Chapter 11
After finally calming down, Vidalia grasped the collar of her dress and pulled out the locket her mother had left her on her deathbed. She had never opened it—not even when curiosity burned inside her. She missed her mother deeply, but she didn't want to become even more vulnerable out in the wild. Holding it in her hands was comfort enough.
One didn't need a degree to guess what was inside.
Vidalia didn't know why, but she felt that now was the moment she had to find out. Under the benevolent gaze of the steward—the only adult her instincts had trusted since her mother—she finally made up her mind.
She stared at the locket, sighed, and opened it without further hesitation.
Her eyes widened.
Inside was an image of a joyful family sitting in a garden, enjoying a picnic. Vidalia immediately recognized her mother—much younger, perhaps sixteen years old. Her long black hair with blue highlights cascaded down her back, her large green eyes sparkled with joy, and her delicate lips were curved into a radiant smile. Her heart-shaped face glowed with life. For the first time, Vidalia saw her mother wearing a yellow Victorian dress adorned with floral patterns, topped with a matching hat.
She was beautiful.
Vidalia finally understood why Elysia had been jealous—her mother had been a true noble.
She also recognized the steward, much younger, seated beside a beautiful smiling woman dressed in a gown matching her mother's. They were looking fondly at her mother and at a man who appeared to be the steward's son.
They were a happy family.
"That's… my mother," Vidalia said, stunned.
She looked up and was surprised to see the man crying, his eyes fixed on the image. He smiled through his tears, filled with melancholy.
"So it was true," he murmured. "You really are her daughter…"
He pulled Vidalia into his arms and wept.
Caught off guard, Vidalia blushed in embarrassment, hesitated, then gently hugged him back.
Her mother had been happy. Vidalia felt relieved knowing her mother's eyes hadn't always been empty. When she was younger, her mother had always acted serious, her gaze nearly hollow. But whenever she looked at Vidalia, she shone with happiness—as if she were looking at the most precious thing in the world.
Now Vidalia knew the truth.
That damn Edwin Sullivan had destroyed her mother's life.
Vidalia clenched her fists.
He would pay for it.
"I have so many questions for you," Eddy sighed, "but first… Ophélia—how did she die?" he asked hesitantly.
"I don't know," Vidalia replied through clenched teeth. "She was fine, but one day red and gray spots started appearing on her skin. Then she became so weak she couldn't even move."
Naya gently touched Vidalia's cheek in comfort.
"I've never heard of such an illness," Eddy said thoughtfully. "I'm so sorry."
Vidalia's eyes widened. "Why?" she asked, utterly confused.
"After only a few months of searching… I stopped. I thought she had run away with her lover."
"My mother didn't have a lover!" Vidalia snapped in disgust.
Eddy looked at her, puzzled. "But your father—"
"It was that bastard Edwin Sullivan!" she screamed, her voice filled with revulsion and helpless tears.
Edward froze.
He understood immediately.
His daughter had been violated.
He lowered his head, devastated, and cried in regret and sorrow.
Without hesitation, Vidalia removed her veil and stepped closer to her mother's father. If anyone could help her, it was this man.
Edward stared at the little girl, mesmerized. She looked so much like her mother. His gaze shifted to the small fairy hovering beside her, who smiled gently at him.
"Vida?" he called softly, his eyes filled with sadness.
"My real name is Vidalia," she said shyly. "…Grandfather."
She blushed.
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
After they both calmed down, Edward ordered dinner to be brought to his office. Once her stomach was full, Vidalia felt alive again. It was the first time she had eaten something so delicious—and the first time she had tasted meat since her mother's meals.
They sat together on the sofa, tea set before them, getting to know each other as the sun slowly set outside.
Vidalia felt like she was floating on a cloud. It was paradise.
She knew it wouldn't last forever—she would eventually have to return to her room—but she savored every second. Edward told her about her mother: how he had met her, adopted her into his family, and how she had chosen to work as a simple servant to pursue her dream of becoming a cook.
She had been so energetic. So hardworking.
"If you're a viscount," Vidalia asked, puzzled, "why work as a mere steward for such a dreadful family?"
"I was waiting," Edward said, his gaze distant. "After Ophélia left, I let my son take over. I stayed here and waited."
Vidalia raised an eyebrow. "But if my mother wanted to come back, wouldn't she look for you where she was raised and loved?"
Edward smiled proudly at her, making Vidalia blush.
"You're truly intelligent."
"I'm my mother's daughter," Vidalia replied behind her teacup.
"I see," Edward laughed, then turned serious. "I never believed this family was innocent in my daughter's sudden departure. But as a viscount, I couldn't investigate a more powerful house. I sent spies, but they always ended up dead… or joining Edwin."
His jaw tightened.
The Sullivan family was powerful—Vidalia had almost forgotten that. These vile people were hiding far more than she had imagined. But she shouldn't have been surprised; just look at how quickly they had found her… and how easily they had agreed to erase her existence.
"I want them to pay," Vidalia said, gripping her teacup.
"I understand—and I fully agree," Edward replied solemnly. "Vidalia, I want you to leave this house with me."
She was surprised. Touched. Relieved.
But she couldn't—not yet.
She was still too fresh in their memories. If she disappeared now, they would find her easily—and she refused to endanger her newfound family.
So she refused.
"I would love to come with you, Grandfather… but not yet."
"Why?"
"I planned to leave in a few years. I wanted to wait until they forgot me, then fake my death and disappear."
She blushed under her grandfather's shocked stare.
"That's brilliant," Edward praised.
"It was my friend's idea," she said, glancing at Naya, who was eating a biscuit.
"That's an excellent plan. I'd love to meet this young man," Edward chuckled, winking at his granddaughter and making her blush.
He's just a friend, Vidalia told herself, staring into her tea.
"It's getting late," Edward said sadly. "I wish you could stay longer. Now that I've met you, I must inform my son and prepare for your arrival."
"My arrival?" Vidalia repeated, confused.
"Of course. Where would you go when all this is over? I won't allow my granddaughter to suffer any longer," he said warmly, hugging her.
Vidalia smiled through tears. "I'd love that, Grandfather."
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
Vidalia stood before her room door, smiling beneath her veil. She was once again a nobody among many—but she was no longer alone. A family was waiting for her now.
She felt like she could fly.
She knocked softly before entering. Two girls were getting ready for bed.
"Good evening," Vidalia greeted them.
"Good evening!" smiled a girl with fiery red hair. "You must be our new roommate! I'm Ruby—what's your name?" she asked excitedly.
"Vi… Vida," Vidalia replied, flustered by the warm welcome.
"Nice to meet you, Vida! This is Zoé!" Ruby said, pointing to the short-haired black-haired girl who smiled gently.
"Nice to meet you," Vidalia said, warmth blooming in her chest.
"You're cute!" Ruby cooed, making her blush. "Why do you wear that veil? I bet you're absolutely adorable!" she sang, trying to peek underneath.
"Calm down, Ruby. You're making her uncomfortable," Zoé scolded.
Vidalia watched them bicker and smiled, amused.
For the first time… she felt safe.
Oh—an idea struck her.
Vidalia smiled sweetly.
"Why the veil?" she asked innocently, touching it. "My stepmother says I mustn't remove it."
"Stepmother?" Ruby repeated, confused.
Vidalia was doing things she never could have before.
But as the saying goes:
The silent sheep becomes a wolf when the hour strikes.
To be continued