My heart beat faster with each step I took to my house. For some reason, I could feel my heart shaking as if this was the first time I was going to be seeing them. Except in a way, it was. It's been months now since I've last seen my family and the last time I saw them we didn't exactly part on good terms. My identity as a thief had been exposed to them, one Giselle hadn't taken lightly and now, as I got closer to my house I realized that maybe this was a mistake!
"What is it?" Corion asked from behind me when he noticed how I had abruptly come to a stop, "Why are you stopping?"
I turned to look at him with a wry smile on my face. "I can't go in there."
Corion arched a brow up at me, "Why not?"
"Well, you were there the last time, you saw everything that happened so you know that I didn't exactly leave on good terms with them." I answered shooting him a pointed look.
Corion glanced at the door behind me, a weird look on his face before he turned to look at me. "Trust me, they want to see you."
"Except that's the thing," I answered with a huff, "I do not trust you."
Rolling his eyes at me with a smirk on his face, he stepped forward. "Just open the door will you, I'm starving and I'm hoping to eat."
"Well you've come to the wrong place bud, because there's no way I'm entering there, talk less of inviting you to my home and_"
"Aneesa!"
Whatever words I was about to got caught in my throat at the sound of that very familiar voice. A shaky breath escaped as I turned to look around. Sure enough, my stepmother was standing behind me with a small smile on her face. I know I should say something but all I could do was just stand there, staring at her with a dazed look on my face.
"Aneesa," Mirabel called softly, descending from the stairs with measured steps.
I stood rooted to the ground not daring to move as Mirabel closed the distance between us. Then with a sound that was part laugh, part sob, she wrapped me in a warm embrace. The faint scent of spices clung to her and for a moment I forgot how to feel.
"Oh thank the blessed oracle," Mirabel sobbed as he placed a kiss on my head, still clutching on tightly to me. "I thought I'd never see you again, but you are here, you are here…" Mirabel sobbed and that was when my mind seemed to start working back.
My hands reached up and I clutched my mother close to me, closing my eyes as a lone tear slipped down from my face. I never thought I was going to see her again too, I thought by the time I was finally granted access she would have….she could have…
"I missed you too!" I said instead not wanting to think that dark thoughts.
Mirabel and I were still lost in our dark embrace when all of a sudden, I heard another voice. "Mother, what are you doing outside?"
I moved away from mother's embrace and stared up to meet my step sisters standing at the entrance of the door with a look of confusion on their faces which quickly morphed into one of surprise.
"Hello sisters," I said awkwardly as I nervously shifted from one foot to another.
Giselle stood holding at the entrance holding a spoon in her hand while Grace had an apron tied around her waist, with dots of flour on her face which made me snicker a little bit. She could never get anything done without it getting on her face.
"Aneesa? It's really you?" Grace asked taking a step towards me.
Mirabel linked her arm with mine, patting my hand affectionately as she beamed up at me. "Yes girls, your sister is really back home."
To say I wasn't nervous would be a lie because I could feel my hands start to tremble from anxiety as I wondered what kind of welcome I would be getting from my sisters. Memories from the look of shock and disappointment on their faces that night when my secrets came out. I realized I never properly apologized for it and that I needed to.
Taking a step forward, I opened my mouth to speak, "Listen you guys, I'm…"
"Aneesa!" Grace yelled as she rushed forward and basically lunged herself at me.
I was momentarily stunned at her ecstatic greeting as I caught her in my arms, stumbling a little bit cause of her weight. Grace hugged me tightly, her excitement palpable as she hugged me tightly.
A laugh slipped out of me as I hugged her, "I missed you too Gracie."
I pulled away from Grace to turn to look at Giselle who stood at the entrance. Her grip tightened around the spoon she was holding, her gaze sharp and unyielding as she glared at something or someone behind me.
"I see you didn't come alone!"
Oh right, the prince! I turned behind me to look at Corion standing with his arms crossed behind him. I also couldn't help but notice the black mask he now wore which obscured the scar across his face and I couldn't help but wonder why he would bother to wear it. He hadn't just minutes ago.
"Oh gods above," Grace whispered awe lacing her words. She gripped my arm tightly. "Is that prince?"
I recovered from my stupor, clearing my throat as I nodded my head. "Yes, it is indeed the prince." I affirmed turning to look at my family.
"Your highness!" All women even Giselle curtsying with practiced precision. I rolled my eyes, a small involuntary huff escaping me.
Corion noticed that because his gaze flicked to me, his lips twitching upward ever so slightly as if he found my reaction amusing. Yet his focus returned to my family. "Please, there's no need for formalities, I'm happy to be here." He said, his tone velvet smooth.
"Would you like to come in, your highness?" My mother asked her voice trembling as she stared up with a hopeful look on her face.
I turned to look at him, wondering if he would even though I was hoping he wouldn't. But there was a low chance of that ever happening and I was right because Corion nodded his head, a smile on his lips as he stared at my mother.
"Why thank you Mirabel, I would love to." He said, his tone soft and full of warmth which made me narrow my eyes especially when my mother's cheeks tinged pink and Grace let out a breathy sigh, her hand fluttering to her chest and Corion might as well have recited a love poem to her.
The only person who didn't seem affected was Giselle because she scoffed loudly, "Good thing I prepared more than enough, right?" She muttered, spinning on her heel without waiting for an answer.
Mirabel squeezed my hand, "She's happy to see you, just isn't one for showing affections, you know that."
Yeah, I do know that but that doesn't mean the cold shoulder doesn't still hurt! I muse but offered a smile to my mother as she grabbed me by the hand and led us inside. I turned to look at Corion who walked behind us calmly, I couldn't see his expression behind the mask he wore but I could tell he was nervous.
So I offered him a smile, "Thank you!" I muttered.
Corion returned the smile in return with a slight nod of his head and I turned as I made my way into the house I've missed so much.
Home sweet home!
***
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