"You and I will have a little talk,"

15/05/23

"YOUR visit has surely taken me by surprise, detective," the headmaster of Gillmay High School laughs nervously, showing them where to sit.

"We apologize for the short notice," Tiana tells him, not joining in the joke. "But, this cannot wait,"

"Yes. Yes,"

"So, Mr...

The headmaster looks expectantly at what Tiana has to say but when she drifts off because she doesn't know her name, he quickly tells her. "Mr. Knowles,"

"Yes," Tiana says. "We are here to do an investigation on the missing case of one of your students, Elodie Jane Lynn. Do you know her?"

Mr. Knowles's eyes widened in shock. "Missing?"

Tiana nods and repeats the question if he knows Elodie. He hums, thinking but after some time, he shakes his head. "I don't know her,"

"You don't know your students?" James asks, raising an eyebrow, sounding amused and also offended but Mr. Knowles comes quick with an answer.

"There are over three hundred students in this school, Mr...

"James,"

"Yes...James. As I said, this school has over three hundred students so, I apologize if I don't know each of their names,"

James frowns at his sarcastic tone but doesn't say anything else.

"Anyways," Tiana jumps in, and Mr. Knowles pays attention to her. "We would like to question some students from her class,"

"Right now?" Mr. Knowles asks, clearly feeling objective and Tiana nods. "But, they are in class. Studying,"

"It won't take long. Probably two hours,"

Mr. Knowles seems reluctant and James sees this.

"We will do it whether you like it or not,"

The principal pulls a face but when he sees that the pair won't change their mind, he sighs and agrees. "Fine. Let me make an announcement,"

They watch him get up and approach a small speaker on top of his desk and press a button but before his mouth almost presses against the microphone and his voice rings out, Tiana jumps in her feet, startling the two men.

"Don't-

Mr. Knowles covers the microphone and stares at her with irritation.

"Don't tell them that we are here,"

Mr. Knowles nods and proceeds. "Class 12A, please, halt your studies for the next two hours. More information will be provided shortly,"

"Thank you," Tiana says and urges James to stand up, Mr. Knowles following suit and walking them towards the door.

"Where will you do the questioning?" He asks.

"Just a room," Tiana answers.

"Do you have a meeting room?" James asks, and the principal nods.

"Yes. Let me show you-

"Detective Derrick!"

Three heads turn to the owner of the sound and see a running figure bolting towards them. This makes James be on high alert and already has his hand clasped around his gun resting in the holster but Tiana quickly grabs his arm to stop him from flashing that metal machine in a school.

Mr. Timber stops right in front of them, heaving as he repeatedly points at himself. "Do you remember me?"

Tiana cocks her head, analyzing him and realization sets in when her eyes slightly widen, and smiles. "Yeah. You were with Floyd and Hellen, yesterday,"

Mr. Timber nods enthusiastically. "Yes! I was,"

Tiana uncomfortably smiles and there's an awkward silence but the principal thankfully breaks it showing them the way to the meeting room.

"The minute I heard that announcement, I knew that it was you," Mr. Timber continues, walking beside them.

"How did you know?"

He smiles sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Let's just call it a hunch,"

Tiana nods and the principal opens a door leading to an average-sized room with a round table filled with chairs and a whiteboard at the front. Big windows let in the morning light and Tiana nods, happy with the surroundings.

"Will this do?" The principal asks.

"Yeah. It will," James answers.

"Should I...call them...here?" The principal inquires.

Tiana lays her eyes on his nervous form. "Yes. One by one,"

~

Serena

"Aren't you going to greet your husband?"

Serena wants the ground to open up and swallow her whole. This is unexpected. Xavier's return is unexpected. The week hadn't even ended.

"Y-You're back early," she stammers.

Xavier smiles but there's something eerie about it that makes Serena feel bothered. "It sounds like my wife hadn't missed me,"

"Uh...we'll leave you be," April says and hurries out of the room—Jade and Judy hot on her heels.

Serena gulps. "Uh...welcome back?"

Xavier's smile drops and Serena feels like his true colors are starting to come out now that everyone is gone. He'll go back to normal and treat her like trash or ignore her but Xavier surprises her when his hand drops to the side of her neck.

