"Mother Gravatrix is an eight-year-old female. I have already prepared the styles for her and will submit them. She has no idea of the rules. So as the one who brought her home and provided all clothing. This I will continue to do so until she is twelve."
I saw stars for a moment, my anger was extremely close, so much so that I kept my head down, chin to chest and closed my eyes.
"Hyuen..."
"Mother, what I have said is fair, since we will be adopting her into the family and bestowing her a name," there was silence in the room except for the small gurgles from Tau, of whom the eldest son Hyemi from the first family, played with.
"Leave us."
Hyuen commanded. I stepped aside so all those within the room could exit except for the family of three along with the small Tau and myself.
After the first mistress pulled me closer walking to a sunken area in the middle of the room, there within were a flight of ten short steps and below were plush chairs that were seemingly handcrafted from bamboo because of the interwoven parts I spied from the armrest with a C structure fitted to seat around ten people in comfort.
Taking a seat I sighed. It was extremely comfortable how soft I thought, barely concealing my smile which threatened to bloom.
"Gravatrix, since you lack a last name I will gift you one. Gaui Pingui you will be the eldest adoptive daughter of the third clan and the only legal daughter of the entire Pingui family."
As if a bomb had been dropped the words were said, though she spoke gently as if coaxing me to accept the name, looking into her eyes I found they were quite clear and this human female had an almost peerless beauty. It is no wonder her young were handsome.
Attempting to speak but unable to find the right words plus the fact that she spoke up once more.
"I-"
"You don't have to say anything, since you have no family, the first and second-born young masters have discussed it with me and we have agreed to take you as an adoptive daughter. You can also call me mother."
I... I really had no idea how I should reply to this, should I accept?
without being able to conclude alone it was decided.
"Good now that has been settled, Guai is your first name while your family name will be like ours Pingui please from this moment on conduct yourself like the daughter of Pingui and do not bring shame to us!"
Hyuen's coldly announced without care for her acknowledgement or even worded reply. Immediately soon after the first family's second young master Hyuen turned and exited the room, unaware that he had left a stunned Guai behind, unable to be coherent for a while.
The first mistress patted my hand and looked at me with a small smile, Guai?
Was my name not Gravitrix?
Still, was I too attached? In fact, having a new name will keep my true name hidden from those who would later seek to control me by it.
"Come, we must have your clothing made, after, in two weeks time you must complete the test in order for you to enter the school. Vynere allows the seamstress and her assistants to enter the adjoining room and have the kitchen serve some tea and cakes."
The person in question appeared from a hidden door and left doing what was asked.
My head twisted to watch the departing back of the female, she was young perhaps twenty at most, each of her steps were light her posture straight it was eerily similar to my own.
"Vynere is a shadow, as the adoptive daughter you will be bestowed two and later a few more can be assigned. Little Tau will be with Hyemi, today who will have his own shadows swear loyalty to little Tau later even though he is just a baby, he is after all the only bloodline remaining from the third family."
The first madam continued to say, I tried to say something stuttering all the while.
"First m-mis-"
"Call me mother, we are now mother and daughter."
immediately she cut me off and said in a motherly tone immediately stunning me both still and silent, the first mistress was serious in her words when she had said that before.
"Ah little one, you have no idea how much value you hold."
The first mistress said suddenly, a once clear gaze is now filled with a longing I could not understand.
Startled my mind raced, were they aware?