I had expected some scolding or some sharp glances. I hadn't expected, however, to pass my night cleaning Emmanuel's massive office. And if I didn't, much less did Jenni. It was all made worse by the state of the room, which begged the question. Where to start, when everything was such a mess?
We began with the stashes of papers dropped on the floor. This sea of loose pages protected the dark wood from dust, almost like a second floor. And because I was who I was, I tried to make sense of what was on the papers as I scooped them up. But like Emmanuel, they made little sense.
Filled with words I didn't understand and strange scribbles, I gave up after a while, frustrated. To add to my stress, a group of fireflies flew around the room, covering my vision with their annoying purple light. They watched me and Jenni and I became tired of their distracting flying. Every time I clapped and pushed them away, they would leave us alone for some peaceful minutes. Until they grew courage again and bothered us another time. It was an annoying circle.
My stomach, not used to the thought of a meagre soup and bread for dinner, rumbled in protest. In order to distract myself, I tried to see if something in Emmanuel's office could be used against him. With so much chaos around, there was a strong possibility he left something embarrassing unattended.
"You will find nothing of relevance, Lulu." said Jenni, watching me peer into some books and scrolls. "He must have taken out everything we shouldn't see." Jenni took a book from the pile she gathered and stored it on a bookshelf in front of her. We hadn't known the order of the books, so we organized them in colour. It was that way or the random way (as for sure nothing went alphabetically even before).
"He kind of is a fool sometimes... maybe he forgot." I said, helping her and putting a book myself in between two old and dusty encyclopedias.
Jenni stopped and turned to me, a botanical dictionary in her hand. "He is a trusting fool, but not a dumb one. But you knew that, right?"
I stared at her, my hands dropping limply from the shelves.
Of course, I knew. None of these adults was just a straightforward fool. They were all complex and... sad... I knew, though sometimes I wished I didn't. It would have made my existence in this world much easier.
Hours passed by, with my stomach rebelling constantly. Yet no matter how much we tried, I never felt closer to ending my cleaning duty. It was like the cleaning purgatory... the task never ended. Possibly the cleaning hell. When the night had long become dark and moody, Fanny, my angel and saviour, came by and told us our dinner was ready. In my sorry and hungry state, I took off as fast as possible. I didn't care if it was just a soup and a slice of bread. I needed to eat and get far away from the smell of ink and old paper.
With excitement, I found out that Emmanuel was incapable of going further with our punishment (food-wise). Right in front of us, in our usual dining room, was the usual banquet of food that greeted us every night. Except without the annoying priest. Me and Jenni ate it with gusto, our lady manners nowhere visible. If Fanny's gasps were any sign, we were quite scandalous. We didn't care; the path was long... It could be decades before Emmanuel's office got cleaned.
It was with joyful surprise that we found out he didn't want us to continue our cleaning duties, letting us rest for the night. I bet he forgot to hide something... damn, I should have looked more...
I had expected on the following morning to concentrate on my alchemy studies. A thought ingrained in my consciousness until I reached our breakfast room and found Lady Sargosa and Eloise standing there. Emmanuel gave me a fast glimpse of acknowledgement before putting his attention back on the older lady.
He raised himself from the table, leaving a lavish full plate behind, untouched. They must have arrived just when he and Jenni were about to eat. "Bianca... you can rest for some days. We would be alright without you." His voice was a soft murmur.
Her lips formed a thin line, and her eyes wavered. Those lasted a moment until she returned to her hard and even self. "Don't be a fool, Emmanuel. I have a duty to perform. My students are not to be disregarded. I shall not step that low."
The almost regal way she accosted Emmanuel made it seem like she was impervious to anything. However, upon closer look, one would have caught her hand clasping his for support.
With nothing much to add, our studies went on as usual. And though Lady Sargosa was visibly somber, nothing seemed to change in her attitude toward us. That didn't mean, though, it would be easier to ask her about her family affairs. Thankfully, Eloise accompanied her as always. And she was much easier to probe than her formidable grandmother.
The best time to do it, I decided, was during our archery classes. If not for much, at least they deepened my friendship with Eloise, which may now prove to be useful in getting some more information regarding the tragic fate of the Di'Mello. Though always under the watchful eyes of the adults (and the spies fireflies), they were too far to say or ear anything (except the fireflies- but Emmanuel was not in the mood to chastise anyone).
Since I was not one to drag, I tackled the issue while she inspected our bows. "Eloise... I have heard some rumours... Though I am unsure how truthful they are, I hope to offer my support to you and your family." this was very much the truth. I liked Eloise, and I liked her family... and while not my fault, I didn't particularly feel well with the connection between the Mountnero and the horrible fate of the Di'Mello family.
