Villainess Tries Again (Hiatus...)

2

Rose Valiant, a beautiful blond haired woman with lovely grey eyes. She was a daughter of a noble, a Duke, yet married to a lower status man who was a merchant in trade and extremely rich.

She has overrriden her families and friends opposition to her marriage and love and managed to even gain a foothold in the jewelry industry.

She was very reserved and expressed herself very little and had a little above average magic making her even more awesome.

I stared at my mother who delicately sipped her tea. Was this meeting because I was with Solo? Did I do something wrong? I couldn't help wondering. But no... I didn't do anything wrong. Not like I tried to kill my little brother or something. Let's keep your chin up Ephora.

She laid down her cup on the table. "Ephora, aren't you eating? You like strawberry cupcakes the most don't you?"

Now only I noticed the tea tray properly, it was laden with strawberry desserts. She knew I loved it the most, I was surprised she knew my interests seems like she had observed me.

I politely took a cupcake and bit into it. Ahhhh.... So delicious.

My mother leaned forward with a napkin and wiped away the crumbs around my mouth.
"Mommy?," I had said before I could stop myself and then I saw her gaze was tearful "My dear daughter, did you call me mommy?"

I nodded and she smiled "Is the cake good?"

"Yes mommy, thank you."

"I am sorry mommy hasn't been with you much for the past few days. I had a lot of work. Are you angry with me Ephora?"

I stared at her. Was she distant from me because she was afraid I would be angry at her. All those years before, I used to wonder why she never bothered to meet me herself though she remembered my birthdays and stuff, it was always the maids who handed me the gifts. It felt like she didn't want me.
But now, seeing her almost pleading look as if she didn't want me to hate her made me realize her actions. But I was quite hurt, I always thought I had done something wrong so I grew stubborn and bad tempered.

I could feel tears running to my eyes but I bit my lip to stop the flow.
"No mommy..." I could only tell her that and I rushed away from there as the memories kept flooding in, oh how much have I missed? Did my mother not like to confront me just because she was afraid I hated her.
Why though? She was just unwilling to fix her mistakes so she kept ignoring the whole issue. I didn't want to be angry at her but I was angry.
Since she tried to talk to me this time I was a bit happy but what about before, I... I couldn't help but wonder.

After the meeting at the tea party my mother kept looking at me but was overall silent.
I thought she wanted to fix things but why isn't she doing anything? I ignored her as well. Fine she can go hug her work I am going to worry about myself I thought.

"Ephora," my father called me.
"Yes Daddy."
"I want to invite some friends your age to come and play with you. Would you mind dear? Your mother and I thought it would be great for you to have friends."

I knew who would be coming, if any were near my age it would be my ex fiancee Eddie Harper, crown Prince in the guise of a Duke’s son and a Baron's son Henry Bolt.

Did I want to meet them? Definitely no.
Do I have to meet them? Yes, unfortunately.

I nodded and gave a small clap "Thank you daddy, now I can have friends. Brother will be with me too, right?"
Yeah if I am going to meet those arrogant guys, I might as well have my cute brother with me.

Solo spoke up "Father, I can also play with sister."

I was so proud of him. Look at him siding with me. Who says siblings always have to be fighting to be close?

I have to eat my words now. Solo was being annoying.
"No sister, don't wear the pink dress today."

I glared at him, did he think changing into these large dresses was easy. I had already changed to five different ones now because he found fault with them.
"What color do you want me to wear then?" I pouted and he tried to think "Hmmm...wear black."

I wanted to throw my shoe at him. Was I going to mourn, you idiot?

"No..." My tone grew firm "Brother Solo we must get going, our guests are waiting. Brother doesn't understand dresses."

He frowned now. I hid my smile. Dare to override me silly brother. I am still older than you and smarter.