It was a large manor in the middle of a dense forest, an estate belonging to the Angeras household. A powerful duchy of the Kingdom of Ikarus. The estate was given to the first wife of the current Duke's wife from the former Duke as a gift. Although it was supposed to be a gift where they could come for vacation, instead it's used as a house for the Lady and her son.
"Estefan." The lady spoke gently while caressing her son's hair. "Eat slowly or else you could choke."
She looked at him, the young boy at the age of 10. His untidy long black hair being ruffled by his mother's caressing while those eyes which shine like Ruby look at her. He was chewing down some fresh chocolate chip cookies.
"Mama." The boy chirped while holding a cookie. "Have some cookies mama, they're delicious."
Hearing those words made Lady Jane giggle a bit, she looked at him. Her eyes were similar to the boy so was her hair, it was as if the boy was a perfect copy of his mother. "Hmmm." She began to think for a minute before answering. "Mama made a bigger cookie for myself, I will eat it later."
Her jesting sparked some curiosity in Estefan. "REALLY!" He exclaimed with a glimmering puppy eye. "But- mama, I also wanna eat a big cookie."
"Awww baby." She gently pulled his cheeks which were really soft. "You will eat after you become a strong adult like Mama."
"Why can't I have one now?" He asked with a certain childish curiosity. "Because it's too sweet. Only an adult who is strong like Mama can eat it." Lady Jane spoke while tapping her chest as if she was a warrior, seeing this made the boy laugh.
Although the manor and estate was big, the amount of caretakers, servants and guards for the place was low. It was like someone was intentionally making sure both of them will get less care and support in the manor. There were only 3 cleaners in the manor who would visit once every week, guards were stationed at the gate on the outskirts of the forest which is walled up and there was no one for cooking.
But Lady Jane took care of Estefan by herself, she would even make sure to clean the place and even hunt for food in the forest. Everyday the boy would wait at the door for his mother to come back from hunting, riding a horse and carrying a bow and arrows with a pair of spear and sword. She would sometimes return with a bunny and on lucky days a boar.
Lady Jane then prepares the dinner for her son where they eat outside the manor in front of a campfire. It was not great but for the two, that life was peaceful and calming at best.
Until that day came, it was the starting month of the new year. Everything was fine, it was a normal day as after lunch Lady Jane departed to hunt. The forest was a safe place, it was large and lacked any powerful predators. It was filled with animals which could be hunted since the entire estate was a vacation area for the Ducal House to enjoy and hunt.
Lady Jane used this to her advantage, hunting for food because the food given to them was monthly. They would get rations supplied every first day of the month. It would have rice and some vegetables with dried pork or beef which can last them for a week or so. So to make sure her son doesn't starve, she took it to herself and went out to hunt until that day.
Estefan always waited for his mother at the doorsteps, but she never came. "Mama is late hmp." The young boy muttered with his head resting on both of his palms. But she never did come back as he woke up laying on the doorstep with a grumbling tummy.
The boy looked around inside the manor to see if she did return at night but there were no signs of her. Lady Jane has always warned Estefan to never leave the Manor and enter the forest. Estefan now had no choice since the guards were at the gate which was outside the forest as he was all alone inside the manor.
"Mama..." The boy whispered because he was afraid, he stood at the very entrance of the forest. The trees stood tall, the leaves covered the entire area making it harder for the lights to pass through. The only area where the sun could shine properly was on the roadway towards the gate. Lady Jane does not use that path since she directly enters the forest while mounted on her horse.
The boy took his step, Estefan simply had no choice. He carried his favourite long stick which he used to play around acting like it was a sword and a large staff which can cast legendary magic. He walked forward, it was dark and silent except for every footsteps he made which caused sounds of dried leaves crushing.
"MAMA..." Estefan shouted, holding both his hands closer to his face. "WHERE ARE YOU MAMA!!" He screamed at the top of his lungs hoping for his mother to hear him and respond.
But nothing came out, he kept on moving forward. He heard sounds of movements, birds chirping and some deers eating grass. They all watched him but as a child he was no threat so none approached or tried to harm the boy.
Time was passing quickly, it was getting darker and his tummy was growling. "MAMA!" He shouted more and more, every step he took followed with him calling for his mother and he soon felt it, his mouth drying up and with no water his throat began to feel tired.
The sun was slowly coming down as it'll soon be night-time, the boy felt fear and hopelessness until he fell down after his feet bumped into something.
The boy was startled as he slowly stood up, he saw the leaves below him were red, wet and sticky. 'it smells bad.' he thought before turning his head to see what he hit and he suddenly fell down once more while gasping for air.
"NO!" A scream tore from his throat. while he looked at it…
[To be Continued]