"We've arrived, miss." The cab driver caught my attention.
"Thanks! " I replied.
The scent of the field, the bright sun enveloping the old road, people who will smile even to strangers, a peaceful place.
North Iris.
This is where I've spent most of my childhood days and where I met a friend, those times when my innocent self doesn't need to be worried about the burdens in life. I watched the sunflower field that I used to play at, even lying til the sun sets.
"W-what is this?" the old butler was surprised as he hurried when the sound of the engine neared the Villa.
"We greet you, Lady Juri!" he greeted in an elated voice that surprised Juri.
"S-Steven!?" the old butler with the servants following him behind and shared the same excited faces seeing me and even grabbed the luggage I had pulled gently on to the villa's door.
The old butler that has been working at my maternal grandfather's family, unlike his usual stoic face, ordered the servants to help me with the luggage. The same with the other manservants that I am familiar with from my early memories as a child.
"Oh the young Miss has arrived!" I heard when the car door opened, I was surprised to see that the household workers years back then were still at the old mansion.
"The young miss!"
"She is now a beautiful lady!" I am overwhelmed at the number of people who greeted me at the front gate.
"My lady, you must have been tired from the long journey, should we head inside the mansion now?" He remained prompt and quiet just like I knew the butler had been. I kept my lips closed and followed him, the mansion is old, unlike its former grandeur, it has become simple and plain.
The gigantic paintings that were bought from the famous artist in the earliest century have been sold, some of the antiques and expensive decorations ended up the same. Still, the interior was kept and preserved, though lacking luxury, the place still feels like a home.
"I thought I wouldn't find anyone in the mansion anymore, how come you are still here?" Ever since we moved to the Starry City, I remember giving the employees their separation pay and even tidying up the furniture and everything that can be sold in order to have enough funds to start in the city.
"Well, we have kept the communication with the madam even though the three of you transferred." Steven smiled, "Also, the year after you study in Amnosia, the madam started a business here in North Iris, even calling us all back to work."
"Did Mom really do that?" I was all surprised and astonished at how my mother ever thought of it.
"Yes, the North Iris is usually monopolized by high society, so when the madam asks for any ideas that can be turned into business we all give her our inputs."
"So what is that business really?" I regret not asking further about the details of the business that mom has put her efforts into.
"Let me lead you to the guest room for you to see. " You can see in the face of Steven that he is proud and confident as he gets through the familiar halls that I grew up in as a child. I could see that a lot has changed but still gives the same vibes.
"Here we are, my lady."
"Wow.." It's the only word I can utter, what greets me is the flowery scent of flowers, but instead of those beautiful petals, there are different candles that vary in shapes and sizes.
"Scented candles?"
"Yes, not only that, we also have different varieties, some are made in soy, there are also those that are good for health and recently we have been preparing mock samples for ointments."
"This is amazing." I walked around the guest room, it turns out it was like a showroom of the products that they have developed and so far a simple way of promoting the products.
"The mansion has been receiving some guests and from time to time, Master Deri and Madam Rima would stay in the mansion to check the production of the candles."
Pointing to the window, I saw that the huge garden now has a built area wherein there are people laughing while working together.
"Some of the family and relatives of the servants are recruited to help with the production, also the servants quarters are renovated to accommodate those who lived in the borders, at the same time we were able to work back to the Meryll household. I was also able to bring my wife and my son's family here."
"You mean that? It was amazing!" I never knew that mom could do such great lengths in bringing the family of the servants. Even though my mom came from a noble family, she remained kind with the servants and befriended them. This is why they have returned to serve and even prioritizes the needs of the family. They are all so kind to me, who is a child that is so aloof in the caged-like mansion.
"I am speechless at how much mom thought of this." Some part of me regrets the time that I wanted to be independent and leave the life I had here in Vanda, the life Juri has spent here.
"We are thankful and will remain serving the house of Meryll, and so you are Lady."
"I think I never deserve to be part of my mom's heartfelt work on this." guilt arises deep in the back of my mind.
"No, I watched how the madam cherishes you, the hardship she endured almost risking her life just to bring you up to this mansion, that's how much she loves you."
"Mom risked her life bringing me to this mansion?" It was the first time I have heard of it.
"Well it is not that I wanted to hide it, but it was rather a saddening event that we would rather forget about."
"Such an event happened before I was born?"
"It was normal to come to the household of the nobles before the marriage, that is to train the future lady of the house, however during the engagement of the Madam and Duke of Iris, there was an incident that they had to flee the ducal mansion." I eagerly listen to what Steven is about to say next.
"There was a rebellion, since there are still divided parties regarding the abolishment of hierarchy and position in the nobility, the house of duke Iris is not an exemption. The duke was left to defend the fief, while madam, who is already pregnant of you, had to run and hide in the mountains with a few maids and knights to escape those who wanted to perish the bloodline of the nobles."
I gasped, my mother never mentioned that there were turbulent times that time.
"It must have been hard to survive there, far away from civilization and the fact they are after their lives."
"Indeed it was, there were sacrifices and of course, it was more hard for madam, she was emotionally stressed when one of the maids she fled with didn't survive during the time they were hiding."
"What happened?"
"The maid lost a lot of blood and didn't make it, by the time we arrived, she already passed away, and the madam is not that stable since she just gave birth to you."
My eyes were teary after hearing all the struggles my mom had to endure at that time, I placed a hand to my womb, there is a tiny heartbeat in me that I must protect. The reason I chose to stay in my maternal home is because I can hide from Kallistos and refrain from the eyes of the royal family. Whatever happens, I will do the same thing that my mother did for me.
"I must have missed the young lady and talked a lot, let me lead you to your room." He smiled, and I followed through to have a good rest. Not knowing of the surprises that will happen in the days ahead.