Revealing The Eyes

Sitted in the study of Eric Manchester, both ladies observed each other, with Seraphine curious to know why the witch wanted to see her. She studied the young lady whose cool expression had now turned to a small smile.

"I've found a way to help the wolves restore their memory" the witch blurted.

Taken aback, she cleared her throat, "how did you know they lost it. Did Alpha Weinroff tell you?" Seraphine thought the alpha had been careful about letting it out.

"I sometimes assist my father in looking for answers and we know it was the work of the Chronophages"

"Oh" nodding in understanding, "permit me to be blunt but why are you telling instead of the alpha?"

"Because we need to work together to restore the eyes"

Seraphine took a deep breath, she knew the witch must have known or seen something, judging by the knowing smile on her face, "why me specifically?"

"Because you're the bearer of Phemerah's Eyes "

Seraphine quickly looked at the door as if someone might hear her.

"Don't worry, no creature can hear whatever is being said in this room" she assured her.

No wonder the witch had insisted on using this room, she thought.

"How did you know?" A bewildered Seraphine asked.

"I've dreamt about you even before knowing you and when I saw you the first time that night during the Peace Festival, I knew." The witch saw her anxious look, "don't worry, I'm bound by an oath. No one can find out about what you are from me" she assured her.

Seraphine spoke, "but I've not fully gotten the eyes, how then can I possibly be of help?"

"You don't need to have fully possessed the eyes to help restore their memories, all you need to do is to help identify the memory which belongs to whom and will do the rest"

"That might not be as easy as it seemed though" Seraphine looked at the witch, "I've only been able to see the memory once, I've tried several times again afterwards but nothing happened"

"Don't worry about that, I can help. I just want to ask if you don't mind working together to help restore the memories"

She took in a long breath, pondering over it for few minutes and she finally spoke, "I would if you promised to make it as discreet as possible, so that people won't really know why I need to be involved."

The witch moved towards the door, signalling that the conversation is getting to an end, "of course, we can always say that your shop has an important unclaimed object which is required in restoring the memory and since it's in your custody, you had to be there to ensure its safe return"

"That sounds plausible" Seraphine thought "but it can only be said for a short while, we can't always say that everytime"

"The memory restoration is only going to last for a day, so it's perfect" before the door was opened, Seraphine asked, "what's your name or what should I call you aside from referring to you as Lord Witcharoft's daughter "

"Call me Annaliese" the witch extended her hands towards her.

"Nice to meet you, Annaliese"

"I'll send a word when I've gotten everything ready" 

**********

"We've been waiting for you, care to share with us what the witch want from you?" Stephen licked the corner of his lips where blood stained.

"Absolutely not your business or anyone else's" Seraphine directed her gaze at Priscilla and her friend.

"Lady Lancaster, didn't you say the Seraphine you know has a father who was a woodcutter?" Stephen gave Seraphine a mocking look.

"And I remember Xavier telling you to let go of the issue" Diane spoke, "you're deliberately raising it again because you know he isn't here to shut you up."

"As if he could" he snorted as he left the gathering, leaving the females to themselves.

As the party progresses, Seraphine and Felicity found themselves in the midst of the ladies in a separate room, the men had adjourned to another room to engage in a game of gambling and all sorts while the ladies are left to do whatever they wish.

"Is it always this boring?" Seraphine blew out a breath, "I doubt if I would attend next year" turning to Felicity, "how do you manage to cope last year?" Shaking her head in disbelief.

"You're a party pooper, how can you not enjoy the beautiful scenes around you" Felicity grinned, "aren't you enjoying the delectable desserts, lovely cloth and attractive men of different creatures?" She placed her hands on her waist, "you're feeding your eyes and mouth at the same time, isn't it wonderful?"

Seraphine noticed that the ladies have started dividing into groups, wondering what their giggling and chirping were about, "what are they doing?"

"One of the things they do every year whenever the men are elsewhere is to play games or showcase their talent. So any willing lady go up the stage to sing or read poems"

Seraphine snorted, "not interested. It's stuffy in here, where's Diane?" Seraphine looked around, she was glad her spectacle was dark, it prevented her from assaulting her eyes with the various vibrant colours of ball gowns.

"She went to see her mother for something, she'll be right back" Felicity replied.

As Seraphine was about to pull Felicity out the door to receive fresh air, they sighted Priscilla and Mabel heading their way.

"Let's hurry out before they get here" Seraphine tried to work her way out the door.

"Serahpine!" Priscilla called, drawing the attention of others to them, "you both are the only one whose face don't seem familiar, don't you think you need to introduce yourself to others?"

Priscilla spoke loudly, the other ladies nodded in agreement, "or you don't know how to do so?"

Other ladies gave a short laugh, while Serahpine kept quiet, she knew petty Priscilla was just looking for a way to humiliate her, "good evening ladies, I'm Seraphine Patrick" she spoke after Felicity I troduced herself.

"Are you sure you're not the girl who deliberately caused an accident at Mabel's house years ago?" Priscilla asked, raising her voice, before Seraphine knew what was happening, she was in the middle, surrounded by the ladies. The hair behind her neck stood, "I don't know what you're talking about" she denied.

She would rather deny than admit she was the girl whom Mabel knew long ago. Admitting would mean explaining that Mabel stumbled on a fallen chair while running away after seeing her eyes.

Enjoying how Seraphine was squirming, Priscilla continued, seeing that she had gained everybody's attention, "Mabel, didn't you say the girl had a scary eye which frightened everyone whenever they look at it?"

Everyone gasped and they starting murmuring, Felicity paused to look at her friend who was quiet, she proceeded to pull Seraphine out of there but Priscilla glared at her, making her stop.

Mabel nodded as she stared at Seraphine intently, one of the ladies from the crowd yelled, "then let us see your eyes" and others nodded.

"Seraphine dear, let's see your eyes to know if you were not lying"

"And what happened if you saw my eyes and it isn't different from everyone else's? Would you both apologised for trying to humiliate me?" Stalling as she hoped Diane would come soon to rescue her from the crazy ladies.

"I will"

Seraphine looked around, seeing the eagerness on their face reminded her of the crowd at the town square years ago, the day her father died, her heart broke seeing them all waiting to see her eyes.

Her hand shook as she slowly move it towards her face, she heard Felicity's soft voice as she told her not to remove it.

"Remove it, Seraphine" her eyes widened when she heard Xavier's voice in her head.

Xavier?

Seraphine called back in her mind but heard nothing, she scanned the room and her eyes landed on a redhead at the farthest corner who nodded her head, "Annaliese" she murmured.

With hesitation, Seraphine took off her spectacle, closing her eyes for a moment, she gently opened it.

Ignoring the rush of light entering her eyes, she looked at the faces of the ladies, their expression was priceless, especially Priscilla and Mabel's faces.