Chapter 6
***
🥀 "Um, I was wondering if you could tell me about my father?"
The words stopped Barbara in her tracks. Then she looked at Aubrey with sadness in her eyes.
"I've never heard stories about my dad before, and I'm curious to know what he was like........"
Diane had never talked about him in her life, and Aubrey wondered how two sisters could have such different lives.
"I never wanted to say his name again."
Barbara thought for a moment, then spoke out of habit, the corner of her mouth twitching upward.
Her mother, the first daughter of Baron Herwaldi, had set her eyes on a man other than the one the family had chosen for her.
Peter Sandalwood, a merchant without a title. The house had been rocked by Diane's announcement, and it had taken days of cajoling and threats.
When she refused to budge, they finally kicked her out of the house. It was a slap in the face. But Diane never returned home after that.
A year later, Barbara received a letter. Diane and Peter had gotten married in a small church and were living a normal, happy life.
"I thought, 'Well, at least she’s happy, even though she ran away like that,'" Barbara says, "because I was starting to think my parents' choice for her wasn't very good."
Barbara smiled softly, as if reminiscing. But it didn't last long, and she soon arched her eyebrows.
"I wonder how much time has passed since then, because that was when I got married and got pregnant with Emily....... About four years later, Diane came to visit me. Very suddenly, with a tiny child in her arms."
Aubrey knew it was her, and she tried to imagine it. Diane visiting her sister with a tiny child. How she felt.
"She looked terrible. She looked like she hadn't eaten in days."
Barbara kept getting choked up as she spoke, gently rubbing her chest.
"Diane told me something I hadn't thought of, that there was a terrible plague in the village where they lived, and Peter caught it and died within days."
And when he died, he left behind a huge debt. As their business went downhill, they had to scrounge up money here and there and buy food and goods on credit, and the debts snowballed until they found Diane.
After giving away everything she owned and selling her house, Diane was unable to pay off her debts, so she went on the streets and found Barbara.
Luckily, Jeffrik had heard of her situation and offered her a small outbuilding next to the mansion. Barbara helped Diane in both ways financially and emotionally. She felt that her parents were to blame for her sister's disappearance, but also that she was to blame.
"One day, maybe two seasons later, Diane just disappeared, leaving a note saying she couldn't burden me and Jeffrik anymore. She said she'd gotten a job with someone she knew, and they offered her a place to stay."
Diane couldn't have known that the plague that had taken her husband's life had taken up residence in her body and was slowly taking over.
"I thought I'd done something wrong, that I'd unknowingly put a burden on Diane, that she'd left. I was going to bring her back because jobs are plentiful here------."
His eyes, a mixture of happiness and sadness, slowly turned to Aubrey's face.
"Only to find you all grown up."
Aubrey was suddenly overcome with the urge to tell Barbara everything. Wouldn't this person understand her, accept her completely?
But an iron grip of fear clamped down on her throat. What could guarantee? Who could she trust?
Was there anyone who would see the mark on her back and still accept her? As Aubrey pondered, Barbara, who had brushed off her grief, placed a hand affectionately on her shoulder.
"So, Aubrey."
Aubrey lifted her head slowly at the affectionate call. What words would come from those lips. She couldn't tell.
"After much discussion, I have something to tell you."
Aubrey swallowed hard. Long discussions. That meant days of arguing with Jeffrik. The two of them arguing over Aubrey's residence. Who would be the winner?
"I don't know how this will come across to you, but......."
This is bad. This is bad. Aubrey thought, her hands on her lap.
"We're going to be your guardians."
"Yes, I know...... What?"
Aubrey thought she was being told to leave, but the words were unexpected. Aubrey's head snapped up. Barbara cocked her head.
"You knew?"
"No, I didn't. I just thought you were going to ask me to leave......."
Barbara's brow narrowed at that. Then she shook her head and patted Aubrey's forearm.
"Oh, honey, I would never say that to you. Where would you go when this is where you are supposed to be?”
How sweet it was to hear her say this was where she belonged. How she had waited. Suddenly, a lump rose in her throat.
