I Ignored the Protagonists, Now They're After Me

Ch 10

Note: This author wanted to give another chapter. As part of her thanks and because Chapter 9 was short.

When I found Mother, I had long forgotten about "Lee" and the others. I was too preoccupied with appeasing my worry-wart Mother and Aunt Wynn, who chided me as Mother kept squeezing me tightly in relief.

It seemed strange that Mother was fretting quite a lot over my absence, though I don't blame her. This is the first time we've (peacefully) gone out as a Mother and daughter pair. To think I end up leaving her side for quite some time... yes, I understand I was wrong in that aspect. The way she gripped me, however, seemed as though she's gone through this before.

Strange. I don't remember disappearing at all. Well, maybe when I went out with the boys, but she's always known where I've gone. That's how she always dragged me back so fast.

Mother, Aunt Wynn, and I ended up stopping there for the day. My Mother had gotten too excited and wanted to rest, so Aunt Wynn sent a message for the carriage to come a bit earlier than expected.

On the way back home, I hugged and cuddled against my Mother as my form of apologizing.

•••

I was properly washed and dressed for sleep by the time Mother had gone to bed. As I had said my goodbyes to her as we got off the carriage, I didn't mind the fact that she had went to sleep first. I was actually more interested in Aunt Wynn, hoping she didn't retire early like Mother had.

It seemed like that was the case, as when I approached the room Aunt Wynn was residing in and knocked, I heard her voice.

"Enter."

I gulped before I slowly opened the door, peeking my head around the door in an effort to gauge where she was. I found her sitting beside the balcony windows, which were opened. She sat on the floor, a thin yet solid nightgown covering her body. A gentle breeze flowed in as I quickly made my way inside and closed the door behind me, patiently waiting for her to invite me in further.

She turned her head towards where I was and gave me a glance. A small smile appeared on her face before she beckoned me over, looking back to gaze outside while I trotted obediently over.

"Aunt Wynn," I greeted, eyeing the small, opened space across from her.

Would it be okay if I sat down?

Aunt Wynn seemed to know my hesitation, so she pointed to the open spot.

"Go on and take a seat, I don't mind," she chuckled.

I faintly flushed at my hesitation before sitting, attempting to look as proper as one can when they're trying to sit on the floor.

"Aunt Wynn, are you not tired?" I asked, straightening out my clothes to cover my legs.

She turned from gazing and released a small sigh before gently smiling at me. "Just a tad bit. I'm more contemplative than tired."

"Contemplative? About what?" My eyes stared at her curiously, making her chuckle again.

She leaned back and returned my look. "About a lot of things. Things that happened in the past, things that are happening now..."

Her eyes focused on the ground.

"Things that will happen in the future."

I'm a bit lost on what she meant by future, until my "future" had flashed back as a sort of reminder. When I see how miserable and lonely I am, it reminded me of what my purpose was in coming here.

"Aunt Wynn," I said carefully, "do you know that in five years, I'll have my societal debut?"

Her eyes flashed to mine before giving me a slow nod.

"As... as you can see, I'm not... not entirely a noble with proper etiquette. Many of the people in this manor know that I... skip my classes," I mumbled, fidgeting with my hands.

Aunt Wynn patiently waited for me to continue.

"I want to... be better. I know my previous behavior is something to be ashamed of, and I am very ashamed of it, so I want to change. My Mother and Father are surely disappointed in me, even if they don't show it. I've fooled around with the boys and I think that since I'm ten now, I should start focusing on other things. I'm no longer a child, I'm almost an adult," I rambled, panicking as my thought process jumbled and scrambled together.

As I was about to plead my case more, I felt a hand on my cheek. My eyes look up and met Aunt Wynn's, which seemed to be light with mirth.

"Little Maerie, proper nobles don't beat around the bush. They get straight to the point," she hummed.

I felt my heart that was racing slowly calm down, taking in a deep breath.

"Aunt Wynn, will you take me in to study like a proper noble? I want to make my parents proud," I said seriously, determinedly making eye contact.

Aunt Wynn chuckled a third time, patting my head.

"Of course," Aunt Wynn replied, "my cute niece asked me, so I wouldn't dare to reject."

I beamed at her.

"However, why aren't you calling me Auntie? Surely you can keep that childish part, no?" She teased, causing me to go pink.

"Thank you, Auntie Wynn," I nodded, growing more pink with every chuckle she made.