Serena holds her breath, ready to be strangled but Xavier uses his thumb to tip her head further backward so that her neck is craned upwards and exposed.

He then hums with that frown on his lips as his eyes hold hers hypnotically, making blood rise in her chest and her knees starting to lose strength but he suddenly takes several steps back—taking the warmth with him.

"The queen is almost here," he says, pocketing his hands in his trousers. "So, if you're done, let's go downstairs and wait for her,"

"Let's?" Serena asks.

"Yes,"

"Alright," she whispers and starts heading to the door and the closer she is to the door, she cannot contain the smile on her face.

Almost there.

Her hands clasp the doorknob, ready to rip the door open and hurl herself out of the room but it hardly opens a crack when it's slammed shut. Her eyes quickly close in frustration but don't turn around.

A hot breath fans her ear. "When you're done entertaining the queen, you and I will have a little talk in the office. Understood?"

Xavier doesn't wait for her response and helps her open the door and walks out before her, leaving her alone in the room as she stares at him retreating. She can't help but feel fearful when he doesn't approach the subject right away. It made her start wondering if Lillian really sent him the letter or not because Xavier was acting too calm about this.

Way too calm.

She can run. Yes. She can make it since everyone will be busy and no one will notice her absence but, she's the empress. If she acts rashly, she might put Xavier's position in jeopardy and she isn't even a citizen of Malta. She's Elodie Jane Lynn.

An imposter in another woman's body.

The last thing she would want is to be killed and never make it back home. She's not a quitter and never has been and that helped her to retrieve her diary through Judy's help.

Last night's events

"Did anyone see you?" Serena asked almost quietly but Judy heard her.

"I came across Lady Jalon's maid before I came here," Judy says and Serena's eyes widen.

"Did she see you with the diary?"

Judy nods. "Yes,"

"So, you don't have it?"

Judy unravels her shawl and holds the leather book in her hand with a grin. "I would have fought her for it, Serena,"

Serena grinned and giggled happily, hugging Judy tightly. Judy joined in and handed Serena the diary who politely accepted it and stared at it with awe. She did not believe that it was finally in her hands.

"We're one step higher than Lady Jalon," Judy said and Serena's lip twitched in annoyance.

"She doesn't deserve to be called a lady. Call her the witch of Malta when you're around me,"

Judy stifled a laugh but Serena didn't hold hers as she kissed the book and smiled at it.

"You're mine, baby,"

Judy finally left her bed and Serena started her long journey in memory lane. The diary's pages are a bit crumpled but it was still intact and the ink had not rubbed off.

"I hope this gives me the answers that I need,"

5/9/1816

Father bought me a new diary to write my thoughts ever since Mother passed. It has been two months ever since her demise and the wound is still fresh.

The house is silent but it's too loud for me. I hate it when it rains—especially when the thunder claps but it's a shame because it has always been my favorite weather.

But most of all, I hate it when he leaves me alone in this huge house that once presented Mother's living presence.

____

Serena pouted. So, the real Serena doesn't like the rain and yet here she was waiting for it like a child wanting a lollipop.

12/10/1816

Father came back with news. To me, I don't think of it as good news.

He told me that the emperor had allowed me to stay with his family as long as Father worked for him. I should feel honored but I don't want to see or interact with anyone. Mostly it's because I do not want to see the emperor's kids brag about their mother.

It's not their fault that their mother is still alive but I feel like I won't be able to hide my feelings.

18/10/1816

I'm finally at the emperor's home or should I say palace.

It's enormous and beautiful. My room has a beautiful view of the garden at the back of the house and the never-ending forest. I would like to go there someday.

The emperor is quite stern and never smiles but his wife, on the other hand, is so sweet and has the voice of an angel. She welcomed me with open arms and told me to be as comfortable as I would like. She never talked about my mother other than passing her condolences and telling me that she will be remembered.

The children are beautiful, especially their firstborn son, Xavier. He's a handsome young lad but what caught my eye is his hair. It was so stark white and it was itching me to know why he was the only one with that color but thought that it wasn't any of my business. He is very tall and much older than me. Although, he's very quiet but respectful.

