Maria went back to her home that night and just laid down on her bed, staring at the ceiling. It was a lonely room in a lonely house. There were no visitors, no servants, and no occupants besides herself. It had been like this ever since her husband had died all those years ago, but it had never felt as lonely as it did today.
Usually, exhausted from work and cultivation, she would climb into bed and force herself to sleep. She found herself in a monotonous cycle, always the same routine and the same place. The same mountain, the same people, the same paperwork, and the same lonely room. She never really got to relax or party as she had in her youth, her status as Matriarch made it so that others were always tense around her, and her reputation for being uptight made it hard to go anywhere to relax.
Her own family, while much better, found themselves inundated in as much work as she did. It didn't help that she couldn't exactly 'party' with a group of three, Hilda's presence didn't assist much either. Marlev was the only person she could remember that gave her any stress relief.
Marlev could cast an illusion on her for a time, concealing her aura and changing her appearance so that she could go out in the town and drink. It had a limit, but four hours was far better than nothing.
Marlev was also a great listener and drinking partner, able to hold her alcohol very well as long as having a whole host of stories and conversation topics.
Marlev was by no stretch of the imagination Maria's most favoritest person, even more than her family.
But now she was gone, and there was nothing but this lonely room with a blank ceiling and walls with dull, chipped paint for her to express herself in. Even her bed seemed flat.
'I want to get out of here.'
Maria's wish was simple, yet was near impossible to accomplish. There was work to be done, and besides, she was the Matriarch. She couldn't just leave.
Or could she?
She HAD been training her successor for a while, and it wasn't like the family needed her around. Only an idiot would dare attack this place, regardless of her presence. She would need an excuse though, and her grandson might be enough.
"I am headed there to protect and raise Marlev's legacy. There is nothing more to it." She had to convince herself out loud. "I will tell those who ask that I am taking time off in order to boost my comprehension of the martial path. A break in the scenery and monotony of my life will do wonders to assist in my breakthrough. I would also like to see what it was Marlev and James wanted."
These weren't as much lies as they were half-truths. Seeing and doing the same things over and over for years would do no good for one's cultivation. New experiences and changes in scenery would help her, but the breakthrough part was a fragrant lie, it could be smelled from miles away. But who would have the balls to call her on it? She stood close to the top in terms of power, and it wasn't like she would act on anything anyway. The more she thought about it, the more she convinced herself she needed to go.
"Kelvin is alright, but he is not human at his core. He will undoubtedly forget to do things that a human needs. Zerrin is terrible at communication and social skills as well, so I will be required to be there for that as well. He needs a mother figure in his life, it would be better if that figure was related to him too." The excuses she spouted were true in a sense, but they were not to justify her presence there to others, but to herself. She would be leaving the sect she had watched over for many years after all.
"That's right, it isn't an option to go, I must go. Not doing so would be a violation of my duties."
After hours arguing with herself internally, she made her decision.
"I should bring him gifts, I wonder how much money I've accumulated over the years. And what should I buy for him? I don't know what he likes yet. A spatial ring for the future is probably a good idea, and maybe some clothes and weapons. Books, scrolls, and a few writing utensils will also be important for teaching him."
Her previously dreary and crestfallen mood had been replaced with excitement and anticipation. even though she would soon fall asleep, she did not dread waking up. For the first time in what felt like forever, she would leave this lonely room and do what SHE wanted, even if that meant doting on someone else.