Parting Gifts

The funeral for the little madam was held early in the morning. Other than the servants who knew that the madam was around. There was quiet. It was held quietly with a priest leading the burial ceremony. Everyone was dressed in blue clothing, which represented the skies of Witia. Karl escorted Mildred who was wearing a white veil and a sky-blue dress.

It was sunny. Grass swayed and made waves all over this plain. Her grave was not that far from the villain. It was in this corralled garden where Karl found four gravestones. She rested near this tree sprouting yellow blossoms. When the ceremony was over, the small crowd dispersed.

Karl stood with Mildred with hands on his back. He said nothing. Letting Mildred hold on to his arm. Her eyes remained passive, lightless, and dazed. Karl stayed still. Not a single movement on him other than the heaving of his shoulders.

“Thank you. She was peaceful.”

Karl nodded quietly.

“I saw this end coming. I did. I was hoping that your arrival would come and show me a miracle. But I guess reality isn’t so welcoming. I’ve spent all of my luck it seems,” she behaved as if she was exhausted. “I fought and led people for the sole goal of rescuing her. I made use of the war to make sure that she gets to live on. You know? This war was caused because of a misunderstanding. All because studious folks wanted to get their voices heard. And it all spiraled into this awful state where we have millions die. Of course, there are many factors, but nonetheless, you’d think that there was a deeper meaning to this war. There isn’t. All of it was caused by greed and misunderstanding. For me, it was to rescue my daughter. To fulfill a promise.”

“I… joined this war to make sure that my blood-brother lives. I made it happen.”

“I guess that’s one thing we are good at. Aiya, you are lucky to have made your goal successful.”

“You didn’t fail, Mildred.”

“Perhaps… but I wanted her to grow into a fine woman. And now she’s six feet below me. She’s at peace. I like to think that she is. She was hiding things from me wasn’t she?”

“There were. But it’s a secret that I must keep to my grave.”

“You can’t tell me?”

“Yes. I cannot let go of her request, Madam. I hope that you understand.”

Mildred found herself slowly nodding. A cool wind blew from the north and made the leaves, flowers, and trees rustle, creating this washing sound. Mildred held on to Karl’s arm. Her gaze still lingered on the graves of the ground. She hesitated, took one good look at the graves, and said, “I’m off now.”

She pulled on Karl as she left the graveyard. They took the long scenic route instead of the stony pathway that was leading back to the villa. Karl’s gaze went to the skies above Witia. The New Year had come and gone so easily and after five days, the little madam died in her sleep. Karl had not seen someone stricken with so much grief during such time like Mildred.

Despite what they said. Even the Madam wasn’t so immune to the throes of war. That thousand yard stare. The lifeless expression and the fidgeting of her fingers. Karl was surprised that she had so much control of herself. Regardless of the suffering that she had suffered. She was in control. Barely in control, but was still holding on to herself.

Arriving at the outdoor house. The two sat together facing the seas. She held onto Karl while staring softly at the seas.

“Sorry to be bothering you, Doctor.”

“It’s okay.”

She nodded. She made a weak smile and turned to the sea once more. “Would you mind me asking what you will do next?”

Karl paused. He raised his head, “Back to my home. I hope to work peacefully. I heard that times will happen soon. The eight years of war are showing its effects. It’s sad that even though we fought our hardest. I guess there isn’t as convenient as a happy ending.”

“My parents used to say that we must earn ourselves that right. We tried our best and yet we still don’t find that perfect conclusion.”

“And it still goes on,” Karl said. His tone of voice was heavy. He made a fragile expression before he squinted it away. “What are you going to do now, Madam?”

“Continue on my fight,” Mildred stood up with clenched hands. “I thought that after this war. There wasn’t anything to do other than make this island prosperous. Doctor Karl, I couldn’t do anything for my daughter. I wish to do something for those who have lost their mother and father in this war. It’s what nobles like me should do,” she sighed. “The empire is broken and across the lands there are many young children who will have no place to go. I wish to gather them and give them a future. A school for them to grow up into wonderful adults. I wish to give them a chance to strive. A chance that my dearest Marlene wasn’t able to get.”

First she was lost and so hopeless. But as if she caught a glimmer of the light that shed hold on. She clung to it as if her life depended on it. Karl couldn’t keep his eyes off her. Despite the still aura of sadness that was around her. She still was bright as a lamp in the middle of the dark.

She was beautiful and lovely.

It felt strange to Karl that he was staring at her so deeply. He couldn’t help but admire those who shine even when they are wrapped in the darkness. She created a promise to herself. Lifting herself up to a goal she could take a step forward to.

The wind and the seas seem to cheer for her.

 

***

 

Karl stayed in the villa for a few more days. Compiling the notes that he made from observing the little lady. Every action and treatment that was done for the sake of easing her pain and the cures that were tried. Karl planned to make a copy of the compilation and have the rest of the notes sent to Danil. His name held more weight than Karl. Although Karl could use the name of the Company. It would be far better if there was someone who could defend the treatment, and observations that he made. There was no one better than Danil at that.

Karl also made it clear to the Lady that this was for the sake of research. One day, maybe somewhere in the future, there will be a cure for this disease. With her permission Karl called it Marlene Disease. The irregular growth of tumor, the samples, and the notes are going to air mail.

