✣ "α вяιℓℓιαηт ¢αησρу ƒυℓℓ σƒ ∂αякηєѕѕ"

I really do not know if I was following the right direction, however, did not depart from the course at any time since when I left my father's mansion. The road had turned into a complete mud puddle, making it difficult to getting out of my horse, which was getting tired.
  I stopped for a moment for it to drinks water and ets some grass around as I searched for some direction. I could see that later there was the shadow of some buildings. It should be the frontier town, as well as my father described. My father ... I looked back for the first time and could not locate the mansion. Surely I should be far from there to see it and to know what was happening; Claude would have given up and would be looking for me around the town like crazy? Was my father right? I hoped with all my strength so.
  It was starting to get dark and cool, so I started to move toward the city, which was not far from me. However, I started thinking that I could not find my father's house and I did not have any key to enter. I hope he's coming before me, otherwise I will have to sleep outside.{...}

  He could hear a horse galloping further and smiled. She managed to get away several miles from the mansion limits, but still take some time to get to the city. The night was falling and he made the horse speed up the race so he could arrive before her or find her on the way.{...}

   I managed to reach the town after almost four and a half hours riding without stopping. The horse was getting tired again and so slowed down because I had not the slightest idea of ​​where to go. I looked everywhere to find someone who could help me. 
- Excuse me, do you know where I can find the mansion of Luke Ackermann?
  The guard scratched his chin thoughtfully. 
- He no longer lives here, miss. 
- Yes, I know, I just want to find his house. My name is Serena, I'm his daughter.
  His expression changed dramatically. 
- I'm really sorry for you. You must have come to fetch his belongings, right? 
- What do you mean? Of course not, he said he would meet with me there soon.
  He shook his head in negative
.- Poor girl ... Have not you heard anything?
 - Do not play with me, please.
 - I am not kidding, Miss. I only do and say what is right. The news that Luke Ackermann is dead arrived here a few hours ago.
  I had to hold the reins firmly for don't fall. What he was saying was ridiculous! I saw my father completely healthy  few hours ago. He promised me that he would take care and come find me here! 
- It is perfectly true, Miss. - He continued - What we know is that a fire started without any explanation while your father was in the room. The whole mansion caught fire within minutes and no one could get out of there alive except for one person who managed to escape, but that apparently was burned by the body. He could not survive. 
- That makes no sense! I saw him a few hours ago and he was fine! He promised me he would find me here! This is a mistake!
  My hands were shaking so much that I could no longer hold the reins. It was not just my hands, but my whole body was shaking, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured on my head. If this really happened, so the only person who managed to escape was Claude, and certainly he should be looking for me like crazy at this hour. I started to hate him even more after that and decided never to return to that place. I stay here and build a new life by myself.

✣ αѕнєѕ тσ αѕнєѕ

  Claude had searched every room he could to try to find Serena, but was unsuccessful. On the other hand, Luke did not seem to mind at all, since he knew that the girl was out of reach.
 - Where did you hide her? The game is over, Ackermann! 
- I'm not hiding anyone, Claude. Also, I have no idea where she might be at this hour. There are rooms this mansion I did not explore for a long time and do not wonder where are the keys. Anyway, the blame is all yours.
  Claude's nostrils flared with anger. Luke was hiding something, that he had the most resolute course, though he did not know how to make him say it. Sure was that he did not want to support the girl for much longer, however since she was born, he became her guardian and should continue to fulfill his promise to the last breath, because when Luke died the girl would be heir to all the fortune of Ackermann and it was very interesting to his business. However, Claude should keep this in absolute secrecy.
  Luke did not seem bothered while Claude was wandering from one side to the other at the mansion. So he climbed the stairs to his room and pulled out a drawer key, keeping it quickly in his coat pocket and returning to the main lobby, where Claude was walking from one side to the other scanning the lower floor rooms. 
- How long will you keep looking, Claude? If she was hidden you certainly would have found  her somewhere. Serena does not know the mansion as well to be hidden forever.
 - Then why do not you demand? 
- Because it's in my interest that it is, after all, Serena's my daughter whether you like it or not. Also, I have no more energy to play with kids. Feel free to realize that she is no longer here.
  Claude went to the kitchen, where he returned with a lighted candle in his hands. Luke arched an eyebrow, following the Claude movements as he went up the stairs, taking care that the fire of the candle does not extinguish. 
- This will be your last chance, Luke. If you did not say where she is, I will burn this mansion room by room until she appears or you die along with this house. 
- She could die too, What will you gain in return?
 - Serena is not so dumb. Surely she will come out from wherever she is hiding.
  Luke softened the expression, but did not answer immediately, doing Claude feels uncomfortable. 
- She's not here, why do not you want to understand this once and for all? 
- Because you're lying!
  Claude went to the end of the hall with the candle and began to fire room by room, waiting for Serena to appear. However, no sign of the girl. Luke watched Claude movements with an irritating and baffling patience while all his mansion was turning into ashes slowly. 
- Claude, you made a fatal mistake. 
- What do you mean? 
- Look around. You do not have where to go.
  He really had no where to escape, though he was sure that the fortune of the house, Luke Ackermann and Serena would die with him.{...}

