The hollow Within

Lucille sat on the bed of her old room, while flipping through her box. "I just have to pick out what to wear for tomorrow, it's not like I am going to stay for the week anyway." She soliloquised. There was a knock on the door. "Come in." Lucille said. Aurelia stepped into the room, her auburn locks still a bit damp from her shower. "Hey." She said, as she closed the door behind her. "You are not still mad, are you?" She asked, while fiddling with her fingers. "I was never mad, at you, Lia." Lucille said, while she zipped her box. "Besides, I should be the one apologizing, I lost control of my temper. Who knows, maybe one day the entire kingdom will go down In flames because of my anger." She jokingly said. Aurelia smiled, while sitting on her bed. "It amazes me how this room hasn't changed at all in sixteen years." Lucille mused, as she stored her box away. "Well, you have yours truly to thank for that." Aurelia said, as she puffed out her chest proudly. "I am just thinking of how I will respond to all of Regaris's questions when I come back. I supposed to spend a week, afterall." She said, as she sat beside her half sister, mentally exhausted. "You don't have to reply him, if you don't want to." Her sister said. "You don't know him- that man Is terribly infuriating." Lucille replied. "I can imagine." Aurelia said, a dainty smile hanging on her lips.

 The two sisters just chatted with each other for a while, with the sound of laughter being heard every now and then. "At least the letters you kept sending to me still gave me strength as well." Lucille told her, with a smile. "Besides, I wanted to confirm something." Aurelia said, her face serious. "What is it?" Lucille asked, a slight smile still on her face from laughing previously. "Diego, is he really married?" She asked. "Yes, he is, I was as surprised as you are when he initially told me." Lucille said. "But.. isn't this all too sudden? I don't remember him dating any noble lady, and he wasn't the kind of man that had eyes for women either." She paused for a brief moment. "I have been hearing rumors about it for a couple of months now. To think that it turned out to be true. He ought to have invited me, I would have turned up personally." She added. "The truth is as clear as daylight." Lucille said. "It makes me wonder, do they even love each other? And here I was, rooting for you both." Aurelia said, why pouting at her sister. "Why are you glaring at me like that? It is not my fault!" Lucille immediately defended herself. "What do you mean, you stupid girl? You should have confessed to him when you still had the chance!" Aurelia scolded her. "I am not In control of my fate, you know." Lucille said. "Can we switch the topic? I honestly don't want to talk about It anymore." She added. Aurelia only shot her sister a pitiful gaze. "It is your own fault. If I ever met a hot guy like him, I would hold him tight and never him go." She said, while flicking her hair. "Oh, yes, sure. That is why you are still single although you are in your late twenties." Lucille said, her tone filled with mockery. "You..!" Aurelia threw a pillow at her, which Lucille dodged effortlessly, springing out of the bed and standing a good distance away. Aurelia would have continued her assault, if not for the knock on the door, which interrupted her. "Come in." Aurelia called out. "Nurse!" Lucille said, her eyes shimmering, as she ran to the older woman's embrace. "Be careful!" The headmaid scolded harshly, before sighing. "When will the two of you grow up?" She said, while placing the down the tray that she brought. "You haven't even been here for a day, little miss, and you are alreading wreaking havoc." The headmaid complained, while gazing at Lucille. "I though you would miss me, Harene." Lucille said, a wry smile on her face. "Why would I? Ever since the little miss left, the house has been very peaceful." She stated. "But I still wish I saw her grow up, nonetheless." She added, giving Lucille a warm smile. "Aww, look at you two, so nostalgic." Aurelia teased from the corner, while gazing at the two women, who were letting their eyes speak for them. "Shut up, Lia." Lucille snapped. "Anyway, My ladies, I have to leave now. There is still a lot of work to do at the kitchen." She said, as she turned around to leave. "Wait, Harene." Lucille called out. "You haven't seen me after all these years. Can't you stay a little longer?" She asked, as she held the older woman's hand tightly, looking at her with puppy dog eyes. "Well.." Harene began, glancing at Aurelia. "It's fine, Harene." She said. "I really don't mind you spending time with your 'little miss." She said, while nodding. "I am glad that my lady doesn't mind, but the duchess is what I am worried about." Harene explained. "I don't think she will be pleased with the dereliction of duty, especially when she finds out the reason." She explained. "Mother can be something else." Aurelia said with a sigh. "It's Is indeed Best if you leave, so that we can save our poor ears tommorow. Sorry, Lucille." Aurelia said, turning to her sister. "It is fine." Lucille said, as she let go of the older woman's hand. "I can still send you letters, just as always." She added, with a smile. "But do try to reply to them in time." She added, a Stern look on her face. "Surely. Do have a good night, little miss, young mistress." She said, as she closed the door behind her.

