Le Malheur de Solutide (2)

"Aunt Odette read that book again?"

Little Anatole noticed that his father's younger sister smiled instantly, changing her expression quickly. At first glance, it seems strange. But as soon as Odette took him in her lap, Anatole immediately forgot about it.

His aunt is always fragrant and warm. His father said it was the effect of the decoy potion she made. Little Anatole didn't know what a potion was.

"Yes. Auntie loves reading this book," said Odette. "You can read fluently, right?"

Anatol nodded. "But I prefer to read story books."

Odette's laugh sounded so melodious. "Don't worry, this is a storybook. This is a fairy tale book," she told him, pointing to the writing on the book's cover. "You can read it?"

"Le Malheur de Solutide," read Anatole. "What does it mean?"

"Just like the meaning, this is a fairy tale about solitude. About a girl who was cursed by her father. The curse made the girl live alone without being able to feel anything."

"Without feeling anything," muttered Anatole under his breath. He opened the first page of the fairy tale book. "She doesn't feel sick?"

"No. Not even if she gets stabbed or burned."

"She doesn't feel sad?"

"No. Even when she found out her father was gone."

"She doesn't feel happy?"

"No. Even when she manages to find her loved ones."

Anatole started reading the book with Odette. A good book of fairy tales, he thought at the time. It was entertaining because little Anatole rarely read anything about magic or curses. After all, witches had started to become extinct at that time.

But Aunt Odette was a witch, thought Anatole, looking up at Odette.

Odette realized that she was being watched. Her smile was automatically attached again. "Are there any words you can't read?"

Anatole shook his head. "I just want to know if Aunt Odette can use this curse or not. Aunt must can spell a curse, right?" he said.

"Hmmm, I don't know if I can do it or not. Moreover, this curse only exists in fairy tales. It's not necessarily real," explained Odette.

Of course, little Anatole didn't understand what Odette was saying. He just nodded knowingly.

But there was one thing he was thinking about.

"Aunt Odette, don't use this curse to other people, okay?"

Odette looked at Anatole in surprise, but only for a moment. She quickly smiled back. "Why not?"

"Poor thing when you can't feel something," said Anatole. "Then he can't smile."

"You grew up to be a good kid, huh?" said Odette, stroking Anatole's head. "Okay, since you asked for it, I promise I won't use the curse."

"Really?"

"Yes, of course. What can't this sweet nephew of mine?"

Little Anatole smiled broadly.

It was one of the memories that Anatole recalled. Memories where he could still see Odette's smile and hear Odette's laughter. Memories before Odette finally married King Vallotton and Anatole never saw her smile or laugh again.

Odette rose to become queen, but never once did she look happy.

***

"I didn't… never noticed it before," muttered Anatole, hiding his face. "I didn't remember until Sir Elroy told me a while ago."

Everyone in the drawing room fell silent after hearing Anatole's little story. King Vallotton and Duke Valent weren't there. They were trying to calm themselves down. Then Mariette...

Mariette is on the verge of life and death now.

"I-I'm sorry. I-"

"Sir Anatole." Emmanuele immediately approached Anatole who was about to kneel down, begging for mercy. "Stand up. It's not your fault."

"No. If I realized it sooner, there would at least be something we could do."

Emmanuel shook his head. "His Majesty the King still wouldn't let someone get rid of his children. From the start, this curse was impossible to break."

"That's right, Sir Anatole. It's not your fault," Count Lavaud said. "This is all just… a game of fate."

Out of the corner of his eye Anatole saw Elroy hunched over. His gestures and expressions were the same as during the attack Mariette had gotten at the debutante party some time ago. No—it's even worse this time. Elroy looked afraid to even breathe.

If this was indeed a game of fate, why was he so cruel? thought Anatole.

Why did Odette have the heart to give that curse to other people just because of revenge for her love?

"Sir Anatole." Emmanuele patted Anatole on the shoulder and smiled faintly. "Sir Elroy." He turned to Elroy. "Thank you. Really, thank you. If it weren't for you both, we would forever be ignorant of the truth behind Le Malheur de Solutide. You two worked hard for someone you don't even have anything to do with."

"Emmanuele–"

"Forgive me. But for me, Viscountess Mariette has suffered enough. After this, we will leave."

Anatole closed his eyes, trying to hold back both the tears and whatever feelings were inside him.

From the start, Anatole knew his feelings for Mariette weren't love. Her feelings are nothing but obsession and sheer annoyance. Even if it is true that his feelings are love, his feelings are less sincere than those of Elroy. Elroy could even afford to keep quiet at this point.

"I… will wish Viscountess Mariette all the best," muttered Anatole.

"Thank you."

Emmanuele turned to Elroy then. Anatole couldn't hear what they were talking about because his mind was too busy. Anatole was at the stage where he couldn't think anymore.

Anatole is crushed.

But later, he can still return to normal. Such was the destiny outlined for Anatole Valent.

Meanwhile, for the man sitting in the corner of the room, his fate is a little different.

Elroy Gauthier. His fate is clear, but he will not stop.

There is still and there must be something he can still do for Mariette.