A Portrait Of A Witch

Prologue: Faceless Portraits

(FIXED)

-Chirp! Chirp!

The Sound of birds chirping in the morning sweeping near the branches in the window light that passes through a room filled with portraits with the empty face was filled, while the morning sun shined through a room full of paintings of his mother while mixed with other portraits each canvas had lingered feeling of sadness and longing. While the rays of light creeping through the face of a young man laying down on his couch who was sleeping soundlessly had woken due to the birds' melodic chirps.

His whole body was stiff because of him falling asleep on the couch. Izach, who just woke up, was rubbing his eyes. His eyes opened slowly while he examined his entire room filled with portraits of peoples who have no face that was filled with longing. While glancing at the portrait, he made last night.

‘Mother’

After waking up he slowly sat up from the couch he was sleeping on and slowly but surely examined his entire room filled with faceless portraits then he traced back the work that he has done for a couple of years. But there was only one work his eye gazed locked at.

‘I wish you were here…’

It was a portrait of his mother who passed away in an accident. After looking back and reminiscing the time with his mother

he slowly examined the 236 portraits of peoples that who has no faces bit by bit that he made for the past 10 years, He glanced at each one of them that the window near his couch that he was sitting on. That he heard A chirping melody that made him looked at the window behind him.

‘Oh, it’s already morning?’

A smile crept at his face while glancing at the two birds that were protecting their nest. Hearing their chirps loudly was filled with joy.

‘Such loving parents…’

-knock! Knock!

There were knockings heard in front of them, Izach glanced with a questioning look while he slowly looked away at the birds who were chirping, While replying.

“May I ask who it is?”

“Pardon me Young master it is me Hilbert your butler” While speaking in a well-addressed manner.

“May I enter the Young Master?” .Hilbert asked.

”You may Enter,” I said in a calm voice.

“then Pardon my Intrusion Young Master, “Hilbert said while he opened the door

The door gradually opened revealing an adult in his 40s who presented a dignified and calm Demeanor And appearance. He was tall for his age while slowly looking at him you may think he looked like a strict person due to his age but even his looks can be deceiving but in truth, this old-timer can be sly as a fox.

“May I inquire who were you again?” A frown formed on Izach’s face and asked

While the old man gestured in a coughing manner.

“*Cough *Cough Young master, what caused you to forget about this old man yet again?” .While his voice was filled in such a sarcastic manner.

‘This sly old fox.’ Izach’s brows furrowed due to Hilbert’s sarcastic remark.

‘Then Should I Return this In such a word in a courteous manner?’. I've known Hilbert for a long time, he hasn’t changed.

While gradually extended my hand and acted in disbelief.

“Oh my! Hilbert How can a young master. like me forget my loyal and trusted butler??”.While saying it in a disbelief tone of voice while hiding my grin on my face.

Hilbert was shocked by the sudden remark that a smile crept at his face then chuckled.

“Kuk. You have grown young master”, Hilbert replied in a soothing voice.

“You instructed me well Hilbert?” I replied.

“Well, Young masters I only thought you the way of the tongue is it something to brag about?” .Hilbert replied.

‘Kuk, even with your sly attitude of yours you were always one of the people who were inevitably by my side, Even though I constantly forget your face I still remember that sarcastic attitude of yours.’ While a smile slowly crept at my face remembering those times.

“Well, I use some butter and some pinch of salt on It?”I said in a sarcastic tone.

Hilbert was amused. and shocked because of my blunt remark that the smile on his face grew more than almost formed a crescent moon on his face that apparently made him chuckle yet again.

“Kuk, I think I am getting extremely worn for this Young master even this sly old fox can’t even handle your Sharp tongue of yours,” Hilbert said in defeat with a grin.

Few minutes passed while Hilbert and I were exchanging insults. We heard the knocking sound at the entrance of my room.

One of the maids of the Alberos Household bowed in front of me as a sign of greeting.

“Young Master Excuse me.” the maid said.

“What is it?... who were you again?” I asked.

“It’s me, Wendy, Young Master,” she said in a mannered tone.

