For the next hour, Alastor and Charlotte just sat in that spot and talked to each other. Trying to soothe Charlotte's sadness over what had just occurred between her and her stepmother. It seemed to work very well, especially when Charlotte began to tell Alastor about the life she lived before coming here. She told him about her father, about Niffty, about the beautiful castle and gardens, about all the grand parties and balls that she attended. Her stories proved to be quite entertaining to Alastor. Even more so when he saw how it brought a smile to her face.
Alastor never liked sad faces. He knew life was hard but he believed that being sad only made life even harder. So the best way to deal with the hard times was to keep on smiling. That's how he coped with all the terrible things that had happed to him.
"Do you think that you'll ever go back to the castle?" Alastor asked her.
"I'm certain that I will when my father returns from the crusades."
"But suppose he does not return?"
"Pray I do not wish to even think such a thing." She answered in a voice full of fear.
"Forgive me my lady, I did not mean to upset you. I just hope that you are not ever left alone with that stepmother of yours."
"I won't be. I'm sure of that. I'll either be with my father or here with Vagatha or maybe..." She trailed off as she took a moment to wonder.
"Or maybe what?" He asked.
"Well sometimes I secretly dream that one day an honorable man with kind eyes will find me and we'll get married."
Alastor burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?" She asked, not at all amused by him finding humor in her dreams.
"I'm sorry to shatter your dreams princess but the idea of such a gentlemen finding you here is laughable."
"And pray, tell why is that?"
"Because the only men around here are thieves, scoundrels, blackmailers. Fellows who are far from the attributes of honor and kindness. You would have better luck marrying a bear than the kind of a man you dream about."
"Oh ha-ha." She said now irritated. "And here I thought you were a perfect gentleman. But no true gentleman makes fun of a lady's dream."
"A true gentleman also doesn't lie or deceive a lady. I couldn't pretend to believe in such nonsense for that would be a lie."
"You know Vagatha didn't think it was possible either but at least she didn't laugh at me."
"Oh really? Perhaps she's not as ill-mannered as I thought."
Charlotte glared at him.
"I'm truly sorry Charlotte. I don't mean to make fun of you. Really I don't. It's just that I often try to make everything humorous. Even when it's not supposed to be. Smiles and laughter is pretty much how I get through life."
"Still how would you like it if I laughed at your dreams?"
"I can't say for certain. I don't have any dreams. Only nightmares."
Charlotte's gaze quickly turned soft.
"What kind of nightmares?" She asked him in a sympathetic tone.
"I'd rather not say." Alastor's hand slowly went up to his back, feeling something that was there. "It's not important."
"I understand." She nodded. "But if you do ever want to talk about it, I promise to listen with no judgement. You'll never have to be afraid or ashamed to tell me anything."
"Thank you my dear princess. You're as gracious as you are lovely."
Charlotte blushed and smiled shyly. This sight made Alastor's smile increase in size.
"And thank you for your sweet words, but Alastor you must be careful not to refer me as a princess. My stepmother insists that no one know that Vagatha and I are children of the monarchy."
"Why?"
"She claims it's to protect us and maybe she does mean so in Vagatha's case but she definitely doesn't mean it with me. I'm not sure why she bears me ill will but I cannot act wicked toward her. My father, Vagatha, and Dolores love her very much and I love them, so I shall do my best to be on pleasant terms with my stepmother."
"You're a far better person than me Charlotte. If I were in your situation I would have retaliated but I can understand your reasons for choosing not to. But be warned, if she ever tries to harm you I'll have to intervene and nothing you say or do will stop me."
"That's fair." She giggled. "I should probably return to the cottage. Dolores and Vagatha must have come back by now."
"But what if that witch is still there?"
"Alastor she may act cruel but she's not a witch and if she's still there, don't worry. She'd never do anything to me in front of her daughter and mother."
"Perhaps. But I'm telling you Charlotte that woman is definitely a witch."
"Alastor witches are ugly. My stepmother is beautiful. The most beautiful woman in the land."
"You're somewhat correct. Bad witches are naturally ugly but they can use magic to hide their true, hideous form."
"And that's another thing, she doesn't use magic."
"You only think that because you've never seen her use magic."
"Neither have you. Before today you've never even seen her so what has you so convinced that she's a witch."
"Well apart from the fact that she obviously has a not heart, I sensed it."
"Sensed it?"
"As you have probably realized Charlotte I have certain...Traits that are found in animals and as everyone knows animal senses are far more superior to that of a human being. I bet your cat and Vagatha's dog don't behave positively whenever your stepmother comes near them. Do they?"
"No. They either hide from her or growl and hiss at her."
"That's because they know she's a witch."
"Or someone who can be cruel. You probably sensed her cruelty."
"Okay so maybe I am wrong but there is one way to know for certain if a woman is a witch. You have to check her eyes."
"Her eyes?"
"My guardian Moxxie taught me about witches and he said that all witches have certain a twinge to their eyes."
"What kind of twinge?"
"It's kind of like fire or a light. For bad witches you see purple with green flames like the venom of a snake. There's no light, no tenderness, just a peak at what the female demon looks like behind her human mask. For good witches though-"
"Good witches? I thought all witches were bad?"
"Moxxie said that they started out all bad but witches are an all female species so naturally they have to mate with human males in order to repopulate which of course would lead to love converting the bad witch to good or the witch's half human child being good because of her paternal heritage."
"Are good witches ugly?"
"Moxxie says that the good witches naturally look like normal humans. Some are even exquisitely beautiful. You can tell it's a good witch because if you look at their eyes you see a golden flame that beams with warmth and passion. It's like a fire that won't burn you, it'll just keep you warm."
"How does your guardian know so much about witches?"
"He's an alchemist so he studies all forms of chemistry which surprisingly includes sorcery."
"Can he use sorcery?"
"No. He studies it just to be aware of it. He doesn't want to use it though. He doesn't believe that he'd be strong enough to resist corruption."
"What do you mean?"
"According to Moxxie, magic is like wealth and power. It's hard to obtain and it can prove to be very beneficial but it can also corrupt if used by the wrong person. Hundreds of people have become monsters once granted the ability of magic. Now some can resist the lure to turn corrupt but it's a fifty-fifty chance."
"I see...Well I'm still not convinced my stepmother is a witch. Dolores and Vagatha would have said something if she was. There's no way on earth anyone would have allowed the king to marry a witch."
"Don't be so sure. Witches are natural born schemers, manipulators, and users of deception. Things are not as they seem when a witch is involved."
"Please stop. You're going to give me nightmares."
"I just want you to be careful. Try to avoid being alone with that woman as much as possible."
"I will. I promise. Now let's go back to the cottage. I don't want to worry Vagatha or Dolores."
With that decided, the children made their return to the abode from hence they ran from.