22 The chest she could not bear to throw away (2/2)

She drew her sword and sent out a wave of dark magic to scare off the birds. The ravens flapped away quickly and when they dispersed, there was a golden chest with a key hanging from the side lying on the ground.

It was a message from her mother.

Only one woman could be skilled enough to control and manipulate all those ravens using dark magic, it was so impressive that she earned the nickname, 'duchess of whispers'. It was rumoured that there was a raven spying on all the major houses in the kingdom and her information network was unparalleled.

In the north at least, no corrupt noble dared to have any business dealings without constant eyes gazing at the skies searching for those damn birds. Of course, they would rarely succeed in finding them.

In an unprecedented feat of skill, Elise's mother could transfer her dark magic from her mana circuit into the body of birds and hide them from detection spells and wards.

Elise's first instinct was to burn the chest and the contents within but despite her better judgement, she brought it into the study and tucked it away in a secret hole hidden in the library.

Over the next two years, she would occasionally take the chest out and gently shake it from side to side to guess at what was inside. The chest was lightweight and made no rustling sounds even when shaken vigorously which lead Elise to believe that there was a letter inside.

But how could she open it?

Whenever the thought of opening the chest crossed her mind, her heart would immediately start to sink into her chest.

What were the contents of the letter? An apology? An explanation?

Nothing could justify what she suffered through that night.

Elise sighed wearily to herself and just like many nights before, she returned the chest to the secret hole and called for the head butler,

”Gerald, I need a few servants to repair the room!”

A knock sounded at the door then the latch was slowly unlocked, and the old butler walked into the room. There was no surprise on his face when he saw the destruction of the study, but one could see a trace of pain and sorrow when he looked at Elise standing still like a statue.

”My lady, it has been awhile since you last lost control. Should I call for a healer to attend to you?” Gerald inquired.

”No. I am perfectly fine now,” Elise coldly replied.

Elise was no longer in the mood to deal with territory matters and wanted to swiftly leave and see her daughter.

”I see you were looking at the golden chest,” Gerald remarked.

”It is my recommendation your ladyship, that you just open the chest to see what your mother wrote to you. I think it is clear to me that you still miss her.”

Elise was startled at his insight and quickly retorted but while she started talking slowly, her voice kept rising in volume the longer she gave her reply.

”I don't miss that woman and in fact I have not thought about her in years. She is nothing but a stranger to me now. I did not need her in my life then and I do not need her now! Why the last thing I need to do is open some stupid chest that a stranger gave to me!”

The old butler looked at his duchess whose eyes were shinning with unsung tears, only in the presence of this old family friend would she show a hint of vulnerability.

Many saw Elise as an emotionless monster of slaughter but seemed to forget she was only a young woman whose both parents were no longer in her life.

”If you did not want to open the chest then why would it still be stored in this room and not tossed out? I am not worthy to judge you my lady, but I can say as a man who watched you grow up in this mansion, I pray that one day for your own sake that you are healed and find the happiness you deserve,” Gerald bowed his head and left the room.

Leaving behind the figure of Elise who stood in the room silently, casting a lonely shadow upon the walls.