The Manor Part II

If you haven’t already, please read part 1 here:
The Manor Part I

She let out a laugh, “Would a wolf in sheep’s clothing reveal its intentions when asked so directly? You ought to be more weary of strangers Mister Cain.”
***

Alden suddenly rose, knocking back his chair, causing the plates on the table to clank together.

As he opened his mouth to speak, the Lady smirked, “Have a seat Mister Cain, I’m merely pointing out the error in your ways, not threatening your child.”

Alden stared at her with disdain, “I do not find the safety of my child to be a laughing matter. Nor do I take threats to her wellbeing lightly,” he warned.

The Lady stared at him intently, “I assure you Mister Cain, my honest threats are not so subtle.”

He returned her stare and they locked eyes for several moments until she spoke again, “Your daughter is welcome to live here until she reaches adulthood. She will be cared for, provided with an education, and taught a trade. I ensure the children are not raised to become merely wives or workhorses. The children I care for will be given everything they need to succeed when they reach adulthood.” She turned back to face the forestry of plants that filled the room as she took a sip of tea.

“However, the children I accept into my manor are expected to follow a set of rules and failure to do so will result in their removal,” she continued. “If any of the children engage in inappropriate lewd or indecent behaviors they will be removed from the manor without question. I also will not tolerate meaningless rebellion. While I have no interest in raising mindlessly obedient children, misbehaving for the sake of misbehaving carries a serious punishment.”

Alden raised a brow, “What does this punishment consist of?”

“Children misbehave for various reasons so their punishments coincide with their behavior. They are raised to understand their behaviors have natural consequences. For example, if a child refuses to sleep, they will not be given the opportunity for any additional rest the following day nor will they be given any special treatment due to their weariness. They will be expected to complete their daily tasks at the same speed and quality had they rested appropriately.”

Alden nodded, “That is reasonable. However, you cannot be everywhere all at once. How can you ensure that the other caregivers are not harming the children? While I respect your intentions, you are caring for a large group of children. It-“

“Mister Cain, my staff is held to an even higher standard than the children. I assure you I will know if any of them overstep their role or cause unnecessary harm. I do not tolerate the mistreatment of children under my roof and all of my staff are well aware of that fact.”

As she finished a cold shiver ran down Alden’s spine. Though her words were firm, something darker sat beneath them. He swallowed hard then found himself caught in another coughing fit.

The Lady watched him carefully and waited for his fit to end before speaking, “Your time is short Mister Cain.”

Wiping the tears from his eyes he nodded, “Indeed it is.”

“Is little Emily aware of this?”

Alden let out a wet sigh, “I’ve tried my best to shield her from this but she is too smart for her own good. She knows something is awry.”

The Lady nodded, “And what have you told her?”

“Only that I am ill.”

The Lady gave him a pensive look, then asked, “If given the opportunity, would you choose to continue living?”

Alden gave her a confused look, “I think I may misunderstand your meaning, who wouldn’t choose to live?”

“Do you not miss your wife? Don’t you wish to be with her again?”

Alden’s expression fell, “My late wife was a good woman.”

“But not the woman you were in love with?” The Lady finished for him.

He gave a small smile, “She was lovely, in her own right. But as is common for an orphan like myself, it was an arranged marriage. I am a hard worker and her family had no sons. We lived comfortably together however, despite our best efforts, our love had its limitations.”

The Lady nodded, “If you had a choice, would you have married another?”

Alden paused for a moment to contemplate her question before shaking his head, “No I can’t say I would have. My wife gave me the greatest gift I could have ever received in this lifetime. She gifted me my sweet Emily. I only wish Emily had the opportunity to know her mother.”

Alden fell into another coughing fit, this one lasting longer than the last and staining his napkin in speckles of blood. As he opened his mouth to apologize for ruining her napkin, the Lady waved her hand and an attendant quickly took his soiled napkin and replaced it with a fresh one.

“Was there ever another? Aside from Emilys mother?”

Alden shook his head, “No, I never had the time for such a luxury.” He let out a small laugh and sat back in his chair.

“What’s so amusing?” The Lady asked as she took another sip of tea.

“I realize now that all my life, I’ve been searching to find my place in this godforsaken world and well, I’ve only just realized that I found my place six years ago. Emily gave me what I could never find, the chance to love another in a way I so desperately needed to be loved. I-“ he stopped himself as his face flushed with embarrassment. “I am being careless with my words, I apologize m’lady. I mean not to burden you with the musings of a dying man.”

