Chapter 4 Rested in peace

Hazel heard Lilith's enthusiastic voice as they walked towards the house and as she was narrating to her mother.

"He too asked for my name and home address. He also told me that he will be coming very soon to discuss some important matters with my parents," said Liling as she smelt the flower that was given to her at the ball. "He better hurry up because considering the number of bachelors that were gawking at you at the ball, we are going to receive many proposals," replied Scarlett and Lilith nodded in agreement.

"But I didn't get to speak or dance with the Duke nor the crown prince," she complained.

"They were busy just as you saw. They hardly danced with anyone at the ball. And if they were to dance with anyone, it definitely had to be you. There's no doubt that you were the most beautiful girl in the ballroom," she said as she took a seat in the sofa. "Welcome back aunt, Lilith. Would you like to have your dinner now?" Hazel interrupted them. Somewhere at the back of her mind, she prayed they refused to eat now because it wasn't yet ready.

"Not yet we're still full. The Scathloks sure prepared a feast. Prepare a warm bath for me. I need to wash off this sweat."

"Right away," she said before turning to leave them. "Me too," said Lilith and Hazel heard it clearly.

At around midnight when she retired to her room, the first thing she did was to search in her satchel and her eyes widened when she didn't find she was looking for. She removed all her clothes while panicking and poured everything on the floor until she saw them and she sighed in relief.

She got hold of the three gold coins and she smiled. She had never been with such much money in her life. Clutching them in her hands, she wondered where she should hide them. She knew that the money would aid her in time of need and she wasn't going to spend it unnecessarily. Searching within her room, she decided to place it below the mattress, hoping it will be safe.

When she laid down on her mattress, her mind got occupied with thoughts of her mother. Even though she was young by the time she died, she clearly remembered that she loved her and treated her better than anybody has ever. Albeit her mother didn't give her luxurious things like pretty dresses and dolls, she made sure that she was happy. She smiled at the fond memory of her mother, and she hoped that she rested in peace, wherever she was.

In the morning when Hazel was in the kitchen, she heard a knock on the front door and she went to check who it was. She smiled on seeing her uncle, Pius Milbrand and she said," Welcome back uncle." "Thank you," he replied as he got in.

Closing the door, she turned to face him.

"How are you?" he asked examining her. "I'm alright uncle. Thanks for asking," she replied. "How is everything at the house?" he asked again. "Very well uncle," she replied. "Alright. I will go ahead," he informed before walking to his bedroom. As she was heading back to the kitchen, she heard another knock on the door and she went to open then saw someone who appeared to be a mailman. "Milbrand household?" asked the man. "Yes please," she replied. "The mails are for Ms Lilith Milbrand," he said as he removed three letters from the pile he had with him. "Thank you. She will receive them," replied Hazel as she took them and the man turned around then walked away. She watched him get into his phaeton and drove away.

Getting inside, she closed the door and turned to see her aunt standing on the staircase.

"Who was it?" she asked. "It was the mailman," she replied and Scarlett came forward before stretching her hands to receive the letters. Giving them to her, she said," He said that they are for Lilith." "Go back to the kitchen," she instructed and Hazel slightly bowed before leaving the place.

"Lilith!" she called as she read the senders' names.

Not getting a response, she called a little louder, "Lilith!!" "I'm coming!" she replied as she made way to where she was.

"You have mails," she mentioned and Lilith's footsteps increased. "Really?!" she asked the moment she reached. "Yes. One from Mr Theon, Mr Audry and Mr Rufus," she mentioned as she gave them to her. "Open and see what we have in them," said Scarlett as she walked towards the living room and Lilith came following.

Taking a seat, Lilith opened the first letter and after reading it, she said," Mr Audry says I looked beautiful at the ball and that he would like the both of us to know each other better." Handing the letter to her mother, she opened another one and after reading said," Mr Rufus asks to visit us here so that you could discuss something important." "Of course he wants to ask for your hand," commented Scarlett as she got the second letter.

After reading the third letter, she said," Mr Theon asks for my hand in marriage and asks for me to write back to him if I am interested."

Looking at the three letters, Lilith asked," What do you think we should do?" "Of the three men, of course Mr Rufus is richer and has a higher rank in society. But I think we should wait because more proposals are still coming. This is just the beginning." Lilith nodded at that and smiled before saying," You never know, we might get one from the Duke or the crown prince."

Hazel placed the breakfast on the table and came to inform them that she was done when her eyes fell on the pair of earrings Lilith was wearing. When her eyes lingered onto them, Lilith noticed it and asked," What?"

"I was just wondering if- " "If I got them from your things? The answer is yes." "But why? They are the only possession I have of my mother," said Hazel. Scarlett intervened and asked," And so what? Don't you eat and sleep in this house?" When Hazel didn't reply, Lilith said," I was planning on returning them but now I won't."