Sixteen years later, in the dim servants quarters of the Thelmond family, Agatha's feet walked the grounds, with the helm of her navy blue dress sweeping the filthy floors. The golden light emerging from the lantern in her hand, enabled her to see her surroundings. Maids passing by gave shocking expressions, whispering to each other, while giving her a polite bow, as they wondered what the lady of the house was doing in such a place. Agatha gave a cold shoulder to their whispers, her eyes fixed on where she was heading.
She paused at a particular wooden door that was nothing more than rough-hewn planks, nailed together without care for polish or straightness. Agatha brows knit as she formed her free hand fingers into a fist, knocking on the door.
Her ears picked up light rustles of parchments and objects falling on the floor from the inside, and a small smile appeared on her lips. The door opened, and a messy red-haired girl peeked out. On seeing the lady of the house at her doorstep, a flicker of panic and awe passed through the girl's blue eyes, and she whispered softly.
"Madam, what brings you here?" Her question made the smile on Agatha's lips flatter, and an annoying look washed over her face. Her lips curled up, as she took notice of the girl not making an attempt to let her in. She glared and pushed the door, earning a stumble from the girl. She walked into the room, which comprised of nothing more than damage furnitures. There was no carpet or rug on the cold floor. The bed was a pressed foam, with nothing but a light sheet lying on it. A three legged table, pushed against the wall, hid amongst the darkness, with a single candle light, at the window, that was slammed shut.
Agathat glared at the girl infront of her, pulling on her ear softly,
"How many times do I have to repeat myself. It's Mother, not Madam." Her voice came out with affection, as the one a mother would use to her beloved daughter.
The girl whine at the slight pain she felt from her ear being pulled, pouting her lips. Agatha's heart immediately melted, and she withdrew from the girl's ear.
"Did it hurt?" Her brows knitted, with her eyes filled with genuine worry. The red-haired girl shook her head, with a small smile that soothed the worried face of Agatha.
"Madam, you—" Agatha's fume came back when she heard the word 'madam', again. Cutting the girl off, she huffed, bringing the lantern she was holding close to the girl's face,
"Dydra Thelmond! Why don't you always listen?"
A frown dwelled on Dydra's face as she felt the heat of the lantern. Her blue eyes soften, with mischief flashing through her eyes, her lips curled up.
"Mother," her soft voice came, and Agatha glare cleared off, with affection written on her eyes.
"You shouldn't be here," Dydra said to her, worry filling her eyes.
Agatha's free hand came up to Dydra's cheek, caressing it softly.
"I know, dear. But I want to see you." Tears filled her eyes and she pulled Dydra into a tight hug, not caring about the shabby clothes the girl wore.
Dydra hugged her back, rubbing her face against Agatha's shoulder, her voice came as a whisper loud enough for Agatha's ear to catch it
"You can't be here, Mother."
Agatha's body shutter, when she heard the word, 'mother,' tightening the hug.
"I know," her voice trailed. Pulling away, she informed,
"Jerry, will be leaving for a trip tomorrow. I want you at my room, by three minutes after nine. Wear a scarf over your head," her fingers gently gripped the girl's red hair, "your hair is rough. I'll tend to it."
Dydra nodded at her words. With a small smile, she watched Agatha open the door. She turned and blew a kiss, before taking her leave.
As she door closed, the smile on Dydra's face fell, and darkness enveloped the room.
The next morning, Agatha woke up to a feather like kiss she felt on her forehead. A heart warming smile enveloped her lips, and her eyes shuttered open to see her husband, dressed in a neat suit, with his dark hair combed back.
"Leaving so soon?" Her sweet morning voice rang as she left the bed. Her pink silk nightgown robbed smoothly on her milk skin, with her blonde hair bouncing against her back. She wrapped her arms around her husband, who was taller than her, making her stand on her tippy toes.
Jerry's lips curled up, with his big palms slidding smoothly over her waist. The sun shown on Agatha's face, passing through her blue eyes. Making her look like a fairytale princess. His heart melted, and he placed a kiss on her lips. Blood rushed up Agatha's face, and she giggled softly.
Jerry's lips came close to her ear, and he bit it softly. His actions earned a light whine from his wife, and he moved from her ear, to her neck. Taking a long drag of her scent, he muttered
"I don't want to leave."
"I don't want you to leave," she told him.
"But this trip is important," his voice came in a way that sounded more like he was telling himself.
Agatha giggled, and said softly. "Then you have to leave."
Her words earned a chuckle from her husband. Reluctantly, he pulled away with his eyes closed.
"If I see you, I wouldn't leave," he explained, as he tried to figure his way out of their bedroom. Agatha chuckled, grabbing a pillow from the bed, she threw it at him. He opened his eyes, and winked at her, earning a blush from his wife. He blew a kiss to her and said,
"Escort me out?"
Agatha took her robe, wrapping it around her body, as she saw her husband off. He entered the carriage awaiting him at the front of their mansion. He sat, and a servant closed the door. The horses hooves hit the grassy floor, and the carriage wheeled away.
Jerry looked out the window, waving at his wife, who waved back in return.
The carriage soon went out of sight and Agatha returned to their room.