Chapter 8

Inside the carriage, I looked at mother who seems to calm down a little "Mother"

She looked back at me and held my cheek with a soft smile on her face. Mother's eyes were swelling from crying "Yes my child?" her thumb gently rubs my cheek.

"Where are we going now?" I asked as I hold mother's other hand and slightly squeezing it.

"We're going to your grandparents' manor...I know I've never introduced you to them before but they're kind.." So...I still have grandparents from my mother's side? Now that I think about it, None from my mother's side relatives were introduced in the novel...

In the novel, All of the things happened today was never mentioned and the story started while Claudius is eight years old and we're still currently seven. A lot of changes happened that it made me wonder if it'll affect the order of this world but I have a theory. The novel I read might just be the same world setting but totally different world from the one I've read. It's like parallel world or universe...It has alternate reality? This is just a theory but I can change the future as I please? I've been restraining myself from the beginning about what plan to do cause it might destroy the world order that might cause to destruction. There is a high possibility that other events might still happen according to the novel...

I analyzed my situation and tried think about my next move then mother suddenly patted my head "Now that we're free from your father, you're free to be a normal girl now" mother smiled and kept on patting my head.

"But mother...Deception in one's identity in this country were heavily punished and if I revealed that I'm a girl now..." Arthur already revealed my identity in the public as his son now and if I revealed my identity now in the public, It'll be considered as deception to the kingdom.

Mother held my cheeks with both hands and looked at me with teary eyes "It's my fault for not standing up all these years...I don't want you to be killed because of your father so I selfishly let you live your life as a boy all these time and I'm scared that you'll grow up without a father but I was wrong, I should've took my stand from the beginning...So I'll take full responsibility".

I shook my head while my eyes started tear up "No mother! You're a good mother and the best mother I could ever wish for. If I were to choose the perfect mother for me, I would still pick you" I squeezed mother's hand that's holding my cheek "It's not your fault okay? And I'm forever thankful by your decision... You're scared for me and Claudius so you did what you think is best for us. Stop blaming yourself mother!" I hugged mother tightly and she hugged me back while crying.

After we both calm down a bit, I looked up while still hugging my mother "Mother...I want to continue my life as it is now. I don't want you to be punished because of me so don't tell anyone else" mother bit her lower lip while looking at me with sad eyes.

Deception in this kingdom is considered as betraying the kingdom, In short, you're considered as a traitor of the kingdom. The punishment for traitors were heavy, someone must thought that death was the worst punishment but no. Torturing you to the point you just wanted to be dead but wouldn't let you is the worst, giving endless miser. I'd rather live my life as a traitor of this country than let my mother suffer those punishment she didn't deserve.

Punishment...What mother didn't deserve...

Those words gave me idea of what should I do. I shall punish the person who is the reason for all of these...Arthur Ashford.

I shall punish that guy twice- no, hundred times the pain and suffering she gave my mother. All these time, mother thought I didn't know anything but during those times that she wouldn't see me for a long time, I know...I know that she was abused by that man! Mother didn't want me to see her bruises so she avoided seeing me sometimes...I just realized this earlier...I wish I realized it sooner that I could've atleast killed him sooner-

My thoughts slowly getting darker and darker. I hugged my mother tighter then she gently patted my back. I don't want to succumb myself into darker thoughts. I'm not a murderer, What will be the difference between me and Claudius in the novel if I did that? I'll give him punishment worse than death!

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We arrived at our destination and what surprise me was a huge manor, it was bigger from where we used to live.

Mother held my hand "Let's go Oliver". As we were about to reach the gate, a guard in knight suit suddenly gave a salute.

"You're back milady! This lowly knight welcomes you!" Mother smiled as she nod towards the knight.

"Go inform the Duke and Duchess about the lady's arrival!" The knight said as he patted the other knight who panickly and fast.

Duke and Duchess?...I looked up to my mother who just smiled at me. I followed my mother who just walked inside the house. The house inside the Marquess' house that Arthur brought us into was impressive but...This? This place looks even more impressive!

"Woah..." I subconsciously said as I admire the interior of this place. Mother chuckled "It's a lot beautiful compared to the dog house we used to live isn't it?" I didn't know what to say, All these time mother considered Arthur's manor as a dog house?...

Moments later a man rushed towards my mother to hug her. He held mother's cheeks, his emerald eyes similar to my mother was already tearing up "It's been so long! Why didn't you write us any letter nor visit us!" The man with long red hair tied into a ponytail was tall with a physique of a knight who trained for decades.

Mother started to cry again "Sorry dad...Arthur didn't wanted me to cut my connections with you..." Mother sobbed as she hugged the man.

"That rascal!" The man who seems to be my grandfather shouted.

A woman who seems a little older than my mother approached us with tears in her eyes "My baby!" Mother let go of the hug with grandfather and went to the lady with peach colored hair who seems to be grandmother?

Grandmother hugged mother and kisses her forehead "I'm sorry mom...I'm sorry" my mother stopped crying after a while and sniffed then walk towards my back and placed her hands over my shoulder.

"Mom, Dad, This is Oliver, your grandchild...There's also Claudius but he wanted to stay with his father" Mother smiled but there was sadness in her eyes.

Grandfather knelt down and hold my hand "Why is his(her) face swollen?" Grandfather saw my swollen face that's been slapped by Arthur.

"Oh you poor child. Come here to grandma" I went to grandmother then suddenly a green light appeared in grandma's index finger that's near my face. I can feel the pain slowly going away...Grandma must have a rare healing magic...

"What happened to you my dear? Why are you injured? Did somebody hurt you?..." I didn't know what to answer first but then I looked at my mom who feels guilty about what happened.

I smiled for a bit and looked down as if I was sad "Father...Father beat me up...But thankfully mom was there and saved me!" I pretended to look down and clenched my hand "He also told me that I'm a failure and he didn't want me to be his child" I pretended to smile with sadness then grandmother hugged me tightly.

"Don't listen to him okay?.." Grandmother comforted me then suddenly, grandfather shouted in rage "THAT BASTARD!! I'LL MAKE SURE HE'LL PAY FOR THIS!"

I slightly smiled that nobody would notice while being hugged grandmother. It seems like the first step of my revenge already started. I had a knack to be an actress don't I? I wanted to chuckle.

I can't wait to see your downfall...Arthur Ashford.

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Err I'm kind of hesitating if I made the right chapter ;-;...This chapter's kind of emotional for the characters? I hope it doesn't turned out cringey for you guys.

That's all and thank you for reading.