Curiosity

When i got inside, I stood up on my knees and looked around. A window with shuts, a mini chair and table, some dividers beside the window, and a big wooden chest by the corner i see.

Hm, I wonder what's inside that chest?

I crawled once more to get near towards the chest and sat crossed-legs infront of it and prepared myself to open the lid.

My eyes awed when tons of paper fold butterflies and snowflakes filled the whole chest. Some we're popping out from it, creating a bunch of mess.

I remember making these cuties. She taught me how to make these, However..In the middle of cherishing this moment, I stopped from my thoughts.

"She...?" I realized what i just mentioned, mumbling confusingly.

I closed the lid of the chest when it started to feel odd and decided to take my leave from my treehouse and planned to return after a couple of hours.

"Oh, you came back so soon? Anyways, Did you like it up there?" Auntie began when she saw me entered inside the

kitchen. I took my seat on a high chair before answering her.

I think i was out of words and just uttered "yes"

"Are you ok? You don't seem fine to me. Is there something wrong?" She asked out of concern in the middle of her cooking.

I shooked my head "I-i'm perfectly fine, I guess i was just tired or something. C-can i go upstairs to take a little rest somehow?" I said, pointing towards the stairs using my thumb.

"Sure, you can Raven. Your things are already in yur room. I'll call you when dinner is ready." She smiled reassuredly. I smiled back and went. But before i could take my leave, I smelled something delicious when i saw her opened the oven door.

She made garlic breads!

My mouth started to water and maked my way towards her side.

"But before i could go upstairs, Can i grab some of that?" I said with a hint of excitement.

My eyes followed the utility tray she's holding and placed it on the trivet.

"Of course you can. How many do you want?" She asked and then grabbed some tongs and a plate.

"Just a bunch." I answered shortly and watched her while sorting the breads, then i noticed her glancing at me several times while she do her work. Auntie sighed in defeat.

"Alright-alright, i'll bring them up for you. you can go on now." She said with a hint of annoyance. i just chuckled as an answer and took my leave.

Auntie hates being watched especially if she's cooking or doing something in the kitchen, She just doesn't get used to it.

Heading my way to the stairs, I saw the chauffeur guy by the garden through the living room window and it seems he's facing towards the treehouse which is rather odd.

Nevertheless, I didn't pay him any mind and continued my pace towards my destination.

I closed the door behind me and saw my luggage and bag beside my bed. Making my way towards the bed, i straightly plopped myself onto it and took a moment of rest.

What a exhausting day! and many things had happened these past few days. But i do wonder....about that mysterious Leopold guy.

What did he mean't by that? and he pretty did the same as Bryan did, even Louisa too! Leaving me with those words making me dumbfounded and making me overthink!

I can't barely think about why or what are they doing this to me.

IT'S TORTURE! honestly.

I grunted onto the pillow, faced flat while making grunting noises.

Feeling stressed at the moment, I remembered the gift i bought for Auntie.

Pushing myself up, my hands reached for my luggage and zipped it open. I grabbed the designer's box that contains a set of handkerchiefs and set those aside but then the book appeared majestically before my eyes.

The hardbound cover that was immaculate, Like it was commanding me to open this. Without further ado, i slowly took it from my luggage and caress the edges softly like i was admiring it how perfectly and beautiful this book this is.

While having my own world, unbothered.

A whisper i heard softly in my left ear.

"I'll find you there."

I immediately looked from my back when a sudden gust of wind entered inside from the widely open window. The curtains swayed, dancing with the wind but little by little, snowflakes we're entering with the breeze.

Having no idea what's going on, my room started to feel cold. Instead of feeling disturbed from the sudden event it rather made me curious and find out where it's coming from. I draw near to the window slowly but before i could be there, it suddenly disappeared.

"How peculiar..." I muttered to myself.

Snowflakes? How could they possibly be here? It's the middle of summer actually.

How odd..It must have been my imagination. Silly Ghillette.

