady stared at the map in her hand while making steady steps to and fro to stop the child from crying further. Phantasy wanted to explain but she decided against it. The lady was probably in no mood to listen to her.

After she asked around for some time, she was directed to take an old but strong bridge. An elderly woman had advised her against taking any form of transportation as she could easily be taken round in circles only to end up here again. She was to take the bridge and a short walk to the other town which wasn't far away at all. There, she would be told precisely where to find her castle.