Magnus roared a disbelieving chuckle " what are you talking about Lucinda?!"
"Sister you're acting crazy again" Valarie noted, her tone worrisome.
"The child is not-" Valerie tried to step forward to reach for Theodore.
Lucinda roared a Laughter, her shoulder bouncing, head thrown back and a blissful curve in her eyes. They all thought she had gone mad. 'A mad woman' they whisper. Her laughter abruptly stopped in a harsh drawl. Dabbing the corner of her eyes with her gloved hand.
Lucinda turned to look at Valerie, her gaze pressing. "What where you about to say? That my child is not safe with me?!
"After all these years you refuse to change. Don't you ever get tired. Really Valerie?" Her name was spit harshly from her lips.
"We want the best for our child!" Magnus pointed at Theodore.
"Do not call him yours!"
"Sister! I'm sorry I couldn't get a child of my own. It was told it was because of an evil eye on us. I don't know who i offended so much to curse me not to have a child of my own for so long"
Lucinda all but rolled her eyes. Knowing where this sob story was going. Valerie as usual was trying to suggest that..
"Did you hear that? An evil eye is stopping Lady Valerie from conceiving a child."
" who could hate this happy couple so much" someone else whispered, looking at the crying Valerie, her palm over her face.
"It obviously Lady Lucinda. She's the witch. Who else hate them the most. She must still be bitter Lord Magnus choose her step sister over her." The woman tone was condescending.
Nothing had change. It was more than six years ago. And yet they still viewed her the same as that night. Doesn't it get old? Why are they so determined to shift all the blame to her?
Once more she was suggested to their judging stare, the hateful glances and accusation from Magus gaze.
How long? How long does she have to live through this?!
"Mama" Theodore soft call, pulled her out ofbthat despair. Surrounded by potent hate, their was one pure innocent gaze that looked at her with hope. Theodore. This was who she was fighting for. Her reason to push forward. Her strength. Her precious child.
"Enough of this charade" She called and the hall quiet down.
Magnus hateful accusing gaze never left her as he said.
"Stop fighting so hard Lucinda. We both know its futile. This family is what the child needs".
Theodore clenched her dress tighter and hid away from his father gaze.
"Not you. You are not needed anymore."
How those words were so familiar. Always playing like a broken trance in the fragments of her child hood. This man that had made her feel like she once had the world in the palm of her hands. It was all a delusion. A stupid fantasy. This world was not put together, it was decaying, falling apart. They had always weighed and found her lacking. Society had judged her with blindfolded eyes. Rip it off. She'll rip of that blind fold. It was her time to weigh the scales. Justice be put in her own hands now, and she wasn't blind.
" I hadn't come here to resonate old memories with the likes of you. I have come to pass one message only." She rested her palm on he son soft curls.
" I Lucinda, will fight for the custody of Theodore owen cassius. If you so think the justice system is fair and true, then fight me. We will play the game at your own turf and we'll see who will emerge the winner".
Pin drop silence. Then chaotic roar. A woman. A woman had dare defy their law. Foolish. she had no chance of winning. A single mother wants to fight for the custody of a child?! She was digging her grave and in for a lengthy fall. Just like the brittle few that had dare to fight the impossible war, it would also be her last battle.
Magnus eyes widen before ridicule clouded them. His laugh was sounding victorious.
"You? Wanna fight for custody of Theodore with me?" He looked at her, laughing like he was speaking with a foolish child. But Lucinda heard something else in his tone. The uncertainty and harshness lacing the ends of each disbelieving cackle. Doubt. The doubt radiating from him, she can practically see it wrapping around his being. Good thing he knew who he was up against.
No matter how hard he tries to deny it, in the very corner of his mind, he still considers lady Lucinda a threat. They all did.
"Sister we can talk about this. You're being impulsive and not thinking right. This may harm the well being of the child".
"So what do you suggest i do. Give up? Let you guys take him? Is that what you want Lady Valerie?"
"I-i..." Valerie became a stumbling mess of words. She didn't like to be put in the tight spot.
"She doesn't have to answer that. You are wasting your time on this Lucinda. You aren't even a worthy opponent. You can't fight against me without a partner. You lost before it began. Do not stress the matter and leave now. Theodore is in safe hands. Thank you for your services".
"I find it amusing I'm being treated as nothing but a mare tool". It was no secret the women amounted to nothing. In their society. Just a price to be displayed on the arms of their partner and look pretty, say the right thing, do the right things. That's all their worth. But really no one really spoke of it out loud. They all just accepted that dysfunctional rule.
"If you think I'm not a worthy opponent then lets us see in court. And who told you I don't have the capacity to fight you." She held a mischievous smirk on her lips.
Valerie and Magnus eyes furrowed in confusion. They had heard of the rumors. That a gentleman was courting Lady Lucinda. But to think.. When had this happen!? Were they reading to much into it. But how can she be so confident if she doesn't have outside help.
"What does this mean Sister?" Valerie meekly ask, confused and concerned.
"Explain yourself!" Magnus vein was popping out at the side of his temple.
"I don't hold anyone of you an explanation. See you in court Vermillion".
Everyone in the hall was left wondering what Lucinda meant.
From his position, Silas gave a smirk of amusement. The curve of his lips almost maniacal.
A piece on the chess board just moved in place.