<Epilogue: The Secret of Secretia Woods; A Tale of A Curse or A Blessing>

 

“Grandma, Grandma Ines. Please tell us the story of Secretia Woods again.”

Florentia and Edelweiss had heard their favorite story countless times, but Ines cleared her throat and prepared to retell it once more. This story, she could tell it again and again, a hundred or a thousand times if needed.

“Well, you see, it happened a long, long time ago. There was only the Hindleton Estate and Secretia Woods nearby. It happened long before your parents were even born…”

It was an event that took place long before Florentia and Edelweiss’ parents were born. Ines, with her white hair and aged wisdom, had inherited the story from her own mother, who had heard it from her own mother. It was a tragedy so ancient that it had faded into obscurity, and Ines had never heard the full details of the misfortune that befell their family.

The beginning of all those events traced back to the atrocities committed by the notorious and debauched Count, a man whose wicked deeds were known to any beautiful woman unfortunate enough to cross his path. However, it was deemed better not to reveal the explicit and sordid details to young girls. It was simply… a horrible secret of the family.

Of course, even at the tender ages of thirteen and twelve, Florentia and Edelweiss could surmise why the witch living in Secretia Woods had been so enraged.

“Count Hindleton was a man who loved women, and when he got drunk, he couldn’t resist embracing women other than his wife.”

As a result, the Hindleton couple despised each other, and their loveless marriage led to constant unhappiness. They neglected their only son, Lambert, because of it. So one day, they didn’t even notice when the young boy, Lambert, got lost in the woods.

The one who discovered the pitiful young boy was Lucrezia, the witch left with nothing but anger and resentment after losing her only daughter at the hands of Count Hindleton. Lucrezia, engulfed in intense flames of rage, wanted revenge on Lambert’s father, Count Hindleton, and decided to cast a curse of blood upon their family. It was precisely timed for when she discovered the young Lambert.

As the story reached this part, Florentia and Edelweiss held their breath and swallowed hard. Lambert could have been killed by the witch Lucrezia on that fateful night.

However, instead of killing Lambert, the witch taught him about various medicinal plants that grew in the forest. She instructed him on herbs that could alleviate his mother’s neurosis and warned him about a deadly herb that should never be consumed. The witch was incredibly kind in her teachings, and Lambert gained profound knowledge of all the secrets and abilities concealed within the forest that night. Furthermore, the witch subtly hinted to Lambert that she had the ability to see the future.

“A witch who can tell the future with crystal beads. I also want to ask about my future. At what age will I get married!” 

Edelweiss exclaimed excitedly. Florentia signaled her to be quiet and stay calm. The real important part of the story comes next.

“Lambert asked whether he would continue to be lonely and unhappy. The poor little boy was accustomed to living in despair, but he probably hoped for some glimmer of hope. The witch responded, whispering, ‘Well, my dear, you will soon meet a girl who will always make your heart flutter, and in your eyes, she will be the most beautiful and lovely companion and lover in the world.’ What a sweet prophecy it was.”

Florentia and Edelweiss were already familiar with the rest of the story. In reality, that whisper was nothing but a cruel curse, far from being sweet. However, Grandma Ines’ storytelling had a strange power. Even in the darkest and most despairing moments, it always managed to instill a sense that even in the face of adversity, it could be seen as an unparalleled blessing or variation of hope, depending on the attitude and mindset of the receiver.

“Oh, how comforting those words must have been to Lambert. However, the witch, despite seeing the boy’s brightened face, did not delve into the details of what would happen next. She simply revealed, facing the radiant boy, ‘You will fall in love with that girl at first sight. That lovely girl, with sparkling enchanting dark brown eyes. But her eyes will turn blind, and she will be consumed by the most terrible misfortune in the world.'”

Without needing to imagine the scene of the frightened young Lambert, Florentia and Edelweiss wore expressions of anguish, their faces contorted with pain and fear.

“But, my dear children, I’ve already told you. It’s about the decision our Lambert made. He bravely stood up to the witch, saying, ‘Take my eyes instead.’ The witch said it was impossible. Taking the girl’s eyes would require someone other than the witch herself, and altering or defying the predetermined fate was not that simple or easy.”

Florentia and Edelweiss continued to hold their breath, eagerly awaiting the ending of the story, even though they already knew what it would be. Each time they listened, the story’s ending became more poignant.

“It must have scared the life out of him, but still, Lambert didn’t falter and spoke. He declared that he would give all his strength, luck, and blessings if it meant Dahlia’s safety. He believed it was enough for him to be sacrificed at the end of their love. The witch didn’t stop her wicked laughter. Yes, she wanted him to proceed if he dared. She claimed that love was blind and stupid, that it would consume him and he would regret it. She spread the curse’s prophecy. Nevertheless, Lambert stood firm and vowed to protect those dark brown eyes. And then, he lost consciousness. When he woke up the next day, it wasn’t clear whether he remembered what had transpired. But afterward, the woman from the prophecy truly appeared to him, and they spent a long time apart after their mansion was engulfed in a fiery blaze. They reunited, fell in love again, had a child, and spent a lifetime together, but… Lambert truly had to live with blind eyes. However, he was the most affectionate father and husband. Lambert loved only his wife with utmost sincerity and showered their beautiful daughter with abundant love. Yes, that’s right, he embraced his twisted destiny in his own way and remained incredibly happy throughout it all…”

Grandma Ines laughed. Her laughter was not faint. It was filled with conviction. Just like that of her maternal grandfather, Lambert.

 

 

FIN