LARA’S POV
I lay on my bed, tossing and turning. All I wanted was to keep my eyes shut and never have to open it, but my troubled heart would hear non it as so many thoughts ravaged my soul.
This war.
Clearly, Diamond Cut Pack is in the wrong, they asked for this war and left us with no other choice. But as much as I would not want to dwell on it, I still could not bring myself to ignore the fact that a part of me, no, an essential part of me dwells there. My mother.
I tried to convince myself that it would be right, but deep down I know that it will not. Scarlet and her armies are ready to fight this war, and they do so with blindfolds sparing no one who comes across their way.
The mansion would be an easy target, as well as the Packhouse. The mansion. My heart skipped a beat as reality struggled to take its place in my little skull.
Can’t anything be done to abate this war? Like arriving at some sort of a compromise. Even if I were to convince Scarlet of this, who would talk Diamond Cut Pack out of it?
I know them. They would stop at nothing until they subjugate us. Giving in to their dictates is the same as giving up our existence. It is a proud Pack.
I should not be selfish, it will not be fair to Scarlet. She has put in so much at getting Pixolands to where it is today and I cannot ask her to give it all up just because of me. Maybe the best in this situation is to leave it all to fate.
At this thought, a sharp pain cut through my chest and slowly made its way to my throat. I held my neck and struggled to breathe slowly. The bond that I share with my mum is gradually making its way back to me and I feel as if I have failed her.
There is nothing to be done. It is hard to convince myself but I just have to keep trying. How do I even go about saving her from this if I am allowed to? I cannot just show up at the mansion and ask for her or drag her along with me. Even Rich or Scarlet cannot go back there. Truly there was nothing that could be done.
But maybe I should have thought of something sooner, I should have tried to come up with a way to save her. No, I did not put in even one word for her. I sat and said nothing when her fate was decided.
I sighed. It is not just me, even Scarlet has her whole family there, most especially her little sister. She might not want to admit or show it, but I know that the love she has for Dawn never diminished for even a single day. Not one day passed without her thought being on Dawn.
I guess it is the sacrifices that we have to make for the greater good, but what other greater good can surpass the welfare of those we hold dear, those that will always remain in a special part of our hearts?
A knock at the door made me tremble and I snapped back to the presence. I swore and looked at the slit in the window, it was already bright outside. Who knows how long I have remained in bed consumed by my worries.
The knock came a second time. “Hold on you there” I screamed. I was annoyed at whoever was at the door and blamed all my worries on him.
Slowly, I got up from the bed and went straight to the window. When I pulled it open, I realized that it was almost mid-day with the level of activities going on outside.
Before going to open the door, I looked at myself in the mirror, and a pathetic sight welcomed me. I did not realize that I had been crying. My face was soiled with my tears and my eyes were swollen and looked gloomy.
I quickly rushed to the bathroom and poured a handful of water on my face. I wiped it off with a towel and returned to the room. I opened the door and was greeted by a slave.
“Lady Lara, Chamlar sent for you” she announced.
“The Chamlar sent you?” I asked.
My heart skipped and I felt like dragging her out of my way. If she was here on the order of the Chamlar, then she does not need to wait here for like forever, she should have entered and delivered the message long before now.
“You should have come in right away to deliver the message, why wait here?” I asked.
“You said I should hold on here, my lady” she murmured with her head cast down.
“Oh no… oh no. Any other time… next time don’t wait out here if I take too long” I instructed.
“Yes, my lady” she replied.
I wanted to go meet Scarlet immediately, but seeing that I still had my nightwear on, I quickly rushed in to change into something appropriate. I hope that whatever Scarlet is calling me for is not very urgent as I have already taken a lot of time to answer her.
*
Hastily, I made my way to Scarlet’s room ignoring the greetings and remarks from the servants and a few of the guards. I have already taken enough time in responding to her and I don’t want to delay any further.
I climbed through the staircase and made a turn by my right to find my way to her quarters.
As soon as I stepped into her quarters, everything changed from the appearance down to the atmosphere. The aura of authority that exhumes in the air. It was new every time I came here, each day feeling like my first.
My step changed and I walked slowly, careful not to run into any of these exorbitant and precious items. The paintings, the sculptures, flowers, carvings, and the list goes on and on. I was even careful not to make any noise with my steps as this place was serene and extremely quiet. Even the drop of a pin could be heard.
I stopped by the door and carefully adjusted my dress. She is my friend, but no one would want to appear before the Chamlar looking unkempt.
I knocked softly on the door and after waiting for a few seconds, I walked in.
“Chamlar” I called quietly as I walked in to meet an empty room.
I looked around the room, wondering where she might be. Maybe she got tired of waiting for me and had gone ahead with her activities. I quietly cursed myself. Of what use am I if I cannot be here whenever she needs me?
I decided to hold on a while, who knows she might have stepped out and would still return.
Just after a few seconds, I thought I heard a sound coming from the bathroom and I moved a step closer. “Is that you, my Chamlar” I called quietly.
“Yes, Lara. Seems it took you a while to respond” she replied.
I was startled when I heard her voice. She came out of the bathroom with a little towel in her hands.
“I am sorry I kept you waiting” I replied.