Chapter 18: Ayans' Family
After that eventful morning with the boy, we headed back to the estate. As I had given my money to the Apple vendor to compensate for the boy so I couldn't continue shopping. However, I had already bought quite a lot already so not like I could continue shopping. On the way home, Kaylee reprimanded me about the stunt I'd pulled earlier. "My lady that was dangerous what if the vendor went on to hit you as well....."
She went on and on and then complained about my hair which I'd ruined and my ripped dress. But I wasn't listening, I couldn't stop thinking about the boy.
Who was he? Why was he running from the Imperial guards? He ran away before I could ask him any of these things. I also wondered why he was so distrustful of others and cold. I hoped he was safe though.
Once we arrived home I began to organize all the decorations I bought as I brainstormed where each decoration would go.
The General was leaving for the palace tomorrow so I didn't have to worry about seeing him for the rest of the week or so. I dedicated my time to fixing up my house. I would place a decoration in one place and consider how it looks for a while then either reposition it or leave it. I found pleasure in homemaking.
I took flowers from the garden and began to place them in the flower pots. It took me about 3 days to finish decorating. Because I kept on changing and repositioning. I was quite satisfied by the end of it. Perhaps I would change a few later in but for now, at least the house had a bit of personality now.
"Wow, my lady the house looks amazing," Kaylee commented on the morning of the 3rd day when they came in to serve me.
"Really?" I asked her flattered.
"Yes, you're really good at this." As she said took a look round the house. Even Yema who was carrying my breakfast tray looked impressed. I could tell that much despite her stoic demeanor.
I felt very proud of myself seeing them appreciate my efforts.
They placed my breakfast tray on the table. After the fiasco at dinner and the General confronting Rina about her sending me stale food, I was now back to being sent proper food. I was glad to finally take a break from cooking but I still planned to try and make some recipes once in a while.
Once I was done with the house I went back to my usual activities gardening etc. I was careful when I moved around the estate not to bother the other wives. I didn't want to cause any drama. That, and part of the punishment whilst in this house was not to disrupt the other wives or visit the general without being summoned. It was just annoying to have to check every single time I wanted to do something.
Then one day whilst I was doing some needlework in my room Yema suddenly came to me.
"My lady, you've received a request to go the main house."
A puzzled expression formed on my face. "Why? The General's at the palace isn't he?"
"It's his secretary Kazil who wants to see you." She explained "He says a request has come for you. "
Kazil was the one in charge of the estate when the General was away.
Request? From who I wondered. "Alright, I'll go see him shortly."
I headed for the main house wondering what to expect from Kazil. I entered it and was led by a servant to the General's office.
Inside was seated Kazil at the General's desk, doing some paperwork. He looked up at me when I entered.
"Right, Lady Ayan," he said as he gave me his full attention. "How are doing ?"
" I'm doing well, thank you," I responded
"Good, I've called you here because a letter arrived this morning for you." He said as he lifted a letter and held it out for me to take. "It's from your family, your mother is asking to visit you."
I blanked out for a second as I processed what was said. Right, Ayan had a family. Though I knew she did, I hadn't thought much about it.
"She says she would like to see you as soon as possible. So I wanted to find out if you wanted to see her and when." Kazil continued
I was looking through Ayans' memories of what her family was like. And let's just say what I was seeing didn't look too promising. Ayan came from a well-off family that was well-known amongst the empire's nobles.
She had a mother, a father, and two older brothers who were married. Her father, Duke Savez was a successful merchant. Her two brothers were helping him run the business as his future successors.
Her parents were absolutely strict. All her life they'd trained Ayan to become the perfect wife and find a wealthy powerful husband. All that mattered to them was status and power from the looks of it. Her brothers didn't care too much for her either.
So considering the timing, my guess is Ayan's mother must have wanted to see her due to the fact that she had been punished and her status lowered.
Given what I now knew of her family I actually wanted to say no to seeing her. However, it would be strange that a child didn't want to see their parent. Considering that all the other wives were also visited by their families.
"Yes, it's alright, she can come to see me." I told Kazil. "Any day is fine."
" Then I'll send a letter out to them now." He told me. "Is there anything you would like to report?"
" No, nothing. Everything alright. "
"Then that'll be all you may leave."
As I left the main house I began to think of this new revelation. I had completely forgotten that Ayan had a family. The memories I'd sifted through so far were far from pleasing. Ayan was afraid of her parents, especially her mother. Considering in my own timeline I had a rocky relationship with my mother it was sad to see Ayan in a similar situation.
The next morning I was told Ayans' mother would be coming in the afternoon of the following day. I decided not to think too much about it. She was only coming to see me for the afternoon so it would soon pass.
****
I waited with my servants by the estate entrance driveway where carriages would arrive and go out from. Ayan's family's carriage soon entered through the gates I carefully watched as it parked in front of where we stood.
Estate servants went to open the carriage door and with assistance from one of them out came a middle-aged woman. She had jet-black hair, big red eyes, and full lips. Aside from a few wrinkles on her face, she had an overall youthful appearance. She has a slender but curvy body. Ayan looked so much like her aside from the green eyes which she took after her father.
Ayan's mother was actually in her early fifties but you would think she was much younger. Kaylee, Yema, and all the other servants did still for a moment as they stared at her in awe. She was truly beautiful.
"Hello, Ayan." Duchess Savez then greeted me sweetly with a wide warm smile as she approached me giving me a hug. All the servants were further in awe of her acting so sweetly. If only they knew, I thought to myself. She had also come with her lady-in-waiting who stood beside her.
"Mother," I said with a bow of my head. "Welcome to the Kang estate. It's good to see you doing well. Please follow me."
I turned to lead her to my house. As we walked next to each other Duchess Savez made small chatter with me. "Your father had business to attend to in the Imperial City so I decided to tag along and I thought why not visit my daughter as well."
Ayan's family didn't live in the Imperial city, they live far off in the empire's largest port city near the sea border. It was where many merchants had their businesses set up. However, he would travel often around the empire occasionally on business trips.
"I see," I said. "Is father doing well?" I asked to be polite.
"Oh yes! He sends his regards to you Ayan," she said as she turned to look around the estate as we walked. " I love coming to the estate, the gardens are always so beautiful," she commented as we used a pathway to my house that overlooked the gardens. She was being chatty and appearing cheerful and friendly.
We reached my home and we were using the sitting room. I sat down in front of the table where Yema and Kaylee brought us tea and snacks. Duchess Savez didn't sit down she stood close to where I sat. Once the servants were done she then turned to them. "I would like to speak to my daughter alone please," she told them.
"Of course." They responded and they immediately left the room, including the Duchess's lady-in-waiting. As soon as the sound of the servants' footsteps was feint confirming they were far from the room, Duchess Savez turned to me and bent down to slap me hard across the cheek.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone