Hello, Grandma!

(1 year and 6 months after Klada Disaster)

[Kyrielle's POV]

"So this is where mom used to live in...."

"Yep. It's impressive how rich the Barret family is right?"

"Mmm...."

We are standing in front of an extremely impressive mansion... Surrounded by concrete walls, the house inside is full of decorations and is no less than massive in size, taking up almost three to four house's space when including the fence surrounding it.

The front gate is made out of metal and is interwoven with multiple wires to form shapes of lions and a very specific looking crest in the middle.

"The Barret family is a traditional but rich household.... That crest there is the crest of the Barret family, and the lion carvings on the front gate is the family's spirit animal. It's like a guardian spirit that guards the house from intruders.... or so they said anyway."

"That is... a lot of details to say the least."

"Right? Even as a little girl, mom has always been annoyed by how much effort was put into every little thing in this house! It's like I can't even relax at all because I'd ruin some rituals or something like that...."

"Is that so?... It sounds quite a pain to constantly have to worry about minor things like that."

"Indeed. Let's head in, although mom is a bit nervous haha..."

"Nervous? Why?"

But before she answers my question, she had already started knocking on the metal gate of the fence that surrounds the mansion. 'Tank tank tank!'

"Excuse me, is anyone inside?" Yelled mom.

"Yes. I'm the security guard, what business do you have here?" Said an old man as he walks out from beside the wall, a big scissor in hand. He was likely doing gardening work just now.

"Beaman, I'm so glad to see you again!"

"It can't be?!... My lady?!"

"That's right. I'm back visiting!"

"Oh my, I need to notify the mistress... and this girl is?..."

"Well, she's my daughter."

"H-hello..." I said so quietly and shyly.

"YOUR DAUGHTER?! Oh god I'm going to faint from this...."

"Hahaha, please let us in before you die."

"Urgh.... I'm not... joking...." 'Thud!'

"Beaman?!" "Uncle?!"

Oh no... He actually fainted!

"Oh Lord he's going to die, do something Kyrie!"

"But you are the healer! I have an idea, grab onto me."

"Huh?"

"Just do it!"

"Okay...." She crouched down and grabbed my shoulders.

"Cling harder, or you might get hurt... Brace yourself!"

"Wait wha-"

"Within the very lands lies an impenetrable wall, earth wall!"

'Thump!' A gigantic wall suddenly sprung up from the ground with me and mom on top.

"What the hell?!"

The wall rose up with so much momentum that it flung both of us up to the air, over the gate of the mansion.

"Uwah!!! Kyrieee!!!"

Thruster brake.

'Bwuom!' Activating a small thruster below my feet, I slowly lowered both of us onto the ground inside the fence of the mansion.

'Thud....' (2x)

"Hah!... Hah!... Oh God... Are you trying to give mom a heart attack?..."

"Please heal him first before you complain!"

"Urgh... You disrespectful girl..."

She dizzily crawled over to the old man lying on the floor.... She put her hands on his head, and prayed with her eyes closed.

"Oh graceful one, grant nourishing force to the ones who have lost their strength and let them rise again from their injuries. Healing."

An aura of golden lights emerged from her hands and covered the man in it. After a few seconds, the old man woke up again.

"Urgh.... What is going on?...."

"Thank goodness you are fine. What would I have done if you had died here?"

"Oh, it's the mistress.....  I just hallucinated young lady visiting here with her daughter.... It's unreal...."

"Wake up Beaman, it's Katherine!"

"You are real?!..."

"Haha...."

What an introduction....

_________________

It seems that this Beaman is the former butler of this mansion who attended to mom for her entire teenage life. That is why he is calling her "m'lady".

After he rested for a little while, we were welcomed into the mansion by him. Immediately as we headed in, quite a few maids welcomed us in and offered to take our luggage.

"Hello little lady, let me take that sword for you." Said one of the maids.

"Umm no, I want to keep this besides me." I said as I tug away my broken katana.

"Eh?..."

"Kyrie, it is formal manners to not carry a weapon in the house. All warriors must follow this code."

"Oh, excuse me... Sorry for the trouble, lady." I said as I handed my broken sword to her.

