"The mirror of a man's heart is his actions" - Dr. Doug Weiss

Picture above is Rose at the balcony O^O ^^^^^^^^

My eyes fluttered open as I sat upright. I rubbed my eyes from sleep and took in my surroundings. It was dark. It was nighttime, as the doors leading to the balcony provided a faint light from outside. It was faintly illuminated with the moon's rays against it.

My eyes had adjusted to the dark and I can make out a figure beside my bed. It slept soundly with its head cushioned by its arms while its chest rose slightly with each steady breath.

It was Julianne.

I must have worried him with my behavior during supper. I suppose he got worked up and slept beside me to make sure I was okay.

Julianne was always so caring.

I quietly went down the bed, barefooted to cushion my steps. I wouldn't risk waking Julianne up; knowing he watched me sleep was enough to put a stint shade in my cheeks. I made my way to the balcony, stopping in front of the glass doors leading to it.

My hands gripped both of the wooden knobs. I turned it, cautious not to make any noise. I shut it gently behind me, walking to stand at the edge of the balcony with the light of the moon against the paleness of my skin.

I stared at the moon, something I was now accustomed in doing.

It never failed to amaze me: the beauty that the moon holds. It had a mysterious feel to it along with its luminescent glow, standing out from the darkness of the night to give light to travelers all over the fair lands.

It served as their guide to avoid losing their way towards their destination. Like a guide or a companion.

I stared at the moon a little longer, as if doing so could somehow get me some answers, some enlightenment of some sort to somehow bring an essential puzzle piece to the entire picture.

The moon was there that night Julianne had died, full and mysterious. The memory was still as clear as day inside my head, which is more than I can say for my other memories.

More importantly, I finally remembered my sweet Dianne. What Dianne had said in my dream had me rethinking everything. She told me to stay away from Julianne, but the question was, why? I couldn't think of one reason. It was simply just a dream, wasn't it? Who was I to listen to the requests of a silly dream?

Julianne was everything you could ask for in a man, I tried to reason out to my subconscious. The caring, intelligent, handsome, rich, individual any woman would die to be with. What more could you ask for? A dazzling face with a striking wealth to match?

Stay away from Julianne Vilgrain.

Dianne's voice kept echoing in my head. I had to admit, I felt a nagging feeling that something was indeed wrong in all of this. Like something was missing aside from Dianne's loving figure. Like something else was hidden from me. It was that growing void in my heart like someone just stuck their hand inside and squeezed my beating heart, hard. It was painfully unexplainable.

Or someone. a voice once again whispered. Remember.

I have to keep calm to get some answers. Panicking will not get me anywhere but losing my mind.

Focus Rose.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.

Focus.

What does she mean by don't believe everything you see nor hear? What's there not to believe?

This was all so frustrating. I wanted to search my memories for some enlightenment, but it proved to be harder than I thought. Every time I tried to, it was like there's a giant wall stopping me from seeing those essential memories; like it wants to keep me in the dark, hindering me from the answers that I seek.

It wanted to keep the secrets hidden.

Then I would just make use of my remaining memory.

The mysterious man with the golden hair and blue eyes. That one faithful afternoon when Julianne had decided to carry me shamelessly towards the bedroom, my bedroom, it had somehow triggered that distant memory. It had somehow made a dent on the said wall, putting a starting crack to the mass of concrete blocking it.

I focused on the memory, trying hard to remember the details.

There it is... I just had to focus on it. I can feel the wall slowly residing, breaking down into nothing but a sheer mass of rubles.

I could feel it crumbling.

Just a little more...

Now I doubted if seeing young Master Julianne Vilgrain was worth hurting Dianne. It nagged at me. Seeing Dianne cry for the first time was like a stab to my heart. It feels like I died the moment those tears touched the ground.

I remember feeling uncertain. A little bit scared even.

Afraid.

Afraid of what would change and be lost if I ever found whatever it was I had been searching for that night.

The figure beside me emanated warmth and assurance, that somehow I felt secure, despite the fear that had instilled itself in my body.

As we made our way towards the table, my feet froze. It was like something was stopping me from even getting near.

"What's wrong?" concern was plastered in his face "You can't have cold feet now."

"No it's- I can't move. I can't literally move." I tried moving one of my feet, but it was no use.

"I'm stuck. Wha-!"

