Chapter 3
1868 Words
Thomas Ruccie was already informed that a doctor will come to the house to check Amelia's state. At first, he was hesitant. When it comes to Amelia he has to be extra careful. She had already been through too much and he just wanted peace for the child.
But then, when they told that they could somewhat treat her. He hoped. And he just wishes his hope can eventually bring them to the expected outcome.
"Doctor Fersen," Thomas said, welcoming Alexander on the entrance together with a maidservant and butler.
"Good morning, Sir. I hope I am not intruding very early."
"We are expecting your arrival since last night, Doctor."
Alexander smiled. "I thank you for the warm welcome."
Thomas turned to the maidservant. "Lea, see to it that the Miss is ready."
"Yes, Sir."
They got inside with the butler following them. Arriving at the drawing-room, Alexander can't help but notice Thomas' stare at him. He did not say anything. They seated and Alexander busied himself with looking around the room.
"Bring us some snacks and make sure to tell the cook to prepare lunch early," Thomas ordered.
"Yes, Sir."
As soon as the butler went out, Thomas stood up and went towards the window. He cannot fathom looking at the man. He cannot fathom a presence of a stranger inside his house. It's just unfortunate that he needs something from him. Because if not, he will never hesitate to kick him out. This man, Felix observed, is silent yet a calculating one.
"Where are you from exactly, Doctor?"
"Tzinisce, Sir."
"Ah yes. The land of crops."
"Have you been there, Sir?"
"I haven't." Thomas glanced at the man. "I hoped to go someday but with our situation, I am afraid I cannot do so. Amelia requires all my attention and it would not be best to travel when I have a responsibility here."
Alexander clasped his hands and rested them on his crossed legs. "May I ask what your relation is to Miss Vernice?"
Thomas stiffened and Alexander, observant that he is, noticed the man's sudden uneasiness. Though Alexander chose not to bring it up when a knock had their attention on the door. The butler together with a manservant entered with a tray of snacks on hand.
"Anything else, Sir?" the butler asked and Thomas merely shook his head.
They walked out quietly and left the room silent with a conversation that is unsure any of them would like to continue.
"Tea, Sir Ruccie?" Alexander broke the silence.
"Please. Help yourself, Doctor."
Pouring himself some tea, Alexander brought back the topic. "Miss Vernice?"
"Yes, yes." Thomas said. "She's a relative...a distant relative."
"Whose side?" Alexander further asked.
Thomas fell silent but then eventually answered within a minute. "Her mother."
"She's a Ruccie?"
"No. Rebecca is a Von...I believe."
The maidservant went back to them and said that the Miss was ready. Alexander finished his tea and stood up, taking his handbag.
Thomas and the maidservant lead the way. Alexander doesn't want to look too curious but seeing that they went out of the house through the back door and into a separate shelter a few meters away, he immediately concluded that Amelia Vernice was kept out.
It is a one-floor shelter and the ground where it is built is elevated. Though raised, it is still unnoticeable from the main house because of the massive trees and garden blocking it.
Two men were on the guard, both armed and bulky. Alert as they are, they immediately stood from their seat when they caught the sight of the three walking.
"Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning Ed, Ray. How is she?" Thomas asked.
"Quiet. She's..." Ed looked at his companion.
"Stitching, Sir," Ray said, finishing Ed's statement.
Thomas nodded. Ray was fast to grab the keys and open the door for them. Alexander noted that.
They lock Amelia with security on check and servants to attend to her needs.
As they entered, there is a small space for receiving guests. There's a fireplace, with couches and a piano for entertainment. It looks like a common home, only that it is dark. The curtains were closed, preventing any light from outside to enter. A lit candelabra placed on the center table was their only source of light.
"Lea," Thomas hissed. "What is this?"
"The Miss ordered to close the curtains, Sir."
"How many times do I have to tell you that this place should always be bright. If Amelia orders otherwise, do not follow."
"Yes, Sir."
"Open the curtains," Thomas said which the maidservant hurriedly obeyed.
Finally, Alexander had a full view of the house. From the receiving area, there is a small arc that leads towards the dining room. There is a door on one corner which he assumes is for the kitchen.
"Doctor," Thomas called. "Please, take a seat. Amelia will be with us in a minute."
Alexander did sit while roaming his eyes on every corner of the house. He tries to locate the bedroom but his eyes are already straining from looking around and he still cannot find it. There are no portraits in sight, no bright colors to make the small house livelier. It was plain and stuffy.
"The windows as well, Lea," Thomas ordered, also feeling uneasy.
The servant opened the windows and finally, they had a breath of fresh air.
