The Time Has Come

For about a week now, I've had something on my mind. Well, someone. Not Ophelia or Merlin, but Lianne. It's been a month since I met her, but she seems to have known my Mother since she asked about her by name or at least been familiar with her. Not to mention that look on her face when I had told her that I was her daughter. A look of despair and utter heartbreak. I'd only ever seen those faces in dramas and read about them and felt sympathy, but seeing one in real life was a total other experience. It felt like being slapped in the face really hard. At the moment, me and Mother are eating dinner peacefully. Her mood seems good so if I were to ask her, now was a great time.

I gently placed my spoon down on the table after finishing my soup and took a deep breath. "Mother?"

She looked at me curiously, still chewing on some food with her cheeks puffed out. Mother swallowed after a few more chews. "Yes, Ava?"

"Do you know anyone named Lianne?"

The name's effect was instantaneous, Mother's eyes going wide and her mouth gaping for a moment before she composed herself.

"It... It sounds familiar. Why do you ask?" She poked at her food, a nervous habit I noticed she had.

"A woman who owns a boutique I visited with Ophelia asked for you by name."

Mother began to softly shake. Why? I had no idea. But she seemed beyond terrified.

"Does she know you're my child?" She asked with a weak voice. I could only nod. Mother's shaking increased tenfold before all of a sudden, she fell on the ground. Mother had fainted from shock.

Without hesitation, I ran to find help. I hadn't noticed it, but big fat tears had begun to run down my cheeks like a waterfall. I had already attracted enough attention from many of the other servants around who came to help Mother as soon as I could sputter out what happened.

I'm so sorry Mother! I'll never talk about Lianne ever again! I'll only talk about happy things, just be okay!

Mother had stayed out cold for an entire day before waking up in the evening. I had been at her side from the second my work was finished, Ophelia even let me off early so I could care for her.

"Mother! I'm so sorry, I'll never mention her again just don't do something like that again!" I hugged her waist tightly and before I knew it, I had begun to sob and sniffle all over again. Mother didn't say anything, just rubbed my head gently, waiting for my wailing to end. I hadn't cried like this ever in this life, even as a baby. I don't know how long I cried, or how long Mother comforted me but by the time I had finished, I felt exhausted and couldn't help but fall asleep in Mother's embrace.

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It turns out Mother held onto me for the whole night as I woke up in the early morning with her arms wrapped tightly around me and mine wrapped around her torso. I didn't have the heart to pull away so I simply laid next to her and thought. What had happened between Mother and Lianne to make her react in such a way? Were they once friends? Servants? Enemies? Or something else? The heartbroken look on Lianne's face would make sense then, along with Mother's reaction with me mentioning her. Perhaps a relationship that went sour? But... Is Mother into girls? That put my train of thought off the rails. She had me so maybe Mother is bi? Actually, forget it. Thinking about my Mother's sexuality is something I'd rather not do. I'll love her no matter what anyways. If she wants to tell me, she'll tell me. The best course of action after this would be to talk to Lianne since Mother didn't seem to have the heart to. How would I get out of the mansion though? I spent the rest of the morning until it was time to work hatching up a plan.

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"Ava, I have a request for you."

I was caught off guard and almost dropped the teapot in my hands when Ophelia spoke to me so suddenly. I placed it back on the table before I could break something worth more than anything I'd ever earn in my life.

"What kind of request, Ophie?"

"I want to have some cookies with my tea this week, but no one makes them as well as you. Could you go into town and buy some ingredients for yourself?"

Ophie! My savior and favorite little girl! I'll make you the best cookies after I finish my mission! Yes!!

"You flatter me, Ophie. What kind of cookies would you like?"

"The lemon ones."

"I'll do my best."

I smiled at her and Ophelia smiled right back before taking a slow sip of her tea. I could appease Ophelia and get my answers all in one trip. What good luck! I was stuck smiling the whole day, even though training Merlin in which I ended up beating him up again and Mother's endurance training. I'd be heading out of the mansion tomorrow afternoon and expected to return before teatime at three o'clock. Just enough time to do what I want.

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Walking through Intres is much different from riding through it in a carriage. The stone streets made my low heels make a soft clicking sound that was barely noticeable among the hustle and bustle of the city natives. They moved with such purpose that I was a bit intimidated. I couldn't dwell on that for too long though. My game plan was to head to the market first and then to Lianne's shop so I'd get the best ingredients for Ophelia's cookies and get the answers I need. It was foolproof as long as I didn't get distracted.

I reached the market without much effort as I remembered the way from the last time I had come to the city. The shouting vendors and customers looking for a bargain gave the place life that I could feel comfortable with, despite not being very big on noisy places. The ingredient collecting went by with much ease, excluding the fruit vendor who tried to scam me out of an extra lemon. Jokes on him, as I ended up getting three instead. Mother's haggling lessons had paid off just as I needed them to. With my groceries under my arms, I began my walk to the boutique with pep in my step. When I finally reached the small shop, I for some reason couldn't bring myself to open the door. My extended hand was trembling. What was wrong with me?

