Chapter 1

The scent and aromatic fragrance of new spring, invaded my sense of smell once I stepped outside to my mother's garden. Those long cold nights of winter are finally over and now gone. I don't really have a problem in winter but, let's all be considerate on others who can't enjoy the beauty of it.

Enjoying winter is a privilege but for the poor it's cruel and vile. I'd rather be considerate than be ignorant. I walked towards the golden tree, that my mother took care of when she was still alive and healthy. As I arrived in front of the tree I can't help but be amazed on how magnificent it is. The tree itself is one of a kind and odd. It's not like any other tree you would see, the branch was bronze and the leaves shined like diamonds and yet the leaves were golden. It was truly one of a kind. The tree was 3 years older than me. And mother was the one who planted and flourished, until she died due to some unknown sickness. I was 14 year old when she left me in the care of my aunt. As I examined the tree in front of me a heavy and long sigh escaped my lips.

"It's been almost five years Mom since you left me all alone. How are you in Heaven mother?" I murmured beneath my breath. I sat down beside the tree and started reading the book I brought with me. Books are the only thing can calm and relieve me. That's probably because I grew up with them and with the warmth within it. I read the book and never looked at the time until a maid came and told me that it was already dinner time and my aunt finally arrived. I closed the book and went back inside the house, and informed the maids that I'll be in the dinner table once I finished refreshing myself. As I arrived at my room I put the book back to my bookshelves, and went to the bathroom to wash my face.

I wiped my wet face with the dry towel and looked into the mirror. People always say I resemble to my mother a lot. I never believed them when I was still a child but now, I think they were right. My features were like my mother's, no matter what angle and direction I was looking at. I did resemble to my Mother. Except for my eyes though, my eyes are the only part of my face I hate the most, my mother told me I got my eyes from the father I never knew. Mother's eyes were crystal blue and it shined like stars, while me... my eyes were Scarlet Red. Was that the reason why mother named me Scarlet Estelle, was it because of my eyes? My eyes they're red as blood and it shined like a Ruby. I hate it. No more like I loathe it.

"Stupid eyes" I'd rather go blind than inherent the eyes of the man who never took his responsibilities which was us and he never even once shown his face to me. I loathe my so called Father but my Mother, when she was still alive she would sometimes scold me for saying ill mannered names to that man. She sometimes told me that there was a reason why that man was not with us. I couldn't care less about the man who abandoned me and Mother. He could rot in hell for all I care. I threw the towel in the sink and went out of the bathroom. I sat down in the chair and took the comb to brush my hair.

After brushing my hair I headed downstairs and went straight to the dining table where my aunt was waiting for me. Once she saw me she sweetly smiled at me "Hello dear, come on sit down. The food is getting cold" she said in her usual sweet tone. I only nodded in respond and obliged. I sat down at my usual spot and we both ate dinner in silence. I'm use to this, but it's rather a comfortable silence. My aunt is a busy woman since she takes care of the family business so I have no right to complain.

But then she broke the silence and asked "Scarlet dear, your 19th Birthday is coming in a matter of 2 months. Do you want anything as a gift?" I stared at her for a couple of seconds before answering No to her offer. I don't need anything right now but... A sword with my name would be nice. But on second thought I don't think Aunt Cana would like that Idea. But still my "no" left a bitter expression and a pout in my Aunt Cana's face. Looks like, she doesn't take no for an answer.

"Why is that dear? Don't you want anything you'd like for your 19th Birthday?" she asked in a more rather curious and disappointed tone. I sighed in defeat. I'll probably disappoint my Aunt with what I want.

"There is something I would like to have and own Aunt" With that Aunt Cana's eyes lit up with glee and anticipation. She eagerly asked me what I wanted. I heavily sighed.

"I want a Sword with my name carved on it Aunt" I thought Aunt Cana would contradict and disapprove about it but to my surprise she clapped both of her hands and happily agreed and told the maids to get the Blacksmith to meet her tomorrow for a meeting and agreement and documents in owning a sword. My Aunt is full of surprises indeed. I thanked my Aunt for allowing me to own a Sword. Yes, I do know how to wield and use a sword. Besides reading, practicing the sword was one of my pass times. Well, I have many hobbies but I don't stick to them, I change hobbies in a matter of weeks once I get bored and once I was skilled in those hobbies I leave them and find a new one.

I am indeed a fast learner I quite know a lot of things including, knitting, cooking, fighting, gardening, writing, painting,singing, playing various instrument, and a lot more. I get bored with only one hobby, so as much as possible I want to learn those things and have knowledge with them. Who knows maybe my knowledge might be useful in the near future.

I finished my food and I excused myself and went to my room to finally take a bath and then sleep it's been a long day might as well sleep. The maids were the once who prepared my bath, once they were done with it. I told them they can finally go and rest and so they excused themselves. I took off my clothes and step inside the hot warming bath that filled with roses and a very good scent.

"Alone at last" I sighed in contentment. Finally I can be alone without anyone around me. Mother's dead anniversary is almost near. I might make a gift to offer to Mother, but what gift though? I sank half of my face to the water and thought what might be a worthy offering for my mother. But nothing came to mind. With that I fully went down to the water and closed my eyes for a while.

*"Welcome to the world Scarlet Estelle"*what the!? Who? I heard myself calmed down and I looked up to who said my name. It was a man but I couldn't see his face but I felt him..he held me into his arms and hug me as if he was yearning and have been waiting for me. I felt his tears and the warmth of his voice.

"Darling.." I suddenly heard my...mother's tired voice. The man went near my mom and gave me to my mom..wait what!? I couldn't see that clearly everything was a blur. But I could hear their voices and I knew my mother's voice. I've been yearning to hear her angelic voice once again.

"Darling, she has your beautiful eyes" ..... what? What does mom me—

"MOM! DAD!" A boy and teen's shouts filled the room.

"Good timing sons. Meet your baby sister Scarlet Estelle" ....I felt those two boys presence near me and one held me into his own arms while he caresses my cheeks. A older brother's touch that's what his caresses feels like. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

"She's a beauty Mom" he said in a soft and tender voice. Before my mother could answer my breathing was already at its peak and....

"HUGGGGHHH HUGGGHH HUUHHHG!!" I got off the water and I was out of oxygen in my lungs. I was in the water for too long than I intended to be. I inhale and exhale for awhile to regain the air I had lost. And once I was breathing properly once again. I rested my back to the bath and realize what I had just seen in my dream—no more like a glimpse of a vision or memory...

I got up from the bath and straightly dried myself and changed my clothes. Would I dream about it again if I go to sleep? I don't know and I'm not sure. And I don't want to believe in it, it was probably just a trick in my head. I have been so tried and busy that it probably made my head to have illusions or so.

"It was probably an illusion or a dream" I told myself as I combed my hair. Once I finished combing my hair I placed down the brush to its rightful place and I went to my bed to finally sleep.

I need to sleep. I turned off the lamp and I covered my body with my duvets and blankets. The only light that reflected in the room was the moon and stars. I looked at the window to see the moon and night. It was still beautiful but it was too quiet and lonely. I roll my eyes at my own thoughts. I'm use to this loneliness so why I'm I saying such things?

I pinched the bridge of my nose and shake my head slowly. I really need to get some sleep. I sighed and laid my head down until I felt my soft pillows. I stared at the ceiling with a blank stare but my eyes started to feel heavy and so without noticing I was already sleeping, but the vision I had earlier never visited again. So it was really just a trick and illusion my head made.

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