Arriving at my house, I first passed by the servant's quarters through the back door, sneaking in.
Passing by the kitchen, I stole an apple and ate it. Then I went into Anny's bedroom, where she probably was at this time of the day.
I knocked three times to see if she was indeed in her sleeping quarters.
"Yes?
Opening the door with a questioning tone, Anny was now in her nightgown — a minimal dress made of silk fabric, a gift I had given her for her birthday.
On her head, she wore a black nightcap with some dentelles at the border. She looked like she had woken up from a deep slumber.
Or maybe a light one, since she still heard me.
"Miss? It's you? But we had no news of your arrival."
Anny, looking at me incredulously with her big green eyes, was beginning to stress.
"Oh no, miss, I didn't prepare anything. When did you arrive? Are you hungry? Let me go cook something quickly."
Grabbing her doorknob, she entered her room hurriedly—almost running—letting the door wide open, then she took off her nightcap, her beautiful blonde hair falling down her shoulders.
Seeing her getting more and more worked up, I entered her room too before grasping her shoulder—stopping her movements.
"Anny! Anny. Do not worry so much, it's not good for your heart. Come, come here."
Silently patting her, I waited a few seconds before letting go.
Anny, for me, was more than a servant. She was also a confider and a dear friend.
When I was a child, after my mother passed, she was the only one I could rely on.
"My lady, where did you come from, dressed like that? Your father will scold you if he sees you like that."
"Don't worry, I justly went to you first to ask for your help to get some clothes from my wardrobe. »
« Surely. You cannot let those hyenas find something else to say about you. » Said Anny with a pout—talking about my stepmothers and half-siblings—while she helped me undress.
"Hahaha, you have quite the vocabulary. But do not let them hear you, or I am afraid they could bite into a bloody mess, those savages."
We looked into each other eyes before bursting out of laughter.
"It's done. Stay here, I will be here in a few minutes. "
"Thank you, Anny."
To take precautions, I awaited in her bedroom. I was sitting, legs crossed, on her rose-scented bed.
Anny always had a thing for artisanal scents, often using them on her everyday laundry.
Just as she said, four minutes later, she came back with a beautiful red dress, while panting.
"You shouldn't have run, we have time. Why a red dress, though?"
"Because red suits you marvelously. And today, for dinner, your favorite stepmother will dine with us.
"Cherissa came back? When?"
"This morning. She didn't inform anyone, as was her habit, and barged into the principal door, her multiple servants following with a myriad of clothes."
"I see. Elric came too? Is this why they are eating this late?"
"Yes, the countess insisted on taking a new schedule, her "majesty" being exhausted." She began after I slipped into my dress, before combing my tangled hair, "Oh, heaven! What did you do with your hair?"
"Another mission."
"By your father? Even in the academy?"
"No. This time I found a new master, the academy itself. They make me work to the bones. But soon, that will end."
"Oh my goodness, what a bunch of abusers!
Taking advantage of you this way! Why do they do that?"
"Long story short, I needed more points to finalize my academic course. Or I won't graduate."
"Ah, It's that stupid system again! Always complicating things."
"Ah! Yes, you asked me about Elric, right? No, he is still on his mission. Only the mistress came back." She continued as she finished the final touch, my overall appearance ready and neat.
"Okay, great."
"You can go sleep now Anny, thank you," I said as I took my leave, closing the door behind me.
Then I went through the long corridor, walking toward Ricardo's chambers.
From the lights coming from the private quarters, we could guess that he was still up, doing who knows what.
Without knocking, I entered silently.
Inside, Ricardo was playing with his cat, mister Rototo.
That poor cat was being manhandled by Ricardo as he tried to escape his grip.
"What are doing, silly? Let him go."
"Sister? What are you doing here?"
Startled, Ricardo stood up instinctively, dropping the cat as he did so—his mouth and hands open.
"Aren't you happy to see me? Did you receive my letter?"
I moved forward before hugging him tightly. As per our small ritual, we stayed like that for a few minutes before letting go.
"I see that you lost weight again! I hope you do not train too harshly, it's bad for your health."
"No, sister, I feel great. And I didn't lose weight, you must have been the one who fattened. »
« Oh, you brat! Is that how you talk to your twin sister? »
Not giving care to my faked indignation, the boy looked at me with a mischievous look in his eyes as he opened the door,
« And yes, I did receive your letter. Should we go to your garden? »
« How did you know? »
« I don't know, I felt it. Must be a twin thing. » He replied leisurely while shrugging his shoulders.
Arriving at my safe space, we took place in the chairs.
« Stay there. »
Before doing anything, I took the door linking the garden to my chamber and took a few healing pills and potions.
I ate one and applied a suited cream on my ankle.
Immediately, it felt better.
Then, I took out the Annerula and took one petal out, putting it in a small glass jar.
I needed it for something.
Then I went back to the garden and settled down.
« So, how is the academy? »
« Nothing particular, but you should know that, right? Since you're the one who sent me there."
I talked in a half-bitter, half-amused tone, as I stroked his wavy hair.
« Ah! You are still on that? »
« You better lie low for a few months, Ricardo. Not a second time, understand? »
« Okay, okay! » He replied with a pout as he surrounded himself, helpless.
I smiled at him, amused.
Then I showed him the beautiful blue flower, letting him take it.
"That's what I told you in the letter. Beautiful, right?"
"The Annurela, is it?"
Ricardo, like me the first time I saw it, had his mouth gasping at the magnificence of the particular and unique flower.
"Yes. Take it and conserve it somewhere in a safe place. If you ever feel sick while I am not there, take it and go search for Aria, she will help you. »
« Okay… »
« Great. Now, can you leave me alone sometime? I will meet you at the dinner table."
"Okay. Ah! That you heard that that sorceress came back?"
"Yes, Anny told me."
"Well, she did well. Prepare yourself mentally, she is just as unbearable as before."
"Alright, I will take note."
"Later, sister."
"Bye."
Not seeing him anymore, I then went into the middle of the garden, barefoot on the grass.
I left my feet touching the direct ground for a few minutes while emptying my mind.
Little by little, I felt much better.
I stayed there until it was dinner time.
.
.
.
.
.
"Father, countess, everyone, good evening."
"You came back? Good evening, Georgia. Come, eat with us." My progenitor said as he signaled a servant to add another set of utensils and plates.
"Good evening indeed, Georgia. How is your life going on at the academy?" I asked my older sister, Eliza.
'Ah, questions as soon as I came…'
I was sighing internally, controlling my impulse to turn back and leave.
I was at that to just do that.