My Mother's Room

Bonnie continues to hold onto Dixie until she regains control over her emotions. It was a rare sight to see her sister like this.

Dixie was always the strong oak tree who could weather any storm. Even during their mother's funeral, she did not shed any tears. She was not one to show emotional weakness in front of people. She always kept it in until she couldn't.

And when she finally lost it, she would always withdraw. Bonnie would knock on the door wanting to comfort her, but Dixie refused insisting she was fine. 

I even went to Daddy a few times informing him of Dixie's tendency to cry in secret, but that heartless bastard always dismissed it. Usually our mother would be the one to deal with our tears, so he got accustomed to ignoring it. Or he would just pat our heads and give us candy. But even that became nothing more than a wishful dream after her death.

I guess he was so caught up in his own grief that he didn't even notice he had two young, vulnerable daughters who souls were bleeding because they no longer had their Mommy.

"Bonn--Alex, I'm good now, you can let go of me." Dixie's gentle voice pulled Bonnie out of her thoughts. She leaned back and looked into the unfortunate, gaunt face of Felicia.

"Are you sure you're good? I haven't seen you cry like this since mother passed away." Bonnie wipes away her own tears with the back of her hand. 

Dixie offered up a painful smile. "Well, there is only so much pain one heart can take. I can't always hold it in."

"There will be no more pain for you from now on, sister! I promise! Now that you've raised the issue changes will be made to better your life." Bonnie replied, standing back up.

Tyren felt uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Helena was still seething with a jealous fury watching their tender exchange. She did not care in the least about Felicia's sufferings, and frankly neither should Alex! 

"Your Grace, I believe Felicia should be compensated for being made to suffer through all that." Bonnie stated, locking eyes with the Duke.

Roelle swallowed hard. His heart felt still felt uneasy. It was a rare sight to see Alexander shed tears for Felicia. He had never done so for Helena, even though he'd had a much closer relationship with her for the past 4 years.

Feeling guilty, Roelle addressed the issue. "Very well. Tyren, the next time you speak on my behalf without my knowledge there will be consequences."

His cold gaze caused her shoulders to droop. "If I were to give any of my children an order, they'll hear it from me directly!"

"Yes, Your Grace." Tyren's head lowered, even as her mind felt fury. It was rare for her to earn the Duke's displeasure. That stupid wench!

"Felicia, I will raise your allowance for the month. Dressing poorly is not acceptable for a lady Del Montague, much less a Crown Princess. And you can move back into the castle. Pick any room you want, but ensure it's not so far that I should have to wait this long the next time I summon you." Roelle spoke in a business like fashion. It's as if he's making a transaction rather than addressing his daughter's plight. Typical.

Dixie immediately brought out the big guns. "I would like to stay in my mother's room!"

"What!?" Tyren immediately shot to her feet. "Are you crazy!?"