Memories stuck within him that made Izach recognize the feeling he can’t see or scarcely appreciate the face and expression of the people around him. It was burdensome even for him.

While he slowly examined and glanced at Wendy who was standing in such a firm manner.

‘It was inevitably a massive problem for me in remembering a person due to the fact I can’t see their faces’ I sighed and slowly remembered that at times I can’t even trust anyone who was beside me. The sole person I believed in the most at that time remained was Hilbert, he was constantly by my side looking at me and protecting me. Even if I wished I could remember each of the servant's faces in this house, I would genuinely want to picture their faces and slowly greet them all.

“Pardon me for my prudence, Wendy. May I inquire what you required to inform me about?”I asked calmly.

“ Your Father the Marquis is waiting for you at the Dining Hall. He wishes to speak with you, Young Master.”

Izach’s face crumbled that slowly formed a frowned look, he looked at Wendy who was in front of the door stiffly while slowly rubbed his temples.

‘What a Grumble...I thought father was away for more than a few more weeks. I never knew that my father would come home this early. Now to make it worse he didn’t even inform me.’

It was silent for a moment, and I slowly glanced at Hilbert who was behind while immediately dodged my line of sight.

‘This sly old fox’ while I glared at him and sighed in defeat, I really should lower this old fox’s salary. I focus my attention yet again on Wendy.

“Much obliged, Wendy you may take your leave,” I said in a composed voice while slowly grumbling.

Wendy bowed and promptly fled the room. There were a few minutes of silence while I looked at Hilbert with a puzzled expression

Frowning look even though I can’t perceive what his expression was but I appreciate him way too well. Then Hilbert slowly walked and sighed restlessly and began to Talk.

“My apologies young master that I did not inform it much earlier,” Hilbert said in a saddened voice while instantly lowering his head.

“Ooh??? As a result, you were having fun mocking me, but you had the carelessness to not inform me about my father’s Return, then, Hilbert?” I spoke earnestly.

“ I purely did this for You-“I stopped Hilbert from Finishing his sentence while I slowly patted his shoulder to reassure his doubts to Show my sincerity.

“I know Hilbert I’m relieved for your service, but I’m not a child anymore That you would always look out for I am now an adult knowing such little problems. You should not need to worry about it,” I said with a grin on my face while scratching behind my head to reassure Hilbert’s worry yet again.

Hilbert slowly sighed in defeat and smiled.

“Well, I definitely will miss the Rascal of a Young Master I’ve Known,” Hilbert said in a solemn tone. The voice was filled with reminiscence deep inside.

“Ah Yes, Those Were Good Times…” While A smile Slowly Crept at my Face Softly looking at Hilbert.

‘Even though I can’t recognize your face, the time I spent with you proves that you’re the one who always has been by my side…’ A smile gradually crept while looking at Hilbert.

While a few minutes had ticked by. The atmosphere was turning back to normal.

While slowly Izach walked in front of Hilbert. And patted his shoulder yet again. Hilbert experienced a chill down his spine and heard.

“But I should Really Consider lowering your Salary Hilbert hmm??”I said in an eager tone while grinning.

Hilbert’s face paled in complexion while he replied.

“*Cough Young Master you’re getting crafty these days.” Hilbert smiled while slowly moved back 2 steps away with disbelief from my remarks and sighed in defeat.

“Hum-hum well, I learned from the best? Then Should I Get Ready Then?” Izach replied with a grin on his face.

“As you wish, Young Master,” Hilbert said in a courteous but cheerful tone While Bowing His Head.

Hilbert Slowly Walked past me and opened the door of my room while I was slowly stepping out and leaving my Quiet Peaceful yet full of Portraits that were filled with no Faces.

-Chirp! Chirp!

The Sound of birds chirping in the morning sweeping near the branches in the window light that passes through a room filled with portraits with the empty face was filled, while the morning sun shined through a room full of paintings of his mother while mixed with other portraits each canvas had lingered feeling of sadness and longing. While the rays of light creeping through the face of a young man laying down on his couch who was sleeping soundlessly had woken due to the birds' melodic chirps.

