"I deeply appreciate your kindness in giving something so precious to this undeserving daughter on her 6th birthday" I said with a slight bow trying to hide the contentment on my face when a sudden curiosity and question rushed over me that begged for an answer. "please do pardon me asking this but why are you giving it to me today, when my birthday is tomorrow?"
"As you might know I'm not always in good health so I'm forced to remain in bed all the time" she said, giving me a sorrowful look as if she had wronged me in anyway and now regretting it. " I wanted you to wear this tomorrow for the banquet Selena is holding., My condition doesn't allow me to stroll around as I want and give this present to you. This hairpiece is a family heirloom my mother gave me, it is said that it will protect the owner from any sort of harm" she said with a faint smile reminiscing about the past.
Again, her smile and the shyness is something I'm seeing for the first time. Maybe it's because I don't see her often and when I do, she would always be staring out the window with dull eyes waiting for someone to come. If our relationship improves like this, will I be able to see sides of her I've never seen before. Will I finally have a real family, no longer feeling isolated in this prisoned Palace. Am I being a coward for not opening up to her, not showing my true feelings due to the fear that it all might just be an illusion I've created to fill my empty heart?
"So, do you like it?" She asked bringing me back from my trail of thoughts. At one glance you could see how hopeful she was, patiently waiting for my opinion. It's quite ironic how every motions are reflected on her face, the complete contrast of her past self. The self that lost all meaning in life, she breathed yet ready to suffocate at the same time. The closed walls and her illness had taken a toll on her, wonder her so badly that she looked alive yet dead, like a marionette with strings cut off, left in a corner to rot.
Before I could reply, her complexion grew paler and paler. Now that I look again, she seems thinner than last time, I'm guessing she's still suffering from anorexia. It seems her emotional disorder is getting worse by the day. An emotional disorder that makes her have an obsessive desire to lose weight, so bad that she vomits all the things she might have consumed. It's a mystery how she managed to take a walk in the state.
Her unsteady steps made both of us panic. "Mother, are you sure you're fine?" Selena questioned, hands out ready to support her if needed. There was no need to ask as the situation itself answered it for her.
"Don't worry, I'm fine- " she couldn't finish her words when she coughed out blood. The metallic smell of blood filled the air, the twig like legs of hers not being able to bear the weight collapsed to the ground before I could reach her. Thankfully the lush grass cushioned her fall in the process staining itself with the red liquid flowing out like water.
"Mom!" I screamed. The word came out unconsciously, calling her in an intimate way for the first time in 6 years. My scream was loud enough to get the attention of all the nearby servants that they rushed to us in panic, but did nothing. Just standing there frozen with the looks of horror and confusion. A comical sight for a laugh if not for the severity of the situation.
"What are you doing standing there gawking at mother? Take her to her room this instant!" Selena said in fury, shocked at how incompetent the servants still were at the Baltic mansion – north-east to the ivory palace. A desolate area surrounded by forest and it's ferocious inhabitants.
Two of the three servants immediately lifted mother, dragging her along, the same way as a jute rice bag, gripping her pale skin tight enough to leave marks and bruise's for several days.
There was so much Selena wanted to say on this but I stopped her. Causing an uproar right now would only delay mother's treatment. But that doesn't mean the servants will go without being punished, now is just not the right time.
"You there! Go call the royal doctor Allen Vent to examine mother" Selena ordered. Allen Vent is the personal doctor of the king and the royal family. A prodigy who is the youngest in the history of Fiore to ever become a royal doctor at the prime age of 20, earning himself the title of a Count.
"But your highness, the doctor is currently residing in Ivory palace, it will take far too long for a carriage to get here and … " the servants hesitated, avoiding the gaze of a predictor. He looked far too pitiful, covering in fear of incurring the wrath of my sister.
Since the Baltic mansion is far away from walking distance, a carriage has to be utilized to travel. The teleportation gate can't even be considered as it's only used for emergency and the health of my mother wouldn't fall in that category as we are not even recognized as royals.
"And? Speak, what else is there?" She questioned him, ready to pounce if not given a satisfactory answer.
"T-the status of y-your highness's mother is quite l-low for the royal doctor to p-personally treat her a-and- " he hesitated once again, choosing his words carefully as not to step on a landmine which is my sister "h-his majesty has strictly forbid the doctor from t-treating anyone… w-who's not… part of the royal family"
My mother may be a mistress of the king but she was never acknowledged as part of the royal family. The emperor's words are law in this country. No matter what you try to do, the law of Fiore can never be changed for one person. In fact I'm sure he doesn't even know our existence before Selena was recognized as a royal candidate for an heir to the throne.
"Then at the very least, his apprentice can come and treat mother, can't he? While the apothecary stabilizes her condition" I intervened before my sister went on a rampage and endangered the servant. Not like I would care after all they have done.
"I understand, I'll immediately send a message of summon for the apprentice" he replied and left in a hurry.