   Night was falling as sounds of horse hooves cut the silence of the road that was virtually turned into a mud puddle because of the rain that passed. Besides the mud, ashes lined the floor and the smell of something being burned contaminated air.
  The horse stopped, but the person did not look in the direction where the ashes came. On the contrary, he did not care to know what was going on. The only thing that mattered was to find brands footprints by muddy ground, and when he finally did went ahead without looking back in no time. The person he want to find is not by the surroundings and he knew those footsteps would lead him to her.

❥ συя тнıя∂ αηηıѵєяsαяy

<© to the owner of the picture. border and letters made on ® Microsoft Publisher.>

נυทє.16τн ωαs συr 3r∂ αททivєrsαry! τнαทк yσυ єvєryвσ∂y ωнσ rєα∂s αท∂ αℓωαys visτs τнis вℓσg! yσυ gυys αrє sρєciαℓ τσ мє! єvєท iƒ i αм ทστ ωriτiทg vєry σƒτєท i нσρє yσυ gυys вє αℓωαys нєrє τσ sυρρσrτ мє!

✣ яυи fσя уσυя ℓιfє

- So you already know ... - he looked to my father - Why am I not surprised? 
- Because it could be revealed one day, Claude. You knew you could not hide it from her for ever. 
- Yes, I could, if I had taken her with me. However, things happen, right? - He looked at me again - Come on, Serena.
  I took two steps back. I did not want to leave this house and continue my life as if nothing had happened. I did not want to leave my father thinking of his situation and I would be appeared to spend my life with someone who does not even care what I thought or felt. Anyway, I feared what he could do.
  I felt two smooth and firm hands on my shoulders and I did not look up to see who was. 
- I do not want you to worry about me, do not want you to be thinking about what I told you; One way or another, Claude made you become this wonderful girl and I can not get you out from your own world. As much as I love you, I can not just keep you here.
 - There's nothing for you here, Serena. - Claude was not willing to compromise - Luke is nothing more nor less than an empty and embittered man who lives by ambition and greed. He is no longer the same man, he has no reason to care about you now as I have.
  I could not stand to hear both ignoring what I said. I understand the fact that Claude want to convince me to go with him, but I could not understand why my own father want to give myself to that man again. Was stamped on his face how much he wanted me to be there, but he induced me to go with Claude and forget him.
  I climbed the stairs and went into the room where was the body of my mother. At least she would not induce me anything I did not want to and I could be at peace for some time.
 - Serena! Come back here!
  I heard only the voice of Claude calling me and heard no step behind me. This was further proof that my father wanted me to stay, otherwise he would come looking for me.
  I leaned over the coffin and watched as my mother managed to overcome all this without my father around. How she managed to live with Claude and my grandfather after that? I really can not imagine. 
- Mom ... If you were me, what would you do now?
  No answer, as I imagined. I wanted more than anything to be with my father and try to help him forget what happened, but even he wanted what I could do? Claude certainly would kill me and torture me if I were with him, but worst of all is that he will never let me see my real father again.
  I looked around, not knowing what to do. I did not know what to do to stay here without something bad happened to my father, because I had to be absolutely sure that Claude would do everything possible to have him arrested and executed because of my choice.
  I heard heavy footsteps down the hall and murmurs of my uncle, but no manifestation of my father so far. I could hear Claude walking from one side to the other in the hallway, opening door by door to find me. What could I do? Would I open the door and simply run away? Yes, it was the only option I had at the time, since I had nowhere to hide. I approached the door and listened carefully steps away from where I was. I folded the hem of the dress and took a breath before opening the door.
  He had his back to me when I left, so I went down the stairs as fast as I could to get to the main lobby, where I saw my father standing looking at me. I ran to him before Claude realized I was there.
 - You have to get out of here. Even though I insist you stay, Claude can make the worst. - He said with urgency, always looking up - Leave now. At the back of the mansion there is a stable. I sent my maid prepare one horse for you right now. Take it and get out of here.
 - What about you? 
- I can take care. - He smiled for a moment 
- Go now. 
- Where? 
- Go to my old house on the border to the north. It is the only mansion that's there.
  Claude steps were returning and my father pushed me to the door quickly. I ran to the back of the house without looking back, although I felt my father's eyes on me until I make the turn to the stables.
  As I approached, I could see that there was a maid holding the reins of a gray horse and young, which was ready to go. 
- You know where to find it, just go to where he indicated.
  I mounted the horse and began to gallop towards the north, with my heart on the hand, thinking of the worst. My father was taking responsibility for me to protect myself from Claude. However, I would not have to do and could cause even bigger problems. If my father said he would be fine, I try to believe and expect him in front of his house.
 -Take care. - It was as if my father was with me at that time.

