Two days have passed sinceI was abruptly told I’d be leaving the house I had only just arrived at. Meaning one day left before I’m shipped off to some boarding house, far from home, far from everything I’ve known—I was always homeschooled, so please forgive me if the fact my first school being a boarding school, miles away from where I live and not long after my dad’s passing is a bit… overwhelming for me.

  I wonder if other kids have this problem— or it's just me?

  Not sure what I was expecting but honestly, the past two dayshave been unbearably dull. And by dull, I mean painfully repetitive. I wake up, bathe, have breakfast, and explore the mansion—by that I mean just the Library, everywhere else is off-limits. Then dinner by myself and off to bed. It’s driving me crazy.

  Or maybe I'm just really lonely.

  Not that I'm complaining but that night after the sudden eviction notice, I haven’t laid eyes on her ever since, she’s either in her chambers or out on some mysterious errands which keeps her up until I fall asleep every single time. And the maids? They’re not exactly helping. Their eerie formality, their rehearsed-sounding unison—it’s unsettling. Not used to being by myself, It’s usually my dad and me, BUt Now I guess it’s just me.

  Later that day, Clara, one of the maids, informed me that a guest was waiting for me in the parlor. I blinked in surprise. A guest? For me? Given my current situation, that seemed... unlikely.

  The maid continued with a description of him

  “A young boy about your age but a bit taller, blonde with blue eyes” she described nonchalantly.

  Why not just give me a name?

  Although, There was only one person I knew that matched those descriptions. Just to be sure, I mimicked a knight unsheathing his sword in a warrior stance.

  “Yes I believe he was carrying a sword sheath at his side” she added nonchalantly as before.

  Excitement shot through me, replacing every trace of confusion.. With a bright smile and sparkling eyes, I dashed for the door—because it could only be…

  “Davina!!!”

  Ben burst into excitement. I ran in for a hug in turn colliding with his chest Knocking the air from his lungs.

  Ben—Son to one of my dad’s friends from the knighthood, and also my best friend. Well, my only friend. This is the first time I’m seeing him since the funeral… and I’m really, really glad he’s here.

  “I’m so sorry I couldn’t come earlier!” he gasped between breaths. “My mom wasn’t too keen on the idea of entering a witch—I mean, your mom’s home.” He shot me an apologetic look.

  I shook my head and gave him a thumbs-up with an even brighter smile, letting him know it was okay. He smiles and proceeds to return the hug.

  Mine was a lot tighter.

  ============================

  We arrived at my room. The look of concern on Ben’s face was impossible to miss. His wide eyes darted between the odd paintings, eerie trinkets, and ominous doors we had passed in the hall. Opening the door to my room didn’t help at all, especially when he spotted my coffin-shaped bed.

  “Davina, is your bed a—”

  I raised my hand in front of me, halting him mid-sentence, signaling that he should simply ignore that detail. Ben, thankfully, understood and let it go. Instead, he straightened his posture, clasped his hands behind his back, and in an exaggeratedly posh tone, asked, “May I lay in your chambers, ma’am?” He mimicked a nobleman at a ball, extending an imaginary hand as though inviting me to dance.

  I smiled at his theatrics and curtsied in return, offering a small, playful bow. His stern expression then transformed into a mischievous grin. Then, without warning, he leapt onto the bed with a laugh. His carefree energy was contagious,I began to giggle and before I knew it, I joined him, landing right beside him. The impact made him laugh harder, his voice echoing through the room.

  His laughter was louder than mine.

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  Ben then gazed at the ceiling with a somewhat satisfied expression as he reminisced and let out a sigh. “I missed this.”

  I turned to the ceiling, sharing his sense of satisfaction. It felt as though everything was returning to normal again. I loved this feeling. But I knew the feeling would go away as soon as he decided to leave and then it would just be me again.

  Whilst Deep in thought, Ben poked me on my cheek and I turned to see a grin on his face . “What are you thinking about?” he asked playfully. I then decided to stop worrying about later and just enjoy right now… with Ben. I shook my head in response.

