บท 22: What Things Are Better Left Unsaid (2)
Her mother shrunk, tossing panicked glances around the halls. Inhaling sharply, she put on a weak pressed lip smile. "I understand, you are upset."
"I am."
"Listen, Erina, I know you don't like Mister Ezra but getting rid of him---."
"---That would be a good starter."
"Look, if we were to get rid of him so suddenly there'd be no way we could find a replacement in time. Plus, added to the fact that we've just hired him, I don't think that's a reasonable request."
She pruned her lips. "Alright, if you like him so much then keep him, Anya, by all means, keep your sniveling, lowlife, damsel dandy boy. But be certain to keep him away from me and the perimeter of this entire property."
"Now, now, that's not sensible." She chortled in a jittery panic.
"And what is the family motto? Never a vow broken and never a true will bespoken." She emphasized with a glare.
"Yes, but darling," she said, stretching a taut smile, "I can't make you any such promises."
"Huh, wouldn't that be rare?"
Her mother's breath caught in her throat. Stunted, she spoke cautiously. "Why do you think that way? You know I try my best to do well for you."
Erin rolled her eyes, finding ridicule at even the suggestion. There was an unspoken truth already known between them that both knew it was a lie.
"Heaven, I always wonder how we manage to waste our breath." There was a burn on Erin's tongue and a sting in her distant gaze.
"Listen, Erina, I---ahem!" Lady Sutherton cleared her throat, frown deepening. "I get you're a bit upset. I understand that."
"Do you really?"
"Yes---ahem." She cleared her throat again, looking at her daughter with a sorrowful wince. "I do. That's why I think I know what will patch this up. What if I bought you a pretty little island where you could vacation with all your friends? Maybe invite the Clarks as well?"
"No."
"But it's been so long since you've seen the Clarks, haven't you---?"
"Perhaps it's because they were exiled---or my apologies, they've 'quit' to the Dreaded Exclaves to not disturb 'Great Kaelix Pact of Peace' ?"
"W-what?" She stuttered, eyes bulging from their sockets. "When-when did this happen? I had absolutely no idea such a thing happened---."
"---You didn't want to. You never want to."
For a moment, they held stares before Lady Sutherton feebly continued. "I'm sure the Clarks are fine. Quitting from civilization to retreat into the Dreaded Exclaves does not have to mean the worst."
"Oh, I dare you to say that again and mean it."
Frowning, she cleared her throat again, visibly growing weaker at her daughter's disquieting responses. "Let's us talk of more pleasant things. I am sure there is something I can buy you to placate---er, please your mind?"
"Really? Buy me something else?" she angrily started, derisive critical tone rising. "Why do you think I would want another thing you desperately throw out from the caverns of your purse?" She took gradual menacing stomps toward her apprehensive mother.
"W-What do you mean, why? I know how much happier and composed you'd be if we bought you something new and---."
"---Again, there's that phrase, 'Buy me something new' ?" she jeered. "Every single day you offer the same solution to different problems. What's new about that?"
"What do you mean, darling?" She spoke lowly. "You love all the gifts your father and I get you. So, I'm sure we can find you something you'll like such as new shoes or—."
"---No!" she said, jumping down her mother's throat. "Heaven, what don't you understand? You know what this is really about! You know what I truly want!"
"Mister Ezra is not----."
"---No, that's not what I'm talking about! Of course, I want that man was gone, and every other replacement you can think of next. And of course, I don't want to deal with anymore Reynolds, Cullens, Mayflowers, Radcliffes, and all of your bumbling watchful idiots you manage to procure!"
"Then what is it you want?"
"Sabina. I need to see Sabina. That's all I've ever wanted, and it is all I will ever want until I know that she's okay after all that's happened."
"Again, about Sabina?" She viewed her in astonishment. "She said herself that she is sick. She is not in any state to be seen or visited."
"That's not good enough for me." Erin folded her arms over her chest, a frown merging into her grimace. "I have to see her."
"Well, I'm not going to go through this again. Your father already explained whatever needed to be said."
"Anya---mother, don't do this to me, please. I'm begging you. She said she was fine, and that everything was alright. But we haven't seen or heard from her since. Did the First Prince give you any information, such as where she is?"
"You read what she wrote. She's resting."
"Where? I can't go without seeing her or go another month without speaking to her. Do you understand me? I cannot and I will not."
She looked away from her daughter.
"Anya, please, why will you not tell me?" Her lips trembled, and she barely suppressed the shuddering clattering in her bones. "You are torturing me like this. You make me feel like something is wrong. Like there is something more going on."
Lady Sutherton's eyes fluttered. "What more do you want out of me? I don't have anything else to tell you. If I did I would have told you. All she said was that she was resting."
"You want to know what's wrong with mother? I'll tell you. Sebastian? Gone. Fiorella? Gone. And Sabina? I don't know, and I'm scared that I do not know."
"Don't speak so melodramatically. Sebastian is not gone, and we've already told you Sabina is sick. Prince Kaelixson-Nier cares and loves her so dearly, that he is certain to ensure she gets better. Thus, until that time, we wait."
"Wait? How can we wait? Sabina didn't come here that night hemorrhaging and screaming bloody Mary unless something was wrong!"
"The best course of action is to let things be left alone."
"You know she said he's been hitting her." Her voice trembled.
A boulder formed in her throat. "Everything has good reason, Erina."
"Is it within our law that husband may hit their wife with child?" She narrowed her eyes. "Tell me, does that leave room for 'good' reason?"
"Nier is just doing his very best to keep both of the people he cares for safe."
She inhaled sharply. "Mother, I'm asking you sincerely, and be true if it is the only time, you can. Is there something going on regarding Sabina?"
Lady Sutherton folded her arms over her chest protectively. "No. She's being taken care of for her condition. You read what I read."
"But besides letter correspondences, you've spoken to her in the flesh in person when I was away?"
"Yes." Her mouth was dry. "She seemed well."
"Then when will I be able to visit her? When will she be able to write me back? Tell me something. Anything."
Her mother grew silent for a moment, only to resume speaking with a cold tongue. "Perhaps it is when she would like to see or speak to you."
"Like to?" Erin pruned as if she were sucking lemons. "Contrary to how your marriage works, Sabina appreciates my presence. She would want to see me and she would want me to be there for her in her time of struggle. I know it."
A disapproving grimace weighed on Lady Sutherton's lips. "Sabina is your aunt, Erina. Not your friend."
"I do not care to know what you think she is to me."
"Erina---."
"Leverage with me. I'll keep my mouth shut, and I'll cease you any frustration, you just have to give me something. I need to see her. Where is she?"
"Darling." She reached out to her, placing a careful graze on her daughter's shoulder. "Why don't you and I just figure out what you would like to have? I know I can make you feel much better with some new things like—-."
She smacked her mother's hand away.
She wasn't sure what she was expecting at all. But she knew she was embarrassed at herself for even thinking of hoping to expect anything.
"Right. How stupid could I could be?" She quickly dismissed her thoughts, eyes falling towards the ground. "It's clear there's no point in this matter when I'm talking to string-puppet who cannot do without a command and will not do even if given the chance." She scornfully scoffed, briskly walking ahead.
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