Was it because of how Mother reacted to me mentioning Lianne? Was I afraid of her? Afraid of what she could've done? Who's to say Mother wasn't the one in the wrong either? I was so deep in thought that I hadn't noticed the boutique door had opened to reveal Lianne staring at me.

".... What are you doing?" She asked, snapping me out of my stupor as I then stared at her stupidly before letting out a cough. How awkward.

Why am I getting cold feet all of a sudden? I told myself I was just coming here for answers, nothing more.

"I just... I wanted to ask about your relationship with my Mother."

"Why not ask her then?" Lianne then tried to close the door in my face. I reacted by wedging my foot into the door. It hurt like hell and I had to prevent myself from letting out a yelp. Looks like I'll never try doing that ever again.

"I can't. She fainted when I even mentioned you." I let out a sigh. "If you don't want to talk, I won't keep bothering you. I just need you to answer one of my questions."

Lianne stared at me for a while before sighing herself and opening the door, releasing my poor foot. "I'll answer your question. For Martha."

That was more than enough for me. I took a deep breath, a little bit to try and relieve the pain my foot was experiencing, and stared into Lianne's eyes, pink on pink.

"Do... Do you know who my father is?"

It seemed that wasn't the question Lianne was expecting as her mouth began to open and close in succession, at a loss for words.

Does she not know? Did I just waste my only question from her? God, I'm an idiot! What have I don-

"I'll be honest. There's a high chance that I'm your father."

"..................Eh?"

Eh?

"PLEASE ELABORATE."

I was surprised at the volume and pitch of my voice, loud and high, but my brain's wheels were turning at a rapid speed. Was Lianne a guy who liked to wear women's clothes? If so, she was doing an awesome job I feel a little jealous. Wait- Not the point right now! If not, did that mean Mother was actually into girls?

Mush is brain. Brain is mush. Send assistance asap before I faint.

"I made some choices when my mind wasn't healthy that might've been to slip Martha a drug that gave women the ability to give birth to children with other women. I regret it and because of that mistake, I know Martha never wants anything to do with me again."

"... You did what? Wait, then you and my Mother were...."

"Dating. Yes."

I stared into space for a long time. My first reaction was shock, then anger, then shock again. Is this what enlightenment felt like? Do I sound like a really weird Buddha? I have no idea what's happening in my life anymore. Lianne was waving her hand in front of my face, visibly worried. I slapped her hand away.

"You drugged my Mother?!" I screamed, dropping my groceries to the ground. Seems like the anger won over the shock. "What the hell is wrong with you?!"

Lianne visibly flinched at my outburst and her face slowly morphed into one of shame. "I don't know. I really don't know..."

"You're a fucking psycho! Who does that?! You gave her the burden of a baby, without her consent or knowledge! Can you even understand how shocked and terrified she must've been?!"

"I know. I'm a disgusting human being."

"Not only are you a disgusting human being, but you're also sick in the head, like a beast! I can see why Mother abandoned you! I-"

"I'm sorry!" It was at that moment that Lianne broke down in tears. My rage subsided for the moment at the sight of her, a grown woman, bawling her eyes out at what a ten-year-old girl had screamed at her from the bottom of her heart. I wish I could say I was sorry. Lianne to babble incoherently, I could only make out a couple of words.

"Sorry..... Martha... So sorry... Don't hate me...."

She was gripping onto the door of the boutique for dear life, legs trembling and body shaking like a leaf. Had I broken her? People were starting to stare at her and me. I managed to pry Lianne's hands off the door to pull her inside the shop. I was extremely tempted to leave her alone her as it was getting late and Ophelia would be worried, not to mention I didn't want to spend another minute in here with this woman. Then again, she looked so desperate and pathetic I couldn't help but feel sorry for her, even with what I heard she'd done. I managed to drag her to a back room I'd found and lay her on a couch. This was the best I could do for her with all the rage I had bubbling under my skin. I had no choice but to leave for my sake and hers.

I expected the walk back to the mansion to be uneventful and left to my own thoughts, but boy was I surprised when I was met with literally the entirety of the mansion's elite guard squad, the Black Roses. They were marching fully equipped and everything. At first, I wondered if an accident had happened back in town but that idea was quickly squashed by the fact that very quickly the Black Roses had surrounded me and were immediately all talking quickly.

"Miss Ava! The Young Miss was worried sick about you!"

"She thought you'd run into trouble in town and sent us!"

"Please allow us to escort you home!"

I looked up at the position of the sun and couldn't help but sigh. It didn't seem to be an hour past the time I was supposed to be home.

Ophie, have you lost your mind?

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Arriving back at the mansion was an event that shouldn't have been an event. The second I had stepped into the foyer, Ophelia had come running to me, eyes red and puffy like she'd been crying and hugged my midsection tightly. She kept apologizing about sending me out into town alone, looking over me for any injuries, the whole shebang. I couldn't even get a word in, only being able to gently pet Ophelia's head to pacify her worries. It looked like that would be my last solo trip into Intres for a very long time. Not that I particularly wished to go back anytime soon.

