Chapter 3
Soley happily bounced around the house helping Diana clean. She was very excited to have her uncle visit their home.
"Mom this is the first time we'll have a human guest in our house!" Sooner squealed.
Diana thought for a moment. Soley was correct. Soley was the only human living in this forest. Nymphs, vampires, even a dragon had visited before but Bedrich Driscoll Von Autumn would be the first human to visit their home. Diana still couldn't shake that his name sounded familiar.
They met Bedrich at the entrance of the forest. Bedrich stood tall, but fidgeting with the bouquet of flowers. He had arrived early. Very early. He heard many murmurings about Diana. The villagers drawing connections between his looks and Soley's.
It was very embarrassing that the villagers thought he was Soley's father. It did make him wonder who Soley's father was. His sister hadn't mentioned a man's name in any letters she wrote him. Then again, what sister would tell their brother about a secret lover?
What left a bad taste in his mouth was everyone calling Diana a loose woman. There were no shortage of insults about Diana murmured by the villagers. He muled over what he could do for her. He was a Duke, so he could do a lot. But if he did things without asking her first, Diana might become upset with him. Bedrich didn't have many relatives left. Soley was a precious child. His only niece. His parents were too prideful to even look for his sister no matter how much they missed her.
A part of him wanted to take Soley to his estate to give her anything and everything she wanted. But that plan might have have to separate Soley from Diana, who has been her mom all her life.
"To separate a mother and child unjustly is the cruelest thing." Bedrich recalled many of Julia's lectures. Maybe he should write them down for Soley.
"Uncle!" Soley tightly hugged his leg.
"Good afternoon," he beamed at the child. "I brought flowers."
"Those are very pretty!" Soley sniffed the flowers. "They smell nice too!"
"I'm glad they're up to your standards." Bedrich smiled. He wanted to pick her up and carry her. But this was only their second meeting.
"Good afternoon sir. Shall we go?" Diana led the way. Her lavender hair wasn't up in a bun today. It was very long and a contrast from her navy eyes.
"Yes!" Bedrich saluted.
The girls tried to cover their giggles as he blushed in embarrassment.
"So why do you live in this forest and not the village?" Bedrich agreed as a way of small talk, but also curiosity.
Diana weighed rather she should tell him she was a witched. Magic was a rare talent in this world but being a witch often put people on edge.
"Uncle Bedrich," Soley stomped in front of him, her face serious. She held out her hand for a pinky promise. "You have to promise to keep what I'm about to tell you a secret."
Bedrich blinked taking her pinky. "I pinky promise to keep any secrets you tell me between you, your mom, and I."
Soley thought for a moment before nodding in acceptance. "The truth is I can use magic. I can show you one trick!'
Bedrich smiled at the child. "Oh really? I must be the luckiest uncle to have a talented niece."
Soley smiled smugly. Her gold eyes sparkling. "Just watch," she plucked some dandelions and leaves from along the trail. She carefully concentrated on them by holding them in her hands. She slowly lifted her hand off to show little spheres of light. "Ta-da!" She exclaimed.
"They're beautiful!" Bedrich complimented with high enthusiasm. "You're very talented Soley!"!
Soley beamed with pride.
"Do you have a teacher that teaches you magic?" Bedrich asked excited to hear about what kind of education his niece was getting.
Soley tilted her head. "What's a teacher?"
Bedrich Driscoll Von Autumn blinked dumbfounded. He quickly recovered. "A teacher is a person who teaches people stuff as a profession. Some tech multiple things. Some focus on one subject like math or history."
"Oh," Soley tilted her head. "I learn, but I don't have a teacher."
Bedrich nodded. "Magic is very hard to learn. Not everyone can do it. How did you learn?"
Soley thought for a moment.
"1 teach her," Diana stated.
"You also have a knack for magic Miss Diana?" Bedrich smiled in surprise. "You're very talented as well. When did you learn magic?"
Diana shrugged, "Magic comes naturally. After all, I am a witch." She swiped her hand to remove the cloaking spell over the cabin She lived in.
Bedrich blinked several times. "Miss Diana," he smiled nervously. "Please forgive my rudeness, In the future, please do NOT disclose that you're a witch."
"Why?" Soley asked.
"Because some people fear witches due to their natural talents." Bedrich explained to Soley before turning back to Diana, "Those people could try to hurt you. OR worse!" He hissed that Iast part out in worry.
Diana couldn't help but chuckle at that. "You are A very good person." she tried to stop her laughing, "Looks like I won't need to erase your memories after all." She wiped a tear from her eye. "Now come inside for lunch."
Bedrich blushed from embarrassment Before deflating. "At least you have a Backup Plan." He sighed,
Diana bit her lip. she should refrain from telling him the memory wipe is a rock to the Back of the head.
The cabin was small and quaint. Soley took pride in showing her uncle where everything was. From the toilet, the shed of gardening tools, to the Squeaky closet that held the cleaning supplies. Soley happily dragged him by his hand around the area. She told him about the garden and all the Vegetables and herbs growing in it.
"And this," She brought him to a large tree, "Is Mother." She smiled up at him brightly. "Mother, this is your Brother. He came to visit today."
Bedrich stared at the tree as Soley babbled on. It Became a Buzzing in his ears.
She was gone.
He knew that. He had been told that. Went was a part of him still hoping it was a lie? His big sister was gone from this world and there was nothing he could do for her.
He knelt in front of the tree next to his niece. "Hey Julia." He gave a soft smile. "It's been years. I'm doing well. Your daughter is very sweet. I'm… sorry I couldn't visit sooner."
Diana began preparing lunch while Soley showed Bedrich Driscoll Von Autumn around. Diana still could not place where she had heard his name before. While seeing the drinks on the table, it finally dawned on her.
"He's a Duke!" Diana dropped the cup of water on the floor.
"Mom, are you okay?" Soley and Bedrich raced into the house upon hearing her screams.
Bedrich hoisted Soley into the air as he saw the broken cup. "Are you injured Miss Diana?" He scanned her hands and feet for injuries.
"You're a Duke!" Diana stated in shock.
He paused at her in confusion. He blinked before asking again, "Arey injured anywhere Miss Diana?"
He carefully moved her away from the shattered cup.
Diana signed. Diana sighed. "No." She liked away from him. "I was just shocked to remember that Von Autumn is a ducal house."
Bedrich nodded as he put Soley in Diana's arms. "My apologies for not disclosing that to you. But I wanted to get along well with you both without the awkward formalities."
Diana was too uncomfortable to make eye contact so she simply nodded. His logic made sense. It was common logic in novel like worlds like these.
She glanced up at the sound of the cup pieces moving. Her jaw dropped at the sight of Bedrich sweeping up the broken cup.
"You're choice!" She began to stammer. She need to stop him. She couldn't have a Duke sweeping her floor.
Bedrich stopped and picked Diana up like she weighed nothing. He carefully sat her in a chair. "I assure you, despite my status, I can sweep up a broken cup."
Diana hated the fact he had such a handsome face. It charmed her into biting her tongue. She wanted her heart to stop pounding.
"There. All clean." He beamed proudly as he threw away the broken pieces. "Now, let's check your feet for injuries," he knelt in front of her.
Diana felt a jolt go through her has his hands made contact with her feet. They had a rough texture that tickled her. She bit her bottom lip trying to calm herself. Soley hugged her tightly, noticing her mom's odd behavior.
Bedrich sighed in relief. "There are no injuries. Thank goodness."
It was at this moment that Diana remembered this novel she had been reincarnated into was an 18+ fantasy romance.
Krissie: I hope you're all enjoying this series!
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