Sitting in a large, brightly lit office, Count Bennerita sat comfortably at his desk, trying to reorganize papers and rereading essential documents. The head maid beside him has always admired Count Bennerita for his usual focused and diligent work ethic. However, he's been making a lot of mistakes these past few weeks. After the staircase incident, it was like everything in the household changed, especially Lady Lilac. She would proudly walk the halls, yelling and inspecting the servant's work, then later go out on a shopping spree, buying out nearly every dress shop and jewelry store. Her speech and mannerisms demanded respect, and she got fear. She brandished absolute authority, but now… it's like she forgot everything and regressed to being a child.
"Haaah…"
The head maid stared at the Count in worry, and he knew what she was thinking. Lately, he's been so distracted, and it didn't help that he had taken nearly a month off work to help Lilac recover so his work piled up to the mountain it is now. But what could he do? He could still remember that day even after a month had passed.
***
"Who are you?.... Who…am I?"
Lilac, who just managed to sit up, clutched her head in pain and collapsed back down.
"My Lady!!"
"Lilac!!"
Both Count Bennerita and the maid screamed as if they had just witnessed Lilac's final moments. Had it not been for the head butler and priest attempting to calm things down, they might have cried until they were dehydrated.
After a few moments of sniffles and eye wiping, did a groan escaping from Lilac's lips grab their attention again.
"Gasp! Lilac!"
"My-my Lord! Ahem, please do not get over-excited. This is for her sake, as well as yours…"
The priest spoke with a menacing gaze as he grasped the Count's shoulder while the head butler took the approach of covering the maid's mouth as if holding her hostage. While the method was unorthodox, it was effective as she began to weep again whilst attempting to yell for her lady.
"Ugh…owie…hurts"
Cautiously, the priest released his hold on the Count. He made his way towards the young girl and helped her to sit up while he held up his hand, releasing a pleasantly warm yellow light.
"Phew, there's some good news. The potions and healing magic were effective. She is no longer in danger, and all her external injuries are gone…however…"
The master and servant duo instantly panicked. While the maid flared around in her capture's arms, Count Bennerita slowly approached his daughter as she continued to hold her head, groaning in pain. He could already tell what the priest was going to say, though he didn't know the specifics. His parental instincts were screaming at him. Telling him, his little girl may never be the same ever again. He had failed to protect her, and the only thing he could do was beg for forgiveness. After the brief pause, the priest continued.
"... While her external injuries aren't an issue anymore, I'm afraid she's suffered severe head trauma. It appears she has forgotten many things to what extent, I'm not sure. It will be up to you to help her re-educate her. In the meantime, I will be making daily visits to see the progress."
There was a moment of pause once again. In times like these, it wouldn't be surprising if the Count decides to abandon this child in favor of adopting and raising a more capable orphan. The priest was just about to reprimand the Count until...
"So, you're saying she'll live? My baby girl…her body is cured?... Thank goodness…Thank you! Thank you, Goddess. "
His words became strained as his throat tightened and his eyes filled with tears, escaping to the corners and falling down his slim cheeks. He slowly takes Lilac's hands and kisses them as if blessing her. His smile showed brightly on his face, and his eyes shined and sparkled with his tears unlike before when they held no life at all. It was clear the priest had misjudged the Count. He felt shameful for having thought of all the awful things he was about to spew.
"Kah!"
Lilac looked around the room with a frightened expression. She started shaking and was pulling her hands away, tears began to weld up. It was when she began to breathe far too heavily that the Count let go and brought up his own hands to show he was non-threatening.
"Ah, um, I'm so sorry. You must be so confused! Um…do you.. remember anything?"
Trembling in fear, Lilac shakes her head and tightens her lips.
"I see. Um, where should I start? Oh! Your name is Lilac Bennerita. Can you… say 'Lilac'?"
Count Bennerita points to her and repeats the name "Lilac", this brought him back to his younger years when Lilac was just starting to learn how to speak. After Lilac copied the Count, albeit stuttering, he continued the introductions.
"I am Count Willow Bennerita. I am your father… Hmm, that may be too hard for you. Uh, I'm your Papa."
Count Willow's face flushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't let this opportunity pass by. After his wife died, he was so busy with the funeral arrangements, the grieving period, and then overlooking the new territory given by the King that he wasn't able to see his precious child through most, if not all, of her childhood. He only got to hear her say Papa a handful of times until one day it became father, it was such a heartbreaking moment for him. Right when Willow was finished reminiscing, a large gasp of air was heard throughout the room. It appeared the maid had finally escaped the head butler's grasp, though she didn't make an attempt to move from her spot.
"My-my lady, you must, at the very least, remember me! It's me, Sunny Laflor! E-Even though I'm a commoner, you gave me that last name! You must remember that, right? Please, at least…me."
Contrary to the loud cries and pleas expected to come from the maid, Sunny spoke in a hushed, shaky voice. Her tone was that of disbelief. No amount of intense maid training prepared her for this. It was when Lilac shook her head that Sunnys face went from hoping to completely soulless. Sunny could only hide her face in her hands and weep silent tears. The room's atmosphere grew dreary, and the other servants and priests dared not move or make any sound. It was as if they were mourning a death.
***
Yes, it was indeed a harsh day for everyone involved. However difficult it was, it was equally rewarding. The best thing from that day was knowing his lovely daughter, Lilac, will live just fine with little to no surface scars or lasting physical damage. Also, because of her regression in mind, he got to re-experience her childhood, which he regretted being absent from. Having to re-teach her basic language and skills was a blessing in disguise as this allowed him to bond with his daughter but also relax and take a break from work. Though, he worries that Lilac's ability to learn has slowed and won't go beyond a 5-year-olds education.
"Haaaahhhh…"
'No, I shouldn't push her too hard. It could have damaging effects! If she's not ready, then there's no point in rushing. I'm just thankful she's alive and can at least communicate with me! Ahh, I want to see my baby right now.'
Count Willow began thinking how lovely and calm Lilac has been since she woke up. While it helped to make Willow smile, it caused the head maid to be more concerned as she noticed Willow make a spelling mistake on another important document. It was a calming afternoon until the head butler burst through the doors. His face was red and covered in sweat, and his usual side-parted gray hairs were now unkempt. The well-groomed mustache he prided himself in growing was singed, and his uniform was disheveled.
"My Lord!"
He exclaimed in anguish as if the world was ending. Startling Count Bennerita and the head maid, Willow worried if something like the staircase incident had happened again to his daughter.
"What is it? Did something happen to Lilac? Is she ok?"
The head butler shook his head vigorously.
"N-No, it's Duke Dietrichson! He-He's on his way here as we speak!"
"Ah, I see. Well, get the staff ready to greet the Duke outside, be sure to tidy up the waiting room, and Head Maid Rose, please get the tea-"
"No, my Lord! Forgive me, but I mean, he is downstairs making his way towards your office now!"
The head butler knew interrupting the Count, someone way above his lowly status, was inexcusable! He was lucky Count Willow was a kind noble and treated the other servant well otherwise his head would be flying by now. However, the head butler also knew how important the news he had was and needed to speak it as fast as possible. Taking a couple of seconds to let it sink in, Count Willow and head maid Rose began to sweat profusely.
"Q-Quickly! Rose, brew some tea! Bush, help me clean this mess!"
Count Willow frantically stood from his seat and began to haphazardly scoop up the documents and books from his desk. Rose rushes out the door with a frightened expression, and while this chaos would have shocked Bush, he joins the Count in collecting the rest of the flying papers and discarded books.
"I'll brew our most expensive tea leaves!"
"Where should we put these books?"
"In the closet for now! Quickly people!"