Louisiana

I couldn't comprehend what had just transpired. Moments ago, my mother stood before me, but in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves in an entirely different location. Gone was the quaint house of Commander Rivalz, vanished were the haunting woods teeming with blood and Ghouls.

My body felt drained of energy, yet my mind remained on edge. Leaf still held me captive, but I lacked the strength to resist her.

As I gazed at my mother, I couldn't help but notice the multitude of wounds adorning her body, and her clothes were torn and tattered.

I longed to reach out and touch her, to confirm her reality. However, darkness swiftly engulfed us, and I was yanked into yet another unfamiliar place. Amidst the chaos, Leaf's calls to my mother echoed, struggling to fully register in my mind. "Amelia..."

I struggled to make sense of the torrent of questions flooding my mind, seeking answers amidst the chaos. Then, a faint voice reverberated in my ears, and I was consumed by a chilling sensation, eventually succumbing to complete darkness.

Upon regaining consciousness, the throbbing pain in my head persisted, matched only by the agony in my ears. The faint ringing continued relentlessly, drowning out all other sounds until silence was engulfed by that sinister tone.

Desperate to ease the ache in my ears, I tried to touch them, only to realize that my hands were immobile. Panic surged through me as I attempted to move, but my wrists and feet were shackled with metal restraints.

I found myself seated in a dimly lit room, gradually adjusting to the darkness that surrounded me. The space was adorned with antique and old-fashioned items, reminiscent of a bygone era. A massive throne dominated the room's center, evoking a sense of former grandeur. Above, a grand chandelier cast a dark glow, illuminating the vast walls adorned with large framed paintings, most of which were concealed beneath white sheets, obscured by layers of dust that hinted at long neglect.

"You're awake," a voice pierced through the silence.

Struggling to locate the source, it took me a while before I spotted her concealed in the shadows. She seamlessly blended into the darkness, catching me off guard with her proximity. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up as I beheld her face. "Mother..."

Her attire had undergone a transformation, devoid of any visible wounds, she appeared stunningly beautiful. No matter how many times I blinked or shook my head, her visage remained unchanged before me.

A tumultuous mix of emotions flooded my being—pain, bitterness, joy, and confusion—especially as the realization of my restraints echoed in my mind.

Questions swirled relentlessly. Why was I here? Why was I held captive? Why stood my mother before me? And why did it feel like something crucial was missing?

I should have felt elated, rejoicing at the sight of someone I had fervently prayed to see again. Yet, an unsettling unease crept over me. It felt all wrong.

Leaf's words echoed hauntingly in my mind. "What shall we do with her, Lord Amelia?"

The weight of all that had transpired bore down on me, triggering uncontrollable tears and a heart on the brink of bursting with pain.

"Now, now, dear..." Her voice hushed me as she leisurely approached, exuding an air of regal elegance in her royal blue gown. "You must cease your tears." She circled around me, her movements unhurried, while I remained immobilized by the chains binding my limbs to the bed.

"M-mother?" My voice faltered, tears streaming down my cheeks, blurring my vision, yet I dared not utter another word.

There was no surprise in her expression upon hearing my address. It was as though she had anticipated it, as if my identity was something she already knew.

A profound sense of sadness enveloped me as her impassive face betrayed no reaction. She didn't exhibit any shock or disbelief, acknowledging without surprise that I was indeed her daughter, despite our last meeting occurring when I was much younger, my features still unfamiliar to her.

"Louisiana, darling," she spoke in a gentle tone. "You've grown so well..." Her voice carried a soothing cadence, yet it inflicted a deep ache in my heart. There was a lack of genuine interest in her words, as if my existence held little significance to her.

Mother, I questioned inwardly. What has happened? Why did you appear only now? Why didn't you search for me if you were alive all this time? Why...

A myriad of questions flooded my mind, each clamoring for voice, yet my mouth remained silent, unable to articulate the turmoil within me.