He carried me, bridal-style, like I weighed nothing. I stared wide-eyed at his face. He had a determined expression on his face while his mouth was pressed in a thin line. He caught me staring and it was easily replaced with a smile.

I tried hard to focus on his face, to make his features clearer. Maybe then I'll remember his name.

Maybe.

"You could have just told me that you wanted me to carry you." the young man muttered "You didn't have to pretend." he had a sly grin on his mouth.

I remember frowning at that moment, but deep inside, what I really wanted was to smile at him for his sly remark.

His face was still blurry, too unfocused to recognize. No matter how much I tried, the image just won't get any clearer.

He just had to ruin the mood with his mouth. "Whatever floats your boat Master Regan."

"Regan" he corrected.

"Regan" I smiled.

That's right...

"Regan." I whispered.

A pair of strong arms encircled my waist from behind.

I almost jumped in surprise while my hands subconsciously kept a tight hold on the railings. My heart just felt like it did a somersault and leaped off my chest. It continued to beat wildly like I had been caught doing something I shouldn't have.

"Re- Julianne! You have startled me!" I gave a small laugh to hide the surprise from my voice.

I almost got his name wrong.

He didn't seem to notice though. It was so obvious that I suspected he just plainly didn't care. "What is my bride doing in the balcony so late at night?" he kissed my cheek, slowly trailing kisses down to my neck "It's cold out here, you might get sick." he mumbled, worry pouring out from Julianne's voice as he continued to nuzzle on my neck. "I felt you leave me on the bed. It was cold without you" he mumbled

"I was just-" I struggled for a reply. I was nervous and I don't even know why, "wondering..." I finished lamely.

"About what?" he inquired.

"About uh- our wedding" I lied. "You haven't told me when it was going to be-"

"Oh my, I haven't, have I?" he clucked his tongue and thankfully stopped his kisses "how careless of me." He placed his chin on my head as his strong arms encircled me from behind, locking me in place. He made sure not to put his entire weight on me to avoid crushing me with his large built. "It may be in any date you wish. Just say it" he whispered close, his lips brushing my earlobe softly. "I can give you the world Rose"

Don't believe everything you see nor hear. Dianne's voice whispered.

I needed to take a chance.

"Julianne, if it is not any trouble," I started.

"Say your demands and it will be done, my sweet Rosabelle. It's only a matter of perspective you see-"

Dianne was worth the risk.

"I want to see Dianne." I quickly blurted out.

This was Julianne were talking about... He wouldn't hurt me...

The place had suddenly become dead silent. I regretted cutting Julianne off from his sentence but it was too late to back out now. I wondered if he was going to say yes or no, or scold me for even mentioning it. It boggled my mind. The silence was deafening until Julianne had decided to break it.

"Apparently, I stand corrected" he turned me slowly, his body pressing me against the balcony edge. Demanding, but not hurtful. Not yet. The same cold, eerie aura that first time I had seen him so angry that one morning, was now seeping off his body like an untamable storm. There was barely any trace of it upon his face but anyone would be swallowed with the intensity of Julianne's gaze. It was both hypnotizing and bone-chilling at the same time. "It is clearly impossible considering Dianne had left the manor, months ago."

I bravely looked directly at his emerald orbs, to search for anything that can somehow give him away. Anything that can tell me he was lying and Dianne was just here, patiently waiting for my return.

Anything at all.

He remained unfazed, breathing even as his voice continued to speak surely.

"As much as it pains me to say this, she left because of you" his hands went to cup my face, softly and assuring. "Not like me, she actually saw you as a mere... nuisance"

"No, Dianne loved me" I tried to defend. It was all too soon. His statement was like a cold bucket of ice cold water thrown into my head. Julianne didn't even try to sugarcoat the situation. It feels like a father telling her daughter during Christmas Eve that Santa Claus had never existed, and that she wasn't getting any presents for Christmas this year.

It served to be heartbreaking and true.

"Love, she pretended to. I'm fairly certain she did. No, scratch that. I'm by far, sure of myself, that she did." He took a moment's pause, and continued "After all," I can see he doubted if he should even continue, but nonetheless did, "she was paid to."

I refused to believe him, though he showed no signs of lying but of one of compassion and concern. I loved Dianne, and I know she loved me too. I felt it in the way she looked at me. In the way she smiled so genuinely, no one could ever in a million years, fake that. It was simply unbelievable.

