WITCHES OF THE CASTLE

"Morning, doctor Lemuel!" I greet the doctor in the hallway after checking on my father.


He is still asleep. He must have been so exhausted by the time he retired to bed last night. That was predictable after all that long conversation we had. And of course, he must have been so overwhelmed with everything, including me, saying that I chose this betrothal out of my own will.

"Good morning, Ellie! How was your night?" Dr. Lemuel asks after responding to my greetings.

One thing I like about Lemuel is his devotion and outgoing virtue. He is so easy to talk with. His maturity and cool nature are what crown his physical hexa. He is cute as well. Just a harmless opinion.


"I slept well, but I am worried about my father. How far is your consultation about the transplant?" I query.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that," he says, stretching up for a second.


He was? That got me curious. "Why? Is everything okay? Has the decision been finalized?".

"Yes. And I have already scheduled a transplant for your father. In two days," he says.

Wow! I can't explain the exhilaration I am feeling. Finally, my father will be free from all this agony. He will go through the transplant, and everything will go back to normal. I can't wait for that day. Finally, we can get out of this nerve-wracking situation because every single second is a scary moment.

"That is good news. Thanks, doc. Is there anything I am needed to do?" I implore, grinning from ear to ear.

"We need to prepare your father and move him to the hospital tomorrow. I will give you the details of the whole process later," he says.

That is great. "Okay, doc. Thanks once again."

"You have nothing to thank me for, Ellie. This is my job."

"I know, but still, thanks for being a dedicated doctor. Not all doctors are like you, Lemuel," I say, encouragingly. He is really one of a kind. Some people are driven by the responsibilities of their line of work, but for him, I see the thrill and passion driving him.

"Well, thanks for the compliment."

"Welcome. I will send the breakfast to your room in a few days," I say.

"Come on. You don't have to do this, you know," he says shyly.

"It is the least that I can do for all of your help. I know it is not easy. I mean, you have practically left your home to stay here and monitor my father. Just let me do this. From now on, you will eat and drink with us," I insist.

"Can I say no?" he asks with a wrinkly face.

I know he feels shy about this, but he will have to forgive me. This is humanity, more than thanking him. I cannot repay him for the sacrifices he has made ever since my father was confined in this room. So this is nothing. "No! Because I wasn't asking, to start with," I retort, and he grins broadly.

"You are so much like your father, you know? Brave and authoritative. I have known you for just three days, and the resemblance is so conspicuous," he says.

Ooh, wow. Is the resemblance that obvious? I think it is true, then. An apple does not fall far from the tree. "Well, thank you. We are cut from the same cloth after all." I had to smile at that. I didn't know I remembered my father so much for even a stranger to notice.

"Yeah. I didn't expect any less."

Huh? Okay…"What?" I query.

"I was looking forward to meeting the only daughter of Mr. Riccaford. To see what she looks like personally. Well, you do look gorgeous, honestly, and your father's traits are all over you," he says, scanning my face.

Ohm well. I can't argue, I guess. "Thanks."

"Okay. I will be in the room after checking up on your father."

"Okay. Breakfast will be with you in a minute," I say again, not to make him blush again but just to alert him that he shouldn't stay with my father for too long to avoid eating a cold breakfast. Besides, I will be with my father after getting Dr. Lemuel's breakfast sent to him, so he does not need to stay here.

"Thank you." He pats my shoulder and strolls upstairs while I descend down to the dining area.

These witches ought to have been asleep. That is all they do after all—eat, sleep, cause chaos, and repeat the process over and over again and again. They are nothing but lazy bones that have no use or value in this world. But unfortunately, they just had to wake up early to ruin my morning, didn't they? That is their sole motive and pleasure in the face of this earth anyway—to see me miserable.

"So, sissy? You seem to have brought a dangerous spell from where you were," Nelly says.

Didn't I tell you? All they do is stir trouble for me. They just never get tired of annoying me. Anyway, it is too early for this. I am not in the mood. I should start preparing my father for the transplant, and that alone is a handful. I don't have time for this, honestly. I am so exhausted.

Ignorance is bliss and a perfect remedy for meaningless situations such as this. I ignore them.

"Nanny Aisha?" I turn to the nanny as I try to assume these annoying faces are across from me. 'Please serve Dr. Lemuel breakfast too and take it to the doctor's room. And include him in all the other meals too from now on," I say.

She nods her head in agreement. "Okay, miss. Right away."

"Wait!" Gracia calls before the nanny can walk out, stopping her in her tracks.

God, please, it is too early in the morning for them to arouse my demons. I don't need this at all. The situation does not call for this.

I snap my eyes at her to at least send a memo that I don't need this because I know that she can't be up to anything good, but I am too late as I collide with words leaving her mouth, directed to no one but me, "Just who the hell do you think you are to give such orders, Ellie?"