The voice of Leaf persisted relentlessly in my mind, a constant reminder of the woman standing before me who, besides being my mother, had a dark and troubling history.

"Louisiana..." Amelia's voice carried a graceful melody that seemed to lull me, despite the confusion swirling within me. "You look tired. Is Ludwig not taking care of you as he should?"

Her words only added to my bewilderment, rendering me unable to respond.

It still hadn't fully sunk in that Amelia was my mother. I had never even known her name until now. The realization that someone I cherished, who cared for me, and who stood up against those who harmed us to shield me, was also the person responsible for the destruction of Ludwig's family, including the murder of his father and the devastation that followed, was too much to comprehend. The woman gazing at me with what seemed like love in her eyes was also the one capable of such brutality and ruthlessness.

"Ludwig..." I whispered, the ache in my heart deepening at the thought of him. What would he think upon learning that my mother was Amelia? Would he...

Amelia's smirk cut through my thoughts. She drew closer, adjusting my hair to shadow my eyes. "Poor you," she remarked, her face inches from mine, allowing me to see her features clearly despite the dim light.

Our skin shared the same shade of black, but hers bore a hint of grey, a testament to her age. While our eye colors differed, the shape of our eyes was identical. Yet, there was a stark contrast in my mother's gaze. The warmth that once emanated from her eyes had vanished, replaced by an icy coldness. Her aristocratic nose and rosy lips spoke of her enduring beauty, but her demeanor hinted at hidden secrets and withheld truths.

The undeniable resemblance between us left no room for doubt—she was my mother.

"I've heard he's already married," Amelia whispered softly, nodding as if in agreement with herself and her own words.

Her statement struck my heart with a painful pang. Despite Ludwig's assurances that he would find a way to prevent the wedding, I couldn't shake the looming possibility, knowing he had a duty to his kingdom.

It was his responsibility, something I had no right to be angry about. After all, we weren't in a relationship, and I had no claim over him. Yet, no matter how many times I rationalized it to myself, I couldn't quell the sadness and ache that consumed me.

Despite Ludwig's assurances, a tiny spark of hope flickered within me, silently wishing that he would indeed find a solution as he promised. I had tried to curb my expectations, to shield myself from potential hurt, but deep down, a part of me still hoped against hope for an alternative, praying silently for his success in halting the impending wedding.

"He hurt you, I can see it," Amelia cooed as she wiped away my tears gently. "Oh, goodness, he did." Her words carried a tone of genuine concern, sounding like a mother comforting her daughter whose heart had been broken. Her empathy only intensified my tears. "You love him," she whispered ever so softly, as if afraid I might react negatively. "That's why you're sad and hurting. I'm so sorry, Louisiana. You had to endure all of this alone." She hugged me tightly, but I remained still, lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.

Navigating the complex maze of emotions, I grappled with the concept of love. I knew I felt something for Ludwig, but labeling it as love was unfamiliar territory. I had never experienced love before. I had no reference point.

Was it akin to the love I felt for my auntie and uncle? Or was it similar to the affection I harbored for Elizabeth? How could I distinguish between different forms of love? Would someone have to tell me that I loved Ludwig? What criteria defined deep love?

My mother's words echoed in my mind, suggesting that my sadness and pain stemmed from loving Ludwig. Was that the benchmark for love—experiencing hurt? Did not loving someone mean you were not hurt by their actions?

Amidst the whirlwind of thoughts and emotions flooding my mind, I struggled to find clarity. However, when Amelia released me from her embrace, my mind began to work on its own, seeking answers to these perplexing questions.

"Why am I restrained?" My voice emerged hoarse, as though days had passed since I last drank water.

"My dear..." Amelia's voice was tender. "I'm sorry, but it's necessary for your safety. Trust me, I don't want it to be this way, but your body is undergoing the Awakening, and we must restrain you to prevent any accidental harm."

Her explanation sounded convincing, momentarily easing my worries. However, as understanding dawned on me, confusion crept back in.

"The Awakening?" I inquired, seeking clarity.