"It is fine, at least you are eager to learn!"

"Thank you, big sis."

And just as we were about to head deeper into the mansion....

"What's the big commotion here, maids?" Said loudly by a coarse voice.

Both mom and I turned to look at the source of the voice.... An old granny walked down from the stairs that led to the second floor of the mansion.

She has long but light colored red hair... probably a result of her old age. Yet I can still tell that the redness of her hair is no doubt the same as mine... and mom's.

Her face is one that is full of wrinkles, and her body is extremely slim like a skeleton almost. She probably can barely even walk for a long time.

Just by looking at mom's body language, I could tell that the old woman is my grandmother.... Mom's frozen in place, her gaze locked onto the granny on the stairs.

"No way.... Katherine...." Said the old woman in disbelief upon seeing mom.

"Mo...ther..."

"....Who is that?" The old woman said as she stares at me, directly meeting my gaze with her purple colored eye.

"!..." I froze in place, not knowing what to say.

".....She's my kid."

"Your.... My grandchild...."

"Mistress! What a good timing, I was just about to find you myself!" Said the old man.

An awkward silence hits us. 5 maids, a butler, an old woman, a middle aged woman, and a teenage girl all stood in the lobby of the mansion without making a single noise.

This awkwardness is much MUCH worser than any I have ever felt in my life. Giving a speech in front of hundreds of students is less awkward than this.... I feel like I'm about to have stomach cramps, like I'm about to get a period!

The silence finally breaks when the old woman opened her mouth again and cleared her throat.

"....Ahem. Beaman, escort the guests to the living room. I'll be there shortly."

She said as she turns around and made her way back up the stairs.

"Understood, mistress. My lady and Miss Kyrielle, please follow me."

"Alright..." Mom replied hesitantly as she followed the old butler deeper into the mansion. I walked behind mom, tugging onto her sleeve with my hand.

What an experience.... I'll never forget this in my life ever.

As we walked towards the living room, mom spoke to the butler again.

"Beaman.... How has mother been during these 20 years?"

"She's... not great. Her health is deteriorating, likely a result of her working in the Merchant Trades Company."

"So they are still doing that merchant business huh..."

"Ever since young master took over, the business was never the same."

"Claude took over the business... What about father then?"

"Master is...."

"...?"

".....No, nothing. Mistress will have my skin if I spilled the beans now, you'll have to find it out yourself."

"What? No fair!"

"Hohoho, that is just how it is!"

"....." How shocking....

The mom that I know of is someone that is calm and collected, mature and doesn't really joke around a lot. Although she's caring, she's not particularly cheerful and also not someone that'd rely on someone else.

But seeing her joking around and being so cheerful towards an old man, much more than when she's with Thomas is just... It was enlightening to see mom so different from her usual self.

"Please make yourself at home, you two. I'll prepare tea for the occasion." Said the old man after we entered the living room.

"Thank you, Beaman."

"Thank you... Uncle?"

"Hahaha, you can call me Beaman as well little Kyrielle!"

"O-okay... Beaman."

"Well then, if you'll excuse me." He said as he headed out of the living room.

'Cha chank.' He closed the big wooden door on his way out, leaving the living room dead silent afterwards.

"Let's sit down shall we?" Said mom as she puts her hands on my shoulder.

"Mmm."

We sat down on one of the couches in the big and fancy living room.

We sat in silence for a while, not speaking anything to each other. I glanced over at mom who sat right next to me.... her face seems like she is absorbed into her thoughts, day dreaming.

"Kyrie..."

"Hmm?"

"....I just want you to know that your grandmother is not a bad person.... It's just that mom is the one who has issues with her... Would you be angry with me if you learned that I treated her badly...?"

"No, you are the best mother, I could never be angry with you."

"....Thanks for your consideration haha... But there's just no hiding the fact that I'm a horrible daughter..."

"Mm mmm, I disagree. The Katherine that I know of is not a horrible person, you just made some mistakes in the past...."

"Mistakes huh?...." She said as she pats my head.

I closed my eyes and enjoyed every stroke of her hand on my head.... Before Beaman's muffled voice could be heard through the living room's door.

"Eh? Mistress, what are you doin-"

"Keep quiet you idiot!"