I just grabbed the window handle and intended to close it but before i could do it. My eyes caught a trace of snowflakes flew towards the treehouse from up here and disappeared again. From what i knew, it wants me to follow it.

Suddenly, I remembered that i intended to read the book there which reminds me of it. I felt mixed emotions within me and i can't understand what was i feeling today.

There was something....something that i needed to know, from Bryan that wanted to tell something and Louisa whose saying about rare trees around here in Sudbury and even that Leopold guy, saying he will find me. But where? when? and why?

Chills went down through my spine, remembering that cat and the beautiful lady whose trying to kill me or something.

However, those people that i have encountered we're very....mysterious.

"Raven?" I heard Auntie called.

I came back from reality when hearing her voice and turned around to face her. She stood by the doorway, holding a small basket that was filled with garlic breads.

"You look startled Dear. Are you ok?" She asked in a concern way and approached me with her worried look.

"Y-yes! I'm fine Auntie, there's nothing wrong. Really." I said with my reassuring smile. She breathed in relief and back to her usual smile.

"I see, Well anyways, I can't find any plates to fit these breads and luckily i found your pastry basket when you we're little. I forgot that i hid these behind the tea sets." She said, giving me the pastry basket.

"Oh~ I remember when you we're little, you usually take that to the treehouse to eat there with the pastries i baked for you. Beautiful Good old days." She commented in awe.

"Thank you, Auntie" And gave her a peck of kiss on her right cheeks.

"I'm Flattered~ our dinner will be ready in a minute by the way. So you have to come downstairs in any minute now."

And i just answered her in a nod and she took her leave. Then i closed the door and directly made my way towards the window to closed it shut.

Too many thoughts for today and it's making me overthink! which i was supposed to be relaxing here. Forget about Bryan, Louisa, the girl and her cat, and that Leopold guy!

I plopped myself onto my bed and took the book beside the pillows and started to take the garlic breads from the basket.

"Banished Heiress.." I read the book title.

Can't wait to read this!

"Auntie." I called in our middle of eating dinner and she answered me in humm while she chews her food.

"Um..I've been meaning to ask you this for a while but how did you find me? like where do i come from? didn't you atleast know who my parents are?" I asked and observed her expression.

Aunt Lucinda didn't want to talk about my parents especially where i came from. But when i was in middle school, i tried asking her about that and she always changes the topic like she's avoiding to answer my questions. I think she's hiding something from me but why?

That now i'm a grown up now, I'm sure she's not going to avoid it and she will understand that i really deserved knowing it right?

Firstly, she drinked from her glass goblet before answering me.

"How's your "Job Interview"?" She asked calmly, emphasizing the word job interview and at the same time she's not making eye contact with me.

And it hit me rock to bottom! I shouldn't bring that up! I'm so stupid!

I bit my lower lip and just continued eating.

I'll just pretend that i didn't heard that. Please, don't mind me.

"Raven." She called sharply, eyeing me.

I flinched and gulped, averting my eyes from hers.

"You are dodging my question. It didn't go well? Am i right?" She questioned in a serious tone.

Finally, i faced her with my not-so-convincable-serious-face and answered her.

"B-but you we're the one who's dodging my question! Isn't that right? AUN-TIE???" I challenged, widening my eyes infront of her.

"But who we're the first one asking? and am i supposed to be answering your question, Raven? You always know that i don't want to talk about it." She said in a serious tone with her poker face.

I grunted in frustration. "Fine! You win! but i'm not going to answer your question either." I said with a hint of irritation.

"Don't grunt infront of the food" She glared and i automatically shut my mouth and continued eating as it completely wen't quiet.

Minutes passed, She spoked.

"If you really wanted to know where i really took you. The time and the days will answer all of your questions because i am not the one who is deserved to tell those to you."

When she said those words, i felt disappointed but at the same time i was happy because she already told me her reasons after all these years of waiting. I'm glad she's being honest with me and i would never be bothered by that.

And gave her my sweet smile. "I understand."