Fate’s Signet

“I understand that this is a lot to process, especially given the circumstances,” he said, sounding almost rehearsed. “But there’s nothing more to be done, legally speaking. If you have further questions or concerns, you’re welcome to contact my office.”

Upon finishing what he had to say, the lawyer, reserved and polished, got up from his seat and walked towards the door. Delphine kept her gaze fixated on his back, her chocolate brown hair framed her face that seemed to hold no expression. The air in the room felt stuffy. Inheritance, beneficiary, probate, liabilities… All words that she wasn’t familiar with.

Even after the lawyer had left, her gaze stayed on the oakwood door. There were tear stains marking her cheeks, even though she looked numb and emotionless. There was a hollow emptiness in her eyes, their gaze distant and unfocused, like she was there, but not really present. She sat there unmoving for a long time. Only the longcase clock dared to make a sound, its ticking almost mocking, with how time felt like it wouldn’t pass.

Until the sound of paper shuffling was heard from the door. She didn’t react at the sound for a moment, but eventually got up from her seat and walked towards the sound. On the floor lay an envelope that almost seemed too perfect, like a trap dressed in silk, with a deep green wax seal that drew the eye; pressed with an ornate ‘V’ curling gracefully into itself. She reached down to grab it, feeling the paper’s crisp surface. Without care, she tore the envelope open and pulled out the letter tucked neatly inside.

‘Dear Delphine,

I offer my condolences for your loss. Though we have not met, certain obligations persist regardless of familiarity.

Arrangements have been made for you to continue your education at a boarding school in Saint Lorain. You are expected to depart promptly.

This opportunity is not without purpose, though its full meaning will only become clear in time.

Consider this your path forward.

Your Uncle, Étienne Claude de Vallière’

Delphine read the letter over and over again, struggling to make sense of the words. She knew that she had an uncle that she had never met, but she was not expecting a letter from him suddenly, right after her parents’ passing. She looked up at the ceiling, feeling lost. It almost seemed like she was looking for an answer or guidance from above, but the off-white ceiling offered none. While she did seem confused, deep down she knew she had no choice but to comply with her uncle’s words.

Still holding the envelope, she glanced back at it, noticing something else inside. A freshly printed train ticket.

She sighed and looked at the living room before her; heavy with all that had been left unsaid, the eerie silence settling over every corner. The worn leather armchair, its cushions dented from years of use, remained where it always had. Beside it, the birch table held a half-empty coffee cup, cold and long forgotten. The home that she grew up in no longer seemed so familiar. What remained was nothing but the remnants of a life she once had.

She knew this was goodbye.

The hours since then had passed in a blur. She had picked up her things and stuffed them hurriedly inside her brown suitcase, though she could hardly remember doing it. Now she stood on the platform with only the suitcase in her hand.

While was gazing at the train tracks, the distant whistle of the train cut through the murmur of the crowd. In only a fraction of a moment, her fate, eternally rewritten, had become a current she could no longer fight.

A gust of wind blew across the platform, making her squint her eyes, already dried out from the tears she had shed. The train emerged from the darkness, headlights glaring. It approached with a mechanical growl, brakes whining as it came to a halt.

The doors yawned open, releasing a wave of warm air into the cold night. The flickering lights inside cast shadows over rows of vacant seats. Delphine felt uneasy for a moment, but before she could settle in the feeling, the surge of eager people started to rush inside the empty train. She let the crowd pull her forward, her body carrying her along without resistance.

Upon walking through the wide open doors of the awaiting train, she glanced at the empty seats. After picking the first one she saw, she lifted her suitcase into the overhead compartment above it and dropped onto the seat. She looked outside through the window by her side, but not much could be seen through the night. Though that didn’t make her tear her gaze away.

After several minutes had passed, the doors hissed closed, signaling that departure was near. A wailing horn was heard, followed by a jarring screeching sound, and the train began its reluctant crawl forward.

There was no going back now. No path led to the life she once had, no mirror reflected the person she once was. Change had come, as it always does, but to Delphine it hadn’t come showing mercy, unravelling the pieces of her once woven so tightly.

At last, her eyes drifted shut. Her lashes draped like a delicate veil, and painted shadows on her skin.

In the quiet march of hours, the steady hum of the train softened, and eased to a rest with a loud screech. Delphine’s eyes dragged open, her gaze flushed with the dusk of the last few days, slowly fading with the coming dawn.

She grabbed her belongings and followed after the people getting out of the train. Once she walked through the door, the cool air slapped her face, thick with the dampness of the morning haze. Her steps made a clacking sound on the worn pavement with a mindless rhythm. Soft rays of sunshine sifted through the chill, casting a pale glow.