"O-oh I'm sorry...."

Grandmother.... She was eavesdropping on us through the door.

"...." Mom made no reaction whatsoever.

'Cha chank.' The door opened, and four person walked into the living room. 2 maids, a butler, and an old woman dressed in a fancy clothing.

The old woman walked over to us and sat down on the couch opposite of us. The rest of the servants stood behind her, ready to serve her.

"....Katherine, it's been a while." Said the old woman with a monotone voice, almost like she has no emotions.

"Yes mother. I've come to visit you and father.... As I happened to travel through this place."

"....Happened to?... So you'd not come here if not for a coincidence huh? Do you put your family so low on your priorities?!..." I could see that even though she's trying her best to stay calm, the old woman is angry.

But... That's some harsh words from a mother who never saw their daughter in almost one and a half decades....

"....What about you then? Why are you still meddling yourself in that old-fashioned trading business for so long? Do you know why I ran?"

"....."

"That's because you are too busy with those foolish trades along with father! So much so that you ignored me and Claude for our entire life!"

"That's... You are lying!"

"Am I? What about brother, huh? Have you forced him to take over the business yet like you forced me to get married to the duke's son in hopes of securing your merchant company?!"

"I didn't forced him to take over!"

"There is no way he willingly took over, don't lie to me!"

"That's not it!..." The old woman was hurt by mom's words....

"Mom...."

"Kyrie... This is just how things are here. Now tell me the truth, Joanne!"

"My lady, it's rude even for you to call your mother's name like that! Your brother is-"

"That's enough, Beaman. I'll tell her myself."

"....Yes, Mistress."

"....Your father is sick, he can't work anymore." Said Joanne, with a dead serious expression.

"...What...?"

Mom's expression instantly changed from one that is full of anger into one that is of concern and shock.

"Over the years, Harrington's health kept getting worse... Recently, he frequently complained about chest pains and breathing difficulties. One day, he suddenly collapsed while working and now his heart is much wealer than it is before."

"....Where is father?"

"He is in his room... If you still remember the house's layout that is."

"....I'll check up on him." Said mom as she stands up and headed out of the living room.

I stood up from my place. "I'll come with you-"

"Wait a moment. You, sit back down." Said the old woman as she looks at me.

"Eh?... Umm...."

"....Listen to your grandmother, Kyrie. Be a good girl, okay?" Said mom as she flashes a smile at me before she disappears out of the door.

"Okay..." I reluctantly sat back down on the couch.

Now alone, I was met with the stare of four person in the living room... It is extremely intense, like I was being burned by lasers.

A moment of silence passes by... Until Joanne opened her mouth again.

"...What is your name?"

"M-my name is Kyrielle... Kyrielle Buffet."

"Buffet huh?... A family with a background that is no good at all."

"....."

"....What an ungrateful child your mother is. I have practically raised her since the beginning, but what I got was her running from home without even saying anything. Worst yet, she never even told me about having kids!... That apathetic idiot child doesn't cared at all about letting me know I have a grand kid, seriously...."

I wanted to reply to her complains about mom but... she has a point. Mom is very rude for not even telling her mother that she has two kids. If I was in her shoes, I'd be angry as well.

Without anything to say to her, I kept my head low, not even daring to make eye contact with her.

"Mistress... Be easy on her."

"....Hmpt. As a member of the Barret family, I expected her to find a partner that is at least worthy of her family name.... But she brought upon a child with an upbringing of a commoner. Foolish..."

I turned my head up and looked at her dead in the eye.

"....That is enough! You are the one who is foolish!" I said out in anger.

"What?..."

"I'm your granddaughter! Do you have nothing else to say to me other than complaining and whining about mom?! How about 'What a cute granddaughter I have, would you like a candy'? Doesn't that sound nicer than whatever you just said to me?"

I yelled out for the first few sentences, but I quickly regained my cool midway, talking in a nicer tone.

"That is... What do you want then?"

"I want you to listen! Mom is a caring and kind mother, she is very mature and she helps me alot even though she has issues herself. She's not a fool!"

"That's what every mother is like."

