A Mother's POV(Edited)

A/N: First of the two POV-themed chapters I wrote after the last chapter. This is to add more depth to the important side characters. This novel is going to have a bunch of these.

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[Elizabeth's POV]

Elizabeth was sitting on her office chair, looking at some official papers.

It was already evening and the sun was bidding its farewell, but Elizabeth had no time to look at the beautiful sunset. She had dozens upon dozens of paperwork to go through, making sure that the things her aides had compiled were in order.

Sadly, the work had been piling up even though she would spend many hours a day trying to finish them. But new ones would take the old ones' spot, and they wouldn't end. She wasn't fast enough to deal with them all quickly. Not while finding time for other things like her family and the management of the mansion itself, though at least she had a lot less to worry about on that front thanks to the diligent and hardworking Head Maid.

Furthermore, she dared not slack in her paperwork or try to just skim, lest she missed something problematic. That had happened before and it wasn't pretty. More troubles in provincial management were the last thing she wanted in her already stressful life.

She released a tired sigh as she stared at the paper listing the budget management of the territory.

Her usual calm and composed face was nowhere to be seen as her face now wore a constant stressful frown from reading the contents and the headache it induced.

'We aren't making enough profit. This is troublesome. Do I really have to resort to increasing taxes? No, I can not do such a cruel thing. It would be unfair to the masses. Ugh, my head.'

She cupped her forehead, massaging the temple to ease the stress-induced pain.

Lately, constant headaches had been a common occurrence in her life. It had developed into a chronic migraine, but she couldn't do much. Even Stamina and Recovery potions had started to prove less and less effective and she had to overdose on them to get good-enough effects.

'I need to see the medic again, it seems.'

Her work and responsibilities were stopping her from doing so. But that wasn't the only reason. Elizabeth knew her body was weakening day by day. She had even gone down a Tier. She knew it. But she didn't dare to tell anyone and acted normally so as to not cause distress among the other household members. Being the head of the family was not easy. She had not many that she could truly rely on.

But she pulled through everything the paperwork, her deteriorating health, and the world was throwing at her. All because of her 3 precious darlings.

A smile graced her at long last as she thought of the only remaining light in her life: her 3 cute and adorable children. They made her move past her worries.

But sadly, ever since that horrendous day 5 years ago, things had never been the same. The central pillar of the house, Walker K. Maximus, her beloved and caring husband, had passed away that day.

Just talking about it brought panic and anxiety among her poor children, especially Emma. She could feel her poor daughter's pain. After all, her own heart did not beat properly and her vision blurred whenever she thought of the day.

Ever since that accursed day, her body had started degrading. She was perfectly healthy before.

The medics had called it the result of trauma and had told her she needed time to heal. But even after 5 years, her condition had only worsened.

She didn't want to think about what'll happen if she got sick. No! She couldn't get sick. She was the pillar of support for the house. And she had to stay strong and fight. For her family. For her children.

She clenched her fists feeling the pain but then released them with another sigh as it subsided.

As she finished the paper she held, she put it on the completed pile and took another paper from the much bigger incomplete pile.

A new thought came to her head then, making her halt. It was related to the recent changes in the family. In particular, her son Alex.

'I wonder what my sweet little boy is doing?'

About a week ago, he started going to the garden more and more.

He used to stay holed up in his room most of the time and that hadn't changed too much, but now he was seen doing various exercises, and even running in the garden.

This news had shocked the entire household initially, especially her.

Alex, the meek and timid child, was exercising!

She couldn't help but smile at her son's healthy changes.

'He's finally growing up and moving past the sad future, my sweet little baby. I should make sure to reward him for his efforts.'

She hummed as she remembered the other changes in him. He had been acting less timid and was able to reply properly, though he did occasionally fumble.

'I think I heard the maids say he started reading history books and other books on folklore. Hmm, why those books? I don't remember them being his favorite. Is my baby's taste changing?

Oh, dear. I need to catch up. I can't miss such things just because I have work. This is important. I need to spend more time with him. Maybe he'll finally be accepting of her poor mother's invitation to her bedroom. It's been so long since I slept with my dear baby. He refused me before but maybe now he is finally okay.

Though, I wonder if he doesn't like sleeping with me anymore. That would be very sad. They grow up so fast, my poor heart can't keep up with them. It's Emma's case all over again. She was also very adamant about sleeping alone when she was just 8.'

She sighed and shook her head in resignation.

Anyway, this new change seemed to make his fundamentals teacher very happy as she had been praising his change and asked what caused it. Alas, even she, his mother, didn't know why he changed so suddenly.

