Conversation With Her Bothered Mother.
Statham estate.
Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.
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There is a garden in the Statham estate, it is not one with flowers but a spread of healthy mush green grass, it has been termed a field because no one made it a flower garden ever but today the garden has been decorated spectacularly, with flowers purchased and placed in vases the different leafy vines set in place to add earthy style, the field wasn't enormous but it spanned wide, they are a row and column of seats for the possible attendees with a small high platform in sight, Mathilda had gone out of her way too much sure everything was beautifully done. The once dull grass field is now surprisingly colourful and inviting, the seats are empty, but the wedding is just beginning, Mathilda thought.
Lydia had been sitting feeling all jittery and almost terrified when an employed knocked on her door to inform her, Georgina had requested her, Lydia couldn't hide her frown or apprehension as she walked to her mother's private parlour, her breath was becoming hard to pass the corset she had been given to wear today, she fought against the discomfort, drew in a long breath with the exhale she drew open the curtains and stepped inside.
"Mother?" she called as she stepped into the parlour and her mother, simply starring at space completely unaware of the company
"Lydia" her mother acknowledged with a small almost wary smile
"Suse was in my room, she informed me that you asked for my presence" Gina was not surprised that Lydia knew the names of all the employed, she knew all their names and kept a good relationship with them
"Sit down"
She would much rather not make this dress even more rigid but she sat with a smile as she kept her head down
Seconds passed in silence
"Your books and clothes have been packed in a box" Gina informed with a nod
"Thank you" she whispered, those were her only belongings and she appreciated the gesture
"You're leaving" Gina said in a murmur more to herself than to Lydia
"What?"
"You're getting married" she reasoned, Lydia very much knew she was getting married, it was her leaving the house after all.
Silence
"To lord Theodore" Gina continued her expression confusing, she looked downcast, a small laugh resounded in her throat, something was wrong
What was wrong with her marrying lord Theodore?
The silence stretched, carrying a tint of sadness so potent it choked, she breathed through it looking for what to say
"What is wrong with marrying Theo… Lord Theodore?" she finally asked
"No, nothing" Gina lied
Lydia didn't understand what her mother was getting at, what she wanted or why they were even having this conversation and she was getting emotional, is that guilt behind her mother's black orbs?
"I…"
"Do you even know what to do? How to be a good wife?" Georgina interrupted her with questions; they came out breathless, thick with regret and apprehension
"This would be so new to you…I…"
An approaching fast-paced footstep stopped Georgina's speech midsentence as she took her eyes off Lydia to make out her second daughter strutting in with a big smile
"Mother" she squealed as her smile grew wider, she got closer and dropped a kiss on her mother's cheek before standing straight
"Yes, Mira" Gina answered flatly
"What are you doing with Lydia?" the question held venom that was directed towards Lydia, in the way she called her name
"She's getting married" her mother reminded, her voice scolding
"So I'm I" Mira countered
"Yes, but hers is today, I'm talking with her" Gina glanced at Lydia and was surprised she wasn't even looking their way, she seemed lost in thought
"I would be a better student to learn about marriage life from you, Mother, besides I'm the one marrying the emperor while she, a monster" Mira explained conceitedly not sparring Lydia more than a glance
"Mira!" her mother called out petrified, her eyes wide
"Mother" Mira was genuinely startled, Georgina never raises her voice
"Get out"
"What mother but…" Mira got cut off before she could defend herself
"Leave my parlour and please wear a less revealing dress before the union" Gina insisted, the warning in the affront not lost by Mira. She huffed as she fought rolling her eyes, turned around and left, leaving a trail of displeasure behind
Quiet, emotional, suffocating, she needs an out.
"I have a question, Mother" Lydia brought up, the silence was killing her before the dress could
"Oh that's good ask away" She sounded relieved
"Who is my father?"
Georgina went considerably pale in an instant, she looked uncomfortable and in turmoil
"Whh… what? What do you mean?" she managed, looking like she could use a way out.
"My father's mother, who is he? Lydia repeated, slowly, holding her mother's gaze
"I… what…Lydia…"
"Gina what are you doing?" a voice cut in
His presence wasn't felt beforehand, he hadn't walked, yet here he was in the room as them and Lydia had never hated her father any more than she does now
"Julius" Gina's voice came out breathless, holding a tinge of relief
"Lydia, go on and get ready for your marriage" Julius instructed her without glancing at her and she remained seated and unresponsive
"Lydia?" he called slowly, irritated.
"Will do" She left the hall after holding her mother's grey orbs for a while
"Gina what do you think you're doing," Julius asked, the moment Lydia fell far away, his face didn't betray any emotion but Gina knew he was upset and disappointed
"I was just trying to give her motherly advice for this new phase of life she's heading" Georgina was now whispering and looking lost
"But she ended up cornering you" Shaking his head like a disappointed teacher he accused Lydia of putting her mother in a tight spot
"What? Julius No… that's not…"
"Gina she's leaving for the lord's mansion soon, let us not complicate things any further," he told
"You're right" She smiled a grateful smile. He leaned down dropped a kiss on her forehead before strutting out of the room.
Georgina sat in the silence, her eyes holding so many emotions. She closed them as she gathered herself, today isn't for catching up but for letting go and being optimistic.
***********
Bedroom, Statham estate
Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.
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Lydia had never in her life gotten such treatments before, the employed were thorough in taking care of her body, starting from her skin, her nails, her teeth, her hair, sole and palm, they even attempted massaging her private area but she refused quickly, her face flaming red thinking about the preposterousness of the suggestion. She was well aware that she'd have to start with marital shenanigans the moment she stepped into the Lord's mansion as his wife but she'd like to pretend it was avoidable and enjoy these little enjoyable times.
The employed were quick on their feet, their hands all sort of humanly magic, swift but not hastily, proficient but not boring her with their seriousness and meticulousness, it was as though they deemed her a glass doll that could shatter or crack if not treated with extreme care. She'd been oiled, massaged, stretched, trimmed and made up, and her skin was now as porcelain as the employed had always reminded her only today it was proven true, her skin remains flawless and moisture even though she has never gotten such detailed care before.
She stepped in front of the mirror as the maids completed her dress, the hand of the dress was not attached to the dress, it started from under her armpit to her wrist, a rich lace that had been sent from the lord's mansion, he was imposing by doing that but what Lydia saw looking back at her from the mirror made her smile and decided she could let this act go as romantic, the dress is gorgeous, It was an armless gown, that flayed from right under her breast to below her ankle, the fastening a show of two zips at her sides under her armpits, it is white glowing like satin and lace but even the employed admitted it was a rare fabric and they had never seen it.
No one came for the marriage. No, nobody stayed for the marriage, they were all here for the ceremony and had tried hard to make acquaintance with her because they believed she would soon be a powerful woman in critic Arley, which made lord Theodore a powerful man too, yet they are so quick and ready to abandon his presence because of Salvatore.
They were all gone when Lydia got a glimpse of the garden from her windows and her heart almost sank to her stomach but it clenched because even as she knew the length of the rejection, disregard and hatred for her soon-to-be husband it stings to have a whole empire stay away from you, she gulped down the unexpected pain, she took a deep breath and started walking downstairs, he'd been here for awhile now.
He arrived with a vicar, unsurprisingly. Only that the vicar looked about to piss his trousers and no one wanted that in the gathering, so Conan has been whispering sweet nothings to him as they wait for the bride. Theodore had found the middle-aged vicar at a growing house of worship, whom he had dragged to this venue without invitation or a word of preparation.
Theodore came religiously early that night.
The forever union is to be made soon.