[39.1] Della POV: The Life of a Mother

[Author's note: This chapter is from Della's point of view.]

I hummed peacefully as I slowly ran the brush through the luxurious light brown hair in front of me.

Reika sat in front of a vanity mirror half asleep.

I let the strands of hair pass through my fingers, "Your hair is getting longer, my darling Rei of sun."

She yawned, "Maybe I should cut it?"

I gasped, "No! You must never cut it! Long hair is the symbol of power."

"How so? Is it because society said so? Or is it because the demon who saved you had long hair?"

I laughed and averted my gaze, "Both?"

She smiled cheekily, "I will keep it long for you."

I cheered, "Wonderful!"

Once I finished, I went downstairs to prepare the food. I hummed to myself as I made sure everything was perfect.

Every day I followed the same routine.

Wake up early.

Wake Reika up.

Get Reika ready.

Prepare breakfast.

Send Reika to class.

Clean the house.

Wait for Reika to return.

Prepare dinner.

And-

A woman in red stood in the doorway, "Having fun playing house in my body?"

I pretended she didn't exist as Reika walked in, passing right through the woman in red as if she was just air. Reika peered over my shoulder, "That looks great!"

I rubbed her head, "Everything looks great to you."

The woman in red started cursing, "F*cking mutt! Stop walking through me!"

Once Reika and Aldrich were downstairs, we all sat down for breakfast. Zephyr usually slept in and skipped breakfast while Aldrich usually ate as he looked over some documents. Once we finished eating, Aldrich cleared his throat, "Class starts soon."

Reika groaned, "Can't I skip?"

I gave her a stern look, "No. Why would you skip?"

She pouted, "Felix and Cyrus are graduating so they aren't going to class anymore. It's terribly boring by myself. I can't even stay awake most of the time."

The woman in red snickered, "Let her skip. She's too dumb to get an education anyway."

Aldrich shook his head as he spoke to Reika, "You still have to go."

I nodded, "I agree with your father. Now go on."

"Ugh. Fine." Reika grabbed her things and rushed out the door.

"Wait!" I handed her a bag, "Don't forget your lunch."

She gave me a kiss on the cheek, "Love you, Mummy."

The woman in red hissed, "Disgusting! How dare she touch my body with those filthy lips of hers!!!"

Aldrich walked over to Reika, "I will make sure you get to class on time."

Reika let out a dramatic sigh, "Fiiine."

I walked them both to the door and waved.

The woman in red continued to hurl insults at me, "You disgusting body snatcher! How dare you let that filthy mutt touch my body!"

I let out an exhausted sigh, "I suppose I can garden to keep myself busy."

I collected my things and headed outside where the woman in red kept shouting in my ear, "Disgusting bodysnatcher! Don't ignore me!"

Eventually, Zephyr realized I was outside and he quickly ran out to keep me company. Usually, his rambunctious playing would keep me distracted from the woman in red, but not this time.

As I gardened, the woman in red sat across from me, "Oi. Oi. Stop ignoring me. Why are you planting that crap? Go and kill the people who enslaved us! Stop wasting time!"

I let out an exhausted sigh and looked at Zephyr who was playing with a beetle, "Zephyr, darling. Can demons see ghosts?"

Zephyr glanced up, "Not always. Ghosts can only be seen if their resentment is intense enough."

The woman in red scoffed, "I have more resentment than any ghost."

I nodded in understanding, "But what if one did have enough resentment? Could they show themselves only to one other person?"

"Yup. If the ghost attaches themself to someone then only that person would see them… You should know this. You attached yourself to Reika."

I let out a sigh, "That's what I feared… I only hoped it wasn't the case."

He placed the beetle in his mouth and swallowed it.

I smacked his head gently with a carrot, "I said no eating bugs!"

His eyes watered, "But I missed breakfast…"

I remained firm, "Zephyr."

Seeing that I wouldn't budge, his pitiful look turned to a pouting one, "Fine… I won't do it again."

A butterfly flew through the air and landed on a nearby flower.

The slits of his eyes widened. Suddenly a tail sprang forward, swishing as he prepared to pounce.

He turned into a fox and jumped on the butterfly which flew away before he could grab it. I watched as he trampled my garden, trying to catch the butterfly.

I let out a sigh, "Why must this happen every time?"

After Zephyr tired himself out, I fixed up the garden and carried him inside. I placed him on the windowsill as I cleaned the house up.

The woman in red followed me as I did so, "Do you think this will make him fall in love with you? Hah! He won't! No one in this kingdom would ever give a slave a chance. They are too busy standing on their pedestals and turning their nose up at us."

Once I finished tidying up, I went to a mirror and fixed my hair.

Red spat out at me, "Cut it! Why did you let it go so long!? Ugh! And stop putting it into a braid!! Let it loose!"

I returned to the main door where I waited patiently for someone to arrive back home. After a while, it opened and Aldrich stepped through.