"But I'm not done talking. My... my father was killed by a demon that attacked our city out of nowhere... your daughter's husband is dead!"

"Your father is dead....?"

"That's right! Mom was hurt extremely by this.... But then what did you do to help her as a mother?"

"...."

"Nothing, you did nothing. Worst of all, she wanted to visit in hopes of reconciling with you, but you greeted her by insulting her! She was suffering so much, bottling up all these pain inside... Sob... but you are too blind to even notice that! Sob..."

"That's...."

I wanted to continue ranting, never stopping.... But I couldn't.

"And... Sob!... And...." Before I know it, tears started to drip down my face uncontrollably. I'm crying.

That's right... Even though this rant was meant to defend mom, it all hits a bit too close to home for me.... I understand just how much pain mom feels about dad's death.... and that's why I couldn't help but cry.

"Sob!... Uuu... Sob!... I'm not done yet... Sob!..."

"...Beaman."

The butler quietly walked over from his side, and handed me a napkin from his pocket. I took his napkin and wiped my eyes with it...

"Sob... Hoo... hah...." Taking a deep breath, I slowly calmed myself down by picturing a stormy sea returning to it's calm state.

"....Are you feeling better now?" My grandmother said out, with a voice of concern... A tone of voice that I never expected to hear from her of all people.

"...Mmm."

"....I commend you for being able to calm yourself so quickly. But... I'm not done as well."

"...What do you mean?"

"I want you to tell me more... about what happened to your mother and your father. Judging from how you said a demon attacked out of nowhere, your family must have lived in Klada up north, is that correct?"

"Yes..." She listened.

"...Who did Katherine marry, and how did your father got killed? Why did you two suddenly decided to travel around Ataraxia and ended up here? And... and just what trauma has my daughter been through?"

"Grandmother...."

All the rants that I muttered out just now... she actually listened. She cares, even if she doesn't seem like it.

"...It all started when mom met dad in her adventure party-"

I started to explain to her about mom's history. About how she met dad and fell in love with each other. How they had two daughters, Kyrielle and Marielle. And how one day all of a sudden, Aamon attacked Klada and ruined everything.

"My life was set into motion by that event... Dad was killed, Marie went missing, and I was sent to the demon continent via teleportation magic."

"The demon continent?!" (4x) Everyone in the room sounded extremely surprised, even the old woman.

"That's right.... I had just made my way back to Centralia about half a year ago. I travelled all the way across the Bostnia Continent, and I faced a lot of challenges but eventually I ended up back here again. It was a long journey."

"That is impressive, to say the least.... The demon continent is extremely dangerous, I'm just glad that you are able to make it back here safely."

I told her how I made it back here and how it led down to this moment... Towards today, where I met my grandmother for the first time in my life.

"-and that was why we ended up here in Cross Fang city. That's when mom decided to pay you a visit."

"I see.... I'm sorry for your situation, Kyrielle."

"....You don't have to be sorry. If you must, please give that to mom. She needs your care and attention more than ever... Please...."

Mom is hiding it.... But I know she's on her limit already. She needs the acknowledgement and love of her mother more than ever.

"I... I see...."

Just like me and mom, Joanne says 'I see' a lot. It runs in the blood I suppose.

"....Regardless, come here and let me take a closer look at your face for now, granddaughter. Your mom calls you Kyrie, would it be fine for me to as well?"

"That's... yes!"

She's harsh with words.... But I don't think she's a bad person at all. She may have threw all those passive aggressive insults to me just now, but she instantly accepted me as her grandkid from the moment she saw me back at the entrance. It's not something that a horrible person would be capable of.

Not just that, her attitude changed almost 180 degrees when she learned of mom's situation. She does care about her daughter, even if she doesn't seem like it.

I just wished that she was at least a bit kinder with mom on her first meeting though....

I walked up to Joanne, and sat down right next to her. She reached out her wrinkly hand, and touches my face.

"....What a cute grand daughter I have."

"!"

Wha-?! I was caught completely off guard by her praising me that I felt... glad.

"Huhu... Isn't that what you wanted to hear?" Said the emotionless old woman... but this time she finally shows a smile on her face.

"...Mmn! That's exactly what I wanted to hear!"

(Chapter end)