Chapter 9 - The third date

For several days, the seamstresses came in the morning and left after I chose the latter tissue or tried on the last dress. But on that cold morning, they started bringing the wedding dress, which I would use when I marry, full of details, laces, and ruffles. A princess could not marry in any woman's dress; it would have to be a dress worthy of royalty.

I was still tired in the morning, just as I was four weeks ago, right after the engagement party. But the idea of having one dress like this was simply invigorating. When the day ended, the dress was still not ready, but I could see what it would look like when it was ready. With the door to the room where it was kept slightly open, I admired it. The fear of every scene in earlier days seemed to fade from my mind when I look at such a beautiful vision.


I felt my strength back. How would the ceremony and the party go? What should I expect from my suitor? Doubts have increased my curiosity, and my mind wandered to the house in the forest. I needed to go back there at least once more. It felt like an impetus to get back to that dismal place. Would it still be there? Philip would be expecting me? Could he answer my questions?

I thought no more. I talked to Anna, who was reluctant to let me out, but I insisted. After putting a heavy scarf over my shoulders, she gave me a kiss on the forehead and asked me to return earlier this time, as she feared for my health. I left the castle running, as it was the first time, but it was not so amusing now. I let out my hair, and I could feel the wind on it.

The night fell over the forest, and I found the house as soon as the last ray of sun hid on the horizon. Powerful wind was blowing. I closed the scarf and walked through the door. Everything was dark. I lit a candle that was on the table. I removed the scarf and my shoes. I followed through the trapdoor of the floor, down stairs to the crypt. The air was more humid than last time, and everything looked much darker.

I lit the candles near the stone walls, and I approached from the altar. I pushed the lid with difficulty; I had no more strength. I removed the coffin lid. Philip was sleeping, but he seemed dead. I got very near; I felt the cold coming out of his skin. Approached my face a little more. My heart appeared to be in a hurry. I didn't resist the moment and kissed him lightly on his lips.

He didn't wake up. I turned and went upstairs quickly, closed the trapdoor, and felt again the weakness of before. I was sitting on the bed watching the trapdoor cover as my mind returned to the pictures that terrified me before. I didn't know what to do. I thought: how would it be outside the house? He had said that it didn't exist for anyone else.

I put the scarf over my shoulders and barefoot opened the door. "Philip!" I spoke, scared to see him standing outside the door. "How did you do that?" I asked, trying to regain air - "How could you get out so quickly, coffin and crypt and stop out there? How have I not seen you? "Laying his hand over my mouth to shut me, he replied:" I've told you what I am ... don't you remember that night? Where did you think of going?"

He held me by the waist with one hand, while covering my mouth with the other. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from my mouth. "I was going to see the house outside, you said that only I can see it." I spoke, still breathless, "After a walk through the forest, why do you want to know? You didn't seem to care about me when you left my room that night ... "

- But you were fine after all that? I needed to see you again ... and I think you also need to see me. - He spoke quite close to my ear as I tried to release myself from him.

- No, I wasn't well. The images made it difficult to sleep that night, and I usually sleep with Anna watching me; I can't sleep by myself. But you don't seem to notice, nor indeed feel that I was ill ...