I ignored the stuffiness of the bandages around me and stopped myself from ripping them off the minute I arrived by the doors of the mansion.
"Tell Anette to come to my room, hurry." I told one servant as I marched with full speed towards the stairs.
She eyed the piece of cloth crumpled on my hand before bowing. "Right away, young lady."
As I took the stairway that lead to the west wing of the second floor, I noticed a pair of feet that had followed me. "Young lady, did something happen during the birthday blessing? Why are you all alone?"
Vivian's voice was full of worry and concern. I didn't stop climbing the stairs and just replied, "Nothing happened. I just told my father that I'd go home first." I turned to her once we've arrived to the second floor. "Great. Now that you're here, tell Anette and the others to bring me all the pictures and paintings of my mother here in the mansion."
There was no one else who knew this place better than them.
"A-as you wish, young lady." Her voice was clearly full of bewilderment, but she followed nonetheless.
***
"Do you think the young lady is okay?"
"I don't know… but this does seem kind of extreme, doesn't it?"
"What exactly is she doing?"
"Shush, all of you. Out, now. Don't disturb the young lady any further."
I didn't pay any mind to the maids' whisperings. I was now staring at the dozen of images that lay on the floor—the stolen tapestry placed on the center of it all. My gaze would scan the framed pictures and expensively-commissioned paintings, and then return to the tapestry. From their eyes, nose, lips, up until the measure of how high both their cheekbones were—they looked exactly the same.
It was no use denying it anymore. I really was the daughter of a goddess while in her human form.
Was it a mother and daughter thing to have double lives?
My mind was now as clear as daylight, and sharp as the edges of a newly forged blade. My mother had given me the task to find out who the perpetrators of her death was and their motive for doing so. But how exactly am I going to do that?
The door opened with a loud bang. I jumped to my feet and saw my father standing by the doorframe— his face was blotched crimson red with anger.
"F-father…" I stammered, feeling nothing but the foreboding fear inside me. He was being really scary right now.
His studied the images on the floor, and then his aura became calm and placid. He closed his eyes and let out a tired sigh before speaking, "What is this?"
Like a criminal, I was caught in the act. I didn't know what to reply. "D-don't you think they seem a little bit similar?"
Yeah right, they're just the exact same woman.
"Stop this nonsense." The Duke massaged his temples. "I've finally thought that you have graduated from this phase of yours. Follow me to my office, I shall not allow this action to be not reprimanded."
"I understand."
Before the Duke fully turned his back, I asked, "Did you love her?"
"What kind of question is that, Calla?" He straightened his poise. "Of course I did, and I always will. She was an amazing woman, not like any other."
"She loves you just the same."
Father scoffed, his back still facing me. "I know that."
***
My father clasped his hands as they rested on the shiny office table. "For Khloris' sake, daughter, you have been told that disturbing the spiritual atmosphere of the temple is strictly prohibited. But what did you do? You ran around like a rabid dog, and although I don't know how and why you did it, you stole something that belonged to them! Now tell me," He exhaled in an exasperated manner. "Why did you have to cause such a scene right before the night of your birthday banquet?"
I lowered my gaze to my feet, hands tied together in front of me.
"I… I'm sorry, father. There is no excuse for such stupidity. I only did it out of childish impulse. I will accept whatever punishment you bestow."
"Let me tell you this, Calla. Rumors spread faster than the speed of light here in the nobility. I just don't want some people to think that my daughter is a deranged chimpanzee who steals objects from a temple." He leaned on his chair, and pressed his lips before continuing. "Do you want the people around you to treat you with respect?"
"Yes, father."
"Then do not attempt to do anything such as earlier again. It was like watching a feral cat escape from its cage."
Rabid dog, deranged chimpanzee, feral cat—does he take me for an animal? Hey, is this even allowed?
"I will sincerely keep that in mind."
The Duke sighed. "I only want what is best for you."
"I know that."
"You do remind me of her at times like this."
I lifted my head. "W-what do you mean?"
"Kaia, she…" The sides of his lips lifted to form a serene smile. "Just like you—at one time, obedient and studious, busying herself with work related to the matters of our region. And then the next day, you'd find her chasing a bear at the hunting grounds."
I kept a snort from escaping. "She sounds like fun."
"Oh she is." Then his expression came back to being stern. "Anyway, do you understand my point now? I hope you reflect on your actions seriously this time."
I raised my chin slightly. "I assure you that this will not happen again, father."
"It better be, Calla. Now go to sleep, you have a long day tomorrow."
"Yes, father. Thank you for your time." I dipped into a curtsy. "Please excuse me."
I turned back, but stopped once I heard the Duke speak for the last time.
"Alright, we will talk about your punishment after tomorrow's event."
Even after saying that I'd accept any kind of punishment, after hearing that, my shoulders almost fell to the floor.