The Incantation Page #2

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No, actually.

It is said

that a king of France

when he was

still a young prince,

fell in love with a rose

farmer's beautiful daughter,

his only child.

When the prince's grandmother,

the queen, found out,

rather than have

her lineage spoiled

with that of peasantry,

she ordered the girl

to be immediately killed.

In her grief,

the farmer's wife

also killed herself,

leaving the farmer

completely alone.

They were buried together

amongst the roses

of the French countryside.

Oh, my God.

Wait, it gets better.

It is said that

around their graves alone,

the roses turn a dark blood red,

instead of

their usual pastel colors.

When the grieving prince became

old enough to be the king,

he awarded the farmer

part of his kingdom

and the title

of Count Rose du Sang,

Count of the Blood Red Rose,

your very forefather.

Although grateful,

the farmer never did get over it

and vowed to avenge

his wife and daughter's death,

cursing your family forever.

Are you serious?

That's horrible.

Oh, my God,

you are so full of sh*t.

I'm sorry. Forgive me.

Uh, but-- but, wait.

But my name is Bellerose.

I actually always wondered

about that.

Bellerose,

a beautiful rose,

just like you.

What's to wonder?

Look, uh, let me make

my cruel joke up to you

and bring you

to some local wine tasting.

I could use a friend.

Wait, but what's the legal

drinking age around here?

You do realize

this is France,

yes, my silly little rose?

But of course!

Um, you, uh...

You know where to find me,

so au revoir.

Hello?

Don't be afraid.

Uh, excuse, please.

Is the man

of the house around?

Excuse me?

Abel Baddon of Dauphine.

Insurance salesman.

Would love to have a chat

with the man of the house.

I hope it's not life insurance,

'cause you just missed it.

Out on an errand, is he?

He's dead.

Oh... my.

Might I come inside

for a moment?

I'm quite weary.

I seem to have gotten myself

turned around at the crossroads.

Sure.

I'm Lucy.

Enchanted.

It's a beautiful home.

Thanks. Kind of just

figuring it out still, but...

Hi. Um, this is...

Uh, wait, I actually

never got your name.

Mary.

Mary. Mary, this is...

Abel. Abel Baddon.

It's a pleasure

to meet you both.

Sorry, I'm terrible with names.

I've made some food, Lucy.

I'm sure that Mr. Baddon

can join us,

but you know how the Vicar

feels about uninvited guests.

I'm so sorry to hear

of his passing.

Oh, not him, unfortunately.

My uncle.

Oh, of course.

My apologies.

Lucy, might I ask you

a question?

It's a sales pitch of sorts.

Sure, but I'm saving my money

for the Champs-Elyses.

Fair enough.

You see, I fancy myself

somewhat of a philosopher,

and in my line of work...

Well...

what do you think

of your uncle's passing?

Not sure I follow.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

In good deeds, a soul,

that sort of thing?

I guess I never

really thought about it.

But to answer your question,

who has time for an afterlife

when we're so busy

living this one?

Precisely.

Precisely. Everything else

is just distractions.

The only thing that really

matters is the here and now.

Right?

Sure, I guess.

I mean, really,

think about it.

If once you die,

you're gone,

then the only thing

of real consequence

is what you do right now.

There is no right

or wrong.

Only one life

to do as you please.

So we should want to live

as long as possible

on our own terms.

Please, no need to fill

her head with such rubbish.

I beg your pardon.

Look, Lucy,

have you ever done

anything really bad?

I mean, evil?

Something only you know about,

but occasionally

rears its ugly head?

I know I certainly have.

Is it safe to say

that you have some secrets?

Or regrets?

Now let's just say

that none of that matters.

How liberating would that be?

Enough, Mr. Baddon.

I'm afraid I have to ask you

to finish your meal

and leave at once

before the Vicar arrives.

Oh, he's not home, is he?

Okay, I'll bite.

So what then?

Well, then, Ms. Bellerose,

you would be all-powerful.

You could do anything you want

with no consequence.

Death would be your only enemy.

As long as you were alive,

you would no longer

have to live in fear.

Mr. Baddon, I beg of you.

I'm sorry.

My manners.

It's just a spiel

that I'm perfecting

to sell more policies.

Thank you very much

for the meal, Miss Mary.

And, Ms. Lucy,

you will think about it, yes?

Sorry. I don't plan

on dying anytime soon.

No one ever does.

Don't mind him, Mademoiselle.

-The Vicar?

-No, Mr. Baddon.

No, I know. I mean, you said

he was gone for the day?

I'm afraid he's the only one

ordained in the whole parish.

He will be gone

most of the day.

Cool.

Excuse me.

Thanks for lunch, by the way.

Relax.

This is my house.

All right.

I know when you guys

see this,

it won't be live,

but I'm exploring

this really creepy castle

that my family owns.

They told me

not to come up here.

Ooooh!

If this is my last post,

please...

Hello?

Is anybody there?

It's Lucy.

Whoa.

Ugh!

-What's the matter?

Stay away.

Lucy, please. I only came back

to get my hat.

The chambermaid asked me

to come look for you.

She was certain you strayed

somewhere

where you shouldn't have.

I said back away!

Very well.

I'll just give you

a moment to calm down.

Lucy, I heard a scream.

Are you all right?

I couldn't find anyone,

so I just let myself in.

Uh, it's...

That's okay. I just...

I just finished burying your...

I mean, I'm off work.

I wanted to take you up

on that drink offer.

Sounds like you could use one.

Yeah. Yeah, I need to get

out of here for a minute.

Are you sure you're okay?

Yeah! Yeah, um...

I just spooked myself.

I do it a lot, actually.

I'm a glutton for punishment.

Um, so I just need

a minute to change.

You ready?

So what do you feel like?

Mm, I'm

still adjusting.

No, I mean, uh, wine, beer,

coffee, tea?

Or me?

We gotta work

on your jokes.

No, seriously, two things.

First, it's Europe,

so we drink at all hours.

And, two, it gets dark early

this time of year,

so let's make it a quick one.

That's what she said.

-Hmm?

-Never mind.

J.P., can I ask you something?

Sure, anything.

Does this place

seem a little off to you?

I'm not sure I follow, Lucy.

I don't know.

Ever since I've been here,

I just felt a little uneasy.

Well, you've only been here

a couple of days.

Ah, that way.

I mean, I just...

I don't know.

Look, Lucy, I'm not gonna lie.

Yes, the people around here

are a little weird.

They're sheltered.

And there's lots

of unpleasant history here.

These families tend

to keep to themselves.

I mean, I feel

like I'm being watched, or...

I don't know. It's probably

just general discomfort.

Come here. Follow me.

Oh, my God, it's beautiful.

Come on, let's go.

Wow, it really is awesome.

Isn't it?

My grandfather proposed

to my grandmother here,

so you could say

that if it wasn't for this,

there'd be no me.

Well, I guess that

makes it even more splendid.

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