1 Honeycomb flower

You're the One: Take Two!

Prologue: Chapter 4: Honeycomb flower.

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What the hell am I going to do? This dysfunctional family is more than I bargained for. Especially these rude and stuck up brothers! Especially if I'm their sister! At least the parents seem happy with each other. With my luck, I'm the hated child...

I swallow the fear in my throat.

The beautiful woman, otherwise known as an angel, descends the carriage.

From my peripheral view, I saw the handsome and stunning smiles of the three bullies. A faint twitch of the lips grew at the sight of the two newcomers on the last and tallest of the brother's face.

When my eyes immediately switch back to the couple in front of me, it's almost too late to prepare for the oncoming ambush.

"Thank you, darling. It's good to see my dear sons out and about..."

Her voice was sweet. Too sweet.

Ugh.

Her citrine eyes had lit up at the sight of me. Her sudden blatant stare of shock almost knocks me back. Those bewildered jewels becomes misty eyed and brighter as she immediately releases the man's hand and dashes into my body.

I yip at the tight hug, not sure if I should hug her back. I do, though, and it feels wonderful.

"I'm so happy to see my precious daughter safe and at home! Let's have tea in the garden, shall we? I am exhausted from traveling all morning from Arkbate that your father had to wake me," she giggles. There's a certain sparkle in her eyes that I don't particularly recognize.

Almost hope or longing.

The woman I suppose I should call 'mother' loops her arm through mine and drags me away from my 'brothers' and 'father'.

They're so startled, even when I look back for a moment, I can tell this isn't something Miss Beauregard would do.

Damnit! What the hell kind of girl is Miss Beauregard? Seems like her own family dislikes her, save for this woman.

With her carefree smile and the dazzling topazes decorating her thin neck accent the mystery in her eyes. The sunlight slips in through the wide windows with perfect pulled back navy curtains. When she turns to me with a lovely smile, I can't hear her words.

She's far too beautiful.

If this is my mother, then will I look like this when I'm her age? We're exact replicas!

My eyes widen, especially when we reach the garden and her strong arm jerks me down the soft bed path. Beautiful flowers of all kinds with several eccentric patterns are scattered about the pathway. There's a few in a patch that seem to shimmer like pixie dust when I realize the abnormal scenery.

This garden is very daring. Many of these plants are poisonous and several of them harvest magics that haven't been experimented with.

Which reminds me, didn't Ilaria take a Honeycomb flower and use its poisons to capture Nyx? I remember reading about it.. something about is 'deeply golden color resembling the shade of honey can induce the limbs and nerves to stiffen so the body couldn't move,' and then there's—

The last thing I see is Kiel and Ilaria walking away. He calms her down with his words and touch while they leave the last man standing by himself. I couldn't even drop from the poll because my body refused to give. Almost made me think about why I couldn't move throughout the whole ordeal...

"—yx? Nyx? Nyx, starlight, are you okay?"

My eyes hesitate to focus. I blink the horrible memory away and breathe deeply. It was the past and I had to remember that.. or could it have been the future?

"Nyx, what's the matter?" Her soft voice soothes my worries.

Although, it's just for a moment.

I'm able to see clearly and I notice that we've made it to the garden, a few servants that have followed us bring tea cups and a tea pot. While the tea brews, Mother worries over my clumsy state.

"You know, you can always tell me when you're upset. You use to always confide in me about the littlest of things." Her bejeweled eyes flicker over my face. "I remember when you were eight, and you refused to wait until dinner to have sweets. It seems just yesterday my darling little girl was only to my waist and begging for my affection.. ah, those were the days. And I hope they'll return with this newfound attitude."

Mother's gentle hands massage circles into my shoulders. I blink at the previous smile she bestows me.

"Yeah.. me too," I said, nonchalantly.

Her eyes widen.

For the moment, I didn't know what made her react so distinctly. It made me think that this Miss Beauregard didn't have a good relationship with her mother before I came along.

Then, I realized what I said and what the previous Miss Beauregard might say.

"I— I mean! I as well, Mother." I swallowed the awkwardness in my voice and smiles sweetly.

