Chapter 1

There used to be a story that was passed through generations to generations. A story in which all the descendants of the witches know.

The origin of the red string of fate. It is said that in ancient times, that God created us an incomplete and each one of us are destined with to be with a person who will make us feel whole, thus the existence of the red string helps all the people to be able to find their destiny. It is said that those thin red strings used to be visible to our keen eyes, but as time passed, they were no longer seen because of a curse.

Or that's what my ancestors used to tell us.

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted by the familiar scent of the sun breathing through my nose. It was one of those moments, that time is fleeting fast and I stood up to prepare for today. As I made breakfast, I made sure to check on my brother who was busy looking at the window on his bed.

I knocked his door to gain his attention and he looked at me with tired eyes.

"Got your breakfast here. Eat this and sleep afterwards. I know you haven't slept well these days because of your cough but bear with it. I'll buy your medicine later after I get home. I'll also call Leilani to bring your lunch here" I said. He answered with a nod and ate silently and I watched the ceiling as I waited for him to finish.

The silence was awkward but it wasn't uncomfortable. We weren't that close but we were siblings and we were all what we had, we only had each other to rely on. The silence was broken when he asked me that stupid question that always put me on edge.

"Why don't you let me die? That way, you may have lived your life without a burden. You could've been free, you could have been married.." He asked.

What a cruel person I might say..

"Because you don't deserve to die" was all I managed to say before I left.

I changed into my waitress uniform and headed to the tavern. The tavern was nearly packed by the time I have arrived and all my colleagues were busy serving the costumers. The Boss' tavern was especially a famous place for gathering information and exchanging illegal goodies, as such many often gathered here. As part of the red light district, the slums, these place were people or knights liked to avoid. It was basically a lawless place.

There were lots of times where a raid would take place but it would always get away as for lack of evidence and the people who lived here didn't help either as they were people who were in hiding or people who also committed lawless acts. Criminals protected each other.

The tavern was also famous for other things such as fortune telling. As someone who could tell someone's future, people have always sought out for me to change their fate or to know their destined partner. Nobles weren't an exception either.

" Lena! We have a costumer for you" Renee shouted.

One thing I liked working here was that I get to do my services here. The boss didn't mind as long as I didn't bother other costumers, and it was also my fortune telling that reeled costumers in the first place, particularly nobles who were interested in love fortunes.

"Got it!" I answered back and headed to a noble lady hiding her face with a large hat. I could tell she was uncomfortable because she kept fumbling with her fingers and playing with her jewelries.

I sat down in front of her gaining her attention making her sit down properly.

" I heard you called for me?" I asked her and she answered with a nod.

"So what answer do you seek from me?" I asked her again making sure I was focused on her.

"I heard you can tell people's destiny.. I was hoping if you could help me with my decision.. As embarrassed as I am to say, this problem might come to you as shallow but this quite involve love problems.." She answered as her face turned red.

" No problem comes off as shallow but yes, I can help you dealing with that kind of problem.. " I replied.

" You see I am about to be betrothed to another family to strengthen our family's power. He's a childhood friend of mine to be exact. I've known him for quite a while and I feel comfortable about the fact that he's about to be my betrothed. In fact, I am quite happy but well.. "

" You met another man? Perhaps a man of your taste? " I cut her off.

" Well.. Yes. Honestly, I have just met him, not even a week has passed by since I met him but he makes my heart giddy and happy just by seeing him. To be honest, I know this is only a shallow problem I could talk to other ladies but I didn't have that many friends. I also wanted to make sure and ask an expert before I regret my decision. I guess this is more than asking an advice rather than asking my destiny.. But what do you think I should do? Who you think I should go for? " she asked worriedly.

"May I ask for your hand for a moment?" I asked. She gave me hesitant look before handing me her hand. I held her hand and glanced at her pinky finger. Her red thread became visible for a moment and all I could see was hers wasn't connected to anyone. The red thread not being connected usually meant her destined partner may have already died or they haven't met yet.

After all, meeting you destined partner was always one in a million chance. Not everyone was lucky.

"Well this is difficult.." I said as I let go of her hand.

"Why? Is it that bad?" she asked.

"Well.. I don't know how to say this but if you're going to ask me, you haven't met your destined partner yet or he could be dead.." I replied.

"How do you know?" she asked again.

"Cause it's my job. But as a fortune teller that's what I should say but as well as someone who listened to you situation, choose your heart. Choose what your heart tells you" I gave her a vague answer.

"Even if I end up regretting it?"

"would you rather regret not doing it or regret doing it?" I asked her..

She stopped for a moment and thought about her decision before she decided to finally face me.

"Thanks for listening.. Here's my payment" she thanked me and gave me a silver coin for my services and left with her escort.

'choose your heart huh'

What a load of bull. I say that to people but in reality if it was me I would have chosen money and comfort.

My shift ended by the time the sun had set. I was about to head home when I saw an injured man in front of the door at that back alley's tavern.

He was covered in blood and it looked like he was hiding from something. I was about to ignore him when he grabbed the hem of my dress..

"Help me.." he asked before he passed out.