THE THREE QUESTIONS - EXCHANGE FOR THREE BLESSINGS

"What a very human soul."

Laurence paused for a second. She might be hallucinating, or maybe, the drugs and its effect were being told to her again. Still, no matter what it was, she wanted to leave a benefit of the doubt.

Swallowing her nervousness, she dared to mumble the Lord's"Lord Sinclair?"

"That is not my name, dear." Again, it was a different voice. Lord Sinclair's voice was deep and elegant on it. He has an accent different from the people in the capital, and he expresses himself in riddles. However, this one, this voice sounded benevolent at the same time, terrifying.

"Who?" She muttered, not daring to ask. Perhaps she had just fallen asleep, and this was a dream.

"I am someone no one knows, but soon enough, they'll be all." His voice sounded like he was a parent there to give you advice, fearing that Laurence might disappoint them. She had never felt like this before. No. Not once.

Hence, she dared to look up and see if she was still talking to Lord Sinclair, but the voice interrupted again. "Don't dare to look." It was a warning that Laurence felt that if she disobeyed it, that would be the end of her life.

So, she looked down at her feet and the cane of Lord Sinclair. Seeing all the familiar things, she felt comforted somehow.

"Can I ask who you are?" Laurence persisted in asking. A deep chuckle soon followed. Laurence shuddered right on her seat, wanting to wake up if this was a dream. However, a question popped inside her mind.

If this wasn't a dream, who is Lord Sinclair, and what is his relationship with this man? Was Lord Sinclair Mentally ill like those patients in the asylum? Was that the reason why he saved her?

Laurence felt like she was going insane the more time she spent with this person. Or was he a person?

"I admire children like you. I had a name long before everything started, but those are just memories now. You can address me as Lord." Lordord?" Laurence mumbled. "Are you a god? Are you hear after hearing all of my prayers?" In that instant, after hearing the mysterious man answer, Laurence's nervous attitude immediately changed.

She was still afraid, but at the same time, she felt like there was an opportunity right here, in this very moment that the heavens have granted. Perhaps, maybe, because she was at the cathedral right now, or maybe she might have subconsciously believed in those gods, but nothing would be taken from her if she believed, right?

"What a greedy child," the man who wanted to be addressed as Lord answered.

Laurence looked down again, playing with her fingers. Maybe she was wrong, and she was jumping to conclusions. "I am sorry."

"Well, that's what makes humans amusing. Have you heard of the myths in the holy teaching called the question in exchange for blessing?"

Questions in exchange for blessings? Laurence fell silent for a moment. In her mind, she kept thinking of all the myths, ancient words, and even the lessons she learned growing up. She loved stories and different myths. She loved to explore the unknown and wanted to see if those unknowns could be possible.

Right, there was one! It was in a book! It was a book with a crimson cover. Like tales for a child, it describes humans as people who believe in the impossible and pray for miracles. There was the protagonist, a child continuously praying for miracles until he became an adult.

His persistency was rewarded, and the angels of the lord meLordim. They gave him a test. In order to have his miracle, he needed to answer three different questions. The question was random and without any related to him at all. However, the trick to receiving the miracle was how he responded to the question.

At the end of the story, the human is not given any miracle. Instead, he was given a lesson.

Thinking of this, Laurence contemplated. If the Lord was talking about such a game, then was he planning to grant her a miracle after she answered his question? Would she be like the protagonist? In the end, no matter what persistence, a miracle would never happen.

"Young lady?" The Lord asked.

The voice made Laurence snap out of her trance. "I have known, my Lord."

"Is that so? Then the next few instructions would be easier than I thought." Laurence had a feeling that the man was smiling as though he was entertained. Was this all just a game for him? She asked. However, no matter if it was a game, if she is given another chance and even to bring back time, she'll gladly do it.

Laurence won't lose anything anyway.

"Please pray do tell, my lord," Laurence answered.

"Just like the game," the lord anLorded in a deep voice of mystery. "I would be asking you three questions. The miracles you will receive will be based on how you answer my question. However, remember that miracles can be called a curse too."

Curse? What is there for her to be afraid of when she was already this miserable and cursed?

"Please continue." Laurence was determined to answer everything with her knowledge. She is an intelligent woman who was educated when she was young. There is no doubt that she cannot answer the question.

After once in a long while, Laurence was confident again. It felt nice as she was brimming with confidence.

"Then, here I go." Laurence heard the sound of a clock in both of her ears. Her hands started to get sweaty, and her heart palpitated like never before. Was she nervous? Or was she excited? Or perhaps both?

It sounded absurd. Everything that was happening right now said and looked too absurd. Perhaps she had gone insane.

"Would you be able to forgive those people who had wronged you?"

When Laurence heard the question, her brain froze as though she had encountered the most complicated question she had ever received. The answer should be yes! She knew that the answer should be yes. In all the church teachings and even those who were adults, they always said to forgive and forget.

They would always emphasize the importance of forgiveness in life and its destination. However, Laurence doesn't have any destination. She was empty and all gone. Nothing in her can make her feel like she has a purpose and to live a life away from all of her enemies and those who cursed at her.

What she wanted was not forgiveness. Even if hell were merciful enough, she would gladly throw any second chances to bring them all down.

Because she was human and not a god!

She was someone who knew grace and was betrayed by grace.

Yes! The answer should be yes. She should, yes! She should lie.

"No!" That was her answer. The moment it sank in, it was already too late. She can lie! But why?!

"Very well," the mysterious man answered. He did not ask why or what her reason was. He accepted it as it was like a man seeing a blank canvas slowly being tainted by the world. He accepted it like a spectator.

Laurence wanted to ask and press the matter. If her answer was correct, but before she could answer, the next question was raised.

"Until what can you sacrifice?"

Sacrifice? Was there even something left for her to sacrifice? What was left on her was her body which was full of bruises, and her leg, which she couldn't even stand. What was left for her to sacrifice?

"All of my flesh and bones. Even my soul." She answered deeply enough, accepting that no matter how smart she was, these questions weren't for those who studied long enough to take academics. But these questions were for her.

To a soul that was lost in hope.

"Last question, my dear."

Laurence nodded. "Can you answer me what love is?"

At that very moment, Laurence's mind became blank. Love?

It was a word she had encountered before, for her parents deeply loved her. They always mumbled words of love, and even their actions gave love no matter what.

She was a person full of love. So, why can't she answer? What is love?

The moment she heard that question, her heart pounded heavily. She took several deep breaths and clenched both of her hands. She was panicking. Love! She was familiar with love, but why couldn't she answer?

"Your answer, Laurence?"

'I-" She stuttered. She needed to weave words! She needed to be poetic and answer this one. Maybe this was her saving grace; perhaps miracles would be given if she answered this right!

But no matter how long she sat there and contemplated all of the words in her mind, love was something unknown.

Like it disappeared completely into her world. So, swallowing her patheticness and shame, she answered, "I am sorry, but I do not know."

"You do not know?" The lord emphasized her answer.

Laurence pursed her lips, closing her eyes to answer once again. She accepted her defeat.

"I do not know."

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