"Father tell us another story." Rosemary asked her father as he and her mother put her to bed.
"Now now, don't be greedy." Alcina said to her. "You've already got one. What did we teach you about humbleness, my dear butterflies?"
"Please Father." Constantine begged him, laying another bed next to Rosemary. "We'll study extra hard tomorrow if you do. Pretty Please."
Ethan smiled as he realised what a good opportunity this might be. "Well... I can read you Village of shadows again." he offered.
"No father, we've heard that so many times already. Can you try something new please?" she pleaded. Rose loved this book, she couldn't get enough of it. But not tonight.
"I think I've got something for you. My Grandmother used to tell me this one." he smiled and his children peaked up. Alcina too was intrigued.
"Once upon a time, there was a girl sitting on a lodge in the forest. The girl was crying and out of nowhere, a witch approached her."
"Uhh a witch. Like our sisters?" Rose asked.
"Exactly." Ethan smiled and continued. "The witch asked the girl what was wrong. The girl then told her that she had broken her parents favorite vase. The family was very poor and the vase was one of the few valuable things they possessed."
Rose and Constantine shared and uneasy look and Ethan grinned on the inside. He knew that these two little rascals had broken a vase earlier today in one of the halls. Bela saw everything and informed her parents. But instead of calling and punishing them immediatly, they decided to convince their children to admit their mistake. Taking responsibility was a valuable lesson and and important part in growing up.
"The witch then offered the girl a ring that, if rotated three times, she could travel one hour into the future. That way she could avoid punishment. Overcome with joy, the girl accepted. She returned home and used the ring. However, the girl used the ring again and again whenever she wanted to avoid consequences. Before she knew it, she had grown old and her hair turned grey. Once again, the girl found herself crying on the lodge in the forest. And once again, the witch appeared and asked her what's wrong. The girl told her of her misery and begged the witch to take it back, to fix things. She promised to never take everything for granted ever again. The witch gave her a stern look and pointed a finger at her before reversing time and then vanishing. The girl was happy again and returned home to her punishment. Because she now knew that it was better than the alternative and she swore herself to be a good girl from now on."
When Ethan had finished, Rose and her brother shared another look before confessing to their little crime. Satisfied, Lady Dimitrescu gave each of them a good night kiss and told them that they wouldn't punish them this time.
"You did good." she said to her husband when they left. "That was quite a story you made up."
"It wasn't made up." he confessed. "My grandmother really did tell me that story very often when I stayed over."
"Oh? Well it was very interesing regardless." She gave her husband a kiss. "I'll take our other daughters to bed, feel free to return to our chambers."
"Thank you, honey." he said.
Ethan began looking for a nice book to read until Alcina returned. Bela, Cassandra and Daniela were very playful so it would take a while. His attention tonight however fell upon specific shelf, unmarked and unnamed books stacked up neatly behind the glass doors. Curious, he took one of the books and opened it.
It was Alcinas diary from the year 1977. Ethan knew that his wife wrote diares but he didn't know where she kept them.
He put the book back in his place and began looking for the one from 2021. He took it and soon found the page she was looking for:
February 7, 2021
Mother Miranda has called us for a meeting. She presented us with a baby named Rose and I admit, I immediatly fell in love with her. She looks so cute.
Mother has ordered me to take care of her until the preparations for the ceremony are complete. This, she said, would be the child that is going to change everything. Could it really be? Is the long wait over?
Yes, so it seems. Soon we will no longer have to hide from the rest of the world. Soon the world will bow to Mother Miranda.
I don't know what Mother's plans are for the baby but I hope she won't sacrifice it. Me and my daughters like little baby Rose and I've always wanted to raise a baby on my own.
The next entry was different. It was still her writing, but she seemed to have written this in a state of distress:
February 8, 2021
I can't believe it. I don't want to believe it!
When I approached Mother Mirandas private chambers I heard her talking to herself. No, not herself. She was talking to some strange recording devise and what I heard shattered my world.
She said that the baby would be the perfect "vessel" and that she then could be finally get rid of us. She said that we are failiures, all of us! Me a failure?! I couldn't believe my own ears.
Oh how am I fooling but myself? I know what have heard, and she is certainly powerful enough to kill us all in a heartbeat.
Still, I feel like such a fool. I have been her loyal follower for decades. She gave me everlasting life, my three beautiful daughters, did she not?
I thought I was special. Am I not her favorite? Am I not special?
I need a drink.
February 9, 2021
I think Mother Miranda noticed me spying yesterday. In the morning, she called me to her and said that she would get rid of the other lords once the ceremony was complete. But not me, she said. I am her "special child".
Oh how long have I wished to hear these words from her. But now I am only more convinced that she tries to deceive me. I was blinded by my misplaced loyalty, my gratitude towards her.
Ethan Winters has made his way to the village and I could see him fighting the lycans from a distance. I've also seen him fighting in Louisiana three years ago. For a little manthing, he has shown a remarkable recilience and readiness to rescue his wife. It reminds me of myself when I defended my daughters.
Speaking of the devil, Ethan Winters had made it to my castle. Unlike Bela and Daniela I don't believe in love at first sight, but sparks definitly flew between us. And his blood... my god I've never tasted something so unique!
He even saved Bela from the beasts in the dungeon, he was not ready to kill my own daughter in exchange for his own. He truly as the heart in the right place.
And the way he looks at me... it makes me feel special. Truly special, not like Mother Miranda.
I want him. But for somee reason I don't want to force him, which baffles me.
I need to dwell on this.
Ethan placed the book back in the shell and closed it. Just in time, as Alcina came in. "Found something interesting?" she asked without looking at him.
He decided to tell his wife the truth. "I took a look into your diaries. I hope you don't mind."
She shook her head and took of the five black roses on her chest - all representing her five children. "No, it's alright. I promised not to keep any secrets from you." she smiled and got rid of her dress. "But still, you could have asked." She lay down on the bed, presenting herself in a sexy manner anc beckoning him over. "I think you have to make it up to me."
Grinning from ear to ear, Ethan crawled into the bed to his wife and began kissing her perfect body.
"Hmmm... I'm curious though. What were you hoping to find?"
He looked up. "Well... I wanted to know what a woman like you would see in a man like me. Look at you, you're way out of my league."
Alcina pulled Ethan up and kissed him on the lips. "Don't sell yourself short, my dear. You are a loving husband and a great father."
Hearing this wamred his heart. "Thank you." he whispered and started making love to his amazing wife. If he could go back in time and start all over again, he would make the same decisions all over again.
Because Alcina was worth it.