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At an early age, I understood that I was different. I had dreams of two shadowy figures standing over me, usually one on
each side of me. I understood that they were the two parts of me, for I have always been of two minds, born under the influence
of Gemini as I was.
I cared little for Church, even though my father and brother obviously loved going very much. I was interested in deeper
secrets than those that hung on the cross.
It wasn't until later, however, that understanding of my two worlds came in full. I needed a mask, to hide my true face from
the world, for the world of man and God did not understand the world of mysteries, of secrets, the world where women reigned,
as surely as God reigned in Heaven.
It began with books. I escaped my duties as the lady of the manor as often as I could and listened to my brother's lessons
from the hidden places in the manor. I learned to read in this way, hiding where I could see and hear but not be seen.
Books led me to the search for the Philosopher's Stone, and the study of the transmutation of metals, and the purification
of mankind.
When I was eleven, I realized I needed a space of my own, that no one would ever disturb. Which meant a place no one knew
about.
There was a small set of little-used rooms that resonated with me. They called to me, and I came, and I spent no little effort
in hiding the rooms and making sure the servants forgot they had ever existed. I created a secret way from my rooms to that
room, and all other entrances were hidden, and I never used them.
One last step was needed to achieve me heart's desire. As the lady of the manor, since my mother had died, I had some control
over the household, chiefly the servants and overseeing the housework and cooking. However, I needed more control. I needed
control of the accounts, of the money, and ... well, suffice it to say that I needed the control my father had.
After two years of study and experimentation, I created a potion that would keep my father and brother alive, while keeping
them to their beds, making them sick and weak. I then ruled the manor in all but name. It was enough. No one disturbed my
work, and no one questioned the presence of sickness.
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