CHAPTER 5
“Pardon for my rudeness, milady. But, have you lost your mind?”
“No. I’m not. I’m very sorry. I want to leave this place until my baby will grow up and if I’m ready to go home here, I will do that. I need to refresh my mind. I want to think, I want to erased all the bad memories. That’s all I asked for”
“But, milady, it’s forbidden to go outside especially, when your kidnappers running wild and free outside. We don’t know what might happen to you again. It’s for your own protection”
“I don’t want to stay in this secluded place. I’m suffocating, for all the trouble I’ve gained so far, I want to have a freedom especially now, that I’m going to be a mother. I wanted a life where I can be free, even if it’s just for a moment”
Scarlet let out a deep sigh. She knows what the lady meant because, she have seen the painful things that the lady had experienced. She stared at the lady who know pleading for her freedom. I know, she’s having a hard time right now especially she bear a child whom made by a crime. I pity this lady. Thus, I cared about her. I should tell the Duchess about this and persuade her, no matter what even in exchanged of my position or life. She’s the lady who welcomed me freely after all. She’s been a part of my family.
“I’ll do my best to persuade the Duchess but, don’t expect a good result”
“Thank you. That's all I need"
Chantria suddenly hugged her that she almost lose her balance. She was shocked, she’d never seen the lady so happy ever since her father died. I saw her sparkling eyes that’s full of expectations. I told her not to but, I guess I don’t have a choice.
“Well then, I should talk to the Duchess about this but, for the meantime, do not go out until I returned or else, the duchess might be furious"
The lady was nodding happily. It makes her heart melt. The old lady’s trait are still there. She can be a child sometimes. I excused myself, I need to tell the Duchess as soon as possible.
I walked towards her office when I saw the old maid. I approached her and asked if the guest is still there and she told me they have gone and only, Sir Oliver was there. I hurriedly walked to the office to tell the Lady wishes.
I’m in front of the huge door. I knocked three times and waited for the duchess to response.
“Come in”
I entered the room and bowed to them. It’s a common courtesy that we should bowed to the higher ranks or elders to show our respect.
“Take a seat. What brings you here?” asked by Sir Oliver
I took a seat and take a deep breath before answering to them because, this might be hard to gained this favor of the Lady.
“The lady wants something”
“What is it?” the Duchess stopped what she’s writing and was staring at me intently, waiting for what I will say next.
“She wants to live in our town for the time being, your grace”
The Duchess stood up and slammed her desk. My hands started trembling because of that. I don’t want the Duchess to get angry. They might argue with the lady and it would be worst because of how their distant relationship is. Right now, it would be bad.
“Calm down, your grace” Sir Oliver told the Duchess. He sipped the tea in front of him. I know he wants to understand the Lady.
“Call the Lady in here. She should be the one telling us especially this involves her safety but, as soon as the lady is here, tighten the security. We don’t like someone to hear our conversation” added by Sir Oliver.
I nodded at Sir Oliver. I gazed at the Duchess who know, massaging her temples. No matter what they will say to her, she will not changed her mind. I saw how, determined the Lady to leave here and she will do that even if it’s not approved by the Duchess.
I walked out to the room and returned to where the Lady is. The Duchess can’t believe what she heard.
“Does my daughter not happy here?”
“Maybe she is, after all what happened to her. I think she needs a breather. Forgive me my rudeness, your grace. But, I do think the lady no longer likes it here”
“Why? Will she tell me why?”
“I don’t know your grace. She may be lost her memories but the feelings are still there"
“So, even if I do something mother figure to her right now, it doesn’t matter? Is that what your trying to say?”
“All these years, your grace. You know how distant your relationship is. She may have noticed how you treat her right now, but I think her feelings remained unchanged. Before, she lost her memories, she was devastated and she think that you never cared for her, since the day you brought Walker here. She may be physically damaged but, she’s also mentally exhausted”
“Then, what’s necessary to do? I’ve been a bad mother”
“No, I think the two of you needs some communication to understand each other. It will clear your misunderstanding, your grace”
As soon as Scarlet knocked the door, it opened suddenly and Chantria was looking at her with a hope in her eyes. Scarlet saw her a child that’s waiting for a good news.