His younger sister, Jade, is a spitting image of her mother but she is more talkative and jovial. I like her.

24/10/1816

Jade invited me for shopping today and it wasn't too bad. I felt jealous that she could afford anything she wanted but she surprised me by buying me a few things as well.

She also introduced me to her best friend, Lillian Jalon. We're the same age but it seems that she doesn't like me. The moment she saw me, her face morphed into a disgusted one but she fixed it up quickly when Jade came through and suggested that we all be friends.

I didn't want it but I have to persevere for Jade. So, I tried making a conversation with Lillian but she told me, "I don't want to talk to an orphan,"

That jab hit me hard because it wasn't true. I still have a father. I wanted to run away from there and never come back, but I just ignored it. Jade noticed that I was quiet throughout the whole ride back home and I badly wanted to tell her what Lillian said but it might end up being my word against hers. So, I sucked it up and told her that I'm just exhausted.

When I arrived in my room, I immediately bawled my eyes out but Xavier found me in the process and I couldn't evade his questions because he was so demanding. So, I told him about what Lillian said and he told me that he would take care of it.

I'm afraid of what's going to happen but I can no longer cry over spilt milk anymore.

27/10/1816

Lillian surprised me with her presence today. She glared at me and I knew that I was already on her bad side but I think she has a crush on Xavier because whenever they talked, she would roll a strand of her hair with her index finger and flash him a sweet sultry smile.

Looking at them, they look good together. Both are from respectful families and are wealthy. But, Xavier is much older so I don't think it will work.

However, he seemed annoyed. But, who am I to judge?

Lillian, though, came over to my room and threatened me. She told me if I wanted her to respect me and stop calling me names, then I should stop interacting with Xavier at all. Of course, I told her that that would be impossible since we live in the same house but she was adamant about it to the point she looked like she would burst into tears.

So, I agreed. I hope life becomes easier for me.

1/11/1816

Ignoring Xavier is so difficult but he got the message and has been leaving me alone. He looked grumpy and Jade even complained about his attitude.

I didn't want our relationship to come to this but it's for the best. That way, Lillian can leave me be and I can be at peace.

I also attended my first tea party. The empress held it and it was beautiful. I told myself that if I had another life, then I would throw such a magnificent party like this one. But, what made me almost tear up was the fact that she called me her daughter.

Whenever the ladies would ask who I was, she introduced me as her adoptive daughter. Jade also said that she views me as a bigger sister and it made my heart melt because it has been a while since I felt like I have a family. Father has been away for a month because of work but I must admit that he made a good choice to let me live here.

I finally feel like I can breathe and live again.

5/11/16

It's starting to get chilly because winter is approaching fast but I can't wait for it. I've always loved the snow. It's usually a beautiful site to see despite the harsh cold and now that I have a bigger room with enormous windows, I'm already imagining how my nose will be sticking to the window, enjoying the scenery.

I bumped into Xavier when I was joining the empress for an errand in town. He looked tired and I wanted to talk to him and start a conversation about school since he's heading off to university next year in America. But, as always, I don't say anything and neither does he.

However, when I'm around him, my heart leaps and I'm usually ecstatic to see his face. I know that it's a crush because Mother has always joked about me having a crush one day. I just didn't expect it to be Xavier. The emperor's son is way too old for me.

But, as long as I keep it a secret then it's just a harmless crush, right?

Another thing is that I don't want to write this but I feel like my heart will burst itself out of my chest if I continue to contain this inside me. The empress invited me for a day of shopping with her and when we were on our way home, she said that she needed to make one last stop and the carriage stopped in front of a...I guess...a boutique called Vienne.

We stayed there waiting for her for a while and I mean...a while until I started getting worried and got out of the carriage and headed inside. The door didn't ring a bell as most stores did and I was thankful because the last thing I wanted the empress to feel was me being nosy.

I immediately heard two people talking and noticed that the empress was one of them. So, I paid attention and it looked like they were arguing about the emperor. From what I gathered, it seems that the emperor might be...cheating and the empress was there to confront the mistress.

The empress kept telling her that she would expose them to the King but, here's the end breaker. It turns out that the King is the empress's uncle.

...

