Chapter 6

The soft golden light of dawn continues to spill through the stained-glass windows. The sunlight is casting a long colored shadows on the stone floors of the temple. Cordelia leans back into her mother's embrace and enjoys the feeling of being safe and protected in her arms.

Priest Klefa, the one who healed her injuries and wounds, said her life is now out of danger. But because her body has gotten weaker from malnutrition and living in a poor environment, Cordelia still needs to be monitored. The priest gave the herbal plants he promised to Viviane and shared her the instruction on how and when to feed it to her daughter.

It is time for Cordelia and Viviane to leave the Great Temple after making sure everything is in order. Cordelia and Viviane are free to remain in the temple if they so choose. But the female General doesn't want to bother her friend anymore, knowing how busy he is with his duties. She also doesn't want to gather any gossips from the nobles in their society.

Viviane smiles down at her daughter while gently patting her hair. Her eyes are full of tenderness but Cordelia can see there is also something in it that makes her chest tighten.

"I can't tell you how much relief it brings me to see you awake and safe in my arms, my dear." Viviane said before leaving a kiss on her daugther's forehead.

Cordelia nods her head silently. Her body feels lighter now and the pain that once weighed her down had vanished. She had been saved.

'But what comes next again?'

"Where are we going now, Mommy?" Cordelia softly asked.

The little girl can feel her mother become tense before relaxing her shoulders again. Her hand is still patting her head although it becomes slower now. Cordelia gently lifts her head so she can study her mother's expression well.

"Are we going back to the mansion?" Cordelia asked. "Daddy must be waiting for you."

Viviane freeze for a moment and her features stiffens when her daughter mentioned her husband. The warmth in her eyes fades as she realizes what Cordelia is saying. The little girl simply implied that Fernando is waiting for Viviane, but not for her. And that breaks Viviane's heart more.

While Cordelia was still asleep, Viviane sent one of her trusted knights to do an investigation for the things that happened while they were in the battlefield. After a few hours, Viviane received a quick summary and its content almost made her commit a mass murder. In the report, it was said Marquis Fernando stopped caring for Cordelia after he believed the news saying they were not blood-related at all.

The Marquis also encouraged his sons to do the same and told them Cordelia is not their real sister. Since the Marquis is protecting their reputation, he didn't sent Cordelia to an orphanage. But instead, he neglected Cordelia and let the servants of their mansion to deal with her.

Cordelia suffered a lot since none of the servants treated her well. Fernando turned a blind eye to it and ignored his daughter's sufferings. It continued until the day Viviane returned and witnessed how a lowly maid kicked her daughter in the garden.

Viviane would have marched towards the Marquis' estate and killed anyone who dared to touch her daughter if her knights and Priest Klefa had not persuaded her that Cordelia needed her the most during these trying times. The report she received was only a quick summary. But what will the female General do if she hears these things from the victim's perspective?

Viviane might lose her mind from too much pain, hatred, disappointments and heartaches.

Viviane seems to pause for a moment before gently cupping Cordelia's cheek. Her touch is soft and steady as if her daughter is made of glass. Seeing Cordelia's clear eyes, Viviane kisses her forehead first before showing her a gentle smile.

"No, darling." Viviane said in a voice laced with a softness that hides the weight of her own feelings. "We're not going there."

Cordelia blinks her eyes as she feels the underlying tension from her mother's words. She can tell that Viviane is trying to hold herself together and not letting her own feelings to interfere. Viviane is stronger than anyone else but she also has limits. Cordelia remains quiet while her mother continues.

"We will go to the Lilac Mansion." Viviane said. "From now on, you are the owner of that place."

Cordelia blink her eyes in confusion.

"My mansion?" She asked.

"Yes, my dearest. Lilac Mansion is the place where you were born in. It's yours now, Cordelia."

Cordelia doesn't know what to feel right now. Even in her past life, she never received such a grand gift. But her mind quickly returns to Cordelia's old memories of being trapped in that cold and dirty basement every day while she was surrounded by indifferent servants and the oppressive presence of her father and brothers.

She glances down and unsure of what to feel. Cordelia is not that naive. She knows the other reason why they will go to the Lilac Mansion is because Viviane doesn't want to see her husband and sons who had harmed her for years. Viviane is clearly doing everything she can to keep her daughter safe from the people who have hurt and tainted her childhood innocence.

Viviane soon notice the look on Cordelia's face and her expression softens.

"You are not going to be alone." Viviane said as if she could read her mind. "You will have me, Cordelia. No one is going to hurt you there."

"Oh..."

"And there are things in that mansion that might surprise you."

Cordelia looks up at her mother and sees the determination and love in her eyes. Viviane continues and shifts the conversation as if sensing her daughter's unease.

"The Lilac Mansion..." Viviane lightly said with a hint of teasing in it. "It's full of beautiful things. There are rooms with fluffy beds and pillows, closets full of pretty dresses and shoes, boxes filled with beautiful dolls and you will have the most delicious foods you've never tasted. I've made sure it's a place for you to feel happy again."

Cordelia's eyes widened slightly and a hesitant smile tugged on her lips. She is not used to hearing about such things. Luxuries and indulgence are foreign to her. But Viviane's words carried an unexpected warmth which makes Cordelia to feel excited.

"Can I really have it?" Cordelia asked.

Her voice is soft and almost incredulous. The idea of having beautiful things without the burden of fear or punishment hanging over them feels almost too much to hope for.

"Of course, darling." Viviane readily replied. "Everything in that mansion is now yours. I want you to feel safe, like you are finally home, and happy again. And when we arrive, you'll see all the lovely things waiting for you."

Cordelia can feel her heart flutters in happiness. It's probably the real reaction of this body after having a seed of hope beginning to take root deep within her. It's such a strange sensation that is almost like a dream. Viviane then leans closer and speak in a soft whisper as if she's sharing a big secret.

"And there's a garden, Cordelia. A beautiful garden full of flowers in every color you can imagine. I think you will love it."

Cordelia's eyes lights up and there's a spark of childlike excitement twinkling in her gaze. Even in the past, she always love to visit the garden and sees the flowers blooming in it. The mention of garden makes her smell the sweet and fruity scent of flowers around her.

"A garden? I want to see it!"

Viviane chuckles softly and brushes a hand through Cordelia's hair.

"I thought you might like that. You can have all the flowers you want."

Cordelia's heart flutters again. And before she knows it, she is smiling. It is a genuine smile that even the original owner of this body had not allowed herself in a long time. Seeing this, Viviane can't help but feel happy for her daughter. Perhaps this is a good start to make her daughter feel safe.

"I'm excited to see it, mommy..." Cordelia whispered.

The words slipped out of her mouth before she could control them. But it feels good to say. It feels good to finally be excited about something. Viviane's expression softens more while watching the innocent joy in Cordelia's eyes.

"You should be, my dear. You deserve all the beauty in the world." Viviane said while cupping Cordelia's face and looking at her with eyes full of motherly love.