VENGEANCE

The Return

Imagine being abandoned by the ones you call family, the ones who brought you into this world, fed you, and taught you the basics. I felt utterly unwanted, as if they didn't care.

But I'm older now, eighteen to be precise. I should be more mature and independent, but I still feel like a child. The truth is I'm scared-scared of what the future holds.

I fear that one day Sebastian will grow tired of my presence and decide to wipe me off the face of the earth.

I'm also anxious about the second most obeyed law-the marriage law. It dictates that at the age of eighteen, a female must get married. Who came up with this rule? Oh, who else but Sebastian himself? People obey the law here, so there's no escaping it.

I must wait until suitors visit and ask my parents for my hand in marriage. We, the females, have no say in the matter. I worry about the kind of man who will come forward. I hope and pray that he will be respectful to me.

"My son, Thompson, would be arriving today from Scotland, where he studied law. He is twenty. I'm exceedingly proud of him for all his accomplishments in his stay." Sebastian stands and continues " dress decently today. I won't allow you wear these rags to his welcoming."

Sebastian motions for his bodyguard and they head to the conference room.

"Eat up" Ruth pokes me on my shoulder " today's gonna be a blast. We will finally eat like humans"

Sebastian issued orders to the maids, instructing them to serve us only half portions. We are strictly forbidden from consuming wine or pastries unless they are part of official events at the mansion.

Upon finishing my meal, I remarked,
"I find myself lacking anything suitable to wear."

She promptly asked a maid to clear the table.
"Indeed, that is why we shall go into town this morning and purchase a dress for you," she replied

Perplexed, I queried, "Why is his son's return such a momentous event?"

Ruth's eyes darted around cautiously before she whispered, "The return of Sir's son is a matter of great significance. It would be unwise to speak openly about it. Sir would not take kindly to such chatter."

Ruth quickly placed her hand over my mouth and pulled me to my room.

Once she had shut the door behind us, she warned, "Please refrain from such questions. Let us not invite trouble. Thompson is Sir's only son, and his mother tragically passed away when he was just six years old."

"Yet, what caused her untimely demise?" I pressed for answers.

"I've told you many times, Diana, that I do not know. Only Sir and Thompson hold that knowledge," Ruth responded, exasperated.

She then selected a skirt and blouse for me. "Put on these clothes and meet me at the mansion gate in five minutes. I'll fetch the necessary funds."

I reluctantly did that, and Ruth hurried away to make preparations.

As I changed into the brown and grey outfit, I was reminded of the mansion's strict dress code, which prohibited females from wearing pants or anything above the knee to avoid distractions for Sir's men. His authoritarian ways were evident.

Greeting a few acquaintances on my way to the gate, I eventually found Ruth conversing with a guard. As I approached, she took my hand, urging, "We must hurry."

It had been two years since my last visit to town, when I clandestinely, ofcourse visited Ruth's sick niece.

Our destination was a clothing store where we were warmly greeted by Elizabeth, a lady in her forties.