Serena gasped in horror at the reveal but quickly placed a palm over her mouth to shut herself up. Her eyes are wide in shock and this makes her stand up from her seat and take a short walk around the master bedroom.

She needed time. She needed time to let all of that information sink in. She couldn't believe that the empress was the King's niece but she felt guilty when she remembered that she had interacted with his enemy—her father. If Xavier knows about it, she has to be fast and know how to defend herself when he brings up the topic.

So, with a new determination set in, she goes back to her seat and resumes reading.

...

When I heard that, my jaw dropped—almost reaching the floor. I felt guilty that I was eavesdropping on an adult conversation but Mother had always disliked my curiosity. She always told me that it would get me in trouble but I told myself that if I stayed for a couple of minutes, then I'd leave and wait for the empress to come back.

The mistress wasn't afraid. She didn't sound afraid. She laughed. I was appalled at her behavior and wanted to go over there and rip out her hair from her scalp. She then proceeded to tell the empress that she wasn't fazed because the emperor knew about her and a messenger man named Martin.

At first, I was frozen because the name sounded so familiar. So painfully familiar because the only messenger I know by that name is my father. Was the father in a relationship with the empress?

But, the empress claimed that it was false. That she wasn't cheating on the emperor and that he had it all wrong but the mistress told her or should I say warned, saying, "I suggest that you flee, Mallory. Or, he'll not be so lenient. You of all people should know that,"

That's when I decided that it was enough and went back to the carriage and not long after, the empress walked out of the boutique, her face filled with rage and I didn't dare to make a sound.

Right now, I'm wondering whether Xavier knows and if I should tell him but I know he won't believe me. He'll say that I'm just jealous that I don't have parents and want to ruin his family. So, I've resorted to keeping silent.

6/11/1816

Guess what? Our rider from yesterday ratted me out to the empress and told her that I went in and stayed for a while, so she came to my room, not angry but just disappointed.

I felt so terrible and started spewing apologies but she didn't yell at me or tell me to mind my own business. Instead, she cried. The empress cried. In my room.

I didn't stop her or call anyone. Instead, I told her that it was alright and this room could be her sanctuary. When I said that, she apologized for letting me see her that way but I rebuked her telling her that she was human too and had emotions.

Although, she requested me not to say a word until she had everything handled. She also reassured me that she has never had an intimate relationship with my father and that my father is an honest and loyal man. I believed her because she doesn't seem the type to do that to her husband as well.

I hope that she gets the closure that she needs.

15/11/1816

I went on a date with my father today and it was fun. He took me to a carnival and later bought me ice cream. It has been a while since we saw each other and I wanted to cherish that moment with him.

But, whenever I looked at him, I remembered that day. My body was itching to tell him. To help the empress out with sorting her things out I also promised her that I wouldn't say anything. I tried so much. But, I failed.

So, I told him everything. About the emperor cheating on the empress with the owner of the boutique called Vienne and how the emperor thinks that his wife is also having an affair with him. I thought that he would be surprised but he wasn't. He looked like he knew everything from the beginning.

He told me that I was too young to know this. Yes, I am thirteen years old but I'm not an idiot. The empress needed help and I told him that he was the perfect candidate to help her be free from the emperor.

But, he said that the emperor and empress's marriage is difficult. It won't be easy to get between them. I don't understand why he said that or what he meant but he told me to drop the subject and never speak of it again.

So, when it was time for dinner, I couldn't control my glare at the emperor. He was the reason why his wife was so sad and heartbroken. At that moment, I felt like committing murder. I wanted to torch his eyes out from seeing him again—especially his sweet mistress whom I still don't know her name.

My feelings had gotten the best of me because Xavier saw me. He saw the way I looked at his father and I knew that he would come inquiring why I was acting that way.

Wait, someone just knocked on my door.

...

Serena took in a deep breath as she stared at the closed curtains in front of her. The old Serena could be a horror or thriller writer because her heart is beating so fast but she was grateful that it wasn't raining—otherwise, the air could have been thick with eeriness.

...

It was Xavier.

He just walked in as if my room was the washroom and sat on my bed. The room was dark apart from the light seeping in from the moon and the candle on my writing desk. He looked angry but I didn't say a word until he did—asking why I had such a look during dinner but I refused to tell him.

