LEARNING IT ALL OVER AGAIN - HER CONDITION

In a warm cozy room where the heat from the fire place gradually spread through the whole room combating the freezing temperature outside, Laurence was alone on the bed looking outside the window counting the trees and even the snow that was falling. Her eyes moved from time to time looking at the vast forest that spread through out the whole estate. She can even hear the sound of animals and birds.

It was quite peaceful, Laurence hated it.

She was in this state the moment she woke up from her nap. That was an hour ago.

Back before all of these misfortunes happened, she was excited to start her day burying herself in books, potions, and researches. Laurence would often find herself immersed with scientific data she accumulated even forgetting to eat her food.

In those times, her parents would surely scold her. Telling her how important for a heir like her to treasure her health and Laurence who would scoff and begun explaining them how her research was more important than food. They often argue about this but those days were the warmest times she had ever experience in her life. She loved her parents deeply from the bottom of her heart.

All of everything she treasured was gone and burned with the ashes of the people’s greed. Even her parents’ reputation was taken. People would remember them not because of their achievements but they will be remembered for having a daughter who had become a witch. The nobles who had birthed a monster.

Laurence scoffed and pulled the sheets even more over her head. Her parents precious memories remained in her mind but memories fade and she doesn’t know how long will she be able to remember them. Laurence’s was afraid of that. With what state she was right now, She was afraid of time and the changes that were waiting for her.

Back before, she was excited about the future, now, her future seemed to be in a blank state without any light. Different question started to crawl inside her mind. She wanted revenge but where should she start?

Laurence understood that there might be a person behind their demise but she lacked the ability, capability to track a person. She doesn’t have anymore riches nor a reputation to keep. She even guessed that she was a wanted person right now with a bounty over head.

Right now, just like the noble Lord said, she needed to prioritize her recovery hoping that she can regain her ability to walk.

Closing her eyes, she did only realized that plotting a revenge like this wasn’t easy at all.

“My lady? Your food and clothing had been prepared.”

“Come in.”

Laurence moved trying to get up and leaned to the headboard of the bed. She saw the maid in a black and white uniform holding a tray of clothes and some food. Sensing the gaze of Laurence, the maid looked up giving a little bow.

She was respectful as if she was really a lady of the house.

Laurence can only give a nod feeling uncomfortable. She was just a stranger in this house and she knew to herself that she was already being a burden and that she cannot imposed any further but the actions of the maid with respect made her thought that she was one of the master of this house.

She was a noble before this but with what happened, she never expected her title of a lady to remain and to be treated as a noble once again.

“My lady, the lord had instructed me to prepare a fresh clothes and some bath. He also instructed the chef to make some foods that can be easily swallow and digest.” The maid begun preparing the table placing different dishes.

Laurence followed the maid looking at the food. With the kindness she was receiving she can’t help but think that they’re plotting her second death. People can’t blame her thoughts. She had been through the worst and her situation right now was beyond miracles. She felt anxious thinking that if she had done something wrong, she would be tortured once again.

“Would you like to take a bath first or eat my lady?” the maid politely asked. Laurence can’t help but flinched. She tried hard to move and not become an inconvenience.

“I would like to eat first,” Laurence said to the maid. Honoring her wishes, the maid moved and placed the food in a little table and put it in the bed so that the lady could eat. She also helped Laurence fixing her position so she can eat with ease.

Laurence looked at the set of food given to her. The soup looked so edible with all of the ingredients and the tea had the color of purple.

“My lady, the lord asked the chef to prepare a good meal for you. But since you just woke up a few hours ago, it would be best to eat lightly according to the doctors.”

Laurence doesn’t really care what food they should be serving her now. Even if it was dirt, she would eat it for she new to herself that she had been imposing long enough in this mansion. But now, with her food looking so well prepared, Laurence felt like she had been a burden long enough that she cannot change it.

Slowly, Laurence grabbed the spoon scooping the soup and putting it in her mouth slowly. The moment she put the soup inside her mouth, the flavor of food savoring inside her mouth melting made Laurence a little bit in daze. She never realized the comfort of food until now. Memories after memories flooded her brain triggering her.

A little while later, her eyes turned red and her tears begun to fall.

“My lady are you okay?!” the maid panicked the moment she saw Laurence crying. She hurriedly grabbed a handkerchief and gave it to Laurence.

“Thank you,” Laurence said in her hoarse voice wiping her tears but even though she wiped her tears many times as she could, her tears won’t stop. Laurence panicked.

“I’m sorry,” she utter trying hard to contain her sobs. She has to stop now but her tears won’t stop.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“My lady?”

“I am really sorry. I’ll stop-I’ll”

the maid stared at her with all of the complex emotions he was trying hard to hide on her expression. However, as time ticked and the lady kept crying, she can’t help but reveal her sympathy.

Her eyes spoke many emotions but one of them was pity. The servants of the house were aware of the lady’s circumstances as their lord had told them and not the slightest they thought that such lady was a burden to the lord himself.

Kneeling down, the maid’s gaze gave a gentle gaze as though assuring her lady. “My lady, it’s okay. I can clean your mess many times as you want or prepare you baths as long as you like. You are above me. No one should display their arrogance in front of such fragile lady like you.”

This time, Laurence looked at her. Her eyes red. She looked so much like a child wanting to be hugged. The maid smiled. “It’s okay my lady. Just cry.”

The reassurance of the maid rang on Laurence mind easing all of the pressure she put to herself. Laurence cried all of her feelings out as though she was a child. A child telling the world that she had been wronged. A child who wanted to be hugged and a child who wanted to be comforted.

Laurence felt like she had forgotten the feeling to be treated as a normal human being. To be able to eat a simple meal and to have a nice bed. To be able to feel confident and to feel she had a mind and emotion. That she had a choice. And that she was respected.

Back in the torture room she felt like her only way out was to say lies after lies. To clenched her teeth and expect the stinging pain of a whip.

Now, she was learning it all over again.