The Scarlet Scepter

Chapter Two (Revised)

It was seven in the evening when I got home. Hilda opened the gate, and it looked like she had been crying.

"Hilda, what happened?"

She dabbed at her eyes before answering. "Miss," she sniffed. "They're waiting for you."

"Who?"

"Ma'am Carole and your cousin," she replied. "Come on in, it's getting cold."

I followed her across the hall then to the living room. Carole and Leah were sitting on the couch, probably sipping tea. Carole also looked like she was about to cry. Leah's brows were knitted together, and they both looked up as I walked in.

"Sit down, Annaliese," Carole said and pointed to the couch opposite them.

I reluctantly sat down. "What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

Carole forced a smile. "Nothing. What makes you think something is wrong?"

I looked at Hilda, who was standing behind Carole. She wiped her tears and headed to the kitchen. "Hilda's crying, and you look like you've been crying too." If she really cried, she'd say that it's because of her allergy and she put too much eye drops.

"What? No, I just put too much eye drops," she said.

Right. "So, Leah, what brings you here?" I asked.

Her expression was stern, and that frightened me. "My father sent me," she answered rather coldly.

Unconsciously, I rubbed the back of my hand. It was a mannerism I adopted whenever I am nervous or when I know something bad is going to happen.

"Why? I just saw him a while ago."

"He sent me to convince her," she replied with a look at Carole, who was biting her bottom lip.

What does Robert think he's doing?

I could feel my blood starting to boil, but somehow I remembered that Leah was only a messenger. It would not be right if I lash out at her. "My stepmother does not have anything to do with my decision," I said, my voice gaining control. "I told him I'll think about it."

Leah shrugged. "He thinks you need convincing."

My hands balled into fists. "My father bestowed the right to me, and I will decide whatever I see fit and whenever I want. Tell him to leave us alone, and I'll tell him my decision in a few days."

She shook her head. "I can't do that. He wants you to decide until tomorrow."

Any moment and I'll explode. "I'll decide when I want to decide. I am sorry, Leah, but I want you to leave. Now."

She looked at me with a strange expression, and then stood up. "Before I leave, I have to tell you, I admire your stubbornness." Her voice softened a little. "And I personally think that you should sell. I mean, it's for your own good. You – I mean, we – are too young to manage things like that. And, you don't want to cross Daddy, if you want what's best for you. He gets what he wants." She pressed a piece of paper in my hand, grabbed her bag and left.

I looked at Carole, who was furiously drying her eyes.

"You. Why are you crying?"

She glowered at me and went upstairs, leaving me to think, but before I could start wondering what I was going to do, I heard Hilda raising her voice.

"Go away! Leave us alone!"

I immediately rushed outside, and flashes lit up the porch. "Not again."