Accalia Starling can't stop the emotions she experiences whenever the tall, green eyed Harlequin lays eyes on her. She knows deep down that there's something off about him, but unfortunately, he holds her heart in his tainted hands.
Started: October...
a/n: there are some very upsetting things that happen in this chapter. You are welcome to skip this chapter. To those that read on, please do so at your own discretion and please read the author's note at the end.
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"Miles was and always will be one of the most precious things to have graced this earth. He never failed to make me happy. Even though he came out of something horrible, he was my light, and I will always be grateful for what he did for me, and I just wish he had more time," Accalia says, trying desperately to keep her voice calm and even. "He didn't deserve the hand he was dealt, and I can only hope that he's free of pain, wherever he is." Accalia wants to go on, but the heartbreak finally catches up to her and she can't continue.
Her body shakes with grief and she bursts into tears. Her arms wrap around Leanne, her aunt and the two women weep. While Miles was Accalia's son, he was also Leanne's. She had helped raise him once Accalia stopped breastfeeding. She was there as he took his first steps, she helped comfort him when he was scared from the night terrors. She had helped him when he was learning how to read and write. She was there for almost every big milestone in his life up until his sickness and death. Despite all of this, Leanne would have wanted her niece to raise Miles.
She wishes that her sister and brother in law would have allowed Accalia to raise her son. Leanne's biggest regret is the fact that Miles died not knowing that Accalia was his true mother. He didn't know the truth and that breaks her heart. She doesn't know whether or not her niece will be able to get over this pain, but she hopes she does. Leanne hugs Accalia tightly; neither of the women listen to the others as they speak. Their pain is too much and they said what they wanted to.
As Accalia continues crying on her aunt's shoulder, she finds herself wishing that Harry was with her. She's grown to love his embraces and she definitely would have felt better with him being here. He wasn't allowed, however. He's not supposed to know the truth about Miles, and he's not supposed to be someone important to her. Accalia feels herself growing resentful towards her parents. She doesn't like that they had prevented her from raising her son. She knew it had to be done to protect her virtue, but a big part of it was because it reminded them of the perpetrator. It pained them, even though they had ignored the signs.
"Accalia my love," Constance says quietly. She stares sadly at her daughter and wants to comfort her.
"I'd like to go to my room, Mother," Accalia says dully.
"After we bury the coffin," Julian says, a little too insensitively. He realises his mistake and quickly takes a deep breath. "You'll regret it if you leave now."
"Fine," Accalia says, the tears still running down her cheeks. "Hurry up." Judith, who was allowed to come to the funeral is the first to step forward. She quietly begins to sing a hymn and the others slowly follow suit. Even Accalia joins in, though her words are shaky and almost unintelligible. The second the coffin has been buried, she walks very quickly back to her home. She ignores the sympathetic looks that servants give her as she passes. Most of them know the truth about Miles because they were there when the truth came out.