His whole body was stiff because of him falling asleep on the couch. Izach, who just woke up, was rubbing his eyes. His eyes opened slowly while he examined his entire room filled with portraits of peoples who have no face that was filled with longing. While glancing at the portrait, he made last night.

‘Mother’

After waking up he slowly sat up from the couch he was sleeping on and slowly but surely examined his entire room filled with faceless portraits then he traced back the work that he has done for a couple of years. But there was only one work his eye gazed locked at.

‘I wish you were here…’

It was a portrait of his mother who passed away in an accident. After looking back and reminiscing the time with his mother

he slowly examined the 236 portraits of peoples that who has no faces bit by bit that he made for the past 10 years, He glanced at each one of them that the window near his couch that he was sitting on. That he heard Chirping yet again made him looked at the window behind him.

‘Oh, it’s already morning?’

A smile crept at his face while glancing at the two birds that were protecting their nest. Hearing their chirps loudly was filled with joy.it gave him a sense of peace.

‘Such loving parents…’

-knock! Knock!

There were knockings heard in front of the door, Izach glanced with a questioning look while he slowly looked away at the birds who were chirping, While replying.

“May I ask who it is?”

“Pardon me, Young master, it is me Hilbert, your butler," The Man said. While speaking in a well-addressed manner.

“May I enter the Young Master?” .Hilbert asked.

”You may Enter,” I said in a calm voice.

“then Pardon my Intrusion Young Master, “Hilbert said while he opened the door

The door gradually opened revealing an adult in his 40s who presented a dignified and calm Demeanor And appearance. He was tall for his age while slowly looking at him you may think he looked like a strict person due to his age but even his looks can be deceiving but in truth, this old-timer can be sly as a fox.

“May I inquire who were you again?” A frown formed on Izach’s face and asked

While the old man gestured in a coughing manner.

“*Cough *Cough Young master, what caused you to forget about this old man yet again?” .While his voice was filled in such a sarcastic manner.

‘This sly old fox.’ Izach’s brows furrowed due to Hilbert’s sarcastic remark. It was a normal day for Izach to forget about him due to his Illness but soon after he opened up. this kind of scenario became more of an early day of bickering than any other.

‘Then Should I Return this In such a word in a courteous manner?’. I've known Hilbert for a long time, he hasn’t changed.

While gradually extended my hand and acted in disbelief.

“Oh my! Hilbert How can a young master. like me forget my loyal and trusted butler??”.While saying it in a disbelief tone of voice while hiding my grin on my face.

Hilbert was shocked by the sudden remark. that even made him smile crept at his face while a small chuckle escaped from his mouth.

“Kuk. You have grown young master”, Hilbert replied in a soothing voice.

“You instructed me well Hilbert?” Izach replied.

“Well, Young masters I only thought you the way of the tongue is it something to brag about?” .Hilbert replied.

‘Kuk, even with your sly attitude of yours, You were always one of the few people who were inevitably stayed by my side, Even though I constantly forget your face I still remember that sarcastic attitude of yours.’ While a smile slowly crept into Izach's face as he remembered those times.

“Well, I use some butter and some pinch of salt on It, Do you like it?”Izach said in a sarcastic tone.

Hilbert was amused. and shocked because of Izach's blunt remark that the smile on his face grew more than as if it formed a crescent moon on his face that apparently made him chuckle more and more.

“Kuk, I think I am getting extremely worn for this Young master even this sly old fox can’t even handle your Sharp tongue of yours,” Hilbert said in defeat with a grin.

"Them I should Only Tell you Please stop bickering Me..." Izach Said, but he knew deep down his words are more than A White Lie. He enjoyed his butler's company more than any other. even if his constant teasing was something of a luxury.

Few minutes passed while Hilbert and I were exchanging insults. We heard the knocking sound at the entrance of my room.

"You May Enter" Izach Spoke In a Formal tone.

One of the maids of the Alberos Household bowed in front of Izach as a sign of greeting. then the maid spoke.

“Young Master Excuse me.”

