I observed a few things after my birth. The young girl, no more than twenty, who stood by my birth was named Edna. She worked as a maid, sometimes as a doula for an esteemed family. She has soft facial features; big round eyes with shades of ocean blue; her hair tied neatly in streaks of black that draped over her shoulder blades. She has a small frame that could be misinterpreted as a minor; short and unnaturally slim. Yet, she carried herself with an aura of elegance and humility despite having no royalty. She was also my mother's younger sister.
The doctor, Melvin, was Edna's lover. He was tall and handsome, but not enough to stand out from the crowds. He has rough edges and his tone was crude and brash, however, his words carry no malevolence, in fact, he often spoke with religious innuendos. He works nomadically, visitings towns after towns for both medical practices and evangelism.
Other few notable observations include my uncanny manifestation of consciousness during childbirth. Hence, I remained silent despite understanding the fundamentals of human speech, knowing that I was still not of normal age for speech or comprehension.
Edna and Melvin were by no means affluent, in hindsight, they were considered impoverished. Edna resided in a duke's mansion, serving as a lowly maid. When I was brought to the residence, she was met with indignation and disgust. I was carried in a thin drape of cloth tainted by dried blood that still clung onto my skin. Passing maids covered their faces with repugnance, revolted by the odour reeked of rancidity and blood. But Edna held me tightly between her petite arms, cuddling me close to her chest without caring the repulsive gazes directed at her. She came before the duke and kneeled, still caressing me in her embrace.
¨Milord, I have returned from my sister's conceivement.¨ She bowed her head low in submission.
The duke sat behind his table, eyes gleaming through the piles of paperwork, his pen never ceased to dance across the masses of documents. Silence lingered in the air, as if time itself was frozen in place. Minutes crawled by, Edna remained prostrated on the floor, refusing to lift her eyes. She looked at me, her eyes soft and tender, without any traces of remorse or regret.
Finally, the duke looked up as his pen dropped loudly upon falling onto the wooden desk, breaking the excruciating silence. He stared directly at Edna and then looked at me.
¨What is that agonising stench?¨ His tone was flat and condescending. ¨Did you come here just to further my exasperation?¨
¨No, Milord. I have come to seek permission to take in my sister's child as his mother.¨
The duke glared at her, his eyes revealing glimpses of irritation but was not quick to dismiss her proposal, as if he was testing her tenacity.
¨Most unfortunate news of your sister passing. You have my condolences.¨ He paused, letting the silence weigh down on the atmosphere. ¨But this is no orphanage.¨
¨No, Milord. But your mercy and grace stretches beyond the horizons, across the most violent seas and steepest mountains.¨ She gulped, aware that every word she spoke could either please or rouse his placidity. ¨Surely, your compassion must have reach this pitiful child too.¨
He examined me hidden behind the blood soaked drapes and spoke apathetically . ¨ My grace plays no part for a dying child. It is more cruel to not reunite him with his mother.¨
From the corner of my eyes, I saw Edna bit her lips in indignation, her eyes now lost its softness and warmth.
¨If I recall correctly, your sister, Eleanor, was a pearl diver.¨ He continued nonchalantly, ¨The depravity of the ocean has indeed robbed the lives of many poor souls, one more victim of the sea wouldn't make a difference.¨
¨I do not have the heart to cast this poor child into the sea.¨ Edna's voice wavered with sorrow, tears welled up in her ocean eyes. ¨ Who am I to condemn the life of another?¨
¨The value of life varies from person to person, much less a child of a peasant.¨
¨Isn't it more the reason to give this child a chance to prove his worth?¨
¨He has not proven to be of use."
¨He could be of servitude to you in the future.¨
The duke sneered annoyingly at Enda's attitude. His voice now full of mockery and contemptment. ¨You now insulted me of my stature. To hire a child on the request of a lowly maid, you have gone too far. I have you employed here due to Melvin's request, don't make me lose my temperament.¨
Edna plunged her head down onto the floor with a thud and prostrated further down, until her whole upper body was pressed against the floor. She dared not to speak a word, for she feared the ramifications of her actions. Tears trickled down her face and wet the carpet.
The duke remained silent, his gaze remained still on me. He finally spoke again after a dreadfully long time
He sighed resignedly,
¨The child will remain in my residence until the age of ten. Before then, he must be kept discreet and most importantly, kept far away from the duchess's newborn child. Do I make myself clear?"
¨Yes Milord. I am forever grateful ¨ Edna's eyes glimmered with profound happiness as she clutched me tightly in her arms.
With that, the duke picked up his pen and resumed his duties, indicating the end of this arduous conversation.
Edna walked out of the room and bowed before closing the door, her smile beamed widely as she looked at me. One day, I will repay her back what she did for me.