Part 1 Early morning (Aeris Room)
Aeris' Perspective
Confusion clouded my mind as I roused from my slumber, my surroundings unfamiliar. "Where am I?" I muttered softly, the haze of recent events gradually clearing. I recalled being saved from the clutches of a merciless slave trader by someone. She had extended her hand to pull me from the abyss of suffering.
The memory of my mother's desperate voice echoed in my ears, a plea that had reached me before I had succumbed to unconsciousness.
An insistent pang in my stomach drew my attention downward, my hand instinctively coming to rest on my abdomen. "So hungry," I whispered, the ache a testament to the days I had gone without nourishment. With renewed determination, I set out in search of sustenance.
Step by slow step, I navigated through the unfamiliar corridors, my eyes widening as I encountered an unexpected sight. Monsters roamed freely, and a purple-haired maid seemed to be issuing orders to them. My brows furrowed in confusion. Why was this place filled with monsters? The curiosity mingled with an undercurrent of unease.
My presence didn't go unnoticed, and the monsters turned their gaze toward me. Panic fluttered within me, and I instinctively sought refuge. I slipped into a room at the end of the hallway, my heart pounding as I carefully closed the door, hoping to remain unnoticed.
The door emitted a soft creak, a sound that seemed to reverberate loudly in the silence. A woman lay asleep in the room, her brunette hair spread out on the pillow. My breath caught as I recognized her – this was Mother. A mixture of relief and concern swirled within me, knowing that she was safe, at least for now.
My stomach rumbled audibly, a reminder of my dire hunger. "I feel so hungry," I mumbled, my body's protest against its prolonged neglect becoming more pronounced. My weakened legs gave way beneath me, and I collapsed onto the floor beside the bed.
Part 2 Morning (Tatiana's Room)
Tatiana's Perspective
I stirred from my sleep, my gaze immediately drawn to the elf lying beside me on the floor. She was gasping, her body radiating intense heat. With swift concern, I approached her and gently moved her to my bed. I couldn't ignore the distress she was in. Lily would know what to do.
"How is she?" I inquired, my voice tinged with worry as I turned to Lily. She was checking the elf's pulse and replacing the damp cold towel on her forehead.
"She's recovering from exhaustion," Sakuya replied, surprising me with her response. She focused on the elf's condition, checking for any signs of improvement.
The morning light filtered through the window, casting a delicate glow on the scene before me. I recalled waking up to the sound of the elf's labored breathing and the realization that she was unwell. It was only right that I reached out to Lily for assistance. Together, we carefully moved her to my bed, giving her some semblance of comfort.
A soft groan emanated from the elf, her eyes fluttering open as she surveyed her surroundings.
"Speaking of the devil," Lily chimed in, a hint of amusement in her voice as she greeted the elf's awakening.
"I'll prepare something for her to eat," Lily announced, rising from her seat and making her way out of the room with a sense of urgency.
Lily's footsteps faded as she headed toward the kitchen.
I turned my attention back to the elf, placing a comforting hand on her forehead. "Are you all right? Do you feel any pain?" I inquired, attempting to provide some solace in this unfamiliar setting.
The elf's response was a mix of confusion and discomfort. "Mother...? Ugh..." she muttered, her struggle against the pain evident in her expressions.
"Try not to move too much. You're still unwell," I advised, a note of panic creeping into my voice as I urged her to remain still.
She gazed at me, her eyes reflecting a silent acknowledgment. Acting on my advice, she settled back onto the bed, surrendering to the need for rest.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to initiate a conversation. "Hey, what's your name?" I inquired, hoping to establish a connection while we waited for Lily's return.
The elf hesitated briefly, then replied, "My name is Aeris." Her voice carried a mix of uncertainty and resolve, much like the breeze after which she was named.
"Aeris, what a beautiful name. I'm Tatiana Tremaine," I introduced myself with a warm smile, relieved that we could exchange words despite the circumstances.
"I see..." Aeris murmured, her response tinged with a hint of despondency. It seemed she had her reasons for maintaining a guarded demeanor.
Lily's return interrupted our conversation. "I've brought some food, and Lady Blanc wishes to see you," she informed me, her hands holding a tray laden with food and medicine.
"Ah, I forgot about my lesson with Blanc. I must take my leave for now, Aeris. I'll come back to check on you," I assured her, rising from my seat with a smile before making my way to the Study Room. Aeris observed my departure in silence, her gaze lingering as I left the room.
Tatiana's Perspective
Part 3 Noon (Study Room)
Amidst our study session, Blanc brought up the topic of the elf we had encountered earlier. "That elf you brought in is quite a rarity. Fortunately, you managed to acquire one," she remarked casually, her statement catching me off guard in the midst of our studies. There was an underlying sense of satisfaction in her words, as if having the elf was an unexpected boon.
Curiosity piqued, I questioned her, "What do you mean by rare?"
"...Now hear me out," Blanc's words hung in the air, each syllable carrying a weight that resonated deeply within me. "They were actually being oppressed, driven away from their native land. Encountering another elf in this world is a rare occurrence, and it would add virtue to our image." Blanc's tone remained as unfeeling as ever, her words devoid of empathy or concern for the individual.
