Roses [original story]
Title: Roses
Author: rin_no_himitsu
Rating: K+
Genre: Romance, Angst
Word Count: 503
Summary: On the day of Baron Philip Bertram's funeral, his maid Cecilia remembers his presence.
A/N: Pairing isn't Philip/Cecilia, just so you know. I realize the summary may imply something. ^^;; And yes, I admit that my infatuation with Cecilia from RF2 has gotten this far. I like elves. *pout*
When the young master got married, his father, Duke Robert Bertram, sent me along to his mansion.
Baron Philip Bertram was the most popular bachelor amongst the women at that time. His kind nature and devilishly handsome features enchanted the young ladies who gathered up enough courage to ask him to dance at the numerous balls he attended, and the more timid ones admired him from afar.
Even so, he was well-liked by other gentlemen of his age, as well as the children and his elders.
Of course, he knew that he was respected and admired and quite popular, but he never gloated. The young master was very modest.
I admit that, at one point, even I-a lowly maid-was infatuated with him.
The auspicious woman he married was Baroness Genevieve Chilcott. She came from a respected family who had been acquainted with the Bertrams for years. The two had hit it off at one of Duke Bertram’s balls, having the same interests and all. Everyone believed that they would live a happy life.
The newlyweds’ mansion was beautiful, boasting a lovely interior design, Victorian fences, and a fresh layer of paint. The main feature, however, was the gorgeous garden that the young master had planted for his wife. It consisted of millions of red roses-the mistress’ favourite flower. He made sure that the garden was always taken care of, no matter what.
When I asked him why he chose to plant only red roses, he replied “They’re a symbol of love, Cecilia”.
On the day that Baroness Genevieve left, he found a note revealing that she had run off with her lover. He took fire to the garden, and then he disappeared, leaving a hastily scribbled note of his own.
My dear servants,
I must have some time for myself, to think about what has happened. I invite you to reside in the mansion. I do not know if I will return. However, you must know that I am eternally grateful to your kindness.
Baron Philip Bertram
He returned ten years later, with only a bag of rose bulbs. In a few months, the mansion’s garden was populated with black roses. He denied access to the garden to anyone but himself.
For thirty years, he spent all his time tending to the roses, staying hidden from the outside world.
Once, I asked him why he chose to grow black roses. He laughed bitterly, a sad look in his eyes.
“Oh, my dear Cecilia…I suppose you could call me a masochist. I refuse to forget her, Ceci. Even after what she did to me, I still love her as much as I did when we first got married.”
Today, we attended the young master’s funeral service. Tears ran down my cheeks as I remembered his last wish, spoken on his deathbed.
“Cecilia… When I die, I want you to bury my roses with me.”
Stepping up to the coffin, I placed some freshly cut roses by his side.