I quickly grabbed his coat, "Hello, dear. Let me help you… By the way, what would you like for dinner tonight?"

Aldrich watched me with careful eyes, "I was thinking tonight we could go to a restaurant."

I froze.

It was as if time itself stopped.

The woman in red laughed, "He hates your food. Strike one!"

My smile twitched, "W-Why a restaurant?"

"Recently you've seemed a bit tired. I thought you could use the break."

The woman in red sang out, "Strike two! He thinks you are being too lazy! Wow! He's going to kick you out for sure."

Panic gripped my throat, "Very well… That sounds lovely."

He nodded, "I already told Reika. She said she will be home soon."

The woman in red whispered into my ear, "Your only duty is to take care of the house and cook for the family. Yet, you can't even do that right."

I turned away from him, gripping my chest, "I will go get ready then."

I went to the closet and pulled out a very modest and plain-colored checkered dress.

Red's expression stiffened, "No… Oh gods, no! Stop this! Stop this right now! Do NOT wear that!"

I ignored her and put on the dress. I sat in front of the vanity mirror and looked at the makeup in front of me.

Red motioned to the red lipstick, "That one! Use that one. I look best in red."

I purposely chose another color and put it on.

She screamed, "ARRRGH! Master said to let you have my body, but HOLY HELL! Stop putting on this crap!! Are you trying to kill me a second time!?"

I heard Reika come home and rushed down the stairs.

Reika's eyes widened once she saw me, "Whoa! Hot mama alert!"

I laughed and squeezed her cheeks, "You can't say that."

Red snickered, "She's saying it about me, though."

I felt my smile stiffen.

I changed the subject, "Reika, darling. Please tell me you're not going to dinner in your Academy uniform."

She pursed her lips, "Why would I change?"

I rubbed her shoulder, "Go change."

She let out a groan, "Fiiine!"

I watched her walk up the stairs, passing by Aldrich. He fixed his cuffs as he walked down. When he raised his head and saw me, he halted in his tracks.

I felt the room suddenly get colder.

He strolled over to me while staring, "You look… Very beautiful."

I felt a warm sensation in my chest, "Thank-"

Red smirked, "He's calling me beautiful. It's my body. Not yours."

The warm feeling I had turned to ice in an instant.

My smile slowly fell, "-Let me go see if Reika needs any help."

"Ah Della! Wait-" I had already started climbing the stairs, leaving Aldrich behind. He turned to Zephyr, "Don't women usually like compliments?"

Zephyr nodded, "Duh. But Della's special. Do you think your complimenting Della or the body she's in?"

The Headmaster's face darkened, "I never thought of it like that… Hmm…"

I arrived in Reika's room where she had already changed and was lounging on the bed.

I panicked, "Reika! Why aren't you wearing any stockings!?"

She pursed her lips, "It's hot outside! Why do I need them?"

I grabbed a pair and forced her to put them on, "You're dress is short! Everyone would know."

She tilted her head, "It's not that short."

I let out a sigh, "This world isn't like yours, dear. You would be the talk of the town if you're not properly dressed."

"Why does it matter? I could care less about what they all thought of me."

I smiled, "It's not that. Rather, it would close off avenues that originally would be open for you. Connections are very important in this world, dear."

She pondered my words for a moment then pulled out her wand. Her lips curled into an ominous grin, "Then I will just have to force open those avenues."

I let out a sigh and shook my head, "You really are your father's daughter."

Red laughed, "Hah! This little mutt is so destructive. No wonder my master wants her so badly."

I ignored Red and motioned to Reika, "Let's go get dinner."

After a long and rambunctious dinner, we returned back to the tower ready to fall asleep. I tucked Reika into her bed and gave her a goodnight kiss. Aldrich grabbed Zephyr by the nape and carried him out of her room.

Of course, Zephyr always sneaks back in so I don't know why Aldrich insists on carrying him out every night.

I smiled warmly at Reika, "Goodnight, my beautiful daughter."

She grabbed my hand, "Mummy. I love you."

I paused and gave her hand a squeeze, "I love you too."

Before I closed her bedroom door, Zephyr ran zooming back in as a fox and hopped on the foot of her bed. He twirled around in circles and fluffed up the blanket with his nails. Once he was satisfied, he laid down and curled up in a ball.

I smiled softly and whispered, "Sleep tight Zephyr."

I gently closed the door and walked down the stairs. I passed by Aldrich's office and watched as he scribbled on a document.

Always working hard.

But I guess it is a lot of work to run such a prestigious Academy.

I went to my bedroom which had been used as a small storage room before.

My eyes were drawn across the hallway to Aldrich's room.

Hehe! I wonder what he would do if he found me in his bed.

I smiled cheekily and went to his door.

Red spoke up harshly, "What are you trying to do with my body?"

I paused.

What am I trying to do?

I refrained from entering his room and went to my own bedroom. I closed the door behind me and let out a sigh. I plopped down on the bed and fell asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.