"You can't be serious?" I interjected, my voice a mix of disbelief and urgency. I needed to know more, to understand the gravity of what she was saying.
I was aware of Blanc's extensive knowledge, which made my decision to delve further a conscious one. "Tell me more about it," I pressed, my desire for information outweighing the discomfort I felt.
Blanc obliged, providing additional context to the plight of elves. As she spoke, the revelation unfolded like a dark tapestry, and the image she painted left me feeling nauseous and horrified.
"Ugrk! I'm sorry..." The revulsion surged within me, as if an unspeakable truth had lodged itself in my throat. My stomach churned with disgust, and I felt an intense desire to expel the horrifying image that had invaded my mind. Sweat trickled down my brow, and my vision seemed to waver, threatening to collapse under the weight of the revelation.
"…Hey, are you alright?" Blanc's voice cut through the turmoil in my mind, her concern evident despite my inability to articulate a response. My thoughts were a jumble, a chaotic mix of horror and anger that left me disoriented.
The scene seemed to blur, the edges of my vision darkening as I struggled to grapple with the overwhelming emotions that surged within me. It was a feeling unlike any I had experienced before—a potent mixture of empathy, sorrow, and fury. I was trapped within the vortex of my own mind, unable to break free from the barrage of emotions that assailed me.
In that moment, I realized the depth of the atrocities that had been committed against the elves, the magnitude of their suffering that had been hidden beneath the surface. The mental image of such a heinous genocide tainted my mind, and I felt a physical response building within me, as if the sheer weight of it all might drive me to my knees.
My grip tightened on the edge of the table, my knuckles white as I fought to regain control over my senses. The room felt like it was spinning, and I could barely register Blanc's words as they reached my ears. The sensation was overwhelming, an emotional maelstrom that threatened to consume me.
And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the moment passed. The darkness that had gripped my thoughts receded, leaving me shaken and breathless. I was left grappling with the aftermath of the emotional tempest, my body trembling and my mind reeling from the intensity of the experience.
"Hey, wha-?" Blanc's voice was laced with surprise, her hand reaching out toward me, presumably to offer some form of comfort. But before her touch could land, something instinctual within me took over.
I found myself grabbing her arm, my fingers closing around her wrist with an urgency I couldn't comprehend.
"…" My actions were beyond conscious thought; they were driven by some unseen force within me. I held onto her hand, a feeling of inexplicable need compelling me to maintain the contact.
knock knock
The sound of a knock on the door broke the spell that seemed to have fallen over me.
"Apologies, Lady Tatiana, the elf has awakened," Lily's voice cut through the moment, her unexpected entrance bringing a sense of normalcy to the room.
"…Please excuse me," I mumbled, my voice trembling slightly as I let go of Blanc's hand. The inexplicable compulsion that had driven me to grasp her arm faded, leaving me with a sense of confusion and unease. Without further explanation, I left the Study Room and made my way to Aeris' room, needing to be away from the source of my sudden impulse.
In Aeris' room, I found her seated on the bed. "Have you had something to eat?" I asked with a gentle smile, taking a seat beside her. It was a relief to see her looking better.
Her eyes lit up as she responded, "Yes, everyone here has been incredibly kind to me." Her enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth at her words. It was evident that she had been welcomed with open arms into our group.
"I'm glad to hear that," I replied sincerely. Aeris had managed to form connections with the people around her in such a short time. The fact that even Sakuya had extended her help by lending her a coat spoke volumes about the bonds she was forming.
Aeris hesitated for a moment before speaking again, her words carrying a mix of curiosity and vulnerability. "So, you're not my mother, huh? Figures, still..." There was something unspoken in her tone, a yearning that tugged at my heartstrings.
"Did I remind you of your mother?" I ventured, intending to explore the emotions that lingered beneath the surface. However, before I could delve further, Aeris shared a truth that sent a shock through me.
"She's already gone," Aeris stated matter-of-factly, her voice devoid of emotion as she recounted the painful memory. It was as if she had detached herself from the pain, describing a distant memory rather than a life-altering tragedy.
"One day, our village was attacked, and I witnessed my mother's unwavering determination to protect me," Aeris shared, her voice carrying a poignant detachment as she revealed the horrors she had endured. Her story was a painful tapestry of loss and suffering, woven with threads of unimaginable strength.
"And then-" Aeris began, her voice trailing off. I couldn't bear to hear any more, the weight of her story pressing down on my heart until it felt almost unbearable. "Enough!" I cried out, the anguish in my voice echoing the emotions that churned within me. Tears flowed freely down my cheeks, a testament to the empathy I felt for Aeris' pain.
"Mother?" Aeris' voice held a hint of uncertainty, seeking comfort and understanding. Without hesitation, I drew her into a gentle embrace, holding her as if I could shield her from the memories that haunted her.
"Please, Aeris, that's enough," I pleaded softly, my voice trembling with a mixture of sadness and compassion. My heart ached for her, and I longed to spare her any further pain.
As I held her, a resolute decision formed within me. In that moment, I realized that Aeris was more than just a stranger who had come into our lives. She had become a part of our family, and I wanted to offer her the love and support she deserved. It was a silent promise I made to her that day—to provide her with a new beginning, a chance to find happiness amidst the shadows of her past.
-Chapter 46 End-