Yet this man...

This man threatens to shatter my entire existence from that single phrase, a phrase that can change my entire perspective about the world.

My world.

I remember all those times I asked for forgiveness for hurting her with my harsh words. And in the evening, as the time of the day to rest finally arrives to greet us, we would sit in front of the fire as I place my head on her lap, her hands stroking my hair gently and lovingly. She would say "Child, nothing can make me hate you" and I'd just kiss her in the cheek, as my nose struggled to keep the snot intact inside my nose. And when it was time to sleep, she would carefully kiss me on my cheek, muttering sweet words as she gently lay beside me, slowly lulling me to sleep.

When we'd sleep in our quarters later on, I would see in my half-asleep state Dianne putting a blanket over me when the night was cold, even though it was only enough for one person.

Dianne was no doubt, everything, if not more, a mother could be to me.

She made me feel loved, beautiful, irreplaceable, and gave me a place I could call home.

Dianne was my home.

So tell me, how could that be all a lie? How could a person keep up a good, believable, lie for eighteen years?

My face must have manifested my doubt, because moments after, Julianne had motionlessly answered.

"I guess there's no point in hiding it then," he looked me directly in the eye, and giving me a look that didn't have a hint of regret nor remorse, answered slowly and menacingly.

"Love, I paid her to do it."

"Paid her... Paid her?!? No Julianne. You must be joking?" he remained unmoving "You couldn't have."

I chuckled humorlessly. I looked like a crazed woman. The tears that threatened to fall from my eyes felt heavier, as the unveiled truth had reached my ears to stab my heart as well. Though the words that fell from Julianne's mouth had shattered eighteen years of my existence, no hint of regret can be traced from his god-like face. Funny how moments ago it had shown immeasurable compassion.

I trusted him as much as if I could give my life to protect him I would, but this.

This was unforgivable.

"I simply found no value to her, considering you went to me that night. Do you remember love? You went to me that night during dinner. That was lovely." He whispered "She was rather, eager to leave if you ask me."

Lies.

I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that everything that happened up to now was all a big lie. It simply was unbelievable. How many times have I even said that? Too many times because it simply was! Almost as if everything was planned from the beginning.

"I did it to protect you" he finally said. His face held one of steel. They hinted no feeling, no emotion.

Not even a drop of regret.

I wanted Julianne Vilgrain, not this emotionless monster. I wanted my sweet, caring Julianne back.

I refuse to meet his gaze as I said with all the power I can muster "Dianne had loved me and I had felt it." I felt a strong need to defend Dianne, my Dianne, from his accusations. I also felt like I was going to cry like a child, desperate for comfort but tried to push the thought away. "Do not mistake me for a fool!" I strongly proclaimed.

He hugged me tightly, his right hand placed on my head to stroke my hair. "Sshhh. I know how you feel love". I felt revolted by his touch. This wasn't Julianne anymore but something else. It has to be. He stopped stroking my hair to whisper sweet words of assurance to my ears "I am here Rose. Hush now love." As much as I try to deny it I felt safe in his embrace. These were the arms that had kept me safe and warm these past few months and had adorned me with all the love one could receive in a lifetime. I wanted to push him away but my hands wouldn't obey me. My body reacted to him in more ways than I can control.

I was simply not in control when it comes to him.

The tears finally slipped and all emotions leaked from my eyes. His voice seemed to have triggered something within me, my strong façade evaporating slowly. I cried like a newborn child into the world, desperate for a mother's care, finding it instead in Julianne.

I couldn't hold it any more. It broke my heart knowing that the only person, who had showed so much kindness to me, was all just a facade, for the sake of a couple pieces gold. The pain was simply unbearable.

The evidences were staring me directly at the face and I simply couldn't accept it. Something in those eighteen years felt genuine.

But on the other hand, Julianne's revelation made so much sense. The sudden disappearance. The secrets. The anti closure Dianne had been going on about. It was all to prevent her from growing attached to me.

She wanted it to be as painless as possible.

Moments after, I had finally miraculously stopped crying. My hands went to wipe the remaining tears from my eyes as Julianne held me protectively around his arms. I had finally cried to my heart's content and was now ready to face the matter at hand. Julianne was kind enough to hold me without uttering a single word, which I am grateful for.