"After discussions with Jeffrik, we have decided to take you under our guardianship until you find a good mate and a happy life.”
"..."
"Will you please give us the chance to do that?"
Barbara asked, bending down slightly to meet her gaze. Aubrey was speechless with emotion.
Oh, my God. How are they so nice to me? The words tumbled in her mouth.
All Aubrey could do was fall into Barbara's arms. Above her head, she heard Barbara's warm laugh.
***
That evening. A dinner was being held to celebrate Aubrey becoming a member of the manor. Aubrey put on a dress she had never worn before and made her way to the dining room.
The dark green dress, which matched the color of her eyes, was nothing fancy, but it suited her slender frame just fine.
Perhaps a more colorful dress would have accentuated her pretty face.
"I'm sure he'll be nice to you."
Trin said, patting Aubrey on the back as they headed for the dining room. She could still hear Jeffrik’s voice, the way he'd acted like he was going to kick her out at any moment.
But maybe he was different now since he had agreed to be her guardian. Maybe he thought it would be nice to take care of the poor kid for once.
Aubrey took a cautious step. Then two, then three. She liked the way the hem of her dress dragged with each step.
Aubrey let out a small gasp as she entered the dining room. Paintings covered the walls, an ornately patterned carpet on the floor, and a long table in the center.
The white tablecloth was covered with seasonal flowers and long candlesticks. Aubrey couldn't take her eyes off the candlelight and the glow of the chandelier above.
Eight red chairs with gilt trim. Jeffrik sat at the head of the table, and Barbara, seated next to him, smiled at her.
"You look beautiful, Aubrey. Have a seat."
Soon the butler came over and pulled out a chair across from Barbara.
"Thank you."
Aubrey smiled brightly and greeted him, followed by the sound of talking and laughing from somewhere. Once Aubrey was seated, the room began to bustle with activity.
One after another, food was brought out and placed without a sound. Aubrey's mouth watered at the sight of all the delicious food on the table.
"Honey."
Barbara, who had been smiling happily the entire time, called out to Jeffrik. He stared at her, his face still rigid.
As if that were an unspoken invitation to speak, Jeffric's brow narrowed slightly and he looked away again. Aubrey, meeting his icy gaze, clasped her hands together more politely.
"I hope your time in this house is a happy one."
"Yes, Uncle."
"I don't know if Barbara told you, but we're going to support you financially until you find a good match. You can always tell us if you need anything.”
He said he would sponsor her as long as he could, but his voice was cold. Aubrey bowed her head in gratitude.
"Only, I hope you're worthy of the honor of being in this house."
His words made her spine tingle.
"A child worthy of the title of Ravant."
"..."
"Are you listening, Aubrey?"
Jeffrik asked, calling her name as if he expected to hear an answer. Aubrey bowed her head in response.
"Yes, Uncle, I understand."
Then she moved her lips to stammer out the words.
"Thank you for helping me…."
No sooner had he spoken than the meal began. The Count and Countess ate in silence. Occasionally, Barbara spoke to Jeffrik but he stuck to short answers.
And one more time, Aubrey glanced up, feeling the stare from earlier.
Emily, dressed in a white dress with a round neck, was looking at her. She was munching on the food in front of her, her blue eyes fixed on Aubrey.
"Is it good?"
The plump pink lips moved.
She had only asked if it was good, but Aubrey's mind was racing.
Did I eat too gluttonously, did I eat too unassumingly, people here eat like they're birds, did I eat too.......
"Yeah, it's good."
"Aubrey. You can feel free to talk to Emily. Think of her as your sister."
When Barbara said that, Emily's eyes narrowed for a moment.
"I don't have a sister."
"Well, technically, she’s your sister. She's my sister's daughter, so you're related."
Emily was as honest with her feelings as she was young. Her face, which had been a healthy color, turned red in an instant, and she said, with a look that would have made everyone choked.
"Yes, eat a lot, sister Aubrey."
Aubrey felt a lump forming in her throat.
***
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