The Blight Chronicles: Odalia & Alador

Ultimatum Part 1

The Blight Chronicles: Odalia and Alador 

Ultimatum Part 1

She really could not understand why it was so important to Alador that they got to Grom together. It was a bit funny though considering their first year at Hexside Odalia could not say or do anything to get Alador to go to Grom with her. He said it was nothing more than a waste of time.

Their second year Odalia was able to convince him to go with her but he ended up leaving early. She had learned a new spell that allowed her to see other people's futures with just a simple touch. She was not going to let the opportunity go to waste so she started talking to as many people as she could while dragging Alador along. In all honesty, she was surprised he lasted as long as he did. Before she knew it he was already long gone.

Then there was last year where the school had a competition to see what weapons would be used by the lucky Grom king or queen. Of course, we won and Principal Bump was so impressed that he also asked Alador if he could build some special effects machines to make the party livelier. That year they spent the entire time working the machines.

I guess maybe he had a point. Grom was supposed to be a memorable experience though she never thought Alador would be into such sentimental things. Normally he wouldn’t and on top of that, he was the one suggesting to do something he did not like. If there was one thing Alador hated it was large gatherings. He didn't like being around so many people and he couldn't stand loud music and chattering. That meant there had to be more behind him being so persistent about going. Blaming Darius might be out of the question this time. Alador seemed to be too excited for this to be one of Darius's dumb plans. The other option would be that he read it in a book. That was probably the most likely reason. Hopefully, he wouldn't do anything embarrassing in front of everyone. 

Though she couldn't think about that right now she had to focus on her dress. This was going to be their last Grom so she decided to go all out on her dress. The tricky part was trying to keep it hidden. She didn't want Alador to see it until it was ready and there was no way she could leave it at her own home. 

If her mother ever laid her eyes on it just the thought made her shudder. She would probably burn it on the spot. That's the reason she kept it hidden in one of the spare rooms in Alador's house. Though one could say it was her room. Over the years it had become more like a home for her than her own house. It was filled with several of her things. She had even started keeping some of her clothes thereafter one too many experiment explosions leaving her covered in abomination goo. Walking from Alador's house to her own covered in goo was not fun. 

If she was being really honest sometimes she wished she wouldn't have to go home. It was a lot more relaxing here and she felt like she had her own space where she belonged. Thanks to the abomibutler she didn't even have to do shores. The only thing she had to worry about here was food and Alador. She had no idea how that boy survived so long without anyone watching over him. 

On the other hand, being at home had never felt worse. Ever since she met Alador the need to leave her house had intensified immensely. Her parents didn't know about Alador and she wanted to keep it that way for as long as possible. The only reason she was able to spend so much time with Alador without raising suspicion was that she had convinced her mother that she was placed in a special advanced program meant for students with strong magic. Her mother believed that she had early and late classes on top of her regular classes which is why she was able to go to Alador’s house early in the morning and after school. Of course, she still had to do her chores but that just meant she had to wake up a little earlier, nothing she could not handle.   

There had been one occasion when her mother saw her with Alador at the market. They had been out buying some materials Alador needed when they ran into her. They told her Alador was in the same special class and they had to do a group project together. Luckily thanks to Alador's appearance and natural calm demeanor her mother didn't think too much of the situation and let them go on their way with only asking a few questions. 

“It’s finished,” she said, taking a step back to admire the dress. It looked very extravagant if she said so herself. It was a strapless gown. The top was fitted and a light lavender which bled into a much darker shade of purple as it went down. The bottom of the dress was puffy rather than fitted with intricate embroidery which made her feel like it was a dress fit for a princess.  She had been working on the dress for the past two months and looking at it now she felt like all that hard work had really paid off and just in time as well. Grom was in two days. 

Just then she heard three lazy knocks on the door. “Oh no, is it that late already?” She took out the window and notice how dark it had gotten already. She had gotten so distracted by the dress she had lost track of time. She quickly threw a blanket over the dress to keep it hidden even though she knew Alador would never go into her room. She packed her things as quickly as possible and opened the door where she was met by the abomibutler. “Thank you for the reminder and the great work and remember stay out of my room.” There were two rooms the abomibutler was not permitted to enter unless specifically ordered to which would be Alador’s bedroom and her room. They did not want it moving anything around in there. 

She quickly ran to Alador’s room to say goodnight but she found him fast asleep at his desk. “It really is late isn’t it,” she muttered to herself. She quietly approached Alador and kissed him on the cheek “come on Alador you have to sleep on the bed.” she whispered into his ear. Alador got up and let himself be guided by her as he remained with his eyes closed. Odalia tucked him in before giving him one last kiss on his forehead and whispering goodnight. 

It was really late much too late she just hoped that her parents were asleep or too intoxicated to notice her arrival. Once she got home she saw there were no lights on and took it as a good sign. She opened the front door as quietly as possible hoping not to get her parents' attention. She closed and locked the door behind her and tried walking quietly to her room. She was halfway past the living room when a light went on. 

"Good evening Odalia,'' said a cool icy voice coming from the living room. Sitting there in a recliner was her mother, her eyes shone with a quiet furry she had never seen before. 

"He..hello mother" stuttered Odalia, noticing the small chest on her mother's lap. It took her a moment to realize that was her chest the one she kept hidden under her bed. The chest that contained random poems and stories but more importantly it also had money she had been saving up before meeting Alador. Since they met she started stashing away money in her room at his house. She had completely forgotten about the chest under her bed. 

"You must think me a fool girl," hissed her mother in between clenched teeth as she got up from her seat and approached Odalia. 

"Mother no I...," pleaded Odalia, her feet rooted to the spot as she was cut off by the burning sensation across her face. Hot tears started to roll down Odalia's face but it wasn't from the pain. No, it was that she knew that what was coming was much worse.

"How long did you think you could keep this from me?! You must have thought you were so clever stealing my money so you could run away with that boy from the market!" growled her mother. 

Odalia's face went pale when she heard her mother mention Alador. She had been so sure she didn't suspect anything was going on between them. What else did she know? How did she find out?

"Oh yes I know all about that boy and I saw the poems. To think I had raised such a stupid girl who would want to run off with the first boy that gave her the time of day." snarled her mother.

"No I wasn't…" pleaded Odalia. 

"Don't you dare lie to me girl!" she said, grabbing Odalia by the scruff of her shirt and started dragging her to a nearby door. "I'll teach you to steal from me!" roared her mother before opening the door and tossing Odalia in. "You will never see that boy again," she growled before slamming the door shut and locking her in.