Of course!" Natasha said, and Maria took her seat. "So." She began. "What were you girls talking about?" She asked, as she rested her chin on her hands. "Well, Natasha asked me just now If I was aware that Diego is taking the kids out on a picnic, and I told her that I wasn't. But it's okay... maybe he forgot." Diane told her with a fake smile. "It is possible, he really had a lot bearing down on his mind lately. But I am a little bit surprised that he us taking Alice with, too." Maria said casually. "Alice?" Natasha asked with a tilt of her head. "Oh, you mean Dorothy's daughter? Why would it surprise you? That's just how Diego is." Natsaha said, with a proud look on her face. "True. He is fond of children afterall." Maria said, after pondering for some time. "He ended up being quite a fine man." "Though I think Alice does more of a babysitting job than being their friend." Natasha said. "Oh, you shouldn't say that, she is more like a sister to them." Diane intervened. "The reason why she is like that Is because of collective responsibility." Diane sad. "Oh, so if they get In trouble, she gets in trouble too? Is that what you mean?" Natasha asked. "I didn't expect you to be quite the disciplinarian, Diane." Maria said, looking at Diane with proud eyes, making Diane to scratch her head awkwardly. "No, that's not it." Diane said. "I just don't want them to get in trouble." Diane explained. "Besides, she is older than the both of them, so she ought to know better." She concluded. "That reminds me, Diane, you have five months left till your contract with Diego ends, right?" Maria asked suddenly. "That's right." Diane said, with a somewhat sad smile. "Mother." Natsha said with a slight glare, as if asking her mother why she had to bring that up. "Don't get me wrong. I was just asking so that if they split up, if they do split up, I could get her something so she could use to control her powers, when she does awaken." Maria explained. "Bedides, I noticed the same thing in your brother too." She said suddenly. "What!" A male voice suddenly exclaimed, and the vague figure of a man began to materialize slowly. "Morris has powers to?" He asked. His mother In alarm. "Diane, are you sure you are don't belong to the bloodline of the 'Lost ones?' Theodore, who suddenly popped out of thin air, exclaimed. Diane was momentarily speechless at his sudden arrival, Maria slapped st her forehead, while Natasha couldn't help but to curse at her brother in he heart. "Wait, 'Lost ones?' Who are they?" Diane asked when she finally found her voice. Maria slapped the back of her son's head, making him feel De javu. "It is an urban legend." Natasha replied. "Which will be a story for another day." She added. Turning to her brother. "How long have you been here?" She asked. "Since the beginning." Theodore shamelessly replied. "Well, I really don't know anyone in my family who actually has magic." Diane said. "Well, it Is possible that they could be a distant relative." Maria said. "And the flow of magic in the Lewis mansion is so terrible, so that is the reason why they are showing signs of manifesting now." Natasha concluded. "Besides.." Natasha said, turning to her brother. "Why are you here?" She demanded. "I can explain!" Theodore said, throwing both arms up in the air. "Diego seemed out of it, and he got irritated easily, and the last time he was like that was... Diane, don't tell me the both of you fought again.?" He asked, turning to Diane. Maria and Natasha also faced Diane. "Well did you?" Natasha asked, looking at Diane suspiciously . Diane heaved a sigh. "We did." She said blankly. "I see." Maria said. "Diego acts like a child at times. He always likes to throw tantrums unexpectedly. Don't tell me he's fallen for you?" Theodore asked. "I know right? It would be nice if he did. I already consider you my sister, afterall." Natasha butted In. "How an I supposed to know? He doesn't tell me anything!" Diane exclaimed suddenly, earning her odd looks. "Oh. So that is why you fought with him." Maria said. "I thought he already overcame that phase, but I guess I was wrong." She added. "What are you talking about mother?" Natsaha asked. "Do you two remember how Diego was like when his parents died?" Natasha and Theodore nodded, while Diane was lost at sea. "It got so bad, he nearly shut its out." Natasha said. "What did Diego say when he saw Leonia for the very first time? 'Throw it out?'" Theodore said, trying to recollect a memory. "You are joking." Diane turned to Theodore alarmed. "Diego would never..." "But he did." Maria interrupted. "And it didn't help that those shameless adults tried to monopolize him. And I... I couldn't even do anything for him. I couldn't keep my promise to Euphemia. I promised to be like a mother, to protect..." Maria said, almost on the brink of tears. A hand gently rested above hers. "It's not your fault, mother." Theodore said. "We were helpless, we were powerless." Natasha said. "I remember when Diego named Leonia." Maria said, as she wiped the tears off her eyes. "I hope this child will turn out as brave and as ferocious as a Lion, so no one can ever use her or manipulate her. Leonia, meaning 'Lion'. She said with a smile. "He only let Leonia be after the combined efforts of us and the servants though." Theodore grumbled. Natasha gave him a hard nudge In the ribs. "You know, Diane." Maria faced her attention to Diane this time. "When Diego was still around Morris's age, he didn't call me aunt. He actually called me mother." She said. "I still don't get why he called Regis by his first name though. Not dad, father, or uncle, but Regis." She said. Natasha failed to stifle a laugh. "Ha, it was so funny, how dad's face changed colors back then. It was as if he was contemplating if to strike him or not." Natasha said. "Well, he was probably trying to imitate his dad. It's not like Uncle Jasper called Dad brother afterall, even if Dad was older than him." Theodore said nonchalantly. "Well, you can never really understand what Is going on in a child's head." Natsha said. "Back then, Natasha and Diego will always fight. Natasha really didn't like Diego calling me mother. She would always say: 'She is your aunt, not your mother! Don't you pay attention In class?!' " Diane took a quick glance at Natasha, who was blushing hotly. "It did take a while for him to stop calling you mother, after all." Natasha said, trying to her composure back. "And Euphemia was fine with this?" Diane asked curiously. "She was more than fine with it. She even called me his second mother, whenever she wanted to tease me. 'Maria, your son is being disobedient again. Please talk to him. Honestly, how could you have given birth to such a stubborn child?" She paused briefly. "And yet, I failed to protect that child of mine." She added, with a Sad look. "I also considered him my son too. To be honest, I was a little bit depressed when he began to call me 'Aunt'. " She said
"But unfortunately, that child changed greatly after the death of his parents. The look in his eyes, everything. And after that incident occurred, I was slightly Afraid of him. How could a mother die afraid of her child?" She asked no one in particular. "Wait, what incident?" Diane asked. "Diane, it may be better if he told you that himself." Natasha said, with a serious look on her face. Even Theodore looked grave. "The point I am trying to tell you Diane, is that you shouldn't be mad at him for such a small thing. Sorry, it may be petty to me, but it might not be so to you. He is not the type that warms up easily to people, so please be patient with him." She said, a pleading look in her eyes. "I will try my best." Diane responded flatly. "I know it will be difficult, but please." She begged, as she clasped Diane Hand in hers. "Please take care of my son on my behalf. No matter what, be patient with him. I sincerely hope, that you will be able to revive the Diego I once knew. I don't want him to be broken again." She said. "Don't worry." Diane assured her. "I know a mother only wants the best for her child. I promise you, I will take good care of him." Diane reassured her. "Thank you." Maria said, her eyes at peace now. "The both of you, are really fortunate to have a mother like her." Diane muttered under her breath, as she left the courtyard.