The journey back to Alden was as long as expected, and by the time we arrived, I was exhausted.
"Welcome back, my lady," Rufus said, standing at the end of the stairs.
"Thank you," I replied.
"Her Grace has asked me to make sure you are settled," he said, and I nodded, following him inside. "I hope your journey wasn't too stressful?" he asked.
"No, it wasn't," I said, though it actually had been. Coupled with the worsening situation with the Large Worms, traveling for weeks hadn't been easy.
He followed me to my room door and stopped there. "I'll have some people bring you something to eat. Please rest up," he said before turning to leave.
The moment Rufus departed, a sense of unease settled in my chest. Why had Mother suddenly summoned us? Was something wrong?
I walked inside, started undressing, and was soon assisted by some maids. After a bath and changing into nightwear, I lay down to rest.
"My lady, should we get you something to eat?" a maid asked.
"Yes, thank you," I replied. Though I wasn't particularly hungry, I needed to maintain my stamina to avoid a seizure.
After eating, I went straight to bed. Despite my exhaustion, I still felt something was amiss, but I decided not to dwell on it. For the first time in weeks, I slept well.
…
The next day, I walked into the dining room and saw Mother's children, but she wasn't there. One of them groaned upon seeing me.
"She's back? Really?" he exclaimed to his brothers, who were equally displeased with my presence. I simply sat down, keeping my head down and my eyes on my plate. I occasionally glanced at the door, but Mother didn't come.
"Why did you come back?" one of them asked. They'd have to reintroduce themselves for me to remember who was who, but that wasn't going to happen.
"Mother asked me to," I replied, my head still down.
"Why do you call her 'Mother' when she's not your mother?" another asked. "Just some charity case," he spat in annoyance.
"Let her be," the third person said.
I ate a little and stood up to leave, not wanting to stay any longer. As I approached the door, Rufus walked in.
"My lady, are you done?" he asked, glancing at the table.
"Oh, uh… yes," I said, and he sighed.
"Her Grace has informed me that there will be a party this evening, and you are all expected to attend. All vassal families will be present to report their endeavors, so the children of the main branch should be present as well," he instructed before turning to leave.
I waited for him to go before walking out myself. I went to my room and lay flat on the bed.
"My lady," someone called, making me sit up. "Her Grace has sent a dress for you to wear this evening," she said.
"Okay," I replied.
"Shall I bring it in?"
"Yes, thank you," I said, shifting on my bed.
A few maids brought the dress, which was placed on a mannequin, into the walk-in closet. I watched quietly. The growing unease I had felt since yesterday intensified as I saw the dress—it was black. Black wasn't the color for a vassal party; something was definitely wrong.
I did nothing the whole day but rest in my room, waiting for the time to pass. When it was almost five, the maids came in to help me get ready. I could already hear the sound of people arriving.
I wore the dress and stood in front of the mirror. I looked like a ghost, just as Bella had said. My skin had become paler, likely due to my weakness. No one would notice, though, since I've always been pale and winter was approaching.
I walked to the ballroom in one of the annex buildings. As I entered, I looked around at the crowded hall. People were chatting and mingling, which made me think I might have been worrying for nothing.
"My lady, please come this way," a butler said, and I nodded, following him. I went to the front where Mother was. She, too, was in black, while her sons wore various colors—red, purple…
"Livi," she said, noticing me and giving a small smile.
"Good evening, Mother," I replied, and she nodded. I took my seat next to her and became a silent observer, not moving or speaking.
"Good evening, Your Grace," a lady stepped forward with a boy behind her. They prostrated before Mother, but she didn't respond. "This is my son, Evan. He just started working in the distribution business in Everyl," she said. So they are based here.
"Oh, I hope things are going well there?" Mother asked him, and he looked flustered.
"Y… Y…"
"Things are great, Your Grace," his mother replied for him.
A few more people came to greet Mother and introduce their children. Some came with complaints, while others gave reports.
"Good evening, Your Grace," Wolfe said, stepping forward. Finally, a familiar face.
"Good evening, Your Grace," the twins also said as they approached.
"Oh, good evening. Were you three together?" Mother asked.
"Ah, yes. We came to see Faina," Ariel said, and Mother nodded.
"Hey, my lady," Bella said, waving at me. "Are you going to a funeral?" she asked, and Mother chuckled.
"You could say that," she replied on my behalf.
"Really? Was there a dress code?" Ariel asked, looking around.
"Faina, long time no see," Wolfe said. "How have you been?" he asked.
"Fine, thank you," I replied with a faint smile.
"Shouldn't you be calling her that?" Ariel asked.
"Oh, that's right. I should call you 'boss,'" Wolfe said.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Ariel asked, but he didn't respond.
"Listen, lad, when speaking to your superior, you should refer to them respectfully," Bella scolded.
"Like you do?" Wolfe asked, rolling his eyes. For a moment, I couldn't tell who was who. "I keep telling you I'm older than you, so stop calling me 'lad' or 'chap' or 'kid'," Wolfe complained.
"Whatever," Bella said. They seemed really close; most of the kids under Alden appeared to be. They also knew Teon, so they must have known each other for a long time.
"Where is Douglas? I need him to talk some sense into you," Wolfe said.
"I sent him on an errand," Mother said, and the three seemed to finally remember we were there.
"Oh… ehh… okay," Wolfe said, looking embarrassed.
"Your Grace, will Douglas be here today?" Bella asked.
"He'll be here soon," Mother replied. The children of the main branch appeared agitated at this news. Who were Douglas and Dustin?
"Did somebody call me?" a boy said, stepping forward. He smiled at Bella, and the twins rolled their eyes.
"Good evening, Your Grace," he said, turning to me. "You must be Lady Faina. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, my lady," he said, reaching for my hand. Mother cleared her throat, and he stopped.
"Douglas, I think you should reserve your flirty attitude for those who are not relatives," Bella said, and he laughed.
"Are you jealous?" he asked.
"Hardly. I just don't want you making my lady uncomfortable," she said.
"I'll keep that in mind," he replied, turning to Mother.
"Where is Dustin?" she asked.
"He's ready," Douglas replied.
"Good," Mother said.
The crowd seemed either displeased or surprised at how easily Douglas, Bella, and the twins interacted with Mother. It was clear they had no ulterior motives.
"Myra," someone called from the crowd. Elise ran out with a smile on her face. She was the only one here who would refer to Mother by her first name.
"Sis, you should not address her like that," Wolfe said, and she waved at him.
"Please, that's not important now," Elise replied. Sis? They weren't relatives, so how…
"Sis, you've become thinner. Is Principal working you to the bone?" Ariel asked.
"You could say that. Look at my skin," Elise replied, pouting. "My favorite student," she added.
"Good evening, Elise," I said.
"It's been so long, aunt. End this so I can catch up with my student," Elise said to Mother. Aunt?
"It will be over soon," Mother replied.
"We're ready when you are, Your Grace," Douglas said, and Mother nodded.
"Now that Livi is here, let's get started," she said, and everyone went silent. "I don't have all day, so I'll get straight to the point," she continued, standing up. "Some people have betrayed the head and are conspiring with other families to bring down Alden," she announced, and murmurs erupted among the crowd.
Who could it be? Douglas didn't seem surprised, but the others did, though they tried to hide their reactions.
"Come in," Mother ordered. The entrance door swung open, and everyone moved aside to let a boy with some knights step forward, accompanied by a group of finely dressed people—except they were bound.
I scanned the faces of the people and my eyes widened. What is going on here?