“How is it?”
“The Duchess want to hear your side instead of me. So, you must do your best to persuade her, milady”
“B..but, i.. cant”
“Why? This is all I can do, milady”
“W..what if she will not agree?”
“Does your resolved is so weak that you’re scared to your own mother?”
“You're right. I think I should go"
I’m so nervous right now. Ever since, I gained my consciousness in this world. I never got the chance to talk to the Duchess. I don’t know how to act in front of her since, I’m not her daughter. Well, from the physical appearance it is, but I came from somewhere that for an unknown reason I was reincarnated here.
I keep thinking on how to convinced her that I didn’t noticed that we are already in front of the Duchess office. I gulp when I saw the huge door in front of me. I looked at Scarlet asking for help.
“You're on your own now, milady”
“But, where are you going? Are you leaving me here?”
“No, I’m only here to escort you after that I have things that I should do that’s an order of the Duchess”
“N..no, let me go with you. I don’t have a strength to face the Duchess”
“Its your mother. Have faith in her and have confidence in yourself. I know you can do it, you just need a little push”
Scarlet pushed me inside. I didn’t noticed that the door is already opened by Sir Oliver. It’s his instinct that made him to opened the door, he thought that the lady is already behind that door and he was right. He didn’t mean to listened to the conversation of the two.
I don’t have a choice but to go inside. Before the door closed, I saw scarlet smiling while waving at me. She whisper something into the air that I already know.
“You can do it”
She’s really a trustworthy companion of Chantria. I will not let her die in vain in this life. I’ll do what it takes to protect my loved ones. I sat across of Sir Oliver. There are tons of documents in front of him. I looked where the Duchess is, and she’s currently reading some documents.
“Just a moment”
I nodded in response. I choose to divert my gazed to other things. I saw how busy the two of them. In the story, sir oliver isn’t only a physician but, also the secretary of my mother. This man in front of me in his thirties I think was known in his time as prodigy. He excels in different subjects especially medicine. Chantria’s father saw his potential so, he decided to shoulder his expenses in exchanged for a lifetime loyalty. He didn’t fail them as he was the most loyal servant during the reign of the Duchess father until now, in the present.
Sir Oliver clears his throat. Maybe, he’s uncomfortable as I didn’t noticed I’m staring at him.
“Is there something you want to say to me, milady?”
“No, I was just looking how busy the two of you. I’m thinking to go out and wait for your rest day if there’s any” i reasoned out when in truth, I didn’t realized I’m staring at him since, I was remembering the details of him in the book. He’s also, executed as he defended the Lady until his last breath by using fabricated evidences pointing that he’s the mastermind but, in the end Cantria's execution takes place.
Chantria really didn’t realized how good the people surrounds her. She let the negativity eat her away that made her do things like a villain. She closed her eyes, ears and heart to all of those people who loves her.
“No, it’s okay. I’m done here and now, let’s proceed to what you want to talk about”
The duchess stood up and seated beside her. She regretted sitting on a two seater sofa when there’s only one beside her.
“Uhm. I want to live faraway for now”
“Why is that?”
“I need to take a breather. I want my peace of mind back”
“You can’t relax in here, is that what you meant?”
“Probably. But you see, mo.. your grace, I’m pregnant. I want a labor that is stress free, I want it somewhere far away, I want a change of scenery. It’s for me and the baby”
The Duchess was stunned when her daughter call her mom but she cut it off. She realized that they really need to communicate with each other to be closer. She wants her daughter to come to her, for advices and to share her experiences. She wanted to do what a daughter and mother relationship is. But, it’s too late. She no longer can tell her painful experiences in the past, she lost her memories when she decided to repent her mistakes. She take a long deep sighed.
I think she should go if that’s what she wants. All I want is to protect her, and what’s the best for her but, I put her in harms way. I have a clue who made her put into a difficult situations that made her trauma.
“I understand. But, you must choose a companion to go with you. A trustworthy one”
“You mean, I can go?”
“Yes. But, only for a short time. You will return here after your labor. Uhm. It’s okay to extend that, but don’t stay there for too long. That’s all I asked for”
Chantria’s face lit up. She hugged her mother because of the joy she felt. The Duchess was shocked to see her reaction. She caressed the back of Chantria and smiled.
