Chapter 32: A change?
Finally going home! Lucy tapped her fingers, looking eagerly through the curtains. Being at the Rimes Manor was comfortable, but… It didn't have that one girl, Meng Lani. Her mother somehow wrapped herself in Lucy's heart. Perhaps a normal toddler would feel distant from her. Mom left Lucy to Selena most of the day, as she managed the Courtyard, and kept a strict beauty, and exercise routine.
That didn't distract from how her Mom carefully made time to eat meals with Lucy, how she read to Lucy, sewed clothes for Lucy or allowed Lucy to enforce her level of clean on the maids. Mom being busy didn't lessen the amount of thought she put into helping Lucy's standing and health. She worried about Lucy's powers, marriage, and worked hard to please her husband just to ensure he thought favorably of Lucy. Mom wasn't exactly fond of Papa. She thought he was cruel and rough. Still, Mom did anything he asked because Mom thought he was a good father.
Lucy knew that Papa loves his children, but a good father….. Well, Papa's bloodthirsty, but playful. He's stern but indulgent. He was ping pong ball of thoughts that baffled Lucy. It's all a matter of perspective, I guess. Lucy yawns. "Look, Little Mistress there's Jing Palace" Selena points out.
Jing Palace was ridiculously large and resembled a castle more than a palace to Lucy's eyes. Grey or black stone, turrets, and archways made a state not fuck with it. It's honestly more impressive defense wise, than the Imperial Palace, Lucy muses. Then again the Imperial Palace had glittered the only time she visited. Very big on the glam, and it was artistically carved. Not that Jing Palace wasn't decorated, but it was more of a stark minimalistic appearance.
The carriage took them past her Butterfly Courtyard, deeper into Jing Palace's inner area. "Selena? Go see Mommy?" Lucy asks, annoyed as they pass her courtyard. No! I want my Mom. What's going on? Lucy gives the driver a blaming look, reading his thoughts. Lucy jerks back, almost tumbling off the seat. "Little Mistress! Be careful" Selena scolds, catching her. I need brain bleach! Fuck. Lucy shudders, the driver was reminiscing on his last visit to a brothel. I will never get that image out of my head! Lucy slams her head back against the seat, then does it again, and again. Selena scoops her up. "Settle, Little Mistress. Perhaps we're going to see His Highness" Selena comforts.
Lucy forces herself to stop, so Selena doesn't freak out. She had a habit of becoming over anxious on little things. When the carriage stops, Selena carries Lucy out. They were in the inner ring of Jing Palace, two defensive walls past Lucy's home. A pretty little maid was waiting for them. "His Highness has instructed that Concubine Meng, and Third Miss take residence in the Inner Ring. Please follow me to the Revival Butterfly Courtyard." She says politely.
Lucy blinks. Papa has moved us farther in? Why? Lucy tugs lightly on Selena's scarf. "Go see" Lucy demands. This place better be easy to clean, or the maids will die of exhaustion. Keeping her home as clean as a modern 21st century home was an idealist thought, however, a basic level of cleanliness is necessary. Especially their hygiene, Lucy grimaces, remembering her campaign to ensure that her maids must wash their hands with steaming water before touching any food, bath once a week, change their clothes every three days, and no perfumes. To get to this point required several tantrums and lots of tears. It's a good Selena knows my preferences, or else I would have to go through torture every time I visit the Rimes Manor, or my maids die.
As Lucy passes through the moon gate into the Revival Butterfly Courtyard, she examines it closely. An old willow shaded a grassy area that seemed perfect for rolling on. A mossy flagstone path leads to a small pavilion, surrounded by a lush garden. Lucy's eyes light up at the sight of strawberries, and some rosebushes. Each wing had a porch, with carved banners banisters.
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