deathless (chapter seven)

Laverne was still wide awake, lying on her bed, when Deborah came in her room and opened the curtains of the large windows. The sunlight that flooded in strained her eyes. Not because it was already high time of the day. In fact, the sun was still fresh from the east. Its moreover because she hasn’t slept since she came home from her walk in the park. Is it because of the shocking reality her family unveiled to her? Or because the brief taste of freedom still hang over her? Maybe, because of His Majesty of Portugal. She slightly smiled at the thought.

“Happy birthday, princess,” Deborah’s voice took her back to the present.

“Thank you, Debbie.”

“You had a good night’s rest?”

“Rest? No. But a good night? Yes, someway or the other.”

Deborah noticed the smile playing on Laverne’s lips. If I am not mistaken, the family tradition was held at midnight so, she should have learned about the truth by now. But, what is the meaning of that smile? It doesn’t seem to fit the picture. Is she all of a sudden happy to know that she’s an immortal?

“How come you didn’t have a good rest? Weren’t you able to sleep?”

“Yes. At least since midnight.”

“I know it happens all in a shock. I have been serving your family since I was a little girl and I knew all along your family’s secret. I know that you are dying to have answers in the past years of your life but I am not in the position to tell you about it. All I could do is to be here for you, Laverne. I’m sorry.”

“You don’t need to apologize for anything, Deborah. In fact, I would like to thank you for always being there for me. That already means much. And yes, when they told me that our family are immortals, it completely took me in a shock. I never thought nor imagined that kind of answer. Nevertheless, what could I do but accept it, right? I mean, I could not change what is laid in front of me. The process of acceptance would be slow, I know, but it will soon come to pass.”

“I am happy to hear that you’re not taking things harshly. The little princess is really a grown up now. But, I am somehow curious. What made you have a good night? Someway or another?”

Laverne smiled at Deborah. This woman really knew her, inside and out. She would never get away with any secret. “They let me taste freedom last night, after the family tradition. They let me go out without any chaperone or bodyguard, which really made my night a little better.”

“And so, how was it? Where did you go?”

“Well, I always wanted to go partying unchaperoned and unguarded, but last night I was not in the mood. So, I just strolled in the park, particularly at the popular ‘Lady Lane‘,” Laverne tried to hide her smile, suddenly remembering the incident last night.

But it didn’t go unnoticed to Deborah. “I know there’s more. Be out with it, young lady.”

“Well,” Laverne hesitated. “I met a guy there.”

Deborah was taken aback. “Who is he?”

“He’s none other than Caleb Santibañez, the only heir to the title of Portugal’s Baron.”

Impossible. What would a royalty like him doing in the park at that time of the night? At the same time, this is not good. Wasn’t Laverne warned about falling in love with mortals?

“So, you made a new friend. And a royalty, as a matter of fact. That’s good,” Deborah was trying not to sound worried. “And I’m happy that you had your wish of freedom somehow. Well, though I know you hadn’t slept yet, you need to get up and get dressed. It will soon be time for the family breakfast.”

Family. Why does it sound so odd this time? As if, something has gone missing. No, nothing was missing. Something was added. Something big. Something unnatural.