✣ ∂ση'т gσ αωαу

 I simply could not believe it. Yes, there were plenty of evidence that Claude could not be my real father because he never treated me indeed with paternal love. However, during all this time, I thought that Luke felt something other than this kind of love ... He did not even look old enough to be a father.
  However, his eyes brimming sincerity and pain by remembering the past. After he finished speaking, he kept his eyes down toward the body of my mother, whose serenity gave me all sure what I needed. I always knew Luke was a good person, but ended up having a bad reputation for being afraid of losing everything he had. Still, I could see he was trying to convey goodness in everything he did, and that day I saw the dancers for the first time as a child.
  The rain had stopped without our notice, but I did not want to return. If he was my real dad, so I stay here and learn to live in another way, with other people.- Come on. I'll take you back as I promised.- No.- Serena, you do not have to stay here. Do not feel trapped because of what I told you. I do not want you to be afraid to stay here or you miss your old life. Your home is with who created you so far, your home is with Claude Blane.- You were always taking care of me, that's what you said and now I'm sure. When I was close to you I felt safe and happy with the way you treated me, but Claude never treated me the same way. During that time, I thought he was bitter over the death of my mother, but now I know it's because he had a grudge to take care of me because I was never his daughter. I do not want to go back there, I want to stay here.
  I saw his eyes being illuminated by happiness, but at the same time were contained by the pain of having been absent.- I never had the courage to fight for you, for your mother or for our family. We should be together from when you were born, even before that. Your place is with the Duke Blane.- No, it's not! I have the same blood of you and this will never change. I do not want call me Lady Blane, as this is not my real name. My name is Serena Ackermann, daughter of Luke Ackermann, and is as it should be, that's how it always should have been.
  I felt for the first time father's love for years. His embrace, even if it was full of pain and sorrow, he was also born of a love he could never offer so far.- If you knew how much it hurts me to think that I could not give all the love and support that you need as a child ... Unfortunately I can not fix it .... And that's why you have to stick with Blane, and not with me. I'm a monster that can be discovered at any time and do not want you to have to carry this shame for the rest of your life.- What you're saying is madness.- No, it's not. I became Mya, Alison dolls after the death of your mother, because I could not look at them as human and think of the wife and daughter I lost. I was overwhelmed by the pain and madness and now can not go back in time to change it.- Anyone would do that in place, it is not your fault, you are not a monster. We can start over elsewhere, if that makes you better.- Running away is not an option. This is no longer a good parental example and get away will only make things worse.
  We heard a knock on the door.- Lord Allucard.- What?- There's a man in the lobby waiting for you and for Miss Serena. His name is Claude Blane.
  I gasped when I heard that name. I did not go down there to imagine his unhappy expression: opaque eyes, arms crossed and inflamed nostrils of cholera are the only images I will never forget from my uncle. My uncle ... It was something strange to say now, for up to an hour ago I called him "father."- That's exactly what I wanted to avoid ... - he sighed - Come on.
  I followed him without saying anything at all. There was nothing to say, for face Claude was one thing for a few, but my father did not seem as worried about it; it was as if he already knew that this would happen.
  The Claude's image was exactly as I had imagined, which made a shiver down my spine and my legs get shaky as he laid eyes on me. I swallowed hard, not knowing what to say to defend myself.- Serena Blane, what I told you about approaching this man?- How did you ...- I followed the tracks of the carriage, if that's what you mean. Now answer my question: What did I tell you about approaching this man?- I ... It's not what you think.- You do not know him like I do.- Yes I know. And I know you well.- This is ridiculous. - He put his coat again - Let's get out of here now, I do not want my daughter with people of this level.- I'm not going anywhere with you, Uncle Claude.