She kept walking forward without a destination in her mind. Then, a sudden hand closed around her wrist. She turned around without urgency to face the stranger.

The stranger, tall, sharply dressed, his expression unreadable; reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. Delphine’s eye caught a glimpse of the twilight purple seal stamped in its center, held a ‘V’, carved deeply into its surface. Recognition came instantly.

He held it out to her without a word.

Her name bled across the front in bold letters: ’Delphine de Vallière’

“This is the confirmation of Mr. de Vallière’s directive. I will be taking you to your destination.”

She only gave a faint nod. The man glanced at the suitcase she had been dragging behind her.

“Allow me,” he said, his hands already reaching for it. He took the suitcase without waiting for a reply. Delphine followed quietly after the man, her pace unhurried. At the curb, a black car idled, its engine a low murmur. He swiftly placed her things in the trunk, then without looking at her, opened the back door.

She stepped inside, and the door shut after her with a thud. The ride was long and quiet, without a sound from neither her or the man. Eventually, the car slowed, tires crunching softly against the ground. Without looking around, she stepped out of the car. After the man handed her her belongings, she finally turned, eyes settling on the imposing silhouette of the grand building before her. The towering estate stood alone with nothing but the vast, manicured gardens surrounding it. Its tall windows and ornate detailing spoke of history and luxury. A simple nod was all she gave the man before turning back and walking toward the lonely institution.

After a long walk through the garden, she stood in front of large, ornate doors. The moment she stood in front of them, they swung open without a sound. She stepped inside only to find empty, echoing corridors. She wandered through the quiet halls until she finally stood before a door marked ‘Headmaster’.

She knocked on the door and waited patiently. After a moment, a voice called from inside, “Come in.”

Delphine set the suitcase she was carrying down on the marble floor before twisting the doorknob and stepping inside. Behind a massive oak desk sat a man whose sharp eyes flickered up as Delphine entered.

“Mademoiselle de Vallière,” he said. “Welcome, I trust your journey was uneventful.”

Delphine nodded, to which the man continued speaking.

“Your arrival has been noted. Mrs. Gable will escort you to your room shortly.”

Before she could respond, there was a knock at the door. A woman stepped inside, her posture straight and professional. Her pitch black hair was tied at the back of her head tightly.

“Greetings, mademoiselle,” she said curtly. “Please follow me.”

Delphine nodded and fell into step behind her. They walked toward an elevator and rode silently up several floors. When they stepped out, a long corridor stretched ahead, lined with paintings of beautiful landscapes. The woman turned to Delphine and handed her a brass key, adorned with curling engravings.

‘’Your room is at the end of the hallway. Everything you will be needing is inside. I hope you have a pleasant stay.’’

“Thank you,” Delphine replied quietly, watching as the woman turned and stepped back into the elevator.

Delphine moved forward quietly, suitcase whispering across the floor behind her, the sound soft enough to be mistaken for a sigh.

Ahead, two students lingered by a window, speaking in hushed tones. The pale morning light washed over them, leaving their faces soft and indistinct. Their conversation drifted on, never glancing her way.

‘’I told you,’’ one of them said. ‘’They don’t use the east wing anymore.’’

‘’Too much attention?’’ the other replied. To which the first student uttered an almost inaudible ‘’right.’’

Delphine kept her eyes forward. She hadn’t meant to listen.

As she widened the distance between them, their voices remained behind.

She halted in front of a door that read ‘1844’ in brassy letters. Upon entering, the spacious room, bathed in the soft morning light greeted her. A large bed dominated the center, its covers neatly made, while a sturdy wardrobe stood against one wall. To the side, a sleek wooden desk sat beneath the window, its surface arranged with a few hardcover books, a folded schedule, and a sleek black fountain pen resting beside them. A door near the wardrobe led into a private bathroom, its white tiles gleaming under the light.

Setting down her belongings, she opened the wardrobe to find multiple sets of the school uniform folded neatly on the shelves. Crisp white shirts, black blazers, matching skirts and ties, accompanied by a pair of knee high grey boots and a black leather bag neatly placed beneath the shelves.

She grabbed one of the sets from the shelf and put it on piece by piece. At last, she looped the silk tie around her neck, pulling the knot tightly against her throat.

Then, she stepped over to the desk, putting the books neatly inside the leather bag and snapped the brass clasp with a click.

A long mirror cradled in a mahogany frame lay next to the dark grained panel door. Albeit, she took her leave without sparing it a glance.