Chapter 2: Mother
"My lady, your mother would like to speak with you," announced Miss Cordelia Hawthorne, the ever-dutiful servant. Ah yes, Elowen von Montclair, the illustrious mother of Isadora von Montclair.
"May I inquire as to the reason for her request this evening?" I asked politely, curious about the timing.
"She wishes to discuss the cancellation of your engagement to the prince," Miss Cordelia replied, her tone measured.
"Ah, very well. I'll be there shortly," I responded, composing myself before making my way to the garden.
There, seated gracefully on a stone bench amidst the lush greenery, was my "mother." Elowen von Montclair was as elegant as ever, adorned in an exquisite dress that only enhanced her beauty—she was, as described in countless stories, the very embodiment of grace and loveliness.
"Ah, my dear. Please, have a seat," she said warmly, gesturing to the space beside her.
I sat down carefully, maintaining my poise. "You wished to discuss the reason behind my decision to cancel the engagement with the prince, correct, Mother?"
"Yes, I'd like to hear it from you. Although," she paused, her voice calm yet knowing, "I may already have an idea."
"He was unfaithful, wasn't he?" she asked, her perception unnervingly sharp. I was taken aback by how quickly she had discerned the truth.
"...Yes, Mother," I admitted quietly, my voice tinged with shame. "He was unfaithful."
"Well, what a bastard," she remarked, her tone so nonchalant that it caught me off guard.
"Mother!" I exclaimed, shocked by her language.
"Oh dear, I only said it once," she replied with a mischievous smile, lightly placing a finger on her lips.
"My dear, you seem quite different these past few days. It's because of the prince's betrayal, isn't it?" Her voice held genuine concern—a concern that stirred an unexpected sense of envy within me. How lucky Isadora was to have a mother who truly cared for her, unlike my own, who had only ever used me to satisfy her selfish desires of lust.
"Yes, Mother," I replied softly, trying to reassure her. "Although, Miss Cordelia St. Claire has been supportive through all of this."
Her expression softened even further, and I could feel the warmth of her care envelop me, a feeling both foreign and comforting.