 "You sure have grown up. I thought you will throw a tantrum or something." Aurelia observed, while Lucille focused her attention on the tarts that Harnell had left behind. "Oh, please." Lucille said, rolling her eyes. "I am twenty two, for goodness sake" Luille said. "And after what I experienced during the war, do you still expect me to act childish?" She asked her sister, who sat beside her. "Why don't you try some some of these tarts while they are still hot? They are pretty nice" Aurelia said, with her mouth still full. "Ugh, you are spraying them everywhere!" Lucille cried out In disgust. "So much for being the matriarch of the family." She added. Aurelia ignored her, while swallowing the snack in her mouth. She opened up a drawer, and brought out some old bottles of nail polish and a nail file. "It's manicure time!" She exclaimed, dropping the items on the bed. "Allow me to finish eating first." Lucille stated. "Oh, come on, we haven't Done this since we were kids." She said. "Indeed, and I know how much trouble I got into because if it."Lucille argued. "Please? You are leaving tomorrow morning, and I really don't know when I will see you again." She said. Lucille could only sigh.

***************************************************************

 Not too long afterwards, she sat on her bed, staring at her newly done finger nails. "I will admit, you are pretty good at this." She praised. "Of course, what kind of person do you think your sister is?" Aurelia flicked her hair proudly. "There is no need to hype yourself up." Lucille said. "At least allow me to bask in my glory!" Aurelia exclaimed, shooting daggers at Lucille. "About what happened today, Lucille, I am really.." Aurelia began. "I have told you several times earlier, Lia. There is no need to apologize." Lucille said. "Besides, I am quite aware that the duchess doesn't like me, or my mother. But she has no right to make derogatory statements about her." Lucille said. "And besides, the past is in the past. Please don't bring this up again." Lucille told her. To people who didn't know, it sounded like an advice, but Aurelia knew her sister well. It was more of a warning. "If you insist." Aurelia couldn't help but mutter. "Anyway, you can blow out the candle now. I have a long journey ahead of me, and I am not accustomed to staying up this late." Lucille said, as she stretched her arms, yawning. Aurelia blew the candles out, and darkness immediately enveloped both sisters. "Good night." Lucille called out. "Good night." Aurelia replied, as she tucked herself in bed.

 "My goodness. Look at those green eyes. They look even more disgusting than a swamp." "So this is The grand duke's illegitimate child? The rumors were true afterall!" "Shh, she will hear you- Just look at how she stares!" "Even if she hears us, what can a child like her do?" "If not for that red hair, I would be wondering if Lord Derec was not being deceived!" Adults continued to gossip from left and right. In the middle stood a much younger Lucille, well aware of what she was saying, and knowing quite alright that they were talking about her. She was only six at the time, and although she hadn't has her fist debaunte, she was still allowed to participate in social gatherings. A younger version of Aurelia ran up to her. "Hey, are you okay?" She asked her sister worriedly. "Why wouldn't I be?" Lucille asked back. "I don't know, you seem upset, did someone make you upset?" Aurelia impatiently asked. But before Lucille could respond, Aurelia embraced her tightly. "Don't worry, your big sister will protect you. Just point them out to me, I will give them a good beating. " "Yes, I know." Lucille said, as she hugged her back.

