The Bewitched Soul

Meanwhile, in the royal cemetery of Brookville, the Lord stood near his younger cousin's tomb.

'Jacob Adam Guildford 1754-1866', the tombstone was engraved.

Today marked his fifteenth death anniversary.

He stared at the tombstone as he remembered,

"When will you get married OLDEST brother?", Jacob teased Alexander.

Alex glared at him. If eyes had powers to kill, Jacob would be dead by now. His glaring eyes shot daggers at him.

"Oh come on! Don't you feel lonely and thirsty at the same time", this as he teased, he received a flying pillow on his face.

...!!

"Don't you treasure your life little brother?", Alex spoke in a serious tone.

"I do... I do!! But I treasure you more big brother.. what if you die single? Oh my God! Do not say you won't marry at all...!", Jacob acted in front of him. He was famous for his stupid melodramas.

"If you have so much time to waste, it would be better if you spare some helping the Duke with his visit this Sunday.", this time Alex's eyes shot arrows.

Touching his left chest, he squeezed it as if he was about to die.

"What did you say? Ouch... ", he reacted with his fine acting skills.

"Jacob!", Alex spoke. His voice was as firm as iron.

Realizing that this situation might land him in trouble,

"Okay fine! I was joking... You need some fun in your life, right? When will see our beloved King getting married!! I'm yearning for my nieces and nephews", Jacob pouted.

The King's eyebrows raised. 'This man can't let me live in peace'.

Yet he was the only familiar who was this close to him. They were brothers. They shared a bond of pure brotherhood.

"Are you over with your acting skills Prince Jacob. You may leave if you are finished.", Lord Alex's voice commanded.

"No No No, I won't leave you easily. First, give the information about the girl.", Jacob protested.

"What will I get in return Prince?", the Lord's eyes had a sense of mischief in them.

"Won't you spare your little brother?", Jacob pouted.

"On point please", Alex spoke.

"Okay fine", Jacob frowned as he spoke, "I'll accompany the Duke for the visit and give you the information it".

The Lord smirked.

Taking out a file out of his study drawer, he handed over to Jacob.

Reading the file thoroughly,

"She is a white witch?", Jacob blurted.

The Lord spoke nothing.

The death of Jacob bought widespread mourning. The residents Brookville mourned for the beloved Prince. He wasn't a typical stoic rude Prince. He was people's Prince.

The tragic death of the Prince shook the Lord.

Had he knew about this, he wouldn't have allowed her brother to go out in the stormy night. It was all his fault. He should have assigned guards for him.

Present day.

The guilt and regret formed an ocean in his heart. The guilt which he could never get rid of.


The cursed himself. One mistake of his, costed a life... his only left familiar's life.

Once again, he was orphaned for the second time.

Placing white lilies near the dead Prince's tomb, Lord Alexander touched the tombstone. His touch looked like as if he was caressing a child. His eyes showed no emotions yet they were soggy.

The gentle breeze caressed his sculpted face.

He stood up and headed towards his carriage.

He could no longer stand it. His guilt and regrets weighed his heart downed.

Getting in the carriage, he ordered the guards to head towards the palace soon. Sooner the better.

Upon reaching the castle, the Lord headed towards the dark corridor.

Although it was dark, it was well maintained. His eyes scanned the whole corridor. He walked for a while and then stood still. Turning to his right, he touched the perfectly carved teak wood door. He held the golden knob and twisted it gently. It clicked. He stood there for a while and then finally pushed the door.

The room smelled like home to him. The ancient painting hung on the walls. Everything was at its right place just like his father left them. No one dared to enter the dead Lord's room.

Only Alexander had access to this room.

He occasionally visited his father's room and cleaned everything and placed them as his father left it.

The quill has stains of ink on it, the parchment lied beside it.

The wardrobe had his father belongings. Everything was at its place, the way his father used to keep them.

While the wardrobe was wide open, Alex's eyes fell on the drawer. On opening the drawer, he touched the belongings present inside. Lifting his hand up from the drawer, it struck against a sharp object.

Touching the object, he felt like it was some sort of key locked inside the keyhole. He gently twisted the key. As soon as it twisted, another secret drawer fell on the other drawer. A rolled paper, more like a canvas rolled down and landed on the other drawer.

It was tied with a golden ribbon.

He untied the ribbon smoothly, and open the canvas.

It was a beautiful lady's picture.

And he resembled her.