Part one: {The empty seat}

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Two memorable years had passed. The sun's scintillating golden rays, brightened the pastured hill. Here they were again. This time basking in the warmth of the summer. Garciá sat quietly on the grass-mat tapestry, monitoring the energetic child lost in the joy of play.

(Chasing butterflies)

Freelance birds glided on the wind and swelled their crescendo chirps in synchronized harmony. The zima blue sky had been majestically clothed by formless white puffed clouds, resembling foam dabbed stumps of snowy-shades, exuding a crux of pointillism radiantly expressed like a work of paint through the genius of beings a'yonder.

Joseliné's shiny black, shoulder length hair was daintly swayed to all sides by a mild breeze. Speckles of dandelion figs latched themselves onto her rose print dress. Gratitude given to the child's oblivious conduct.

Joseliné giggled with a gleeful smile stamped grandly on her face. All the while roaming the hill rather aimlessly. She frolicked on every blooming corner of greenery that her tiny legs could get to. Her bubbly laughter mingled like sweet sounding cymbals with the bliss atmosphere. A majority of the time, she'd stop to crouch, while letting out small, but, exhausted puffs of breath just to admire bugs and critters perched on pointy leave blades.

On seeing this, Garciá's couldn't help but smile. That 'little baby' had gotten so big now.

At the time of her mistress's death, Joseliné had only been a two month old infant. Memories of that time sometimes strolled wildly into her busy mind. Reminding her of the choice she'd made to step in, and take on the role of 'mother' in Joseliné's life. It was a hefty decision to make, true! But a nessecary one. It had been within Garciá's thoughtful heart to do it in respect to Mrs Carmen.

Whenever the maid looked at Joseliné, the diamond studded aura of the girl's 'late mother' radiated off her peachskin.

"Hmm, father's eyes but mother's daughter." She whispered to herself, gently resting her aching back on the only tree present on the hill. It was badly stunted, but stout. So naturally, it would suffice.

Back then, the town's folk often made tawdry claims that the tree had been a didactic sign from nature, as it had grown on the grave of a cheerful heart, tainted by hurt.

A heart once glad, that reformed to a heart clad in darkness.

"What were they going on about?"-She'd always wonder.

Now that 'time' had seasoned her. Their claims didn't seem as retarded as it had back then. Now? The tree symbolized how vengeance will only leave one stunted. Unable to achieve true growth.

"But...I think 'revenge?'...It can be the right choice. An eye for two, I'd say!" -Her younger, more childish self would conclude.

Either way, it was a damn near perfect back rest!

The winds increased slightly in pressure, persuading the grass crowd to dance in one direction. Whirls of crisp, rejuvenating air, filled Garciá's lungs. Relieving her tired body. Like it has been pampered to rest in a seemingly boundless resonance.

The joy which Joseliné brought into her chained life, uplifted her spirits In perilous times of uncertainty.

Now, was such a time.

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"Yo guío los pasos gigante que te atreves a dar.

[I guide the giant strides you dare to take.]

Cuando la urgencia via para responder a la llamada de dicha y fortuna.

[When urgency travels to answer the call of bliss and fortune.]

Soy los escalones empinados que quieres subir.

[I am the steep steps you want climb.]

Cuando tus brazos están extendidos. Lista para tocar las estrellas.

[When your arms are outstretched. Ready to touch the stars.]

Soy el willo resplandeciente
el fuego fatuo, que ilumina tu camino.

[I am the glowing will'o'the wisp, that illuminates your way.]

Cuando los vientos etéreos de guíanza dirigen tu destino.

[When the ethereal winds of guidance directs your destiny.]

Soy el cenit y el trampolín.
Eso to mantiene más alta que aquellos que quieran saltarlo.

[I am the zenith, and stepping stone. That keeps you taller than those who want to jump over it.]

Estoy rondando para elevarte al cielo. Cuando los principados del infierno insisten.

[I hover around to uplift you into heaven. When the principalities of hell insists.]"

Garciá's poem of the heart...(One)

As Garciá allowed her thoughts flow out without relent. Joseliné stumble-ran toward her. Joyfully claiming to have captured a lady bug at last! It had been clasped in the palm of her tiny hands.

Swollen with excitement, she reported her achievement. Slipping up with words, and barely able to touch on the right pronunciations. Then again, she was only just 'two'. What did anyone expect?

"Ga,cee,ah!

Ga,cee,ah!

...I-i...Gwess uwah?!

I kwa'wa wady bwo!"

The child's deciduous anteriors gleamed when she gave an ecstatic smile. Graciá straightened herself up, and extended her arms to the child. Ready to appraise the act of which she hadn't realized was the 'end goal'.

"Wow! Really? Can I see?"
She requested cheerfully.

Joseliné shook her whole body, as if been rattled, then began to guffaw. Opening her clasped hands.

Garciá widened her eyes in anticipation...

"Wook!" The toddler shouted! But Garciá remained silent. Positively confused. Before bursting into a titter she'd been unable to suppress. Cleaning away a tear with her finger, Garciá asked Joseliné, while still feeling a tad bit ticklish.

"Where? ...Where is it?"

The toddler pouted in lack of an understanding, then opened her palms even wider. Only to realize her captive had escaped! She would have exclaimed, but soon felt tiny prickly tips on her arm, trailing up towards her shoulder.

"Eeh?! Here!

is here!

Is here! Wook!"