And being the worrywart that she was, Alex's new change, while making her proud, also worried her. She was worried.

'He might overwork himself like this. Or he might burn out from all the reading he has been doing on those boring history books. I need to ensure my boy is getting proper rest. I know he's been playing with his younger sister.'

At least, he still managed his time to relax and play. He had started playing with Alice, and that had made her youngest daughter really happy. She was quite lonely with no one other than Alex to play with in her age group, but due to his timid nature, he wouldn't even talk to his younger sister properly, let alone play. Alice being shy herself didn't help either.

But now everything was fine. They were happily playing every day and had been getting closer.

'Emma is still being stubborn. That hot-headed girl. Why is she so insistent on not talking to Alex?'

Her second daughter Emma still wasn't ready to talk normally with Alex for some reason.

She had started acting distant and aggressively toward Alex since last year. Elizabeth didn't know the reason, though she couldn't help but think it was due to her father's memories haunting her again. Emma wouldn't talk about it when she'd asked her.

'I'm a bad mother.'

She deflated.

But there was still hope.

'Hopefully, seeing her younger brother trying hard to improve himself on his own might slowly melt her heart and she'll be back on good terms with Alex.'

Then, her family would be happy.

While thinking of these things in the background, she also kept tackling the monstrosity in front of her called paperwork. The next few ones were ones where she could take it easy and skim through.

'Yes. Since my baby has been doing his best, I can't show poor performance as his mother. I'll do my best to keep this family happy!'

*Knock, knock*

"Madam, it's sunset. Would you like some tea?"

A few minutes into her work, a voice disrupted her concentration.

She looked in front and saw the door open and the Head Maid, Laura entering with a tray.

"Laura. Yes, I would love some of your tea, thank you."

She smiled as she replied. Her composed and motherly aura was already back as if it had never left.

The head maid, Laura, bowed and went ahead to brew some tea on the spot. She had prepared the ingredients beforehand. It was just a matter of mixing them.

She came soon after with a tea up and holder.

"Here, Madam."

Laura handed Elizabeth the cup of fragrant and warm tea. The aroma made Elizabeth's smile even lovelier.

"Mm~ smells delicious as always."

She complimented.

Laura had now been the new Head Maid for over 5 years, taking the mantle after her mother, the previous Head Maid, retired due to old age.

And Elizabeth could say for certain she was a perfect maid. Elizabeth had never found any flaws in her work or form. She did everything perfectly, leaving no room for complaint.

It was as if she was born to serve. Her professionalism was on par with the empire's top maids.

However, if there was one thing she felt worried about, it was that this head maid of hers was perhaps a bit too diligent and strict. Not just on others but on herself as well.

She knew about Laura a long time ago. Laura had been serving this house since a young age as an assistant maid and she was friends with her daughter due to them being in the same age group. Though, Elizabeth knew Laura was well-aware of their differences and so maintained some courtesy. Olivia, on the other hand, was much more free-spirited and happily treated her as an equal.

It was honestly quite a sight to see the easy-going and at times air-headed Olivia and prim and proper Laura getting along well.

She treated Laura like another daughter. Elizabeth had seen her grow from a young child to the beautiful lady she now was.

The other flaw— though it was only one in Elizabeth's eyes and by no means it lowered Laura's value in the household— was that she had no life outside of her maid duties. She had put every day and night of her life into it. She didn't even take any holidays unless it was absolutely necessary or when Elizabeth would pester her like a worried mother to take a break and enjoy her life. Maybe visit her hometown.

'My poor Laura is already of age to get married and yet she has no semblance of a love life or a lover. She wouldn't allow men to even look at her, let alone talk.'

When asked, she always claimed she wanted to focus on serving the household, and such things were not in her interest.

"Is something the matter, Madam?"

Laura's question made her realize she was lost in her thoughts and staring at her.

"Oh, no Laura. I was just thinking about work. Don't mind me."

"Yes, understood."

Elizabeth adored Laura for her diligence, but she wanted her to fall in love and experience life outside work. It was an important part of one's life after all. At least, she believed so.

She looked at Laura as she bowed politely.

Elizabeth took another sip of her tea, the refreshing aroma filling her body, and energizing her.

"I love your herbal teas, Laura. They seem to make all my stress go away."

The head maid bowed in proper courtesy.

"Thank you, Madam. I'm delighted to hear my tea gives you relief."

Seeing her serious reply, Elizabeth couldn't help but smile wryly. Her maid really was too serious.

[End of Elizabeth's POV]

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