Amelia responded with a bright smile, her hand caressing my cheeks gently.

Closing my eyes, I savored the sensation, realizing it had been years since I had experienced maternal care. While my auntie and uncle loved me as their own, a part of me always wondered about the unique love of biological parents.

""You, my dear, have awakened your true self, and I am so proud of you for enduring it," Amelia's voice resonated with delight, akin to a proud mother celebrating her daughter's accomplishments.

"M-my true self?" I stammered, my words trailing off as Amelia handed me a mirror, revealing my own reflection.

A gasp escaped my lips as I beheld my ears. The intense pain I had felt made sense now—they had elongated and sharpened, ending in a point. But what did this transformation signify?

"You have inherited your father's race," Amelia explained, her tone filled with admiration and joy.

My heart sank as I recalled Ludwig's words about beings with pointed ears—the Elvens. A mix of emotions flooded me, ranging from curiosity to apprehension, as I grappled with this newfound revelation about my true nature.

As the realization of my newfound identity as an Elven sank in, a torrent of questions flooded my mind.

Could it be that the reason Percival and others couldn't sense my presence was due to my recent awakening as an Elven? Was it true that I was now an Elven? But how did this transformation occur?

Was my sudden speed during the chase with Leaf a result of my Elven heritage? Could it also explain why I remained unaffected by the Stardew Hyacinth when I encountered its seeds in Hiyasmin's room?

"I'm an Elven?" I voiced my curiosity and confusion aloud. "And my father is an Elven?"

Amelia's firm nod confirmed my suspicions.

My mind buzzed with the weight of these revelations, each answer leading to more questions and a deeper understanding of the mysteries surrounding my heritage.

The weight of this revelation was immense. All my life, I had believed myself to be ordinary, powerless, and insignificant. When I was told I was a Halfling, I resisted accepting it, fearing the implications of being an Enchanted Being. The idea of never being able to return home, of never being accepted by my found family, terrified me.

Enchanted Beings couldn't seamlessly blend in with humans, and this fact alone could lead to hostility and danger. There was a real possibility that humans, upon discovering my true nature, would seek to harm me. Even my own family might be endangered by association. And now, as I grappled with the reality of being an Elven, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the uncertainty and fear of what the future held.

"Yes, dear," Amelia's voice held a firmness as she confirmed my Elven heritage and revealed my father's status as a Geass, a powerful and rare being among the Elvens. However, being restrained, I couldn't even touch my newly transformed ears or process the flood of emotions and questions racing through my mind.

The absence of any memories with my father, not even a glimpse of his face, left me longing for answers. I yearned to ask Amelia about his whereabouts.

Suddenly, a commanding voice interrupted our conversation. The Ravager addressed Amelia with power and authority, his presence exuding danger and death. His warning about incoming entities left me even more bewildered, especially when Amelia's response was a wide smile.

As the Ravager departed, Amelia approached my bedside, her eyes gleaming with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. "My allies will soon arrive," she announced, radiating excitement. "I'll introduce you to them before your Initiation."

Amelia paused, turning back to face me as I questioned her about the "Initiation." Her smile remained, but there was a glint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Of course, do you think I would leave you again?" she replied soothingly. "We'll be together. I'll be there with you, and you'll be there for me as well. I've already spoken to our allies, and they've agreed to welcome you into the group. Together, we will exact revenge on Ludwig."

The weight of her words hit me like a sudden plunge into icy waters, leaving me speechless and my jaw clenched tightly.

"Do you want me to kill him for you?" Amelia's voice took on a sinister edge, her lips curling into a malicious smile. "Or do you want the honor, Louisiana?" Her offer hung in the air, laden with dark implications.

Despite the shock and disbelief, I shouldn't have been surprised by Amelia's words. I had briefly forgotten her true nature in the fleeting moments when her affection had seemed genuine. But reality crashed back in—she was Amelia, the woman who had shattered Ludwig's life. It was within her character to plot such schemes, but for me, it felt inconceivable.