That irked him and he sprung up from the bed and shook my shoulders so roughly to the point I almost stumbled if it wasn't for the wall to break my fall. He started shouting and demanding answers until I reminded him that it would look wrong if his parents found him—a nineteen-year-old boy in a little girl's room alone.

He fell for it and moved away...

...

As Serena seriously read the words, all of a sudden, her head was thrown back and her eyes were clouded. If someone was with her, they would think that she was possessed by something. She couldn't move. It felt like her body was working against her mind.

Flashes ran across her mind, echoes of people talking filled with giggles and crying until it all stopped when she fell—what felt, like from the ceiling to the floor.

She looked down at her hands but her eyes widened in horror when her skin was a blue hue and was see-through. However, she's drawn away from her thoughts when she hears hushed whispers so she looks up and sees a young short girl looking frightened as she stares at the tall lean boy in front of her. Her head tilted and she slowly stood up to her feet.

"Hello?" She says but no one hears her. So, she says it much louder, but the two are so engrossed in their conversation. "What?"

She looks around and familiarizes the room. It looked like her previous room before Xavier dragged her to the master bedroom but the wallpaper wasn't the same. This one was a light blue with white orchid flowers drawn all over.

"Tell me!"

Serena jumped at the roaring voice from the boy and carefully approached the pair.

"I don't know what you're talking about," the girl said.

"Hey," Serena says, planting her hand on the girl's shoulder but it just goes through. Her eyebrows furrowed but she started snapping her fingers in front of the girl, waving her hand in the air. "Hey! Do you not see me?"

"Stop playing dumb," the boy gritted out.

Serena wanted to move out of the way since he was coming closer but she wanted to affirm her suspicions on whether they could see her or not and they were proven right because the boy just walked through her as if she was air. Her eyes go wide and turn to see the boy grabbing the little girl's collar.

"They can't see me," she said to herself.

"Tell me, Serena,"

Serena gasps and it finally hits her. This is the old Serena when she was young. She looks down at the writing desk and sees the closed diary on top of it. With the candle still on, she can see that it's the same one.

"It's not my place," the old Serena said.

Serena sits down on the chair, watching the two as if she was in a theater room.

The boy chuckled darkly and let go of her collar. The young Serena smoothens the crease on her nightgown as Xavier drags his hands down his face.

"There's something wrong. I know it," he said and stared at her. "I'm not wrong, aren't I?"

Serena sighs. "If you want answers, Xavier, then I suggest that you speak with your mother,"

Xavier walks close, his voice low but stable. "You know something,"

Serena looks up at him and gives him a sad smile. "That's all I can tell you,"

Xavier sighs in irritation and leaves the room as Serena catches her breath. Then quickly moves over to the writing desk, grabs her feather pen, dips it in the ink, and begins writing.

Serena had moved before she sat on her even though the old Serena won't notice a thing. She cranes her neck to see but the old Serena suddenly stops writing and looks up at her. Serena freezes as they stare at each other but releases a sigh of relief when she goes back to her writing. Serena acts discreetly as if she's doing something terrible but out of the blue, she gets sucked out of the room and takes in a deep breath before her eyesight clears and she's back to the master bedroom.

She shot up from her seat, frantically touching her hair, face, and body, and without a thought—ran to the mirror at the corner of the room where she drew a sigh of relief when she saw that her body was back to normal.

"What was that?" she whispered. She looked around her surroundings and everything seemed to be fine. Slowly walking back to the desk, she picked up the diary and resumed reading.

...

He fell for it and moved away. Xavier is distraught and I feel bad for him. He has been nothing but respectful and sweet to me. But, seeing him so broken and nervous made me feel terrible.

However, I promised his mother that I wouldn't say a word. I will have to wake up early tomorrow morning and warn her that her son will be coming to ask questions.

...

Serena wanted to read more but she didn't want to experience what she had a few minutes ago. She'll have to continue tomorrow after the party.

End of Flashback

So, walking down the stairs, staring at the strong back that belongs to her husband as they go and wait for the queen to arrive, she hopes that this diary will save her life and hopefully, clear the air with her husband.

______