The days were growing shorter, and the air had a crispness that signaled the approach of winter. Ella stood by the window, her gaze drifting towards the northwest. She thought of her father and brothers, their faces etched with the hardships of their duty at the border. A pang of worry, a faint echo of her past life, tightened her chest. She knew the dangers they faced and the sacrifices they made for the Realm of Light.
A gentle knock at her door pulled her from her thoughts. Emily, her loyal maid, entered with a worried look on her face. "Miss Ella," she said, her voice soft, "Old Mandam Smith has requested your presence at Rong Hall." Ella nodded, a sense of unease settling within her. She knew that a summons from the matriarch was never a casual affair.
The walk to Rong Hall felt longer than usual. As Ella walked through the Smith family mansion, she noticed the stark differences between the east and west wings. The west wing, where her family lived, was simple and practical, with rooms designed for comfort rather than show. In contrast, the east wing, occupied by the other branches of the family, was grand and extravagant, filled with ornate decorations and expensive furniture. It was a constant reminder of the power and privilege that certain members of her family held. She observed the people walking around in the mansion as well. The people in the east wing seemed to walk with their heads held high, while those in the west wing, like her, walked in a simple manner.
Reaching Rong Hall, Ella paused at the entrance. The large, imposing doors were made of dark wood, intricately carved with scenes of ancient battles and mythical creatures. She could hear the muffled sounds of voices inside, a mixture of polite greetings and hushed whispers. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.
The hall was grand, with a high ceiling supported by massive pillars. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the room and revealing the various members of the Smith family. Old Mandam Smith, the family matriarch, sat at the head of a long table, her face etched with age and experience. Her eyes, though clouded with time, held a sharp intelligence. Around her were various family members, including her aunts and cousins. Ella noticed that many of the faces held looks of discontent, some were trying to hide their smiles. It seemed like there were various undercurrents that were not said aloud, but clearly there.
As Ella entered the room, all conversation ceased. The eyes of the family members turned to her. The silence was heavy, and it seemed that it was meant to create pressure on her. She met their gaze calmly, refusing to show any sign of weakness or fear. She walked to her seat.
Old Mandam Smith's voice cut through the silence. "Ella," she said, her voice raspy with age, "You are late."Ella bowed her head slightly, but her eyes remained steady. "Apologies, Grandmother," she said, using the title of respect. "I was delayed." She said this in a calm voice.
Amy Smith, her cousin, was quick to add to the accusation. "Delayed? By what, Ella? Daydreaming about the Crown Prince again?"
Ella ignored the jibe and looked at Old Mandam Smith. She knew that Old Mandam Smith wanted her to be flustered and to apologize, but Ella was now determined to not give them the satisfaction. Her past life had taught her much about political maneuvering and the importance of showing strength.
"You have been neglecting your duties, Ella," Old Mandam Smith stated, her eyes narrowed. "You should be more mindful of your responsibilities."
Ella kept her tone even. "I apologize if my actions were misconstrued. I assure you, Grandmother, I am well aware of my responsibilities." She decided to not address the comment about Crown Prince James.
Old Mandam Smith ignored her response and continued. "Your lack of respect is evident, and you have not conducted yourself with the proper decorum of a Smith family member." She gestured towards the center of the hall, her eyes fixed on Ella. "I order you to kneel, and beg for forgiveness. Your behavior is a disgrace to the family."
This was an open challenge to her. It was clear to Ella that Old Mandam Smith was trying to assert her dominance and humiliate her. In her past life, she would have kneeled, succumbing to the pressure and believing that she had done wrong. But now, with the memories of her past life, she was resolved to not let them control her. She knew that if she kneeled now, they would use that against her.
Ella stood firm, her back straight and her head held high. Her response was the opposite of what they wanted, and she could tell by the way their faces contorted. "Grandmother," she said, her voice clear and steady, "I will not kneel. I do not think that I have done wrong, and I will not beg for forgiveness."
A collective gasp echoed around the hall. Old Mandam Smith's face darkened. The other members of the family watched, some with shock and others with barely concealed delight. Amy Smith was smirking, hoping to see her humiliated further. However, Ella had no intention of doing what they wanted.
Old Mandam Smith rose slowly from her chair, her eyes burning with anger. "How dare you disobey me, Ella? You forget your place. I am the matriarch of this family, and you will do as I say!"
The tension in the hall was palpable. Everyone knew that challenging Old Mandam Smith was a bold move, one that could have serious consequences. The other family members were looking at Ella with wide eyes and their mouths agape. They had never seen Ella show such courage and they did not expect it.
"I respect your position, Grandmother," Ella said, her voice unwavering. "But I will not kneel for something I do not believe I have done wrong. My behavior does not need to be corrected, and I have not brought disgrace to the Smith family." She decided to keep her tone neutral so that she did not sound like she was rebelling or disrespecting, but was rather stating a fact.
Old Mandam Smith took a step towards Ella, her eyes filled with fury. "You insolent girl! You will regret this defiance. I will make sure you are punished."
"I am prepared to face any punishment," Ella replied, not flinching under Old Mandam Smith's gaze. Her voice had a slight edge to it, and it seemed that she was not going to back down.
The other members of the family, who had initially been entertained by the confrontation, now looked worried. They knew that Old Mandam Smith was not someone to be trifled with, and Ella's defiance could bring trouble for the whole family. They started whispering amongst themselves, concerned about the consequences.
Amy Smith, seeing an opportunity to further humiliate Ella, spoke up again. "You always think you are so right, Ella. You are just a disgrace to our family! If you don't kneel, I will make sure that everyone knows of your behavior."
Ella looked at Amy, her eyes filled with disdain. "You and the others can whisper all you want. It will not change who I am or what I believe in. I will not bow down to your whims."
The confrontation continued for some time, with Old Mandam Smith trying to break Ella's resolve and Ella standing her ground. In the end, it was one of Ella's aunts, Sophia, who stepped forward, realizing the futility of the situation. Sophia, who had always been more pragmatic, saw that they could not control Ella in the way that they wanted. She also knew that this open conflict was not good for the family.
"Mother," she said to Old Mandam Smith, her voice calm. "Perhaps we should discuss this matter further at another time. It is clear that Ella is not going to change her mind right now. Let us not make a scene."
Old Mandam Smith looked at Sophia, her eyes narrowed. She knew that Sophia was right, but she was still furious at Ella's defiance. But she did not want to continue this in public, so she relented. "Very well," she said, her voice filled with suppressed anger. "We will discuss this matter again."
Ella knew that the battle was not over. She knew that Old Mandam Smith and her family would try to control her, but she had taken the first step in asserting her independence. She had shown them that she was not the same naive girl they had known in the past. She was now a woman who was determined to control her own fate, and she would not let anyone stand in her way. With that thought, she turned and left the hall, her head held high. She could hear the whispers following her as she walked away. However, she was not bothered by them. This was only the beginning, and she was prepared for whatever came next.
She realized that this was going to be a difficult journey. But she was ready to take on whatever challenges that might come her way. With each challenge she faces, she will grow stronger and more determined.