Suddenly, a part of the wall moved and eventually opened.
A secret passage.
From there, Alexander saw a figure but he fails to see it wholly because of the lack of light.
"Amelia, move out from the dark, dear," Thomas said, voice low and encouraging.
Alexander heard the ruffle of clothes and slowly she stepped out into the light. He caught his breath. He is expecting this. He already saw her portrait and still, he cannot help but react like a boy just arriving from adolescence.
Amelia is a beauty. Her hair is as black as the night, tied cleanly on her nape. Her porcelain complexion was more emphasized with the contrasting color of her dark blue gown. She has no jewelry but her presence, as it is, was much of an eye-catcher. She has soft features but her eyes are the total opposite for it screams the coldest stare one could give.
For a while, Alexander was unable to grasp back his wits but remembering that he was here with a mission, he was fast to recover and observe the woman's every action. Amelia moves with such finesse that you can hardly see any flaws. She settled beside Thomas, adjacent to him. Upright and with hands on her lap, it is very clear that the woman had a strict upbringing.
"This is Doctor Alexander Fersen, Amelia. We've already talked about him going here to check about your condition."
Amelia finally looked at him with those striking eyes that make one on the other end unmoving. "So, you're the doctor?"
"I am, Miss Vernice," Alexander said, smiling-containing himself the best that he could. "I am a doctor that specializes in the human mind and nerves." He saw how she shifts from her seat, maybe due to discomfort with what he said.
"I assume you're from the asylum, then?" Amelia shook her head. "I never liked that place. The doctors there were worse than animals. Their methods are inhumane and they took liberties as if we owe them anything."
How soft-spoken yet intense her words and stares fascinate Alexander.
"I am not from the asylum, Miss. I came from Tzinisce. The director of the Yvess and Co. Asylum with Judge Montgomory requested for my expertise on your case."
"Ahh," Amelia said. "Those two."
Even more, he had given her uneasiness. Right from her tone, Alexander already sensed the woman's displeasure from the mention of the two men.
"I am here to identify your mental illness, Miss Vernice, because as what I have been told they still weren't able to know what it is. And if we finally had the correct diagnosis then it wouldn't be difficult to treat it."
"Treat it?" Amelia said, unbelievably.
Alexander held the woman's gaze. "Give your trust to me and I will make it happen."
"I don't just give my trust to anyone, Doctor Fersen."
He knows. Just by looking back at those cold and dead-like eyes, he knows she had through the worst that made her not easily rely and most importantly, trust other people.
"I will not harm you, Miss."
"Everyone said that but they still did anyway."
Alexander nodded. "I can never change whatever happened in your past, all your struggles and all. But what I can do to help is for your future. I am a doctor and it is my duty to give my patients comfort from their illnesses. Don't you want comfort, Miss Vernice? Don't you want peace?"
Amelia fell silent. Thomas, beside her-never interfering in the conversation-was measuring her stoic expression. And Lea, the maidservant, though silent, was just watching the two exchange words.
What they didn't expect was Amelia's sudden rise. Thomas watched the woman with disappointment and losing all hope, thinking that Amelia would simply reject Alexander's service.
"I have been living my life haunted by my past and not once have I felt this peace you are talking about. And I am certain, very certain, that comfort shall never even pass by in the future. I've done things-horrible things, Doctor Fersen. And they all let me paid for it. I stayed in a prison for months without proper food and was constantly beaten and disgraced just to let me speak of my crimes. I was sent to an asylum, made me drink things they never even explained for what it was for. I underwent different procedures so inhumane that I cannot bear to even think of it further-"
"I'm sorry-"
"You let me finish," she snapped. "Comfort and peace are something you shouldn't even think of saying to people like me. If by any chance we felt it, it would be unfair for the people we just killed."
Alexander was surprised by the woman's bluntness. It didn't even cross his mind that she would straight up say that she killed those people. But what he wasn't expecting more is what happened next. Amelia walked closer to him and leaned down to level his line of vision. He unconsciously swept his eyes to look at their companions but they do not seem to have any plans of meddling.
"But you have those eyes," Amelia suddenly whispered, looking at him intently. Her gloved hands went up to his face and his breathing hitched upon the touch. "The same ones owned by a person I've trusted."
"Who?" He found his voice.
He felt her fingers caressed his cheeks. "That person was so dear to me. And because your eyes are the same as the eyes I've loved, I, therefore, shall trust you. You might think my reasons are petty for accepting your service. But you do not know how big of a deal it is for me."
"I shall not think it is petty, Miss," he said.
"Very well." She stood up straight, staring down at him. "We'll start tomorrow."
#DTSOAM
- Writer
