It was night or early morning. Zac heard people talking, Jeremiah and Katharine. But someone else was talking as well, a woman. He had never heard a voice like her’s. It was so soft, and melodic, almost if he were listening to an angel. The young man made an attempt to sit up, but it failed miserably. His head hit the pillow and he almost moaned. Zac’s body was stiff, and very sore. Everytime he breathed in he felt a slight pull on his skin. He began to think. ‘Why would I need stitches?’ But as quickly as he questioned himself, he remembered the wound he had received and just how painful it was.

“I must be going” the woman’s cheery voice said, but she did something that caught his attention, she said ‘Good bye’ in Erath’s tongue. Jeremiah and the woman exchanged goodbyes and his footsteps approached the slightly ajar door. Zac finally managed to sit up, but he let out a groan by accident. It didn’t go unnoticed either. As soon as he looked towards the oak door, Jeremiah poked his head inside.

“Zac, m’boy!” he said as his old hazel eyes twinkled. “Glad to see you up” he opened the door wide enough for him to slip in.

“If I might ask, Sir” the younger man asked quite softly, his eyes gazed downward at the wood floor. He doesn’t care for talking to new people. “Where did you take me?” he asked. Zac didn’t look up, but he knew, the man named Jeremiah was looking at him, probably smiling as he did so.

“You are at the Howlett Manner” he told him, quite cheerily. “That was the Master and Mistress’ younger daughter just a moment ago” he said. Something was very familiar about the name Howlett. He couldn’t quite figure it out, and before long his head started aching. “Is something the matter?” Jeremiah asked Zac. Zac shook his head, slowly looking towards him. He doesn’t care for people staring at him either, or his eyes. He knew very well his eyes are quite shocking at first, but that dose not mean that a people should stare. It is manners that mother teach their children! “Got something on your mind?” Zac snapped out of the trance when the elderly man questioned him.

“Sorry, I could not seem to stop myself” he felt my cheeks start glowing, when he admitted that. Zac heard Jeremiah chuckled lightly.

“Happens to the best of us m’boy” he said walking over towards him, sitting down on the bed next to Zac, staring at the wall. “The people who do not care to talk are usually in thought. I’ve seen many of men like that” he smiled a little wider. “The young Mistress would like you” he said. “You favor the boy she was friends with as a child” that he said mostly to himself.

“How do you know how he looks?” Zac questioned, sounding a bit more boldly. The kind man chuckled again.

“There is a portrait painting, of the young Mistress and him. I do believe she called him “Alexander” or “Xan” he looked at Zac noticing that his mind has drifted off yet again. ‘Alexander? I knew that name’. It could be someone he knew before. He felt me head aching again. Zac didn’t even see Jeremiah waving his hand in front of his face. “Zac?” he said. Zac mumbled ‘Sorry’ giving his attention back the butler.

“How does she know him?” Zac was very curious about this “Alexander”. Jeremiah sat silently for a moment.

“She knew him from her homeland, but he died several years ago” Jeremiah seemed genuinely sad for her. “From her stories, he seemed like a nice lad. But let us talk about you!” he exclaimed.

--

Three weeks passed since I arrived. I have heard many things from Jeremiah and his little granddaughter, about the gardens, the lively kitchen, about the Howletts, and many other things. Jeremiah has arranged for me to work for Lady Meredith, the Master and Mistress of the household’s daughter, I am not looking forward to that.

Zac set his pen down and closed the Journal. Jeremiah had called him just then. The dark-haired young man stood and briskly walked out of the room he was told to stay in. Jeremiah stood in the hallway back turned to him. As soon as Zac was behind him, he started walking and giving the young man instructions.

“Alright m’boy. First, do not look the Howlett’s in the eye, it’s rude for a servant. Just keep your gaze low, but not too low. Second bow when you arrive and when you leave. Third do whatever Meredith tells you, no questions. Do you understand?” he stopped and turned. Zac quickly nodded. Then they were off again. As Zac followed, he was amazed at was he saw. This was by far the largest house he could remember. There were painted portraits everywhere, large vases filled with flora, and expensive rugs. They passed a flight of stairs and a small portrait if a boy and red headed girl. Zac stared at it rooted in place as something in his mind clicked.

“Children please look at the artist!” a blonde man with a beard said. A ten year old boy seemed only interested in plucking off the bright colored petals.

“Father look!” the girl around the same age, pointed to the flowers she placed in her firey locks of hair. The artist stifled a laugh as the man gave up on getting the children to cooperate.

“Zac! Snap put of it!” He heard Jeremiah say. Zac blinked a few times before looking at the older man. “Are you alright m’boy?” he asked. Zac glanced at the portrait and nodded slowly. “Let us go then” he said leading the way again. He wondered deeply about that. The faces were still distorted but the voices were clear. “She is just outside these doors” he told Zac. He stepped out behind the older man and he saw firey locks of hair.

“Miss Meredith” Jeremiah said bowing. “This is the Zac Hudgens, the servant your father mentioned” he gestured to him. Zac quickly looked at the stone walkway and bowed just as Jeremiah did.

“It’s honor milady” he said quietly.

“Thank you Jeremiah, you may go about your business” she said so delicately. After Zac heard the door shut Lady Meredith chuckled. “Do you like looking at the ground?” she asked him rather playfully. Zac shook his head, but refused to look up. He heard her heeled boots click when she stepped closer towards him. Zac could feel her eyes on him, boring into his taller frame. Zac felt her hand under his chin, she was making him look strait at her. She smiled at Zac, staring at him with oceanic blue eyes twinkling. Zac was at a loss of words. She was gorgeous, and familiar, like they had already met her before. Zac noticed the curious look in her eyes and she looked him over. The staring was making him a bit uncomfortable shuffling his feet as he pulled his face away. His green eyes were almost stuck the walkway.

“There you go again!” she giggled “Looking at the stones!” Zac’s face turned bright red, he often was not teased.

“Why do you tease me?” he asked as if he were a little child. Meredith giggled, making him blush more. A blonde man walked up behind Meredith, he had the same eyes which widened when he saw Zac, and face as her, but he looked a couple years older.

“Who is this?” he asked, had an accent. Meredith looked at the man and smiled.

“Hello Stefan” she said cheerily. “This is Zac, Jeremiah told you of him, correct?” Stefan nodded eyeing Zac wearily.

“Go now. She will call you later” the blonde said. Zac bowed and strode back through the doors. “He looks like him” he said shaking his head in disbelief. Meredith nodded.

“It not possible though” she said “He is dead”