One and a half days passed, and my mother didn't even talk to me. She didn't even look at me. Just due to the fact that I rejected her best friend's son's proposal. I never knew that she would ever do anything like that, because she had never done anything like that. Her reaction was very odd. She always respected my decisions and my feelings−and this time I only did what I thought would be best for me. I had the right to do that.
It's Lady Gress' ball tonight. Tonight can be the night of finding the smallest clue. The smallest clue to set peace for the future. Anything just to prevent the worst from happening.
"Aureline!" I looked at the door, finally resting my mind from all the thoughts destroying me from the inside.
"Mary? What is it?" I asked Mary. Her expression looked as if there was some trouble again.
"The Viscountess is calling for you." She cringed her face.
"What could Mama say now?" I asked myself as I swallowed hard.
I walked anxiously and nervously with Mary beside me. I descended the stairs in the same emotion. I was feeling scared, confused, and anxious at the moment, but I was also a bit relieved by my mother calling me.
"Morning!" I said as I walked inside the room with Mary. Mother was holding a letter in her hand, constantly flickering her eyes at it.
"Look, who finally showed up!" She said, as she finally looked at me, taking her eyes off that letter. I looked at Mary, as she gave me the 'eyes out' look back.
"Mama, I am really sorry for what I did yesterday, but it was..." Mother shushed me as she began to speak, "Where were you yesterday?" She asked me as her lips twitched.
"I-I-I just went out for some recreation." I smiled hesitantly as I looked at her, scanning my face, which was actually flooded with lies at the moment.
"Read this." She commanded me as she handed me the letter that she was reading.
Dear Viscountess Lady Sharon Felixer,
I am glad to write to you today. Last night I came back. It was a tiring journey. But my tiredness was relieved when my maid, Ester, told me that the diamond of the season, Lady Aureline Felixer, honored the Blackville house by stepping in with her enchanting feet to meet my son with her maid, named Mary.
I asked Sebastian what this was about, and he replied to me by saying that she only came here to thank me because I helped her a few days ago. But I, as a mother, knew that he was telling a lie. I searched his eyes to find out that he showed love and affection for your daughter.
I would love it if you ask her the same question too. And don't forget to come to my ball a day after tomorrow.
- Viscountess Lady Amanda Blackville.
I was completely gagged by the letter of Lady Blackville. But I was grateful to Lord Sebastian for not telling the truth.
"So tell me the truth now, Aureline." Her lips twitched again.
"Mother, this is the truth that I went there to thank Lord Blackville for his kindness that he showed to me that day in the bakery." I felt ashamed of telling her a pure lie. Her face became softer after I read that letter.
"But there is nothing else, mama!" I said, explaining to her as I glanced at Mary standing a bit ashamed behind me.
"Sit down, Aureline!" She ordered me gently, yet staring. I sat down, anxiously, as I rubbed my ring again and looked at Mary again.
Mother sighed as she rubbed her eyes before saying, "You like Lord Blackville, don't you?" She asked me.
My heart skipped a beat at her question. Her question was legit, yet unsure for me.
"Mama, I..." She didn't let me speak, again, when she said, "Stop it, Aureline!" Her voice echoed through the room as Mary twitched her lips.
"Stop it now!" She repeated her sentence, but in a lower voice this time.
"I know what you feel for him. I know how you see him. I know that you care for him. I am your mother. It will be a bit hard for you to admit that, but I am right. Whenever I mention his name, you always lower your gaze. You always start to play with your fingers or something that you don't do for any other man." Mama was unstoppable as she spoke this time.
Her words made my heart beat fast as it fluttered. Her words set my mind free. Free from everything. Free from the chains that were stopping me from thinking about Lord Sebastian that way.
I sat still. I sat looking at her face as if I was proven wrong. As if I were proven guilty or something. For a moment, I just stared at her still face with my still eyes as I thought about every piece of hers.
Mother took a deep breath before saying, "Look, Aureline, you might think as if I am being tough on you or being bad, but I said all of that for your own good. I know that you like Lord Sebastian, Aureline. I know that because I am your mother, and mothers always do what is best for their children. And as I say every time, mothers are the best friends of their children." She said this time more gently.
Somehow, I felt that she was right. I started to think: what if that 'something' was actually love?
"Mama, I-I don't know," I said, still reading her face like a baby who was about to cry.
"I am only saying this for your own good, Aureline. Marry someone whom you love or who loves you. Please consider it!" She said in a tone gentler than before. She said this, sighed, and walked away, leaving me, my mind, and heavy-headed Mary alone in that room.