“Thank you, mom!”
The Duchess was speechless that she can’t utter a single word. She stared her daughter who know sipping the tea joyfully. Now, she didn’t regret accepting her offer since, for the very first time she saw her daughter smile and called her Mom as well as Sir Oliver didn’t expect things will turned out this way. He looked to the duchess, her body was stiffen and she looks like a statue. He think that it’s best way he handle it.
“I guess that’s it. We will prepare for your departure soon. But, don’t tell a word to this outside”
“But, if I’m looking for a companion, then I should tell the servants who wants to go with me, right?”
“Your right that’s the problem. How about an escort? Some of the guards will go with you”
“That’s only attract attentions”
“Youre right. Do you have any suggestions what should we do?”
“How about telling the servants false location? Instead of southwest we should tell them southeast which also, located the former villa of my father. Also, guards can escort me until at the port”
"But, it’s not safe out there”
“Yes but, I’ll choose a servant that has capabilities of swordsmanship, martial arts or any knowledge of self defenses including Scarlet, that’s a one. We can tell my Nanny firsthand that I’m going there so that they will be there when we arrived. It’s safer that way. if I will be escorted by the guards, the kidnappers might attract its attention and will tell the mastermind that I’m going somewhere, it might put a harm the village I’ll stay. I don’t want that to happen and worst they will assasinate me during my trip"
“That's not enough”
“Yes, Sir Oliver I thought you’ll say that. Actually, I’m planning to disguised myself as one of the commoners. That means, no grand carriage and dresses. I can wear commoners dresses instead as well as a headscarf to cover my head especially my hair. Is that acceptable?”
“You really thought of this, have you?”
“Yes, I am. Regardless of the outcome, I’ll go”
“Thought so, I shall give you the lists of servants that’s capable of using self defenses”
“Thank you, Sir Oliver”
“You’re always welcome, milady”
“Well then, probably in a month. I’ll be leaving”
“I thought you want to go there as soon as possible”
“No, I want to observe first, I want to choose the right companion when I live there. Also, please don’t forget about the pregnancy dresses. I need that too”
“Don’t worry, milady. All of your need will be given a top priority. I’ll send you some vitamins to help you and your baby. I’m going to contact my old friend who’s near there to come to you to do the check-ups every month"
“You have an acquaintance there?”
“Yes, I have. You may believe me or not, due to my studies in medicine. I travel lots to study herbs and unknown plants to have an experimentations. So, I have meet many people along that way”
I already know that. Sir Oliver gained lots of trophies in the past. Chantria accidentally gone to his room and that’s where she saw lots of trophies. But, that’s only half when it comes to the royal physician. The royal physician, I don’t know him but, he’s been labeled as crazy as he never gone outside to his room. He seeks knowledge more than anything and most of all, he’s the instructor of Sir Oliver.
I excused myself to them. I think the duchess needs more time because, she’s in a dazed. She never utter a single word after she agreed to me, living in a faraway land. I’m thankful that Sir Oliver was present. If it’s only the two of us, it might be awkward.
I’m walking happily as I saw the garden outside. I remember the handsome guy whom I talked in there. I smiled bitterly, thinking I might not be able to see him again. I really enjoyed his company even if it’s a short time.
I reached the end of the garden and saw a high wall. This might be a route to the entrance gate. I walked left to trace the wall and there I saw the iron gate.
I hurriedly hide on the tree when the gates opened. I didn’t know that there will be a guest today. I peek at that carriage and it was a gold state coach carriage and the other one is a simple carriage, it’s colored with black and white. I was shocked when I saw Fox in there that seems to look outside with a bored expression. I met his gazed when he looked at my direction. I know for sure he saw me. The simple carriage stop, I’m so nervous that I hold my breath for a second and put my hand on my chest to stop my thumping heart.
“I didn’t know that the lady had a habit of hiding”
I’m surprised at his sudden appearance. I know that he’s the one who stop the carriage and goes out but, I didn’t expect it him to do it. I think it’s forbidden to do that since, they are accompanying aristocrats or else, a royal mmember.