"Everyone, meet my wife, Carolyn, and my daughter, Cecilia."
The Baron gestured grandly to the two newcomers with a wide, proud smile.
The sight of them sent a fresh wave of shock through Emmett and Briar. Their expressions were identical—a frozen mask of disbelief. But the others in the hall responded with practiced grace. Felix offered a slight, respectful nod, his face neutral.
The twins, Eta and Theta, gave a quick bow before their eyes darted away, their movements stiff and formal.
Charolette offered a small, polite curtsy.
As the baron finished his introduction, Cecilia's eyes widened in recognition. Her mother, Carolyn, also looked from her daughter to the two children in front of them, a soft smile spreading across her face.
"Oh!"
Cecilia said, her voice filled with a genuine, excited surprise.
"It's you two again! What a funny coincidence! I can't believe we've met again, of all places."
The baron's smile faltered for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at Emmett and Briar.
"You've met them before, my dear?"
he asked, his voice low and filled with curiosity.
"Yes, Papa!"
Cecilia replied, her excitement undiminished.
"They helped me just this afternoon. I lost my purse on the way to the manor, and they were kind enough to lend me some money and made sure I got what I needed."
Carolyn nodded, her smile turning into one of gratitude. She walked gracefully toward Emmett and Briar, taking a moment to examine them closely.
"So it was these two sweethearts who lent my daughter a helping hand. How wonderful! It fills a mother's heart with joy to know that a place like this has children with such good manners and courtesy."
She turned to the Baron with a cheerful smile.
"You have truly instilled good values into them, Dear."
The baron's smile returned, even wider than before, a look of profound pride on his face. He puffed out his chest a little.
"Of course, my dear. I've been giving them proper training. It's what separates them from the rabble."
Emmett stood there, his jaw tight, every word from the mother and child were grating on him.
He saw them as a pair of butterflies: very colorful, very innocent, and utterly clueless.
*What did they know? What did they know of the pain we'vebeen through?*
He turned his eyes to the Baron.
*What did they know of this cruel abomination of a man smiling proudly beside them, a man who viewed human beings as property?*
He felt something build in his stomach, a quiet, simmering rage that he had learned to suppress.
The household staff went to the automobile to take their luggage inside. The baron gently guided Carolyn by the arm and led her toward the main staircase to her room. Charolette followed them with a quiet dignity.
Cecilia, meanwhile, tugged her wheelchair toward where Emmett, Briar, Felix, and the twins were standing. The moment she arrived, the twins gave her a quick, cold look and turned to leave. It was clearly disrespectful, but they seemed not to care. Felix also began to walk away, though his movement was less abrupt. He offered a quick, polite nod.
"I'm just going to check on the others in the infirmary,"
he said quietly, before disappearing down the hallway.
Cecilia didn't seem to mind the quick departures. She remained cheerful and approached Emmett and Briar with an easy smile.
"It's so nice to properly meet you both."
Briar's face lit up, a cheerful expression replacing her shock.
"It's nice meeting you again, too! What a crazy coincidence, right?"
Emmett, however, was getting more and more irritated by Cecilia's continued presence. The sound of her voice, filled with such innocent joy, was an unbearable. He turned to leave, his movements quick and decisive.
"Wait,"
Cecilia said, her voice laced with concern.
"Where are you going?"
Emmett didn't look back.
"It's none of your business."
Briar shot him a silent, warning look, a mix of disappointment and exasperation in her eyes. But Cecilia was persistent.
"Is something wrong?"
she asked.
"Did I do anything wrong? Why do you suddenly want to leave?"
Emmett stopped, his shoulders tense. He turned his head just enough to look at her over his shoulder.
"The twins and Felix left, and you didn't bother them. Why are you pestering me?"
Cecilia's smile faltered, and she recoiled slightly as if he had struck her. The light in her eyes faded.
"I… I just thought we were friends."
Emmett sighed, a loud frustrated sound. He didn't say another word. He just turned and walked away. Briar grabbed for his collar, trying to pull him back, but she didn't get a good grip and failed to pull him back.
"Is something wrong with him?"
Cecilia asked Briar, her voice small and hurt.
"Is he in a bad mood?"
Briar looked at her, then back at the empty hallway, and forced a smile.
"Don't bother yourself with Emmett,"
she said gently, trying to brighten the atmosphere.
"Come on, let's go somewhere and talk."
Emmett strolled down the hallway, the anger in his stomach slowly cooling into a simmering resentment. He still couldn't get the sight of that proud, smiling baron and his naive wife out of his mind.
He kept replaying their words, the way they spoke of him and Briar, the very fact that she didn't know how who the Baron truly was and how he treated them.
He needed some time to think amd free his mind, but he knew that it was almost time for dinner, and that soon, the household staff would begin calling everyone down to the dining hall.
That meant he had very little time to himself. He sighed and continued walking, his mind racing.
He got to the Baron's study and was about to walk past when he heard soft murmurs from inside. The voice was unmistakable: the baron's. And the other, slightly more melodic voice, was his wife, Carolyn. He stopped, his trained instincts kicking in.
"…when will we begin Cecilia's treatment?"
he heard Carolyn ask.
Emmett's blood ran cold.
*What treatment?*
The baron's voice was low and reassuring.
"It will begin as soon as possible, my dear. I've personally double-checked the dose of the calvanite that will be used. It is completely safe now, and I can assure you that it will work out. Soon, our daughter will be on her own two feet again."