Villainess Tries Again (Hiatus...)

4

Rose peeked at the little girl hastily scribbling on a paper. She was really cute. Is it OK if I go hug her? But what if she doesn't like it. Will she be angry I disturbed her?

So Rose continued watching but quickly hid behind the wall as the girl raised her head. Then she peeked again. The girl was back in her work. Look at her lovely black hair, she definitely looks like me when she is working, not like Edgar but me. Rose was deep into her thoughts when she suddenly felt a tug on her dress.

She looked down and gasped. Then she looked to where the girl was sitting but she was no longer there.

OK.... I am sure someone is watching me. I lifted my head and looked about. But no one is there. Whatever, I have to finish this essay so I don't get anymore homework.

I could feel it again. I turned fast this time and saw something move swiftly behind the wall. Hmmm.... Was that mommy?

I put my head back in my work and then slowly got down from my chair. I tiptoed near her and saw she was in a bit of a daydream must be because she worked too hard.

I pulled her dress a little to get her attention.

"Mommy, why are you here? Do you need anything?"

She widened her eyes. Then after two minutes she crouched down so her eyes were down to my level.

"I - I wanted to see if you were busy."

I smiled, it seems she was at least trying so should I act like I want her attention too. Well... did I not want it then?

I was still thinking when she spoke again "Mommy didn't want to disturb you. Do you want something to eat?"

I looked at her. Fine, I guess it won't be too bad to get to know her.

"I want some brownies."

"Mommy will get you some right away," she was about to go when I held her hand. "No mommy, ask the maid to do it. You can sit here with me and tell me a story."

I pointed to the vast bookshelves in the study. I knew she was very knowledgeable so hearing some political stories with true facts wouldn't be too bad.

Her grey eyes lit up. They were even more beautiful because they looked like sparkling water.
She quickly picked up a book and settled me on her lap after she sat on the giant armchair.

Rose Valiant, one of the most wealthy and headstrong woman of the empire. She was now the most happy. Her daughter was actually listening to a story she was telling. The first time she felt such a joy was when she gave birth to Ephora. She thought she may never be able to get close to her daughter but she was actually sitting on her lap. She used to remember when Ephora used to yell at her for disturbing her work or when she tried to accompany her for walks. She knew it was because Ephora thought Rose didn't like her but it wasn't like that... But when she heard Ephora crying in her room one day just before her 10 th birthday about how she hated Rose, she thought maybe keeping distance was the best for her.

Untilllll..... Did she hear wrong but Ephora actually called Edgar, Daddy! How badly she wanted to be called Mommy by her?
Seeing the cheerful state of the girl she wanted to try once more. She had to get her daughter's love.
And now.... It was working out. No words can express the joy in her heart. She combed back the dark hair of the sleeping girl and continued to hum a soft tune. She was definitely going to brag about it to Edgar.

From then on my mother used to come everyday to the study and spared me at least fifteen minutes of history talk. I sometimes wanted to hear about fairy stories or magic stories like other kids so I told it to her.
I should have done it earlier. My eyes, I could feel them stinging at the bright array of colorful books decorating the new shelves in the study.
Ahhhhh...... A paradise for a book reader. My father was the one who came to take me there because mommy was busy.

He carried me and took me there to show the new books. He was giving me an expectant smile. OK... I get it, I will praise you.

"Thank you daddy, it is very pretty. Mommy will have more stories to read to me now."

His face lit up but then he slowly talked again. My daddy was really handsome, cool and a good fighter but he was really hardly talking. He was very much introverted, I sometimes wonder how he and mother got together even, maybe because they are both the quiet type.

"Ephora darling, can daddy come and tell you stories too?"

I blinked, no way.....Is my life going to consist of only listening to stories? No thanks. I thought for a while.

"Well daddy instead of stories can you teach me archery. I want to learn it."

He seemed slightly worried though "Oh well, are you sure dear? It's not easy maybe you can wait till you grow a little older."

I shook my head. I knew a bit of archery but I wanted to know his secret technique.
And magic was a realm someone like me with no magic would be learning about when I become 12 so I still had time to learn other things.

" Pwease daddy, I am sure you will teach me well."

He brightened up. "Fine then Ephora. I will talk with your mommy as well and see."

"OK daddy, you are the best."

He beamed and a lovely feminine voice trailed behind us "Edgar, how dare you?"

I saw my father stiffen a little and my mother came to view with a pout "I told you to wait till I came, didn't I?"

"But Ephora's been with you for the past few days. I just wanted a little bit of time."

Rose rolled her eyes, "Ephora, come to me."

My mother opened her arms and stared at me. My father held me tightly and I was trying to comprehend these two adults who were acting like children. It's my first time seeing them act like this.

"Mommy and daddy both can hug me," I opened my tiny arms and both their gazes melted as we all hugged together while they both shouted "Our little darling!"