“What is it?... who were you again?” I asked.

“It’s me, Wendy, Young Master,” she said in a mannered tone.

Memories stuck within him that made Izach recognize the feeling he can’t see or scarcely appreciate the face and expression of the people around him was more of a problem than anything. It was burdensome even for him.

While he slowly examined and glanced at Wendy who was standing in such a firm manner.

‘It was inevitably a massive problem for me in remembering a person due to the fact I can’t see their faces’ Izach sighed and slowly remembered that at times He can’t even trust a single person who was beside Him. The sole person he believed in the most at that time remained was Hilbert, he was constantly by his side looking at him and protecting him. Even if Izach wished he could remember each of the servant's faces in this house, He would genuinely want to draw their faces and slowly greet them all one by one.

“Pardon me for my prudence, Wendy. May I inquire what you required to inform me about?”I asked calmly.

“ Your Father the Marquis is waiting for you at the Dining Hall. He wishes to speak with you, Young Master.”

Izach’s face crumbled that slowly formed a frowned look, he looked at Wendy who was in front of the door stiffly while slowly rubbed his temples.

‘What a Grumble...I thought father was away for more than a few more weeks. I never knew that my father would come home this early. Now to make it worse he didn’t even inform me.’

It was silent for a moment. while he slowly glanced at Hilbert who was behind who immediately dodged Izach's line of sight.it was by no means a gaze sharper than any knives. but the old man wasn't affected

‘This sly old fox’ while Izach glared at Hilbert and sighed in defeat, Izach thought he really should lower this old fox’s salary. Izach focuses his attention yet again on Wendy.

“Much obliged, Wendy you may take your leave,” He spoke in a composed voice while slowly grumbling.

Wendy bowed and promptly fled the room. There were a few minutes of silence while Izach looked at Hilbert with a puzzled expression

the Frowning look, Made even Hilbert can’t perceive what Izach's expression was but, Izach appreciated Hilbert even though he knew him way too well that he only did for his sake. Then Hilbert slowly walked and sighed restlessly and began to Talk.

“My apologies young master that I did not inform it much earlier,” Hilbert said in a saddened voice while instantly lowering his head.

“Ooh??? As a result, you were having fun mocking me, but you had the carelessness to not inform me about my father’s Return, then, Hilbert?” Izach spoke sarcastically.

“ I purely did this for You-“Izach stopped Hilbert from Finishing his sentence while He slowly patted his shoulder to reassure his doubts and gave a reassuring smile.

“I know Hilbert, I’m relieved for your service, but I’m no means a child anymore. That you would always look out for I am now an adult knowing such little problems. You should worry about your age more than me,” Izach said with a grin on his face while scratched his head.

Hilbert slowly sighed in defeat and smiled.

“Well, I definitely will miss the Rascal of a Young Master I’ve Known,” Hilbert said in a solemn tone. The voice was filled with reminiscence deep inside.

“Ah Yes, Those Were Good Times…” While A smile Slowly Crept at my Face Softly looking at Hilbert.

‘Even though I can’t recognize your face, the time I spent with you proves that you’re the one who always has been by my side…’ A smile gradually crept while looking at Hilbert.

While a few minutes had ticked by. The atmosphere was turning back to normal.

While slowly Izach walked in front of Hilbert. And patted his shoulder yet again. Hilbert experienced a chill down his spine and heard.

“But I should Really Consider lowering your Salary Hilbert hmm??”Izach said in an eager tone while grinning.

Hilbert’s face paled in complexion while he replied.

“*Cough Young Master you’re getting crafty these days.” Hilbert smiled while slowly moved back 2 steps away with disbelief from my remarks and sighed in defeat.

“Hum-hum well, I learned from the best? Then Should I Get Ready Then?” Izach replied with a grin on his face.

“As you wish, Young Master,” Hilbert said in a courteous but cheerful tone While Bowing His Head.

Hilbert Slowly Walked past me and opened the door of my room while I was slowly stepped out the door of my Quiet and Peaceful yet full of Portraits that were filled with no Faces of A Room.