I'm not sure I could handle another big revelation on my part.

"And what of my family?" I finally said. I know he had something to do with them. I just knew he would.

He didn't even look surprised by the sudden question. I guess he predicted this much when he gave that startling truth. "They are safe. I had taken you in as a mere infant from the poor side of town." He said. "Your parents are more than happy to oblige, seeing they do not have the resources to raise you."

How could he have taken me as an infant when we are both of the same age?

"Surely you do not think I am a mere... human." he always seemed one step ahead of my thoughts.

"Impossible... we are of the same age." I stated.

He cupped my face. "Tsk tsk tsk. My dearest Rosabelle, I did say I have waited for years, have I not?"

He did say that, but I haven't really paid any attention to that thought.

Well not until now, at least.

I looked directly into his eyes as it transcended to an array of colors. From its natural green it transcended to a red, to sapphire, then gray, coming back to its spring greens.

I would say they were beautiful if my body wasn't filled with such fear that my knees felt like buckling. I was aware yet hypnotized, lost in the deep abyss of his pools. I felt like I've seen them before. Somewhere like-

"In my dreams." I subconsciously said. It came off as a whisper as he continued to stare at me, smiling when he had noticed my realization.

"I was right to visit you in your dreams Rose." He held my arms and turned me as if we were dancing at a ball, facing the balcony and the dark skies. "Your dreams were always easy to invade. So... fragile"

Step, step, turn. Embrace. We continued to dance through the moonlight, our bodies in sync with the rhythm of the night. He twirled me around effortlessly as he glided me across the wide balcony, my breath becoming frantic when the haze that fell upon me slowly lifts.

I pushed him away.

The atmosphere fell silent. I don't know what to say to him so I kept my mouth shut. I was afraid saying the wrong thing could very well make matters worse. Secrets are spilling one by one, and I'm internally struggling not to break down and cry once again with each revolting revelation. This may be the only chance I have in uncovering the secrets, and I was not going to waste such opportunity just because I was in pain. Crying was no longer an option for me.

Dianne had raised me better than that, even if it was all a lie.

"I suppose I should tell you. Creatures like me, we live for eternity, but I guess dearest Rosabelle, you already know about that, don't you?" he started. In a matter of seconds, he had closed the distance between us. He leaned in close to my ear. Close enough that I can feel his warm breath brushing the side of my face "I can make you just like me" he whispered seductively, as something sharp scraped along my neck.

I flinched. "What are you Julianne?" I asked my eyes wide in bewilderment.

"Why don't you guess Rose? Remember what fought that one cold night when the moon was full."

The air around seem to change and suffocate me.

I struggled to focus on the memory.

"A Lycan, and a man-" I determinedly proclaimed.

"A man?!" he chuckled "No man could match a Lycan's strength! I think it's fairly easy to recognize what I am love." he stated calmly, yet his eyes were somewhat crazed and unrecognizable. This was another man. This was not the Julianne that I had grown accustomed with these past few months, instead, something sinister had taken his place to inject an immeasurable fear in my body. "Think harder Rose! Surely you can guess better!"

I struggled to break free from his grasp, but he was too strong, his iron-like grip. I felt scared and my body quivered from fear. All traces of warmth that I felt from him all this time was gone, and was now replaced with a cold, crazed exterior.

"Are you scared of me Rose?" he whispered close to my ear, he held me at arm's length "If only you've read that book..." his voice held a sharp, bitter edge to them that sent shivers up my spine.

His hold on me had slightly loosened, enough for me to break free from his hold. I slowly backed away from him, my back hitting the glass doors leading to my bedroom. It made a thumping sound as I met the surface. I tried to open it, but it won't budge.

Locked.

My feet felt cold against the surface of the outside floors, as my hands went to rest at the smooth surface behind me. He made no move to capture me, making me even more uneasy.

His back was now facing me as he continued to face the unmoving dark skies up above. His body remained unmoving, his breathing calm and collected. Unknowing what to do, I went to stare up the dark skies as a thought came to mind.

The moon had always been there to witness my misfortunes.

"Does the uncertainty of what I am scare you?" he finally asked "Or the uncertainty of what I might do to my sweet, sweet, Rosabelle?"

Which scared me more?

I gulped nervously.

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Dun dun dun!!!! O_O Okay, I just ruined that didn't I? XD