For that entire night, Father regaled me with tales of my mother.
He spoke of their playful chess matches, describing the day she had finally outmaneuvered him after countless attempts. He told me of her midnight kitchen escapades, and the delicious surprises she’d craft while others slept. She’d been an indomitable spirit, tirelessly dedicated to her tasks, and yet, she’d always found time to lighten the mood by teasing him. He recounted their outings with Flora, about how they’d loved to pick flowers together. And finally, he tenderly recalled how she had left this world: as a soul never once having known hate or bitterness in her heart.
Father shared it all, as though wanting to make up for all the time that had slipped us by over the years. As he spoke, it was as if he was unfolding the pages of a cherished diary, each word heavy with the weight of golden memories and profound emotion.
As we talked and talked and talked, and as the night slowly gave way to the day, I unwittingly drifted into slumber. When next I woke, I found myself ensconced in the comfort of my own bed. H-How did I get here? My groggy morning brain complained. Wasn’t I in Father’s study?
Still shaking off the remnants of sleep, I sat up and cast a glance at the clock on my wall. Its hands accusingly pointed to eleven thirty-five.
Eleven thirty-five?! Panic surged within me as I realized the time. I had to change, rush to the dining hall, but... I’m still in my evening dress?!
Alarmed, I glanced down at my crumpled gown, and without wasting a second, I reached for the servants’ bell.
✦ ✦ ✦
Fully bathed and dressed thanks to the tireless help of my maids, I hurried towards the dining hall. My sister and father were already seated, enjoying a hearty breakfast—or lunch, rather.
“Good morning, Father, Flora. Please excuse my tardiness,” I greeted.
“Good morning, Carolina,” my father replied. “It’s all right. My apologies for droning on and on last night.” His voice was shaded with its customary reserved tone, yet now, I could sense the love hiding behind every syllable. So last night wasn’t just a dream... I mused with relief.
“No, no,” I replied with a dismissive wave. “I was the one who asked to hear about Mother, after all. No apology is required.”
He motioned towards a vacant chair. “Well, please, sit.”
✦ ✦ ✦
From my perspective, and surely from the perspective of anyone who might have been watching this scene play out, things could not possibly have appeared to be more heartwarming. As I would later discover, though, in the midst of this sea of calm, an unseen storm was silently brewing.
Had I not been so utterly absorbed in the glow of my father’s hitherto unnoticed love, I might have noticed the daggers my elder sister Flora glared at me. I might have realized that she was seething with enraged wonder at what Father and I had been talking about. I might have heard her whisper under her breath, “Mother? Why would they be discussing her?” I, however, remained oblivious, too engrossed in unusually warm dialogue with our father to remain vigilant towards Flora’s deep-seated anger.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Carolina, are you free tomorrow afternoon?” Father inquired.
“Yes, my schedule is open.”
“In that case, would you accompany me on a visit to your mother’s grave? It’s been some time since my last visit, and regrettably, Flora is promised elsewhere.”
A visit to Mother’s grave? I’d always refrained from visiting because of Flora’s constant presence, but considering this was likely my last chance to visit before my departure, and that Flora wouldn’t be there...
“I’d love to, Father.”
I’d happily and innocently accepted his proposal, completely unaware of the darkness emanating from my sister beside me.
✦ ✦ ✦
After finishing my meal and sorting out the specific details of my outing with Father, I returned to my room to make preparations for my impending relocation to the empire. Retrieving a sizable trunk from the depths of my closet, I began packing only the essentials. “Take only what you need for the journey itself,” His Majesty had advised. Explaining that the Celestian and Malcosian royal families would ensure I had everything I needed in Malcosias, he’d emphasized the importance of traveling light to avoid arousing any suspicion.
As I contemplated which items were indispensable for my trip, the door to my room flew open, and in flounced a very displeased Flora. “Carolina! Did you really think I’d have nothing to say about allowing Mother’s murderer to pay her grave a visit? And what was all that between you and Father? What did the two of you discuss yesterday?” Her eyes burned with accusation as she shot me with a venomous glare.
Ah, right. She heard everything that we said at lunch... I reminded myself with an internal sigh. Gently placing the clothes I held on to my bed, I turned to Flora. “I wasn’t aware I had an obligation to report each and every conversation I have with Father to you, nor did I realize you held the authority to dictate my comings and goings.” Perhaps it was the knowledge that I’d be out of the house and free from her baleful influence in three scant days, but a newfound boldness surged within me.
My retort further inflamed Flora. “Obligations? Authority? Spare me that rhetoric and just answer my question like the disgrace you are!”
This was a rather miraculous leap of logic if you asked me, but then again, it would soon quite literally be Flora’s job to manifest miracles, so I supposed it made a kind of sense. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t be here to witness her miraculous future as Celestia’s Saint. I would be leagues away, beyond her grasp and dominion. So instead of backing down, as was my usual wont, I summoned up a bland smile. “Yes, I’m a disgrace, it’s true. But where does it state that a disgrace is duty bound to heed her elder sister? If that’s all you came to say, then I suggest you leave. I’m busy, if you haven’t noticed.” I gestured to the door.
Rage painted her face a fiery hue. “You dare! One meaningful conversation with Father and suddenly you grow a spine? Keep this up and I promise there will be hell to pay!”
“Grow a spine? I wouldn’t dream of it. However, should you keep this up, I might just do so, and then I might tell Father all about this conversation.”
Flora wavered ever so slightly at the mention of our father, but she quickly masked it. Truth be told, invoking the authority of others for purposes of intimidation was against my nature, but with Flora, I felt like I had no choice. Arguing with her was an expenditure of my precious remaining time here—time that already seemed all too short.
“Are you threatening me?” she asked in a low voice.
“Is that what it sounds like to you?” I responded calmly in kind.
Flora clicked her tongue, seemingly finally accepting that I wasn’t willing to be pushed around at the moment. “Fine, I’ll let you go—this time. But don’t presume to maintain such uncharacteristic cockiness. You can’t rely on that tactic forever.” She shot me a final, piercing glance before storming out of my room in a huff.
A wry smile graced my lips. I was amused that she’d resort to such a meaningless insult when faced with defeat. I let out a deep, soulful sigh. “Goodness, am I never doing that again... I won and yet my hands won’t stop shaking...”
Having stood my ground against my sister for the first time in my life, my entire being trembled violently, whether out of fear or elation, I couldn’t tell. What was unmistakable, however, was the profound feeling of achievement emanating from deep within my heart.