Alden glanced up to meet the Lady’s eyes but was confused by what he found. He caught a small glimpse of something different in her eyes, not quite warmth, but certainly not the cold harshness he had seen from her previously. Though he did not have much time to ponder this realization as he fell into another coughing fit.

The Lady sat back and waited for his fit to end, then said, “Go find your daughter Mister Cain. Enjoy your time with her. You will be welcome in my Manor until you meet your end.”

Alden sat back surprised, “No M’lady I can’t ask that-“

“You did not ask, I offered. Please don’t be so rude as to refuse my hospitality,” she said.

He gave her a small smile, “Understood. I will humbly accept your graciousness.”

“Ophelia,” the Lady called to an attendant who was busy watering a vibrant red rosebush nearby.

“Yes, My Lady,” the attendant bowed.

“See that Mister Cain and his daughter get a tour of the Manor and please ensure that little Emily understands the Manors rules.”

The attendant nodded then the Lady turned her attention back to Alden, “Mister Cain, I will give Emily the next few days to settle into her new home but come Monday she will be attending school like the rest of the children. She will also be expected to carry out her share of chores. Is that acceptable to you?”

Alden nodded, “Of course.”

“Ophelia will be your attendant. Any questions or concerns you may have during your stay should be directed to her,” the Lady rose making clear this was the end of their meeting.

Alden followed her cue and stood then gave a small bow, “Thank you again m’lady. I hope in another lifetime I am able to repay your kindness.”

The Lady waved him off, “Be on your way Mister Cain. The children’s breakfast should be ending.”

As she turned away Alden called out, “Before I go, may I know your name?”

The Lady paused, “You may refer to me as Lady Anastasia.”

***

 As the next few days passed, Alden and Emily found themselves falling into the routine of the manor. Waking around seven in the morning for breakfast, having time to wander the Manor and its various recreation rooms until lunch time, more leisure time, then dinner. Emily seemed to be making new friends with each day that passed. Despite Alden’s worsening condition, he was relishing every moment he spent with his daughter.

Though a part of him still wondered if these last few days had been some sort of fever dream, he could not deny how well run this Manor was. Every child he encountered was not only well behaved, but also well cared for. He had expected the great halls of this Manor to be quiet, but during the day the halls echoed with chatter and laughter. Children and attendants all coming and going. Though he had seen many of the same familiar faces during his stay, he had not seen Lady Anastasia again since their meeting.

The various attendants he had met, took on a variety of roles. Some were regarded as teachers, others as caregivers or mothers. The manor was run like a well-oiled machine, with each person having a specific role that they fulfilled dutifully. In the last several days, Alden was grateful to realize he had not seen a single child cower away from an attendant, even in moments of reprimand. The children here seemed to trust that the attendants had their best interests in mind. There was a level of comfort and respect between the children and adults that made him realize just how fortunate he was to have found this manor for his daughter. So, she never had to endure the horrors of an orphanage like he had.   

In the evening of the third day at the Manor, Alden found himself in his room with his daughter, watching her play pretend with two stuffed toys in front of the fireplace. He watched Emily carefully, taking in every detail, naively dreaming that he could somehow take these memories with him to the grave. Though his own future was grim, his last wish had been granted, he had found his daughter her new home.

His heart was overcome with a gentle warmth as tears filled his eyes, “Emily, come here for a moment please.”

Emily looked up from her stuffed animals then shuffled her way over to her father, carrying a stuffed bunny along with her, “Yes Papa?”

Alden picked his daughter up and put her on his lap, wrapping his arms around her in an embrace as he spoke, “I love you with my entire soul Emily, my dearest daughter.” His voice cracked as he spoke, “What do you think of this place?”

Emily leaned into her father’s embrace, “I love it here papa. It’s so warm and they have so many toys to play with and Miss Emmerson is really fun to play with too. She showed me how to mix eggs at breakfast and said I was a really good chef.”

As Emily rambled on, Alden closed his eyes and hugged her tighter, wishing this moment could last for eternity.

“Papa?” Emily asked as she wiggled beneath his embrace, “Papa, you’re squeezing me,” she said.

Alden let out a laugh, “I’m sorry dear, I got caught up in the moment.”

Emily looked up at her father and reached her small hand out to his cheek, wiping away a tear he hadn’t noticed, “Why are your crying, Papa? Are you sad?”

