Seven Years Later
****
"Come here, Cedric. Stop running..no sunberries for you if you keep running!"
Twenty-year-old Yeara spoke as she chased the five-year-old boy who was running around the living room. He had refused to wear his shoes and was giggling, clearly enjoying himself.
"You would have to catch me first, big sister," he said, giggling.
Yeara smiled as she ran and caught him quickly, lifting him into her arms and swinging him around, his legs flying in the air. He laughed loudly, and she laughed with him, joy lighting up her face. Her long, white silky hair fell over her face and down her back as she laughed louder, followed by little Cedric, his blue eyes glittering with excitement.
Then..heavy footsteps.
They both turned to see Lady Persophone standing at the door. She wore her usual floral gown, though in a different design, with a hat resting on her head—obvious signs that she had just returned from wherever she had gone.
"Welcome, Mama," Yeara softly spoke as she set Cedric down.
Still smiling widely, Cedric ran straight to his mother and hugged her tightly. But Yeara knew that look, she knew it well. Lady Persophone's calm expression told her everything. She lowered her gaze and spoke.
"Well, Mama, I told him to come, but he kept running around," she said, lifting her eyes to Lady Persophone, who remained quiet, watching her calmly.
Yeara inhaled before speaking again.
"Well, Mama… I joined him as well."
Lady Persophone finally nodded, pleased that she had spoken the full truth. She then looked down at Cedric, who was now staring at the floor guiltily. He placed both hands behind his back, moving his toes side to side before finally looking up at his mother, who was glaring at him.
"But Mama, I do not like my tutor. She has smelly breath…eh..smells like rotten onion and garlic with a side of…"
"Cedric!"
Both Lady Persophone and Yeara called his name in unison, cutting him off before he could finish.
Cedric immediately lowered his head.
"My apologies, Mama and Sister Yeara," he said.
Yeara bit her lower lip, holding back her laughter, realizing that must be the reason he left his class. Lady Persophone shot her a warning look, and she quickly straightened her face.
"You do not say that to an adult," Lady Persophone said, though one could hardly blame him—children failed to sugarcoat their words.
"Now, Yeara, take him to his tutor and return. I would like to talk to you," she added.
Yeara nodded, taking Cedric by the hand. He looked up at her, and she gave him a reassuring nod as they both left.
Lady Persophone sighed as she stood alone. She walked to a chair and sat down, shaking her head before chuckling softly.
After Lady Persophone took Yeara in years ago, good things began to happen to her. Even though she had not yet found her daughter, blessings still came. Years later, she gave birth to Cedric..a wonderful day that had been celebrated greatly.
Yeara had told her about Ella, and when Lady Persophone went to the orphanage, she was informed that Ella had already been adopted. And even though Yeara was not related to her by blood, Lady Persophone made sure Yeara called her Mama…for in her heart, Yeara was her daughter.
..
Yeara finally opened the door. The class was spacious; at the center stood a table with a chair, while shelves filled with books lined the back walls on both sides. In front of the middle chair was another seat meant for the tutor.
A lady sat there, wearing a beige-colored gown like a professor. Her brown hair was neatly packed into a bun.
Yeara shook her head slightly as she spoke to herself.
'Who would believe that such a beautiful woman would suffer from mouth odor?'
The lady turned and stood, managing a weak smile as her gaze fell on the little boy who had run away from class after claiming he needed to pee.
"There you are," she said with a laugh as she walked toward Yeara.
Cedric lowered his head, his neat black hair falling over his face. His blue eyes looked down defeatedly as he spoke, almost in surrender.
"Here I am."
Yeara turned to the lady, offering her a small smile.
"He would not do it again," she said.
The lady nodded as Cedric walked to his chair and sat. The tutor remained standing beside Yeara.
"Cedric is a smart child," she said. "His intelligence has so much potential. I do wonder why he leaves…am I scary?"
She laughed softly.
Yeara stepped back unnoticeably, managing a smile as she lightly scrunched her nose.
'Oh heavens, he was not exaggerating about it,' she thought.
As the lady prepared to leave, Yeara calmly spoke.
"I would send for some herbal mint tea, if you'd like."
The lady smiled widely and nodded.
"Of course. Thank you, Lady Yeara."
Yeara nodded and left. Just as she stepped out, she noticed a servant passing by.
"Please send some herbal mint tea to Cedric's tutor."
The servant bowed and hurried off.
Yeara walked back to the living room, knowing her mother was waiting. She was known as the Duke's daughter in her village, and they were very well-to-do—but that did not mean she acted like one. She was well-mannered and kind, even though she had both good and bad sides.
She walked calmly through the hallway until she reached the large door. She pushed it open, entering with a wide smile.
Lady Persophone sat on her chair, sipping tea as usual, reading the newspaper.
"Mama, what did you want to tell me?" Yeara asked as she moved to the other seat and sat.
Lady Persophone raised her head, calmly placing her teacup down. She folded the newspaper and placed it on the small table beside her chair.
"Well, I have two things to say," she said, letting out a calm breath.
Yeara straightened, sensing the importance.
"I will start with the best," Lady Persophone continued. "I have gotten my hands on Lady Shelfbreed's newest book. It will arrive in two days."
Yeara's eyeslot instantly as she jumped up in excitement, bouncing up and down before hugging her mother carefully, making sure not to hit the teacup. She was obsessed with books, especially those by her favorite author from another kingdom—something she had once told her mother about.
"Thank you, Mama!" she exclaimed.
She began dancing, moving her hips side to side while shaking her behind, the dance she always did when she was happy or alone.
Lady Persophone stared at her, taken aback.
"Heavens, what is that dance?"
Yeara laughed before sitting back down, her smile still wide.
"It is called twerking. I found it in a dictionary at the library, Mama," she said softly.
Lady Persophone raised an eyebrow at the foreign word and strange dance, clearly confused.
Yeara noticed and waved it off.
"Well, Mama, that does not matter. What is the second thing you wanted to tell me?" she asked, straightening her hair that had been messed up by her dancing.
Lady Persophone's face turned serious as she cleared her throat.
"You are already an adult, and so your Papa and I had been thinking. Before he left for his travels, we came to the conclusion that you should get ma—"
A knock interrupted her words..thier heads turned to the door.
The butler entered and bowed.
"Lady Persophone, Duke Larkin is here."