Ophelia ended up being so worried that she made me sleep in her room with her. I tried to tell her I couldn't do that, both using the etiquette of this world and my dignity, but she insisted so much that I eventually cracked and shared the bed with her. Ophelia snuggled up close to me and asked me to tell her story after story, just like when she was a toddler. She ended up falling asleep mid-story about a typical prince and princess.

Unlike Ophelia, I couldn't sleep. I was only left with my thoughts and the darkness of the ceiling. It seemed that the darkness began to creep into my mind as well.

Am I a burden on Mother? She never even wanted me, I was forced on her. What if she doesn't truly love me and she's waiting for the second she can ship me off? What if... What if...

These toxic thoughts plagued me for such a long time and consumed me so deeply I couldn't help but begin to sob. I made it as quiet as I could as to not wake Ophelia, but it was still quite loud. Had my tear ducts loosened over the years? I didn't like it at all. I actually hated it. Crying made me feel weak.

Before I could completely break down in that bed, I remembered Mother's smiling face from my infant years. Her baby talk, her cooing, her loving warmth. I sniffed. There was no way she hated me. I then remembered the warmth next to me, little Ophelia who relied on me so heavily. She loved me too. Not to mention Isadora and May, Lady Ysabelle, all the other servants within the house. They all loved me. They made this environment warm and loving. They made it home. My crying finally ceased.

I wiped my eyes and couldn't help but smile. I still had a job to do, a family to wake up to every day. Ophelia only had ten more years to put under her belt before the story began. Ten more years to help change her fate. Ten more years for the heroine to appear. I had ten more years to develop and live here in this warm home. The darkness now felt comforting, not dangerous. Slowly, my eyes fluttered closed until I had fallen asleep in the early hours of the morning. I wouldn't have slept so peacefully with these thoughts if I knew what was to come in those ten years.

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Packing was something I'd been doing from early morning. Everything had to be perfect and in order for this special day. Ophelia was officially enrolling in the Royal Academy as a first-year and everything had to be perfect. Multiple dresses for balls and formal events, riding clothes for horse riding class, back-up uniforms, accessories. The list went on and on.

I packed up the final suitcase and wiped the sweat from my forehead. I stretched a bit and couldn't help but wish to go to the mirror of the vanity and freshen up a bit. I did just that, standing in front of it and messing around with my hair a bit. I had fully matured into an adult woman at the age of twenty, pale skin, soft and warm pink eyes, purple hair hanging down my back and my beloved flower hairpin hooked into a couple of strands. I looked much younger than I was, which was a bit annoying but I prefer a bit of a cute appearance. After fussing with my hair a bit, I piled the suitcases into my arms with ease and traveled out of Ophelia's room, closing the door behind me.

Walking down the stairs and then outside, the suitcases were promptly taken from me and put inside of a separate carriage for luggage. Lady Ysabelle was supervising the loading, visibly pregnant and giving instructions here and there. That would be the third son of the Dubannes family, born while Ophelia was away at school. I couldn't help but smile a bit. The mansion would surely be even more lively than usual with a new baby.

I walked back inside and made a beeline to the estate garden, Ophelia's favorite place to be. I walked inside to be immediately met with thin flowering vines waving at me gently, some tickling at my face. Ophelia's magic of course. I lightly pushed them away, heading straight for where their master would be. The center of the garden.

I was met with a sight I had become used to, but still took my breath away every time. A teenage girl sat on a bench, porcelain skin, golden cat-like eyes, and silky raven black hair that flowed down to her waist. A young miss I had watched grow into a beautiful bloom. I couldn't help but smile.

"Ophie. It's time for us to depart." I said gently, smiling still.

Ophelia smiled back at me, just as gentle if not more. She had truly turned into a proper young lady. "I know, Ava. Should we head out?"

"Whenever the Young Miss is ready."

Ophelia stood from her seat on the bench and walked towards me with an innate elegance, walking past me as I followed after her. This would be the true test of my careful upbringing all these years, the beginning of the true story at the Royal Academy. I couldn't help but be anxious and excited at the same time. I'd be her personal maid, in charge of all the chores for her. I couldn't help but worry about Ophelia's school life. Would she make friends? Enemies? What about her trash fiancè? The heroine? I sighed mentally.

It doesn't matter now. We'll figure that out at the Academy. The only thing that matters right now is the journey.

The entire household was waiting in the foyer, looking at Ophelia with proud expressions. In a way, they'd all raised this girl into the flower she was today, how could they not be proud? I waved discreetly at Mother, Isadora, and May. All of them were crying, Mother the hardest. I wouldn't be seeing her for many months. I'd miss her just as much as she'd miss me. I didn't see Merlin. That was normal, he was a knight-in-training now. He wasn't here anymore.

Before long, I was seated in the carriage across from Ophelia, headed for the kingdom's capital. The novel's beginning and potentially, Ophelia's end. I could only believe in everything I'd done these sixteen years and pray that the world took pity on my young miss.

[ I decided to post this early because I'll be busy tomorrow. Enjoy the chapter and remember to comment and leave a vote if you enjoyed! ]