Garciá looked closely and spotted the small insect. She took it off her and gently positioned it on a leaf next to her sock-netted calf.

"Let's allow it, it's freedom."
She stated. Trailing the bug's movement till it was gone from sight. Her next plot of action had been to help catch something new for joseliné. But, a snarky, snithy voice suddenly demanded her attention.

"Miss! You have been requested for!"

The person in question needed no self introduction. That irreverent tone was easy to note from whom it had come from, and why it had wickedly intended to scathe Garciá.

"Penelope." Graciá called out without turning to face the voice.

Penelope's body stiffened, but her demeanor remained resolute.

"Master's asked you meet with him in his study. There. That was my message...Good day!"

She said, then turned, ready to depart. When Garciá prompted her to wait.

"Please Penelope! Would you be a dear and prepare a bath for this one?"

Penelope gazed at Joseliné. Giving off a glare so wicked you'd think the little girl was nothing more than a dirty rag doll. She clenched her fists behind her uniform. A dark grin nearly escaped her hide. Yet she tucked it away perfectly.

"Fine. Come along Jossy. Let's give you a nice scrub!"

She bent down to Joseline's height and stretched a hand out, urging the girl to take hold, while at the same time regurgitating into her own guts.

"Come on dear."

She feigned kindness. But Joseliné rejected to follow her and sought out Garciá's skirt to hold and hide behind instead.

"You little...come with me!"

She pulled on the girls arm with as much force as possible. Her face was shadowed by contempt, anger, and disgust.

She was sure Joseliné hated her.

But why?

What was wrong with HER?

Was it her face?

Her smell? No it couldn't be...she was the best groomed maid in the whole mansion. Her main duty was to tend to her master's vineyard and greenhouse. She worked with a variety of flowers everyday. There was no way Joseliné was avoiding her presence because of smell!

Ever since the girl was born, Joseliné would always run away from her.

That blasted child nearly cost her the privileges she enjoyed in the mansion. Back when lady Carmen was alive, an incident happened. One so vile her mind couldn't discard it. Mistress Carmen had been in one of her irritable moods and wasn't in a steady mind frame to cuddle her child. So, she placed her baby in Penelope's care. During that period, Penelope had just been welcomed into the mansion.

Polite, exceptional in her duties and well mannered. That was the image everyone had of her. She'd come from linage of well respected butlers. Her family was of slight noblehood who lived to serve only the most esteemed. It was said any family who could afford to hire a starron, was on a tier of godhood. The family took most of their pride from the highest training on servitude and etiquette. Unlike lady Garcia, who the same couldn't be said for.

In truth she hadn't been accustomed to child care, and the fact that children may sometimes get irritated easily. Where to 'avoid' would be the next phase in their behavior. If only she'd been aware of that fact. Mrs Carmen wouldn't have openly lashed her in front of her superiors. Infront of Garciá. Or him. Master Constantine.

Okay yes, she'd been infatuated.

But who could blame her? There were little to men in the mansion. The guards worked separately from the women. Her young heart was aching for attention. She thought she'd found it when the master became fond of calling her for his tea.

Then...she came along. Joseliné.

Worst off the child was the only one who didn't find her presence appealing.

Joseliné stole his attention. She stole everyone's attention!

'She' use to be the 'treasured one'. Even Raymond enjoyed spending time with her. They made a pact one time, but when the new child came he forgot about her.

Madame Garcia on the other hand had always been strick with her. Claiming that she'd been too 'distracted for her age'.

Even yet, there were still times she was the one 'no one could do without.'

"PENELOPE!

ME!

I WAS THE PRECIOUS ONE!"

She allowed her inner rage build to levels of no return, and squeezed Joseliné arm so tight you'd think she wanted to decapitate the child. This fault caused the child to cry out in pain.

Her folly was rewarded with a resounding strike to the lips from a more than CROSSED! Garciá.

"Ahhhh!!!" Penelope groaned in agony. Cupping her swollen cheek with both hands.

"M..miss you--"

Along came another! this time on the healthy cheek.

"DONT YOU EVER! PULL SUCH A STUPID STUNT AGAIN!

YOU HEAR?

If I find even a single scratch on Lady Joseline?

YOU? Will be Sorry!

A hundred and twenty lashes!

That! will be your punishment! I will make absolutely sure you are stripped to the toes when you receive your WHIPPINGS!

I'll see to it you receive what's due your actions. In front of 'ALL' your junior subordinates!

That way? You'll be made as an example of what not to be!

A Stupid...childish...

outlandishly foolish....

touch deprived heretic!

WHO SHOULD BE BURNT ALIVE FOR EVEN DAREING TO HARM THE YOUNG MISTRESS!"

Penelope dropped to her knees, and immediately bashed her forehead unto the grass bladed ground. Her loud sniffles and inhales brought about a lung burning pain as grass debris followed in with the excessive whiffs of air she'd been desperately breathing in. Her body was trembling in fear...her face was throbbing in pain, her head was drumming a tune. She was afraid. Very AFRAID.

No, no, no, no!

Petrified.

Her maker was the only thing that could secure her safety. She had forgotten. Garciá. She was the official guardian maid to Joseliné. Her personal maid assigned by the Master.

She was her senior in rank. Whatever she says goes.

No body was going to admit it. But...Garciá had ultimately become the temporal mistress of the Lockwood mansion. Her word, was final. And she was second, only after the Master himself.

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