✣ α ¢ℓαω тσ тнє ƒα¢є

- Luke, you're scaring me.- I'm just telling the truth. I really did not want to show it, but I think that you need to understand why does your father hate me so much.
  Thunder rumbled outside. What does this mean?- There is a long history among Phoebe, your father and me. - Luke broke the silence. - Sit down, have a lot to tell.
  I sat in a chair that was around and he sat in front of me. I confess not want to know what had happened in the past so soon.- I've always been a friend of Phoebe from when we were kids. She was always sweet, gentle and innocent and was always with me strolling the streets of Wales. Over time, each of us followed a different path and for years we ran out to see us, but still we maintained contact through letters. We stayed like that for five years until we find ourselves in one of the presentations of my company when I had Mya and Alison as dancers. She was fascinated and began to think about the possibility of becoming a dancer, but her brother and her father did not approve because they thought my company would not last long and they thought I was a deceiver who kidnapped the girls to make them work for me as slaves, which was not true. "Anyway, I did not want to give in. She had become a beautiful woman and was still sweeter than ever. Over time, I saw my feelings for her grow and become increasingly solid despite the rejection of her entire family. Phoebe had always escaped when long odds and spent hours together in the city, making it also felt something for me.
  When we were finally ready to take our feelings, her brother saw us and told all he had seen to their father. He, in turn, was completely furious and he didn't allow her leaving the house for anything that was preventing so I couldn't see her for many months.
  My company was doing very well and I was invited to work in Germany, France and Norway a few days later. So I decided to try to see her before travel. I climbed the balcony and entered her room with caution during the early hours. She saw me and ran towards me with a bright smile I will never forget. Phoebe asked me to stay with her that night and said that even if her father and her brother hate me, she still wanted to stay by my side anyway and made me promise to come back to see it when my trip was over.
  After three months in Germany, I was immediately summoned to go to France and stayed there for two months. Then I went to Norway, where I spent another three months. They were the most difficult months of my life without being able to see her and unable to send any letter, since it would take too long to get to her hands.
  When I returned, I saw Phoebe's brother and father in front of my mansion, a hard act to believe. However, the expression of them was full of hate, which made a shiver go down my spine.- I hope you're happy with what you did. - Her brother began with the bitter tone.
  I wondered what I would have done, since I was eight months away from here and I could not see her. It should certainly be a mistake.- Phoebe is expecting a child of you.

  For a moment I thought it was a joke, but judging by their expression I realized it was true. I had no words to express my concern for what she must have gone when they found out, but I was extremely happy.- As a child is about to be born, you will have Phoebe as one of your dancers, but the child will not be in her or your care. On the contrary, you will not put your eyes on that baby. Claude will be the child's father, not you. Did you understand well?- That child will always have my blood, you can not change that. Sooner or later I'll find her and I will have my daughter whether you like it or not. I just hope you know that the monsters were you and not me. What about Phoebe? Does she know that?- Yes, and she agreed to it because she said she did not want that kid messed up your entrepreneurial career.
  It broke my heart. If Phoebe knew how much I'm happy with it ... The things did not have to be that way. However, everything was combined and I had no authority to undo anything that had been done.
  Weeks after Phoebe was with me as a dancer, but I did not want that: I wanted her to be with our little girl and we were like a family. Both she and I seemed to be devastated by this, however, we never talked about it until the day she asked to be transformed into a doll as soon as possible to stop suffering and to think about our daughter.
  Even with the heart in hand, answered her request and today she turned it ... She no longer suffers, though I am suffering for her since that day. "- Luke ... I mean ... Can not be.- You think we do not have similarities, but in fact we think the same way. Whether or not you upload the image of your mother and my way of seeing the world, of thinking and acting. Also, I always took care of you at a distance, because Claude refused to spend any money with you and I had to do all since you were born. All you have is thanks to me, not to him.