The Inheritance of Light

Chapter One - A Haven of Heartache

❧ Lola's slim body slipped through the crack of her bedchambers ornate doors, making sure that she was as silent as a mouse. It's too late to be causing ruckus, she thought as she tip toed through the manors long and imposing corridors, passing by oil paintings and priceless artifacts.
Her floor-length gown whispered against the floor as she made her way towards none other than her mother's study, a place where she found tranquility and peace In a household so toxic and demanding. Lola went there frequently, even though she wasn't allowed too. She managed to to sneak out of her bedchambers at late hours, as she was aware that if she were to even attempt to visit there during the day, when her father and sisters were awake, she would get punished dearly for it, but that didn't stop her adventurous and stubborn nature.

Lola's feet came to a halt as she paused outside her mother's study doors, shooting a single glance over her shoulder before deliberately opening the door and entering the room, the familiar scent of parchment and old musk immediately filling her nostrils, as well as the smallest hint of her mother's signature parfum, which brought back a handful of memories. Lola mourned her mother's kindness and generosity more and more everyday, ever since her death, Lola felt as if a part of her had died too. She remembered how her mother, Delirium, would always bring her here, she remembered how Delirium would praise her and make her feel loved just inside of this room, just where she stood now. "One day, you will change the world, my little dove." Delirium would say with a warm smile on her face, and as Lola remembered, a single tear streamed down her cheek before she quickly wiped it away.

The large room was filled with antiques and trinkets Delirium had enjoyed collecting, along with towering bookshelves and candelabras that adorned walls that held oil paintings and art pieces Delirium herself had created. Lola paused in front of a painting of Delirium, one her father had put together with love, before he unfortunately became the careless and cruel man he was today. Ever since Delirium's death, Lola's father, Corbin, became unrecognizable. The forgiving and gentleman he once was had vanished, and over time he became an unreliable father due to his addiction to alcohol and wealth, his depression also taking some part in it. Lola dreaded every second of him, and sometimes even wished he were the one gone instead of her mother.

Lola gazed up at Delirium's graceful portrait, admiring the way her naturally straight hair cascaded down her delicate shoulders, the way her subtle smile caused smile lines to appear more prominent, but she mostly admired the way her  smile was true, was genuine. Delirium was a woman of great beauty both in and out, and Lola had inherited a good amount of it, like her divergent and unique facial structure, but mostly her willingness to always help and spread kindness, something Lola would be forever grateful to have inherited. Tears fell freely out of Lola's eyes as she thought about how perfect of a mother she really was, and how much she wished to have her by her side during these times of darkness and melancholy. Craaache. The sound of a door opening filled the peaceful silence of the room, which caused Lola's crying to stop and head to snap towards the door, to where she found none other than her bratty and god awful sister Ophelia standing.

With a smug toss of her long brown hair, Ophelia crossed her arms and spoke in a condescending and sassy tone of voice, one she used one too many times before. "Father won't be too pleased to hear about your intrusion on mothers personal things, again! especially after he specifically said NOT TOO!" Lola's heart dropped, and her mouth suddenly went dry as she remembered the last time she was caught, and the consequences she had to face. The thought of her having to spend another day tending the garden with no company, along with having to clean the west wing of the manor again with absolutely no help, filled her with an absurd amount of dread.