Equipping her new phone with the latest number, first and foremost, she called her mother. As soon as the call was forwarded, Helle could feel her hands slowly tugging at a fist. Wetting her lips, finally, Lorraine had taken the call.
"Hello Mom," her nervousness peeped through the call.
"Hel- helle! Oh, my. Where are you now? Are you safe? You haven't been kidnapped. Don't you realize you are too old to rebel and throw tantrums? Come back home. Now." Lorraine had sweat dripping from the side of her forehead.
"Mum," Helle called, "I am now at the capital, and I have arrived safely, and I will not be returning."
"Wh-" The background noise grew louder, cutting short Lorraine's words. There were a few stern voices that sounded familiar to Helle, but she kept quiet.
"How will you keep on living if you don't return? It's not a fun little game, Hell. You need money; you need a guardian."
"I am old enough now." Her voice dropped, steady and unyielding. It was clear that Lorraine was protective over her, but she was no longer a little child who was throwing a tantrum. Of course, just trusting Orion blindly could have been a bad idea, but she knew what she was doing.
"Well, never mind. You are old enough now. Don't come back home crying, though. Also, I do not know what mess you caused by apparently the chief of the police was murdered and this morning Anton committed suicide. Uh, I was so scared that something bad might happen to you."
"That's soo..." Helle was speechless. Why would Anton ever try to take his own life? Especially when she was wordless, hollowness forged in her, and the excitement and nervousness all died down. "But why would he do that now?" She murmured while frowning.
"Indeed," Lorraine muttered back. It was concerning after all; Helle was no more in the town, and since Anton died, the Sylvians were tirelessly searching for a reason. Someone whom they can blame for his death.
"Well, at the very least, be sure to call me every day so that I know you are safe."
"Okay."
With that, the call ended but the heaviness in her heart didn't even budge. Death. How easy could it have been? But what about the people he had left behind? Did he ever even think about that? The pain he had inflicted! Without ever asking for forgiveness, he had left while she was now left with bitterness.
'What am I supposed to feel now? Sorry for the dead? But then... what about me? Did I do all this for nothing?' Her eyes were watery and her mind hazy.
'Why...' a few drops of tears fell from her eye. Of course, now that he was gone, she had no one to blame but—
'I am not being bitter. Or maybe I am, but I will forgive Anton. Not because he deserves it, but... because I want to set myself free.'
Weeping in silence, she fell asleep.
~
The graveness stirred within her, and even the sleep couldn't contain it. Feeling clouded and grey, Helle walked out of her room and headed outside. The sky had a few dull clouds, and the evening had settled.
Walking around the free land, which was fenced with tall walls, Helle simply walked around aimlessly. The tall trees, the small cobblestone path, and the chirping of the birds. It felt as though she had returned.
"Hello there, Miss Helle," someone called out her name. Turning behind, there was no one to be seen. Then, as she turned forward, someone stepped on the stones and ran towards her.
"Mr. Snow?" she gasped. Oh, the scary attorney!
"Um? Oh yea. I am snow." He spoke at a low volume before adjusting to an audible sound. "Well, how have you been? You seem to enjoy walks." The man had almost the same features as Mr. Snow, but the way he talked and dressed so casually, it was... wasn't him right? But if it wasn't Mr. Snow, then who was this man?!
"Well yea. It's a good way to let my mind rest and just enjoy nature." Helle answered, trying not to show her scepticism about him.
They walked while sharing brief conversations. The cold breeze hit their faces, and a few leaves fell from the trees.
"I see. Well, you must be very concerned about the engagement. Is it because Orion doesn't spend much time with you?" His question made her pale. Was this the reason why he approached her? To know about the fake engagement?
There was silence, and only after thinking through Helle replied, "Well, it is due to the engagement, but not for that reason. Orion has such many responsibilities on his shoulders, so I could never ask him so selfishly to spend much time with me. But it's because I am the lacking one. I don't know whether I will be able to uphold him as his partner."
"I see." He nodded. "Well, I can help you in that aspect."
"??" She made sure to give a glance; after all, wasn't he just here for information?
"Let me introduce myself. I am Donovan Snow, Liam's younger brother." He said it with pride and the cheekiest grin while Helle had her eyes budged and her brows turned upwards.
"So you are Mr. Attorney's younger brother? Uh, you almost scammed me," Helle frowned.
"Well, you never asked. Also, I am sure I do not look so close to thirty-three." It made both of them slightly giggle.
"Yea, yea, you don't." She spoke in between her laughter. Once they both calmed down, they turned around and started to walk back to the house.
"Well, that's because I am only twenty-two. Also, starting from tomorrow, I will be assisting you with your education."
"Eh?"
"Well, things like taking care of your posture and a few table manners. Background education regarding most of the investors and businessmen who will be invited and miscellaneous things."
"Oh. Then I hope to be in your care then!"
Their banter was short-lived, as Donovan was quick to leave and Helle returned to have dinner.
"Miss the dinner is not ready yet," Martha informed.
"I see."
There was too much time on her hands, so she simply walked to the living room, took one of the books from the shelf, and started to read. Literature had always been one of her favourite hobbies, so as soon as she immersed herself in the pages, she completely delved into the new world.