GABRIELLA’S POV
Atlas had gone out earlier to attend to certain matters. It was just Estella and me in the room.
Though I wanted to rest, I forced myself to stand up and take care of her.
After dressing Estella and ensuring her comfort, I shifted my attention to the gentle knock on the door. Curiosity piqued, I wondered who could be visiting at this hour.
Adjusting Estella’s gown, I quickly approached the door and called out, “Who’s there?”
“It’s Maria,” a voice replied from the other side. “Margret sent me to deliver an important message to you.”
Relief washed over me at the mention of Margret’s name.
Eager to hear what she had to say, I opened the door wider and motioned for Maria to speak.
“I’m listening,” I said, my voice filled with anticipation.
Maria’s eyes met mine, and with a respectful nod, she began relaying Margret’s message.
“Thank you, ma’am. Margret said to tell you that you should meet her by the central hall in a few minutes. However, if you’re busy, she mentioned it could be within the next hour.”
I considered Margret’s request, realizing that meeting her immediately might not be feasible given my current tasks. But I also understood the importance of whatever she had to say. “Alright, alright,” I replied, trying to balance urgency and practicality.
“Please let Margret know that I appreciate her efforts and that I will make my way to the town hall as soon as I can.”
Maria nodded, her expression showing understanding. “Okay, ma’am. I will relay your message to Margaret. Thank you for your time.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied, a warm smile on my lips. “And thank you too, Maria.” With that, I closed the door, watching as Maria turned to leave.
As I sat on the bed next to Estella, a sense of comfort enveloped me. Her understanding of nature never failed to warm my heart, even amidst uncertainty. Leaning in closer to her, I asked softly, “What would you like to eat this morning, sweetheart?”
Her eyes met mine, and a gentle smile tugged at her lips. “Anything you give me, Mum,” she replied, her voice filled with trust and affection.
Relief swept over me as I considered the options. “I prepared chicken pepper soup and spaghetti. Would you like that?” I asked, hoping to offer her a comforting meal.
Her face lit up with delight, and she nodded eagerly. “Yay, I love chicken pepper soup,” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm contagious.
“Okay, I’ll be right back, darling,” I assured her, placing a tender kiss on her forehead before leaving the room.
Hurrying to the kitchen, I swiftly prepared the meal, my mind preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming meeting and the cryptic conversation I overheard earlier.
Just as I was about to turn and head back to the room, my curiosity got the better of me. I froze upon hearing two girls conversing nearby. Intrigued, I quietly stepped closer to listen, being careful not to be detected.
“I heard that the elders are having a meeting,” the first girl whispered, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and concern.
“Really? Who told you?” the second girl inquired, her voice laced with curiosity.
“The person who told me isn’t your concern, and lower your voice. We could be in trouble if they hear,” the first girl responded, cautioning her friend.
The news sent a chill down my spine, and my heart raced in anticipation of what they would reveal next. “They said there’s a traitor among us,” the first girl disclosed, her voice trembling with disbelief.
Shock washed over the second girl, her voice filled with anguish. “What? How could someone be so cruel?” she exclaimed, her words laced with a mix of anger and sadness.
Feeling a surge of unease, I couldn’t help but wonder who could have leaked such sensitive information.
Pushing aside my thoughts for the moment, I refocused on my task at hand and proceeded to carry Estella’s food back to our room, my mind still spinning with questions.
Carefully holding Estella’s food in my hands, I walked back to our room, my mind preoccupied with the overheard conversation. The words “traitor” and “elders’ meeting” echoed in my thoughts, stirring a sense of unease within me. Who could have informed the first girl about the meeting, and why was there talk of a traitor? I pushed those questions aside for the moment, focusing on the task at hand.
Entering the room, I found Estella sitting on the bed, her eyes brightening at the sight of the steaming chicken pepper soup and spaghetti. A warm smile formed on my lips as I placed the tray on her lap.
“Here you go, my love,” I said, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Enjoy your meal.”
She beamed up at me, her small hands reaching for the spoon. “Thank you, Mum. It looks delicious,” she replied, her excitement palpable.
I watched as she took her first bite, savoring the flavors with delight. The sight of her enjoying the meal filled my heart with joy and momentarily eased the worries that had occupied my mind just moments ago.
As a mother, moments like these were precious, reminding me of the love and bond we shared.
By the time she finished eating, I patted her to sleep.
Once everything was settled, I hastened to the central hall, my heart beating with a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
Approaching the central hall, my heart pounded with anticipation. The weight of responsibility rested on my shoulders, and the outcome of this meeting could determine the fate of our community. I pushed open the gigantic doors, feeling a rush of excitement and nerves flood through me. The hall was dimly lit, and the sound of hushed conversations filled the air.
Then, I saw her. Margaret, our respected leader and my dear friend, stood near the center of the room. With a sense of urgency, I hurried over to meet her, calling out her name. “Margaret, Margaret!” I called, my voice echoing through the hall. She turned to look at me, her expression shifting from surprise to delight.
“Gabriella, you’re here,” she said warmly, stretching out her hand to embrace me. I wrapped my arms around her, the weight of the impending decision hanging between us. The hug was both a comfort and a reassurance of our shared dedication to our community’s welfare.
“Yes, yes, I’m here,” I replied, my voice laced with a mix of relief and eagerness. “Maria came to deliver your message to me.”
Margaret released me from her embrace, and we took a step back, maintaining a close proximity. She nodded, her eyes conveying a blend of gratitude and determination to move forward. “Alright, alright. Let’s find a place to sit,” she suggested, guiding me toward a nearby table and chairs.
As we settled into our seats, I couldn’t contain my curiosity any longer. “I’m so glad to hear this. Thank you so much, Margaret,” I expressed, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. “What did they say?”
Margaret’s smile wavered slightly, and her eyes flickered with a hint of concern. “They have given us the go-ahead to make an announcement,” she began, her tone measured. “However, there’s a little problem.”
My heart skipped a beat at her words, and a surge of anxiety coursed through me. The stakes were high, and any obstacle in our path felt insurmountable.
Leaning forward, I urged her to reveal the nature of the problem. “What’s the problem? What happened? No problem is little. Margaret, talk to me,” I implored, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and determination. The intensity of my emotions was mirrored in my furrowed brow and the urgency in my eyes.