The rest of the days in the Villa were spent taking notes. The lady allowed Karl to stay for a few weeks so that he may be able to take care of the research that his father and his colleagues had started. Karl intends to hire Alicia to copy the documents once he returns back home. During nights he would sometimes spot the Lady drinking to herself. She would always spot him and Karl had no reason not to accompany her.

Their talks were mindless chatter, but since she was his friend. He could not leave her to her sorrow. Not when she needed someone to hear her out. Despite being a responsible and professional woman who took her duties seriously. She knew how to separate her personal life from her work. Of course, it didn’t mean that she didn’t have bias and was steely as people make her to be.

Not to mention that from the looks of it, there were clear signs that her rule here was also coming to an end. It wasn’t that the people hated her. It was because of the waves that had been started by the eight-year war. The rule of the noble, and the fall of it demanded her to stand down. Of course, although she agreed, she did not leave her properties and ownership of the island to the people. It was quite a smooth transition and even if there are others who know what she’s doing. No one would try to go against her. She had the reputation and the power. Not to mention she has the business and political acumen to steer through troubled waters.

She was a great woman. Worthy of the woman who had felled an ancient empire. Mildred of Witia was intimidating as a partner and he understood why despite her status and power. She had few admirers. There were only a few who had the cheek to try and court her. And even they don’t last long with how overbearing she was sometimes. But beyond that mask. Beyond what she let the world see her. Mildred was a woman who Karl Von Alden was glad to know and become friends with. Beautiful and intelligent. With a righteous heart that made Karl feel rather lacking about himself.

 

By the 15th of Janus, 1921. Karl was able to take care of my notes. Karl spent some time wandering once and then while also taking walks with the Lady of the Island. She needed me as a confidant who she could talk to. A doctor who could share her troubles while her heart was still grieving for her foster daughter.

In the outdoor house near the cliffs where the Little Lady would come to watch the seas. Karl watched the seas before they started walking to the front of the villa where an automobile was waiting for them. The two entered the automobile, the vehicle started to drive away from the villa, following this long route to the airfield where Karl was going.

“It will be quite lonely without anyone to talk to.”

“You still have Vicky, Mildred.”

“She is always with me,” she sighed. “But she always thinks of herself as my servant first before her friend. Hopefully when I lose this heavy title that I could get rid of that. I wish to have her as a friend. She is a good woman. Far better than one would expect from her status. I like her.”

There was a hint of tiredness in her voice. Although pretty, she has been lately making an air of sadness that she would leak out. Karl couldn’t let that be.

“As a Doctor, I hope that you take care of yourself. Otherwise, Doctor Jovan will complain to me once more that you are not eating again.”

Her face made an air of tiredness. She looked sideways and then glanced up. Karl raised his brow at his friend’s way of looking at him.

“What is it?”

“You are a sweet man. It’s hard to believe that no lady has fallen for you.”

“Well, I did spend time fighting in a long war and I have not thought of courting a lady seeing how I’m still adjusting to this new way of life,” Karl replied. His eyes went outside of the window. He saw fields being prepared by the farmers. Ready to once again to grow golden fields of grain.

“Did you learn to be polite with women from your many aunties?”

“They did teach me well. I’ve spent so much time with them that it’s impossible not to know how to be polite.”

“It’s a good thing. It makes you far better than the arrogant, despicable, and utterly shameless man that I know. I like you. You know your place. But you don’t seem to be shy yourself… Do you do this often?”

“Thank you.”

She looked at Karl with incredible worry. “Karl, you are hopeless. Hmm, maybe one day you will get it.”

“What?”

“Nothing. Well, you’ll understand. Do write and call me once in a while. I will make sure to speak with my Doctor once in a while.”

“Doctor Jovan will be furious.”

“Bah, he has enough trouble with his wife. It’s better if I annoy you than him.”

Karl said nothing. The automobile arrived at the airfield where Karl arrived. In the middle of the airfield a plane was ready to take off. It was the same plane that brought Karl to this island. The pilot waved at him. Karl took a step out with Mildred coming out.

Karl faced her and with a smile she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you for coming here.”

“No, I should thank you, Mildred.”

Karl hesitated before taking something out of his luggage. “Forgive me for not handing this to you, but it took me a long time to make it lovely. I hope that you appreciate this.”

“What is it?” She took the photo. When she unwrapped the thin white cloth that wrapped the picture frame. Her eyes froze and dilated. It was the photograph of Mildred lifting Marlene up during the festival. The smile on their faces forever immortalized. She looked up at him, tears shedding, and then smiled wearily. “You took this?”

Karl nodded. Mildred stared at the picture frame before staring back. She wrapped the picture frame neatly with the white cloth and placed it back on the automobile. She placed a hand on Karl and said, “You are doing this on purpose. No, you sure know how to treat your clients well, Karl. Call me, when you have time, do not hesitate to call me. It’s rare for me to have a few friends that still care about my well-being.” She pressed her lips on Karl’s cheek.

“I will write and call if possible. Please take care of yourself, Madam.”

“Never call me, Madam. I told you.”

“Very well,” Karl leaned forward. “See you later, Mildred.”

Karl hopped on to the plane and bid Mildred goodbye. As she became a dot on the ground Karl took a look at the island before telling himself that it probably won’t be long until he found himself visiting again.