I am going.

Elara sigh "I...I need some..... some time." She said as she stand up and walk out of the dining room to the dark night, backyard.

As Elara step outside, the cool night breeze wraps around her. She lean against the wall, the rough stones digging into her back as she think. Her mother's words echo in her mind. 'Promise me you'll go to the Gala. For me.' A sense of duty tugs at Elara's heart.

She knew that no matter what happens or how Elara explain the situation to her mother, her choice, her wishes, her mother won't back down, she wants her to go so she will do everything to convince her.

After a few moments, the back door creaks open. Jacob pokes his head out, his curly hair tousled and his eyes wide with determination. "Elarooo?" he calls out softly, mimicking the way he knows Mom mimics her own motherhood.

Elara came back to her sense again after hearing someone calling her name, she turn and look at the door side, "yes?"

Jacob scampers over to her, his small hand grasping Elara's larger one. He looks up at her with those big, innocent eyes that always seem to see right through Elara's heart. "Are you okay, Elara? You and Mom were talking so seriously inside." His little brow furrows with worry.

"yes my dear Bear, come here." Elara said as she pick up Jacob gently in her arms and smiled.

Jacob giggles and wraps his arms around Elara's neck, nuzzling into the crook where her neck meets the shoulder. "Elara?" he asks in a small voice. "Are you going to the king's party?" He wiggles around to look at her, his eyes shining with curiosity.

"mmm.... let me think.....yes." she said with a smile.

Jacob's face lights up, his earlier worry forgotten. "Yes! Lily will be so happy!" He claps his hands, kicking his little legs excitedly. "Can we wear matching outfits? And can we have new clothes for the party? And can we....."

"hey hey ... I won't bring you there if you don't behave." Elara said with serious face.

Jacob pouts, but nods eagerly. "Okay, okay! I'll be good. I promise!" He crosses his heart with his finger, his eyes wide and earnest. "But... you'll really take me? And Lily? And we'll get new clothes?" He grins mischievously.

"ah.... I have some clothes in the closet already." She said as she start thinking about tomorrow preparations. "But I'll get you, new one if you really want. but first... you'll gonna have to promise me you won't tell mother about this deal?"

Jacob's eyes widen and he nods vigorously, putting a finger to his lips in a exaggerated'shh' motion. "Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye!" He intones solemnly, the silly rhyme making him giggle.

Elara chuckled lightly "ah...ha. not that needle.... okay, let's go inside now."

Jacob nods, his grin still plastered on his face as he snuggles back into Elara's arms.

Elara carry him inside, the door closing behind her with a soft click. As she set him down, he scampers off to the living room, already planning out his outfit for the party in his head.

********

Elara complete her work in the kitchen as she locks the doors and windows before turning to Jacob, "now it's time for bed." She said as they both go upstairs.

"here, get comfortable, today is more cold then yesterday." Elara bring the sheets from closet.

Jacob yawns, rubbing his eyes as he snuggles under the blankets. He looks up at Elara with sleepy eyes. "Elara? Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?" He asks, his voice soft and sweet. He reaches out a small hand to hold her larger hand.

She smiled at his soft voice, and sleepy request. "of course my cute pumpkin....."

Elara sat beside him, as she kiss his forehead, her hands rumming in his hairs in slow circles. "Now close your eyes, we have a big day tomorrow, you need your rest." She whisper.

Jacob smiles contentedly as he closes his eyes, his small hand still holding onto Elara's hand. He drifts off to sleep with a peaceful expression on his face. Elara sit by his side, humming a soft lullaby under her breath, until his breathing evens out and she know he's fast asleep.

Elara slowly release herself from Jacob's grip, and slide a pillow on his side as she stand up. When she came out of the room, she decides to check on her mother and tell her decision about the party. before she sleep.

As she make her way to her mother's room, her heart racing with coincconscious, of how mother will react to her coming to her at this time of the night, she didn't wanted to disturb her.

But she knew she can't sleep peacefully without making up to her mother.

As Elara tiptoe into your mother's dimly lit room, she find her mother, propped up against the headboard, a book resting on her lap. She looks up as Elara enter, her eyes narrowing slightly in the gloom. "Elara? What brings you to my room at this hour?"

Elara look down "I wanted to apologize for my bad behavior earlier...."

She sighed "I know you want best for me mother, and I want to make it up to you by doing as you said ..."

She lift her face and look up to her mother. "I am going."

Her mother's expression softens, and she pats the bed beside her invitingly. "Come here, child," she murmurs. As Elara sit down beside her, she takes Elara's hand in hers, her grip surprisingly strong.

"Elara, I know you're doing this for me, and I appreciate it," she says, her voice gentle.

"But you need to understand that I'm not just doing this for myself. I want what's best for you, and that party... it's good for you... you always take care of me and Jacob... you are not that old as much burden you have get in this young age,.... I only wants you to go their so you can also enjoy your life, like others.... See the outside word Elara, you deserve to have fun, some good time , you are my child Elarooo..... I care about you, I care about your happiness.... marriage is not the main reasone Elara, the main reasone is your own happiness."

Elara simply nobbed "you are right mother."

Her face lights up with relief as Elara agree with her. "That's my good girl," she says, squeezing her hand reassuringly. "I know you'll make a wonderful impression at the party. Just remember to be yourself, and don't let anyone pressure you into anything you're not comfortable with."

Elara smiled as she nobbed again. "I won't, don't worry."

Elara's mother smiled as she leans in to kiss her forehead, her lips cool against her skin. "Now, go to bed. You need your beauty sleep for tomorrow. And remember, have fun. Laugh, dance, enjoy yourself. You deserve it, Elara."

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