Alden wiped his tears, “They’re happy tears sweetheart. I’m just so grateful we-“ before he could finish, he was overtaken by a coughing fit. He watched as Emilys eye’s widened at the sound and he quickly reached for his handkerchief.

After a few moments the coughing subsided. He wiped his mouth then looked to his daughter whose eyes were full of fear, “I’m alright now darling, it was only a coughing fit.”

Emily looked to the handkerchief and Alden quickly stuffed it into his pocket; fearful she may notice the red stains it now bore.

“Papa, your cough is getting worse,” Emily noted.

He gave his daughter a smile, “I am fine sweetheart,” he lied. The heaviness in his chest had grown with each passing day. He found himself unable to speak at times and his breathing had grown increasingly hoarse and shallow. His end was drawing near and he knew it. Unfortunately, so did Emily.

“Papa, you need medicine. I’m sure they have the best medicines here,” she began to ramble as she jumped off her fathers’ lap and walked over to her other stuffed toy on the floor, picking it up in her other hand. “I’m going to go find Miss Emmersen and have her get you some medicine okay Papa?”

Before he even had a chance to respond, Emily was reaching for the doorhandle, when suddenly, the bedroom door opened.

Lady Anastasia, entered the room and looked down at Emily, “Oh little Emily, I didn’t know you were in here.”

“Papa says it’s rude to walk into peoples’ rooms without asking,” Emily said in a no-nonsense tone.

Alden’s face flushed with embarrassment, “Emily I-“

Lady Anastasia raised her hand to silence him, then gave Emily a warm smile, “You are right little one, that was quite rude of me.”

Emily nodded, “Papa normally makes me leave the room and knock before he lets me in when I do that.”

Lady Anastasia let out a laugh. Alden was nearly in shock at the sound as he had yet to see the Lady behave so warmly.

“Well, my dear, let me make it right then.”

Alden watched in amazement as the Lady walked out of the room, closed the door then knocked.

Emily looked back to her father, then back at the door and said, “Come in!”

Lady Anastasia re-entered the room and curtseyed to Emily, “Thank you Emily. If I may, I need to speak with your father. Can I steal him from you for a moment?”

Emily shrugged, “I have to go find him medicine. He’s sick. Do you have any medicine that will make him better?”

Lady Anastasia gave Alden a knowing look, then crouched down to Emily’s level, “We do have medicine my darling girl. In fact, that is what I came here to talk to your father about.”

Emilys eyes lit up, “Really?”

Lady Anastasia nodded, “Indeed. But you little one, need not worry about such things. In fact,” the Lady looked over to Alden who gave a small smile and nodded, “I believe it is your bedtime right about now isn’t it?”

Emilys shoulders slumped, “But I don’t want to go to bed yet.”

Alden smiled at her complaint then interjected, “You need to make sure you take care of yourself Emily. It’s been a long few days and you’ll be starting school on Monday,” he smirked as Emilys eyes lit up.

“I get to go to school?!” she exclaimed.

He smiled at his daughter, “You certainly do, and you need to make sure you’re well rested.”

Emily nearly squealed in excitement as she stared wide eyed at her father.

 “Well little Emily, it sounds to me that you better get off to bed now,” Lady Anastasia smiled then gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead, “If it’s alright by you, I’ll have Miss Emmerson put you to bed.”

Emily nodded and Miss Emmerson appeared in the doorway seemingly out of nowhere.

Miss Emmerson smiled at Emily and said, “Go tell your father goodnight.”

Emily ran over to Alden, a stuffed toy in each hand and gave him a big hug around the neck, smacking him in the face with her toys in the process, “Goodnight Papa! See you in the morning. I love you!”

Alden hugged her back tightly and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “Sweet dreams Emily, don’t let the bed bugs bite.”

As Emily walked over to Miss Emmerson she said, “This place is so nice I don’t think they have bedbugs here. Are there bedbugs here Miss Emmerson?”

Miss Emmerson let out a laugh as she guided Emily out of the room and down the hall leaving Lady Anastasia and Alden alone.

Alden stood from the bed and gave a short bow, “How can I help you this evening Lady Anastasia?”

“There is no need to stand for me in your condition Mister Cain, please have a seat,” she said as she shut the bedroom door behind her.