Her eyes turn into crescent moons that flash with pure happiness.

"Good. It's been too long; I've missed my precious, one-of-a-kind daughter. Now, let's sit! Sit!" She practically shoves me into a chair with her overly happy attitude.

Startled, I fix my position and cross a leg over the other, patiently waiting for her to talk. I assumed she dragged me out here to speak with me, maybe converse about the ladies of this town or maybe something she did today, but instead, all I received was an overly large smile while one of the maids pour the tea. I mean, it's not that I expected mother-daughter time when I received such cold and harsh insults earlier.

The tea's heavenly sent almost made me faint when I caught a whiff.

With courage, I open my mouth to ask, "How are you, Mother?"

I tried to flash a genuine smile, but her feline eyes caught my hidden act. She smiles nonetheless and barely camouflages her disappointment behind her upbeat expression.

Now I feel bad...

I frown on the inside.

"Don't call me that, Nyx. It's Mum, remember?" She grins, dropping a sugar in her tea. Mother waves away the title as if it was nothing more than an unfitting word.

I couldn't tell if she was playing around or being serious. I figured she would enjoy me calling her Mum anyway.

What's the harm?

"Yes.." I swallow thickly, "Mum."

I had to swallow my doubts, but I did it!

The smile on her face was totally worth it, too!

"See! Isn't that better?" I nod, adding a sugar cube to my tea as well. "Since I haven't seen you in a week, I didn't know your fashion sense would change so much," her fragrance was very light, just as her adoring light hearted chuckle.

My brows furrow at the statement and I look down, seeing the flowing dress accenting my assets with some modesty. I glance back up to meet her eyes, remembering the Lolita dresses from earlier. I wanted to cower back a bit.

I thought this look is more mature and elegant than those kindergarten clothes! Maybe she was the one who picked them out for me— her daughter— and now, because I'm not wearing them, she's disappointed? Or maybe...

Mum's smile faltered when I glanced up at her.

"I mean, your dress suits you now— not that the others from before aren't adorable on you! But this attire is more.. you. Oh, what I meant to say, starlight, is this style is much more becoming than your last one." She cringes, skipping through different sentences before settling on a final response after her mistake.

The panic on her face fades, but I knew from experience that it didn't fade from her heart.

Why is she so flustered?

I chose to smile brightly and pick up the cup of tea for a sip.

"Thank you, Mum. I prefer this style for myself. I was very hesitant to try it, but now that I have, it's absolutely fabulous! It's so comfortable and light. Very airy," I exaggerate with a broad smile.

For once, I could feel a bit at ease since there's another woman here on 'my' level.. I suppose is what I should say.

As we spoke about different styles that flatter the body or are more comfortable, Mum and I seemed to be quite similar. It leads me to think that the original Miss Beauregard was nothing like me at all.

The thought made me frown.

This woman who is now my mother seems like such an amazing person, why would someone take her for granted? They obviously didn't know what they had.

I smile while sipping on tea. It was a pretty day, and being surrounded by such a beautiful scenery and happy aura, I couldn't help but enjoy this seemingly good, new life.

Even if it's for the moment.

"Nyx," Mum softly calls.

I don't pay her any mind because I don't know who this Nyx is. I sip away at my herbal tea contently and with grace.

The name is said once again.

"Nyx... Nyx Soraya Beauregard!" Her voice has turned harsh and authoritative.

My eyes widen a fraction as I immediately gaze back at Mum, who stifles a smile with her stern expression.

What.. what did she just call me?

If the tea plate hadn't of been beneath my tea cup, it would have crashed to the floor and most likely stained the dress. I'm fortunate that I didn't cause a sudden scene because of shock.

A generous smile befits Mum's mouth, "I'm glad you could return your focus back to me, dear. It's so wonderful to finally have tea in the gardens with you."

The twinkle in her eyes proves the satisfying undertone relaying in her voice.

As Mum continues conversing with another topic, leading our talk, I can't seem to focus. I hardly look up from my tea cup and stare at the intricate pattern decorating the side.

You've got to be kidding me...