Four days ago I had received news I'd never even began to ponder before: my parents were expecting me. All that I was given was a letter asking me to arrive by the carriage that would be sent and asking for 'the measurements of myself and any others that would be accompanying me.' I hurried to find Asra and ask if he knew anything of this. He was clueless and just explained that I had come to Vesuvia with no family and rarely mention them aside from a few letters I sent and received. When I asked if he had them he just shook his head, "I'm afraid you didn't talk about them much." Muriel and I were hired a carriage by them and I simply decided I would allow it to happen and arrive as expected.
We sit now in the carriage, on our way to the countryside of a province called Eadone. Muriel holds my hand tightly, reassuring both I and himself. "Do you think they'll like me?"
"I don't even know if they like me..."
He sighs at my response and lies his head on my lap. I twirl his hair around my fingers and try my hardest to remember my childhood. This carriage doesn't at all feel familiar but the fabrics inside bring a spark of remembrance. I have a faint memory of a wonderful tune but...I can't seem to make out the notes.
We arrive early the next morning, holding each other tightly and feeling nervous. We step out to see a vast expanse of familiar hills and trees, framing an almost palace-sized house and gardens. Muriel looks out of the window at it, fear in his eyes, "you're...rich?"
"No wonder Nadia's palace was so welcoming to me..." I stare up, a slight feeling of nostalgia growing in me. A very formally dressed woman and two men approach me, the woman almost weeping. "Oh darling! I thought we'd lost you! So many years in mourning..." She hugs me in a strange way and stands back dabs her eye with a handkerchief, "You have grown so well!"
"It's lovely to see you again, dear." The eldest man smiles and holds my shoulders firmly before turning to the youngest. "Hello sister! It's lovely to see that you're well..." He smiles and nods his head. I stand there, unsure what to say, "It's...nice to finally meet you... again."
"Meet? What does she mean dear..."
"I'm not sure..."
I hesitantly try to explain, "I...lost my memories, you see...I only remember the past few years..."
The woman gasps dramatically and hugs me again, "Oh you poor thing! We must try to restore you... come on inside we'll get you properly dressed." She tugs my arms but I stop.
"I have someone else with me..." Hurriedly I return to the carriage and Muriel is hiding.
"They won't like me y/n!!"
"They'll have to! Please come, I need you with me." I frown and hold his hands. He hesitantly steps out and tries unsuccessfully to hide behind me. "As yes, the tall one! A-and who is this?" The woman tries her best to sound unphased by his height and holds her hands together.
"Muriel..." He says shyly.
"Well dear, you and Muriel go get washed and dressed and we shall begin restoring your mind!"
I chuckle nervously as a servant hurries us both inside and upstairs. We are quickly separated, bathed (thought Muriel refuses to unless alone) and dressed. I am given a white late-Georgian dress with puff sleeves, my hair put back with a few ringlets out the front. Muriel is put into a tailored 18th century suit with a long tail and his hair is pushed back but he restores it to its usual plaited messiness. I smile at him as we're finally reunited and adjust his loosened cravat. "I did not enjoy that." He grumbles, tugging the suit.
"At least they made these for us." I hold his arm close and squeeze his hand.
"My darling y/n! Oh you two look wonderful." My mother kisses my cheek and brings us through to the dining room. Delicious meals and smells fill our senses as a butler pull out our chairs for us and we sit down nervously. "Now, Muriel, tell us: what is your favourite of these dishes?" My father smiles.
"I...don't...." He takes a while thinking of a response, "I don't mind."
"Ah well, I know y/n will be having the smoked salmon as she loves it so dearly!"
I smile and feel almost shocked at their remembrance of my favourite food, "Yes, it is still my favourite."
"Butler! Bring these two a basket of bread!" One of the men stood around us hurried to the kitchen and brings out a lovely smelling basket of fresh breads. "How are you two, then?What is life like in Vesuvia?" My mother smiles and sips her drink.
"It's very... busy. I've been studying with a magician named Asra and working at his shop."
"Magician? You're studying the arcane arts?" She furrows her brows but looks curious.
"Well yes." I summon a little ball of light.
"Oh how lovely! Magic in the family!" She smiles and claps her hands, "My own child so talented!"
"Well I'm not the best..."
Muriel squeezes my hand and quietly says, "You are."
I shake my head modestly as my brother pipes up, "Did you see the coliseum?" Muriel tenses up immediately and freezes.
"I uh... no It's not interesting to me..."
"Ah I forgot you were so peace-loving... I must be honest, though, I wish it was still in business."
"Please can we discuss something else..." I try my best to be polite as Muriel's eyes stare down at his tight fists.
"Well fine. I apologise for being so excited, it's just that Count Lucio had such exciting things happening over there!"
"Dear, please, there is no need for politics here."
"Count Lucio was a terrible man." I say as calmly as I can.
"I have to disagree!" My brother smiles and chuckles.
"Would anyone like more meat?" My mother tries her best to break things up but fails. "No thank you." Muriel shakes his head at her. "Lucio killed many people and was terrible to those below him." My voice begins to gain volume.
"But as a respectable general, he had to step on some people!"
"That is no excuse for murder."
Muriel stands very suddenly and leaves.