 "What else is there to say? She nearly killed our Aurelia!" A woman scolded at a man harshly. "I am perfectly sure there is a logical explanation for this.." The Duke began. "You want a logical explanation? I will give you a logical explanation- this is both the scheme of mother and daughter!" The woman said. "Enough!" The man exclaimed. "How can a six year old be so sinister? Woman, can you even hear yourself right now?!" The man asked her. "How can you not feel even an ounce of pity seeing Aurelia like this?! Look at her! Is she not your flesh and blood? The physician said that she might suffer a slight concussion, for goodness sake!" The woman continued to banter. On the bed laid a girl covered in bandages, her auburn locks disheveled, her cheeks rosy with fever. "The servants said they saw her push Aurelia down the stairs! What other proof do you need?!" "I did not!" Little Lucille said, crying. "I did not push Aurelia down the stairs, I love her too much to do that!" She said wiping her eyes. "I told you, we were playing, and then.." "Keep that filthy mouth of yours shut!" The woman snapped harshly. "But it was only one servant that gave that testimony, the others were not around..." "I don't care!" The woman interrupted. "From now on, tell that thing to stay away from my sight, or else.."

 "You dare to ask for food?" A maid could been seen, scolding a child with unkempt hair, putting on dirty clothes. "Why don't you just starve to death, so we can get rid of your pitiful existence? Do you know the condition the young miss is in because of you?" The maid asked. "I told you, I am not responsible." The little girl replied, her jade green eyes gleaming with anger. "You dare to talk back!" The maid said, slapping the child, who fell to the ground. Her cheek was hot and burning, and tears pooled out of her eyes, but she dare not let them drop. "Despicable thing!" The maid exclaimed, raising her hand once more. The little girl closed her eyes for the impact, but for some reason, the slap didn't come. "Haven't you tortured this child enough?" The maid, who held the hand of the other asked. "Don't you feel Guilt In your heart of hearts at all?" The maid inquired. "You.. you are still new here, just mind your business!" The other maid yelled. "She is just trash.." "She is a human being with emotions and thoughts, too!" The other maid stated. "Do you think she was the one that asked to be born into such circumstances?" She inquired. "You.." The other maid began. "Enough. Leave this child alone this moment, or else I will report you to the head maid. I am sure she will be glad to hear that you have been slacking off instead of fulfilling your duties." The other maid said, with a Stern gaze. The first one clicked her tongue and walked away. "Get up, child. I will make you something to eat." Came the kind and tender voice. This time, the tears actually fell. "Thank you." She sobbed.

 "Take care of yourself while you are there, and be a good girl." The man said, as he patted his daughter lightly on the head. "I will see you soon." He added. "Take care, little miss!" "We will miss you!" "Do find time to write to us, okay?" Some of the servants hollered. A girl with auburn locks walked up to her. "Aurelia..." The younger girl began, but she was interrupted, for the older girl suddenly gave her a teddy. "But this is your favorite.." The younger girl began. "It's yours from now on." The older girl said. "I don't understand why you have to go, but maybe it's all for the best." The older girl said. "I will miss you a lot." She added. "Do find time to come visit, okay?" The older girl said, Giving the younger one a hug. "Okay!"

**************************************************************

 Lucille stood outside the house, her father waiting to see her off. The carraige was being prepared for her departure. Both father and daughter had spoken-not like there was much to speak off, anyways. There was no sign of the duchess -Lucille still felt like burning her, though. "Lucille!" A voice called out. Lucille turned around, to see her older sister walking towards her. "You should have woken me up!" Aurelia exclaimed, glaring at her. "You were exhausted, I couldn't bear to wake you." Lucille explained. "Besides, there is no way I could leave without seeing you first." She added. "You better not." Aurelia said. The Duke cleared his throat. "Aurelia, it is best if your sister gets going now, if you want her to arrive at the castle while it is still day." He explained. "Yes, yes, alright father." Aurelia, who was giving Lucille a hug, said mockingly. Lucille stepped into the carraige. "Send my regards to the imperial family, and take care of yourself!" Aurelia told Lucille through the window. The carraige continued its journey. "Aurelia!" Lucille heard her father call out. Wondering what the commotion was about, Lucille turned back only to find her sister running after the carraige. It didn't last long though, she only ran a short while before running out of stamina, waving frantically. As Lucille looked forward, she felt a load of weight being lifted from her chest. She didn't know why she had that dream though- maybe it was her Evergio telling her to leave the shadow of the past behind her.