I watched her stop her task and glue her eyes on mine. Those sharp eyes her grandmother had as well. Though I had betrayed none of my knowledge (it was not something I would like to divulge to a child myself and on that, I agreed with Emmanuel and Gobbie- there were things children shouldn't know) I felt her eyes search for any clues that may tell her more, and that unnerved me. They were way too clear and focused for a small child. Like the adults, these children were way too difficult to guess.
"Rumours?" she asked, and I gulped. "Then you must know more than I, Lady Lucreatia. However, I shall not ask. As grandfather says, rumours are just a way to disfigure the truth." Eloise concentrated on her task, handing me my bow. Orange and of simple wood. "There is not much I know about my family affairs. My grandmother refuses to touch on the topic. What I know is that she comes from a high noble family in the East. They... did something against the crown, bringing misery upon their land." Eloise checked her own bow, pulling the string that connected the tip and the recurve. Happy with the sound it made, she allowed herself to add. "I don't think many survived the punishment."
I don't think any did...
Eloise let her bow, of blue metal, lean next to the tree that gave us shade, picking up an arrow instead. She handed it to me and observed my technique. As I positioned the arrow on its rest and pulled the string, Eloise reached closer and whispered. "I heard my grandparents talk one night... horrible of me, I know. But I need more... information. My grandfather was telling my grandmother to go to her hometown, Claraluz. She refused. Her words were exactly this: I can't go somewhere off to cry when there is nothing to be done by that."
The girl rectified my posture in silence and after one last look and a nod; I ventured a shot. It landed straight on the flower beds. As per norm. Her eyes clouded and her face wrinkled while she saw the result of my effort. Then Eloise returned her glance at my gloomy face. "That is all I know."
The conversation ended there, though the training went on for an hour more. After, both ladies left, peaceful, yet with clouds still looming over their heads. Those hang on for days, though there was no more comment from anyone in regards to Lady Sargosa's distant family.
And what could I say? The Duke, in all respects, was my father and the person behind their suffering. Not something I could or should share with the eleven-year-old Eloise. Better, it was something I was not even sure she didn't know already and just avoided sharing with me. I felt stiff and unsure, which I hated. To avoid those pesky feelings, I filled my head instead with other, more straightforward stuff. The best approach was to concentrate on my alchemy and let things flow.
My tools had arrived, and I doubled my efforts on my fabrication skills. I made several stones, ranging from smoking to deafening sound balls. Only when I had enough (and all smoothed into the desired shape) did I ask a troubled Emmanuel to bless the muskets and pistols.
For the first try on, we chose the simplest weapon on the display. A hardwood musket with metal and silver details. Though little compared to other models, it surprised me to find it weightless. One look from Emmanuel told me it was the blessing's doing. Handy.
I was no fool, and the alchemy stones were way too precious, which meant that I needed to try the musket with its real ammunition. My fear over my inability to do archery also played a role in my decision, though making holes in the flowerbeds could be a fun activity.
Watched by the usual trio, I took a bullet from the satchel and loaded it into the weapon. Positioning the musket close to my shoulder, I aimed for the target set in front of me and pulled the trigger. A loud sound came, and in reflex, I closed my eyes. I felt my body go backwards because of the ricochet, however; two firm hands caught me in time. The weapon, thankfully, remained in my grip.
I opened my eyes to see the result, and to my surprise, I had hit the target. In my shock, I turned to Emmanuel, who was behind me, witnessing his mouth open in disbelief. I shoot a few more times with normal bullets, getting better with each shot (and in comparison, Emmanuel's face got paler and sicker). Only after I was confident in my skills, enough to not fall or close my eyes instinctively, did I resolve to use the alchemy stones.
I picked a smoke ball. It was the easiest to produce and the one less damaging. Confident, I smiled as I concentrated my eyes on the target. I gave a look at Emmanuel and the annoying fireflies that circled me. Now more than ever. And then I took a shot.
The spies flew away as the bullet hit the target and the smoke poured out, intense and grey. It worked!!!! Maybe a little too well since I could see no one, only hear their muffled gasps. Regardless, I was overjoyed, jumping from one foot to another, until a hand seized mine and the mist disappeared as if a vacuum had sucked it all out.
Then lilac eyes, intense and dramatic, poured over mine. "I don't know if I should congratulate you or not..." he let go of my hand. "But I do need to teach you something."
When my brows arched, he crossed his arms. "A protection."
Whatttt you think?!!!
Sorry, this one is delayed, but I got sick during the weekend. Besides this chapter was a hard one. I like it (and I am proud of it or I wouldn't have shared it) but I don't love it, which may have delayed my editing process. Not sure why, I do think this chapter is needed because we see Lulu finally accomplishing her goals, but after the fast-paced ones from last week this one was slower and thoughtful I suppose. Or maybe like any writer I am in the phase of discontentment over my work XD Anyway, the next chapter will be out shortly (only editing is needed).
Nevertheless, I hope you liked the glimpses of Eloise and her grandmother. Alsooooo Lulu has mastered the firearms!! We finally got her to do what she wanted so much!!