  “Good,” he replied, “Cause I’m bored.” I nodded in anticipation of what he had in store for us. I always loved all the fun mischief Ben put us in, they were always fun, and I had no doubt this would be any different. After these past dull days, I was ready for anything. Well, anything aside from—

  “I say we explore this mansion,”.

  Aside from that.

  I shook my head furiously, alerting him that we were not allowed to do that. Thankfully, Ben understood but asked in confusion, “Then what do you do all day?” I couldn't help but reply with a sad expression.

  Ben noticed. “Well then, what about the book room?” he says “Besides, it didn't matter where we went, I'm sure we can find a way to get into a little mischief,” he grinned

  I giggle.

  ============================

  I led us to the library in the mansion. It wasn't much though, just a room with 3 shelves stacked with a well organised variety of books ranging the history of witches, ancient spells to even intense alchemy recipes. The alchemy books, in particular, stood out. Witches rarely studied alchemy since spells made it unnecessary. I guess my mom was just a bookworm then.

  We got to the library and decided to continue the book I started the other day, whilst Ben just wandered around, scanning the spines without much enthusiasm. After a few minutes, he plucked a random book off the shelf and dropped onto the table in front of me, using it as a makeshift pillow.

  After a few minutes, I began to hear something subtle snore from beneath the book. He had fallen asleep.

  Curious, I leaned forward, carefully sliding the book away from his face. His porcelain-blue eyes remained closed, his freckles faint beneath the soft glow of the lantern light. I had always thought his features were prettier than mine. My green eyes felt dull in comparison.

  Realizing where my thoughts had wandered, I quickly retreated, covering my face in embarrassment. Why was I still like this? No matter how much time passed, my feelings never changed, even though I knew—I knew—knew-that to him, I would always be the quiet little girl he had sworn to protect.

  I had no idea how long I had been staring until—

  His eyes popped open.

  I was still leaning forward, still holding the book in midair. His gaze locked onto mine.

  “Uh… Davina?”

  Panic shot through me. I jolted backward, yanking the book up to hide my face. I must be redder than a tomato.

  But Ben, oblivious as ever, only sighed and stretched. “Fine, you caught me. I fell asleep.”

  Honestly, I don’t know why I even bothered to hide

  He sat up, cracking his knuckles. “Alright, enough reading. We’re in a witch’s house—I mean, your mom’s house. There’s gotta be something hidden here.”

  I rolled my eyes.

  Ben ignored my skepticism, eagerly weaving between the shelves, tugging at random books as if one would magically open a secret passage. I crossed my arms, unimpressed.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  I shot him a sassy look, one eyebrow raised, arms still folded.

  Undeterred, he smirked. “Okay, let’s settle this. Davina, thumbs up if the saying goes, ‘Every story is born of a truth.’”

  Reluctantly, I gave him a thumbs-up.

  “So, following that logic…” His smirk widened. “Doesn’t that mean the stories of witches having secret rooms must have some truth to them?”

  I rolled my eyes again and sighed, finally unfolding my arms in reluctant defeat. Of course. Dad.

  Although I wasn't planning on searching for long, so after three attempts I'll return to the book I was reading earlier, and maybe also start the one he used to cover his face, that looked interesting.

  I searched the aisle in between the first and second till I got to the wall at the end. There was a gap in between the shelves and the wall, big enough for a child like me to pass through but probably not an adult, I always wondered why. I then decided to check the wall. Strangely enough I did find something strange.

  A coin.

  It was stuck to the wall, split in the middle with our coven crest on it. That's meant to signify the permission for others to enter into a witch's home, but was like that on a wall behind the middle shelf.

  I reached in to grab it but it wouldn't budge, but I was able to push the crest together. I was at least proud of that. As I turned my back to the wall, the ground began to shake and the wall parted ways splitting the coins in half once more.

  Talk about wasted effort, hmph.

  But more importantly, there was a small room behind the wall. I didn’t know that.

  Ben rushed over, clearly assuming the tremor was an earthquake. But when he saw the open passage, his look of concern melted into an obnoxious proud look—one that I had spent years wanting to hit with a shovel.