We Two Are One

~5~ A Sudden Family Trip ✩/✩✩✩✩✩

   "Ameya, my darling! Where did you come from? ...and what became of your clothes?"

Father hurriedly doffs his coat and calls for a maid to tidy me as another attends to him.

   "It is a long story," I reply, appearing resigned.

   "It must wait, I am afraid. Hurry now, you must look your best. Your mother-to-be will be here any moment!"

He acts as though he has not just returned from her residence. Lady Elsie appears to have accepted his proposal so what might this rush be? Are they to announce their engagement today?

   "Are we going somewhere with Lady Elsie, Father?"

   "Why, yes, we are going to the Royal Palace. Ah, and you should call Lady Elsie 'mother' henceforth, my daughter. Once you familiarize yourself, you can call her 'mom' as well!"

Had Father been concerned for my unfamiliarity with her, he would have done more for it before pouncing upon me with news of their engagement.

Nonetheless, I will oblige. I am curious about the Royal Palace of this time. I let the maids adorn me with jewels worth more than their lives. Fancy that these pieces of rock and metal have been given a higher value than life. I scoff at this thought. Its fault lay neither with the orthodox nor the contemporary sides. It lay with humanity and their present mindset. How can that be fixed? Can it be fixed?

   "Ameya, I have neglected to tell you: Elsie left a gift for you!"

Father gives the maids a box. They open it and exclaim. No time is wasted for jewels to be pulled out of my hair, my hair to be undone and redone, and my dress to be changed — all to suit one necklace that is much too big for me. Instinctively, my aura weaves over my skin, forming a protective blanket. A blue diamond is at the center of the platinum necklace. I recognize it. A gem with a history so bloodied even the most obstinate of people would not dare touch it. A stone rumored to be cursed. It was right to start training my magic. Returning to the past puts things into perspective.

   "Father, was this Lady Elsie's?"

   "You mean 'Mother'," he corrects. "In any case, I am surprised you noticed! It was her most prized possession. You must treat it preciously."

   "How could I wear such a precious gift, Father?"

   "Pish-posh, she has given it hoping for you to wear it. What use is it locked away?"

The same could be said of many things, dear Father.

   "Then, I will treasure it," I smile, admiring the gem.

I wonder how much more I must train to remove this curse. In my past life, I had failed to purify the diamond. I extend my mana to envelope the gem and freeze it, sealing the curse underneath. This will be a gauge of my progress in magic.

   "While it is a pretty necklace, we must leave at once. Come, Ameya!"

   "Yes, Father."

I follow him to the entrance of the mansion. We climb down the stairs to reach the carriage outside.

A dazzling cushion of clothes is waiting outside the carriage. Her overflowing white dress interlaced with stones, silk, and spells was prevented from touching the ground with magic. The edges were tinted pink and sparkled. If this is her engagement dress, I wonder what she will wear to her wedding.

I turn to look at my enamored father. It is strange to see adoration on his face. Was Father capable of such expressions? Why were they only for her? Ah. Did my mental age regress as well? I must remain rational.

   "Shall we, Dureim, my dear?" she prompts, her golden eyelashes fluttering.

A cold wave hits me, sending shivers down my spine. Brief though it was, I recognized an unsettling aura. Was it coming from the lady?

   "Ah, yes, my dear. You look stunning."

   "Why thank you, Dureim. You look dashing yourself."

The Lady's smile does not reach her eyes.

   "Is it La- Mother's birthday today?"

   "Oh, my. Today is even more special than that, Daughter." Lady Elsie smiles.

She must be thrilled to see my neck adorned with her ill-intended gift. Father nudges me. A prompt.

   "Thank you for the necklace, Mother," I say, dipping into a curtsey that is just a little off.

The lady seems to recognize my mistake, seeing that her cunning eyes are pleased.

   "You are most welcome, Daughter. It is quite special to me so I trust you will take good care of it." Her eyes gleam.

Her intentions are obvious. Is she not trying to hide them? I turn to my oblivious father.

   "Shall we then, Elise?" Father extends a hand.

After helping the lady into the carriage, Father tries to pick me up. I reflexively push him away.

   "Ameya?"

Ah. I was impulsive. I forgot he used to carry me. How unpleasant.

   "I am not so little now, Father. Help me up like you helped Mother."

I raise a hand with exaggerated elegance. I hear a pesky giggle from within the carriage.

   "Oh my. Very well, my little lady," says Father, taking my hand and pulling me up.

He pulled harder than he needed to. To no fault of his, seeing he does not know this tiny body of mine scaled his walls and climbed a tree. What is this childish pride I am feeling? I shake my head.

   "Was my fiancé's assistance not pleasing, my daughter?"

   "I am not little. Father was silly," I reply.

   "Indeed. Forgive this father for failing to see how much his daughter has grown," Father laughs.

I nearly frown. This was something I would have liked to hear in the past that is now gone. I look at my father carefully. He is looking at Lady Elsie... Ah.

   "You are forgiven," I cross my arms.

I cover my disappointment with sulking. I notice Lady Elsie is watching quietly. She is displeased. Was it because he called himself a father? That is the truth, Lady. Does it scare you? 

   "Mother," I begin, "why did you fall for someone like him?"

   "That was rude, Daughter," she says and Father nods quickly in agreement. "Do not repeat it."

   "Yes, Mother."

   "Now, to answer your question. From the moment I met my husband-to-be, his kindness and compassion have shone through. His handsome face and caring nature are truly remarkable. It's one of the many reasons why I fell in love with him," she replies with an unchanging smile.

Kind, compassionate, and caring? Father? I turn to him. Father is looking at her with shining eyes. He trusts her entirely. Father does not seem to have picked up on how the lady asserted her position. Or is he ignoring it? I honestly hope the latter. I would rather he be a cunning man whose plans went out of control than a foolish father who destroyed our world without a clue.

   "Are we there yet?" I wonder genuinely.