A sharp pain shot across Alden’s chest, “Excuse me M’lady, for just a moment,” he choked out as he hurried his way into the attached bathroom and fell into a fierce coughing fit. This one, lasted much longer than the last and left him covered in a cold sweat and severely short of breath. Alden walked over to the bathroom sink to splash his face with cold water. As he looked up to dry his face, he noticed Lady Anastasia standing in the doorway of the bathroom, watching him carefully.

Through shallow breaths, Alden spoke, “What is it that you wished to speak with me about Lady Anastasia?” He let out a wet cough and spat a mouthful of blood in the sink before continuing, “While I appreciate the kindness you showed my daughter by telling her you were here about medicine, I know there isn’t such a thing for what ails me.”

“Your daughter loves you deeply Mister Cain,” Lady Anastasia said as she grabbed a nearby towel and handed it to him to dry his face. 

Confused by her comment he nodded, “Indeed, she is truly my pride and joy.”

Lady Anastasia met his eyes through the mirror, “What if I were to tell you there may actually be a cure for what ails you, Mister Cain?”

Alden froze in place, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions well inside of him, “It is rather uncouth to tease a dying man m’lady. I am sure you are well aware that my ailment has no cure, and while I know your Manor is quite remarkable, I have yet to see a lab full of scientists researching the next medical miracle.” He finished drying his face, then walked past Lady Anastasia and made his way to a suede chair near the fireplace.  

Lady Anastasia followed him and took a seat in the matching chair across from his. She met his eyes as she said, “While I am many things, Mister Cain, a comedian is not one of them.”

Alden watched her closely, “You may not be a comedian but I am not so certain you aren’t a charlatan.”

Taken aback, Lady Anastasia’s gave a small smile, “My you’ve become quite impetuous since I last spoke with you.”

Alden let out a heavy sigh, “When your time is becoming more finite by the moment, niceties certainly seem an unnecessary waste of it. Now, truly, what is it that you wish to speak with me about? Enough of this nonsense about a cure. I am growing tired of your jest.”

“Mister Cain, I am not one to repeat myself, but I assure you, my offer is no jest,” she said firmly, “I understand your time is limited and I am taking it from you. But I do have a proposal for you if you wish to hear it.”

She sat back in the chair and crossed her legs in wait.

“You must truly think me a fool, it sounds as though you’re about to offer me a fools prize in exchange for a fool’s errand,” he chided, sitting back in his own chair, matching her authority. He truly had lost any patience he had for such frivolities. While he was certainly grateful for the Lady’s generosity he was in no mood to be toyed with.

Lady Anastasia rolled her eyes, “The arrogance of men will never cease to amaze me, I had believed you were not so closed minded as your fellow man. But it appears I was wrong. I won’t waste any more of your precious time,” she said as she stood from the chair.

Realizing his pride was getting the better of him, Alden let out a hoarse sigh, “Wait.”

Lady Anastasia paused and looked down at him.

“My daughter is already off to bed, there is no harm in at least hearing your proposal,” he conceded. “I apologize for my disrespectful behavior. I fear I am taking the bitterness I feel about my impending death out on you.”

“I must be frank with you Mister Cain, it is rather unusual for me to allow a man to stay in my home,” she said as she took a seat again, “But you have piqued my interest.”

He gave her a weary look, “While that is rather flattering to hear, I am not sure how a dying man who has lived a humble life is of much interest to a woman such as yourself.”

She raised a brow, “Let me ask you this, Mister Cain, what would you give for more time with your daughter?”

Without hesitation he answered, “I’d give anything, I’d even sell my soul if it meant I didn’t have to leave her behind,” He let out a wet cough then continued, “It’s a cruel world Lady Anastasia, and while I do not know you well, I am certain you are all too aware of the world’s savagery. I imagine that same cruelty may have been what inspired you to create such a warm and welcoming home for so many children.”

“Yes, unfortunately I am all too familiar with the brutality of men,” she said, as her eyes narrowed on him.

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of Alden’s neck rose. Seemingly out of nowhere, he felt as though he had become a prey animal in a wolf’s den. He looked to Lady Anastasia, whose eyes were now glowing a deep crimson red.

“Know this, Sir Alden Cain, what I am offering you tonight will be a true blessing for your daughter,” Lady Anastasia rose from her chair, her presence now foreboding, “Unfortunately, her blessing will become your curse.”

As the last word left her lips, darkness engulfed Alden. His body swelled with deep shooting pain. His ears rang from the sound of his own shrieking as his consciousness faded.