Chapter 3

From that evening, it became apparent that a significant shift was underway, although whether it would be for the better or worse remained uncertain. Locked inside what was once my parents' bedroom, now mine, I contemplated the notion of a person not yet of age managing a business with a history spanning centuries.

The following morning, a bell clamored at an early hour, and I was roused by a knock on my door.

"Good morning, mistress," greeted Diana, the lady standing outside my chambers.

"Good morning. How are you?" I responded, curious about her unexpected visit.

"Mr. Edward demands your attention, Miss Lyle. Meet him in the study, if you don't mind," she explained.

"And you are?" I inquired.

"I'm Diana, Miss. Mr. Edward's caretaker."

"Okay. Lead me to the study, Diana," I said, slipping into my nightgown as we headed downstairs. The study was located on the left of the kitchen. Once inside, I thanked Diana and, upon Edward's beckoning, took a seat.

"I've always been your father's right-hand man, and your mother's too. They were both very good people to me. It's a pity they passed and left you at such a young age," Edward remarked, his demeanor serious with a smile that seemed somewhat forced.

I walked past him, uninterested in dwelling on the loss of my parents. Edward, approximately sixty years old, with a grey head and a tinted mustache, had a distinct air of authority about him. He carried a golden walking stick, occasionally twisting it in excitement.

"Okay, Mr. Edward. Did I wake up to be reminded of the death of my parents?" I quipped.

"No, miss. Of course not," he replied, gesturing for me to take a seat at my father's chair. "Your father made me promise to take care of you the day he passed on. He made me swear on my life that nothing bad will ever happen to you. And I'm trying to keep my promise."

"Okay. Proceed," I said, seeing no progress in our conversation.

"I will teach you everything about the villa, the Lyle business, but I need something in return. Perhaps you will be of help," he mentioned.

Realizing that he knew more about the villa than anyone else, I asked, "And what's that, Mr. Edward?"

"Miss," he snapped. "You will help lift a curse off me."

I was taken aback, not having any idea about curses. "Curse?" I frowned in wonder.

"Yes, a curse, Miss Marinda."

"And what do you think I can do about curses?" I inquired faintly.

"But you're special. They always called you the special one. Your parents. I know you can get me off my curse. Please! I will do anything," he pleaded.

While suspicious of Edward, I couldn't deny the loyalty he had demonstrated multiple times. Curiosity getting the better of me, I questioned him about what was really going on.

"But I know nothing about lifting curses. I'm not a witch," I confirmed as he responded.

"Oh, no, Miss Lyle. There is no doubt that you are a witch. I knew your father was before he told his own wife. I grew up with him in this villa. I knew most of his secrets," he revealed.

"You grew up with my father?" I asked in denial.

"Yes, I did. Your father was just a few months younger than I was. Two if I'm accurate."

"Okay," I chuckled, eyeing him skeptically.

"It was your father who did this to me," he muttered in concern.

"Pardon me."

"Yes, Miss. It was him. Your father cursed me. I know he didn't mean harm, of course, but he couldn't lift the curse off me. And for years, he traveled—cities, provinces, the wilderness—in order to find the solution to get it off me. But he failed. And when he gave birth to you, he told me that only you could be my only hope."

"So, a break, please, Mr. Edward. What's this curse all about before I get involved in anything I don't consent to?"

"That will come later on, Miss. I can clearly tell that you have not the idea of what you're capable of. Let's take it slow. I can wait. I know you don't trust me. So how about we start by building the trust between us."

"Okay," I snapped, feeling relieved that the stories were finally coming to an end. Everything was overwhelming, and I couldn't take in more.

"Please get changed, child. I will show you around the villa. I'm hoping you will have a great time around this place," he said as he walked out of the study. I stayed behind, questioning the fact that I had to wake up early to be told about so much that was none of my business.