A Priest

"Good evening, I am father Alfie O'Duggan. I was told you wanted to speak with me."

Eleanor nodded and sitting down on one of the pews motioned for the priest to do the same, "You will want to sit down for this."

Stepping over, Alfie O'Duggan carefully sat down and turned to the small red-haired girl.

"Father, I don't know how to say this, but magic is real and has been for quite some time."

Alfie frowned, utterly confused, "Is this some kind of joke?"

She shook her head and motioned Victoria to come over, "Show him!"

"Of course," she then pulled out her wand and waved it through the air, "Avis!"

A loud bang sounded through the church hall and a flock of birds shot out of the end of Victoria's wand.

"Victoria!" Eleanor hissed, scathingly, "We are in a church, why did you have to use that charm."

The maid shrank back, embarrassed, "I'm so sorry, your highness."

She then suddenly covered her mouth, shock written all over her face.

Eleanor sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Do not fret, I would have told him anyway."

Turning back to Alfie she saw that he was still staring at the hummingbirds that were flying around the church.

Reaching out she gently touched his shoulder, bringing him back to reality.

"Are you alright father?"

Alfie nodded, "Yes, I think so, this is just a lot to take in."

Eleanor smiled, "Then I shall give you a moment."

Leaning back, she examined the high ceiling hall.

It was extremely old with long stained glass windows depicting ancient biblical tales but there were two images she didn't recognise.

Guessing that they were saints from after her sealing, Eleanor planned to ask the priest later.

Another thing she noticed was the sheer amount of gold, it shocked her.

She remembered churches being quite barren, a place of worship.

So why were they gilded, she didn't understand why the Vatican needed all these riches.

"Why are you telling me all this?"

Turning back to Alfie, Eleanor smiled, but there was clearly a hint of sadness behind it, "You see father, I am a vampire."

Looking up at the cross, bearing Jesus, she continued, "Before I was turned, I used to go to church at least twice a week and if I couldn't I would pray at home."

Tears started flowing down her cheeks and her hands began to tremble, "It hurts, being in here I mean.

Both physically and mentally, I know I shouldn't be here. Both my body and mind reject this place."

Turning back to the priest, Eleanor gazed right into his dark green eyes, "Father, please help me, I beg it of you!"

Suddenly Eleanor felt warm protective arms wrap themselves around her from behind.

"Your Highness," she heard Victoria whisper from behind her, "I recommend you go outside and get some fresh air."

Lowering her head, Eleanor gazed at the bench on which she sat, it took her a few seconds but eventually, she nodded.

The princess felt Victoria sigh, and then slowly guide her towards the doors.

She could barely feel the cold as it hit her, all Eleanor felt was the ecstatic sense of relief as all the pain disappeared.

The girl felt Victoria place her on the stone steps leading up to the doors, before hearing the doors shut with a click.

She sighed and placed her face in her hands.

What was she going to do, the priest would never come to black manor.

Why was she getting her hopes up?

Father O'Duggan probably had way too much attachment to this hamlet.

Lifting her head she gazed out onto the cluster of houses.

A sad smile graced her lips and for the first time, it was possible to see the toll all this change had had on the five-year-old girl.

Turning her eyes to the heavens she saw that rain had begun to fall, "Mother, father please lend me your strength, because I do not know if I have enough to do this.

I wish you were here with me.

Why did you have to die?"

Gritting her teeth she slammed her hands against the stone ground cracking it slightly.

"WHY GOD? ALL I WANTED WAS TO LIVE HAPPILY! IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK FOR?"

She screamed out but her voice didn't travel very far, disrupted by the rain as it was.

The door behind her then suddenly banged open and she heard two pairs of footsteps run out.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" she heard Victoria ask.

Whipping away the tears Eleanor stood up and looked her maid square in the eyes, "I am perfectly fine!"

"But," Victoria was about to speak when Alfie stepped in, "Lady Black, it isn't good to keep it all to yourself.

Let it tell your worries to other people so they may help you."

Gazing into the priest's eyes, Eleanor saw the truth behind them.

Nodding Eleanor walked up to Victoria and hugged her.

She understood Alfie's words and knew that they were the truth but at the same time, she couldn't accept them as such.

Hugging the princess back Victoria lent closer and whispered, "Your Highness, he has accepted."