Free

Mrs. Blackford sat back down with a soft, genuine smile on her face. Sentiment was written all over her face. Intrigued, the young mistress sat down and listened.

"My husband and I always dreamed of having children of our own. But we were never fortunate enough to raise a child together. When we found you, in such a concerning state, I thought that we had been blessed. Yes, I do see you as my daughter, but it is not you I am terrified of." Mrs. Blackford paused to kneel by the young mistress's side, gently taking her hand, "I just don't know what I would do if you would hate me." The woman spoke with tears forming in her eyes while the young mistress was in absolute awe.

"This is why you quiver in fear at the mere sight of me?" Mrs. Blackford nearly broke, one tear already falling down her face. Seeing her about to hold her hands to her chest again, the young mistress sighed again, "Mrs. Blackford, do you know why I act so cold to you? It is because I see you as a mother-figure that I cannot stand you. Your insufferable kindness which you somehow give to even me is revolting. To answer your unasked question, yes, I do hate you."

Mrs. Blackford stood, her hands folded in front of her with a warm smile on her face while the young mistress only stared up at her.

"Thank you. With your words, I can finally stop wondering." Mrs. Blackford held a hand up to her mouth and silently cried as she headed inside when then young mistress spoke again.

"It's better to know and be disappointed than to never know and always wonder. Hmm. Though I can't seem to remember who said that, I cannot agree more to their words. Truth is painful, but lies are deceiving. However, do not misunderstand me, Mrs. Blackford, I still have great respect for you and I will never not see you as my mother."

"I really don't understand how you could say that to me, after telling me so directly that you hate me. Telling me that is like rubbing salt in the wound, dear. It does no good, it helps no one." Mrs. Blackford headed inside, looking for her husband.

Stiff in her seat, the young mistress gripped her dress, as if wanting to tear it out of frustration. Her conversation had gone south quicker than she had expected, seeing as she actually had to tell Mrs. Blackford how she felt all this time. She lifted her cup, sipped her tea then tossed the table on its side.

"Scared of me hating you? Ha, if you wanted to lie you should've just said you were scared of losing me, you liar." the young mistress headed inside as well, going straight to her room to sit down at her desk. She looked into the top drawer in the middle and took out a hand mirror. One glance and instead of her revolting reflection, she smiled at the sight of a man standing with his hands in his pockets, waiting. That smile only got wider underneath the cloth that hid her mouth, and slowly, insanity could be seen in that smile. Soon, her amusement was too much to keep contained and her laughter could be heard in every part of the mansion, causing the couple to hug each other tightly with worried faces.

"You are wasting your time, Sayrid. Go, leave. Leave and be free from this world!" the young mistress stood from her chair, tossing her mask on the floor and twirling around elegantly.

"Be free!"