Trinity (III)

Brianna had run ahead of me, chasing butterflies as was her usual custom when we went out into the gardens. I watched her, smiling at her childish joy as she skipped and frolicked through the garden. There once was a time when I was able to be so happy and childish in my ways… I missed those days.

I walked up to the largest fountain in the garden and sat on the side of it. It was very large, circular, and stood in the middle of the large garden. It held water in a large pool at the bottom, and the marble edges were wide enough for one to sit on. A statue of an angel was placed in the center of the fountain and it held a pitcher from which the water continually poured from. My fingertips delicately traced over the top of the crystal clear water as my eyes surveyed the beautiful sights around me. Such beauty in those one place… it made me seem spoiled, since I knew that there were those out there who had never seen a sight so amazing – yet I could have the joy of experiencing it as often as I wished.

My mind wandered slightly, thinking of my past. Marcus had said that Uncle had told him about my parents, which was strange since it was mostly kept as a family secret. My parents… Daniel and Margaret, were killed when I was only nine. Times were much harder back then… but I had known who I was, and I had been around those who loved me dearly. Now, everything had changed. Brianna loved me, I was sure of that but… Uncle was never a very loving man. I doubted Uncle was hardly a man at all.

“Mili! Watch me!” Brianna squealed as she dived at a butterfly and ended up rolling around in the grass instead of catching the poor thing.

“Be careful, Bri-” I stopped. The breeze had suddenly picked up. It was a nice feeling but with the breeze came a sudden series of noises. Quickly, I stood up and looked about wildly, but stopped myself as soon as the wind calmed. The sound became clearer and I heard it for what it truly was; music. The sound of an instrument, only I couldn’t pinpoint which one it was. As if in a daze, I followed the sound, leaving Brianna behind to play with her butterflies and smell the flowers.

The music rang clearer as I began to run towards its melodious sound. I rounded about the side of the house, which took quite a bit of running since it was so big, and I spotted one of the guest cottages off to the right of the mansion. Without thinking, I picked up my skirts and ran downhill past the bordering trees to the smallest of the cottages. I reached it, but the door was locked, and I stood still for a moment – listening for a clue as to where the music may be coming from. It was definitely coming from outside… possibly behind the small cottage? I made me way around to the side and then out further to peek out behind the wall of the cottage.

He was there; Marcus. He sat on his trunk and in between his legs he had perched his instrument that he was now playing. I recognized it as a cello, as he brought the bow quickly back and forth along the strings, sending such a lovely sound of music into the air. I watched him steadily as my body swayed slightly with the breeze. His eyes were closed, and yet he still played that cello so wonderfully. Each one of his strokes was filled with such emotion, there was so much passion in the way he played that I almost found it unbearable. With a few final, slow strokes of his bow, he finished his song. I pouted slightly… I wanted to hear more.

“It’s a beautiful day, don’t you agree?” Marcus inquired softly.

“Yes,” I said without thinking. “Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude. I just heard the music and I thought-”

“It’s quite alright, that’s what I’m hear for isn’t it?” He stood up and set his cello against his trunk before he turned to me and bowed again.

“I really wish you wouldn’t do that.”

“What would you prefer I do, m’lady?”

“Treat me like a normal person! I’m not like my uncle, I’m nothing special; you need not bow to me.”

“If you insist,” He smiled at me, I could see the amusement in his eyes.

“You play that so beautifully.”

“The cello is in fact my favorite; did you like my song?”

“Yes! It was beautiful!” I said with a touch too much enthusiasm. I flushed and folded my hands behind my back, avoiding his gaze. “I mean… you have quite a talent.”

He laughed. “Thank you, Amelia.”

There was something about the way he said my name that made me blush even more, and I once again cursed myself for my stupid childlike reactions. Marcus only smiled, though, and I could feel his gaze on me even though I wasn’t looking at him. When I finally did look his way I saw his eyes moving over me; he took me in fully and then looked me straight in the eyes once more. My gaze faltered and once again I saw the amusement blaze in his eyes.

“You are-”

“Amelia! Amelia!” Marcus was cut off by Brianna’s persistent yelling. Within a moment she came bounding around the corner of the cottage and ran straight into me. I could’ve strangled her.

“Amelia! I was looking for you! Look what I caught!” Brianna proudly held up a small frog. I bent down to look at it a little closer, but the damned thing slipped from her hand and took a dive for my head.

I screeched and jumped back which caused Brianna to scream at the sudden burst of movement. I wrung my hands about me as I made sure the little thing was not on me anyway as I shivered and flinched at the thought of that slimy frog crawling on me. Catching my breath, I turned back towards Brianna.

“You…,” I struggled to get my anger under control. “You’d better go find yourself another frog!”

“Alright!” She agreed readily and gathered herself before she went to run off towards the gardens again.

“I shall see you a bit later, perhaps,” I said to Marcus, but he only nodded. As I made my way back up to the gardens I wondered what in the world was wrong with me.