Screams pierced the night, a symphony of terror echoing through the village. My mother's frantic whispers filled the room as she ushered me into the cramped confines of the armoire.

"Darling, my dear, listen close," her voice trembled as she held my gaze, her hands warm against my cheeks. 

"From now on, you're Elise. Understand?" Her eyes bore into mine, urgency dancing within their depths. 

Confusion and fear churned within me. "Where are you going, Mother?" I clutched at her dress, desperation rising in my chest. 

Her fingers brushed my face, as if etching every detail into her memory. "Promise me, you must keep yourself safe. You'll be Elise now, and you won't speak of our family." 

"Mother, I-" My words caught in my throat. 

With a heavy heart, I nodded solemnly. "I promise." 

"Please be well, my dear. I'm sorry.. and I love you.. so very much," her voice cracked with emotion, tears glistening on her face. 

As her lips brushed against my forehead, a strange drowsiness washed over me. I watched her close the armoire, enveloping me in darkness as I fell into a deep slumber, her final words echoing in the recesses of my mind. 

"... child here! Your Grace, there's a child inside the armoire!" 

"There's a child, you say?!" 

The voices grew louder, urgency colouring their tones. As I slowly stirred awake, two figures loomed before me, their presence both comforting and intimidating.

"What is your name, child?" The words were gentle, yet they cut through the fog of my confusion.

"... Elise. Where's.. my mother?" Fear clutched at my throat. 

"Your mother... She-" His voice faltered, his hesitation spoke volumes. "I'm sorry. She's no longer with us."

Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to comprehend the gravity of his words, each syllable a dagger piercing my heart. 

"No, no!" I cried, my voice a desperate plea echoing in the hollow chamber of my soul. I ran to search the chaos for a glimpse of her. But there she lay, still and silent amidst the wreckage.

"Mother!" My heart clenched with dread as I reached out to her, hoping for a miracle. But her hand was cold, her eyes closed to the world. Her pale face was a haunting contrast to the vibrant woman who had cradled me mere moments ago. Her features were serene, yet a crimson stain marred the purity of her gown. Reality crashed down on me, stealing the breath from my lungs.

"Mother, wake up!" I begged, each word a fervent prayer, each breath a plea for her return. But she remained motionless, her silence deafening. 

"Wake up, please!" My movements grew more frantic, shaking her lifeless form as if willing her to defy death itself.  

"She's gone, Elise," he murmured, his voice heavy with sorrow. He shed silent tears, his heart breaking alongside mine as if mirroring my grief.

"No, please!" My vision started to blur. 

"Mother, please don't leave me..." My words were choked with tears. With one final sob, I collapsed against her, the world spinning and fading into darkness. 

- - - 

I could feel the gentle touch of morning sunlight, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold despair that had consumed me the night before. 

Is it morning? Was yesterday.. just a dream? 

Slowly opening my eyes, I blinked away the remnants of slumber, only to be met with the unfamiliar surroundings of the chamber. 

Morning had indeed come, but the events of yesterday lingered like a haunting memory.

My fragile illusion of hope shattered like glass. 

I stared blankly at the ceiling, my tears threatened to spill once more. I dared not blink as I fought to hold them back, for I feared that they would flow endlessly.

But the pain of her absence gnawed at my heart, each moment without her a reminder of the void she left behind.

As I closed my eyes, tears streamed down my face, their salty trails slipping into my ears. The ache of loss pierced my chest deeply, intensified by each sob, I never imagined heartache could be so visceral. As the pain engulfed me, my body began to tremble uncontrollably. 

I turned to the side, burying my face in the pillows to muffle the sounds of my cries. My throat burned, raw from the force of my emotions. Curling up, I sought solace in the darkness, wishing for the pain to subside.

As minutes stretched into hours, exhaustion weighed heavily on me. 

How long had I cried? 

My body felt drained, my mind numb. 

Eventually, the need for water pulled me from my despair. My reflection in the mirror revealed a mess of tears and snot, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the room around me.

"Sigh.."

The spaciousness of the chamber alone was overwhelming. I couldn't help but wish my mom could have experienced this luxury before she left. 

Had anyone heard my cries? 

The thought nagged at me, but I dismissed it. I had tried to keep them as soft as possible, after all. Yet, as the day wore on without a soul checking in on me, unease settled in. I turned my gaze to the door, feeling the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me. 

For now, all I wanted was to escape into sleep, if only to find temporary respite from the pain.

A soft knock on the door broke the tranquillity of the room, jolting me from the edge of sleep. Startled, I turned towards the source of the sound.

"Elise?" The voice, hesitant and gentle, seeped through the door. "Are you awake? Can I come in?"

"Ah! Uh.." Caught off guard, my mind raced. "Yes," I responded hastily.

The door creaked open, revealing the silhouette of the gentleman from yesterday. He hesitated at the threshold, his weary eyes softened at the sight of me.

"How are you feeling?" His concern was palpable as he approached, his eyes reflecting genuine worry.

"I'm feeling better," I murmured, my voice hoarse from crying. "Thank you for helping me."

A relieved smile crossed his lips as he settled on the edge of the bed, "I'm glad to hear that." 

Uncertain of what to say, we both sat in silence. "Uhm.. Where are we?" I finally broke the silence, my voice tentative.

"We're at my manor," he replied gently, meeting my gaze with reassurance. "You're safe here."

"Wh-what happened last night?" I asked, as my mind try to piece together the events of the previous night.  

His expression darkened as he recounted the attack on my village, the pain and confusion etched in his features. "Sorcerers.." he explained. "They believed your village was harbouring them." 

"You're the only survivor, we're keeping it hidden to protect you," he continued, regret clouding his eyes. 

"Who would do such a thing?" I couldn't fathom the cruelty behind such an attack.

"That, I do not yet know," he admitted. "But I promise you, Elise, I will do my best to find the perpetrators." His resolute gaze aimed to instil in me a glimmer of hope. 

"What will happen to me now?" My voice barely above a whisper.

"You will stay here, under my protection," he assured me. 

His words filled me with a mix of relief and gratitude, but a sense of guilt tugged at my conscience for burdening him. "Thank you, very much," I managed to express, my voice betraying a hint of regret.

"It's my pleasure, Elise. Rest now," he said gently, rising from the bed. "I'll have some food brought to you."

As he left the room, a flicker of movement caught my eye.