Elara's POV,
When they leave, Lucy speaks up from beside me. "Such a cute couple. I never thought I'd see the day."
I squawk, actually squawk, in surprise before clearing my throat. I face her amused self and smile.
"What do you mean, you never thought you'd see the day?" I ask and lead her towards my room.
"Oh, umm…" She hesitates. "Oh, why bother? You're his wife already, surely you must know."
We take a turn. "Know what?"
"Ah, it's nothing." She waves her hand. "Really."
I open the room door and walk in.
"Lucy, you are going to be taking care of our son." I pause and turn to face her. "I'll appreciate real honesty."
"You're speaking of honesty?" She scoffs, and I raise a brow. Interesting. She still has a backbone, thank Goodness.
"Whatever do you mean?" I feign innocence, shrugging, and she frowns, looking around.
"I don't know any Noemi." She whispers. "Why did you tell your husband that?"
I pour a cup of brandy for myself and take a sip. "Ah, would you have preferred me telling him you once worked for the Virellis?"
She freezes, and her face pales. "W…What?"
"Tell me, Lucy." I place the cup on my vanity table. "What did you want to tell me earlier?"
"How do you know the Virellis?"
"You mean, the family my husband almost married into?" I sigh. "Well, at least now I know I have the right person."
She takes a step back. "Please…please. I know nothing. They fired me about fifteen years ago—"
"Sixteen." I cut her off. I was eight when they chased her out. It's been sixteen years.
"What?" She falters, shaking her head. "Please, I beg you. I know nothing."
"Oh my…" I throw my head back. "Please relax."
"How can I?" She keeps taking subtle steps back. "How did you know?"
"Answer me first. And I'll answer every question you have." I pick up my brandy cup and lean against the table. "What did you mean, you never thought you'd see the day?"
Her brows furrow. "You already know. The Virelli's daughter was going to marry him. I never thought I'd see the day he'd marry her, talk less of another person."
She explains fast, and I hum. "Which daughter?"
"They only have one." She mutters, and my hands tighten around the cup.
"Liar."
She flinches, then meets my eye. "They only have one. That spoiled, entitled brat is their only daughter!"
I open my mouth to yell at her. Probably claim my right, but she fists her palm and spits out.
"Elara isn't their daughter. She can't be related to those wicked animals. Elara isn't part of that family."
Her shoulder is shaking now. "I was her family, and I abandoned her. How better am I…? She needed me. And I know this might cause me some trouble, but I'd say it again and again…"
"The Virellis only have one daughter, and the other one is an angel."
My hands weaken, and the cup tumbles down on the carpet, staining it with brandy. I hold back my tears, and before I can stop myself, I go to hug her.
"Oh, Lucy!" I step back and smile widely. "It's me, it's me! Elara."
"I…I don't understand." She takes mulltiple steps back. I shake my head slowly and spread out my arms.
"The one maltreated by the Virellis." I say. "Anya's step-sister. The girl you took care of. Elara."
"WHAT?!"
~ ~
Lucy cannot still believe her eyes. She's still staring in complete shock. Even after telling her some memories, and explaining everything that happened so far. Lucy remained frozen on the bed.
"Lucy?" I call to ensure she hasn't gotten a stroke in the middle of everything, and she turns to look at me with tears in her eyes. I hold her hands.
"I need you to promise me, Lucy", I say firmly, needing her to listen. "Nobody must know. I plan to escape with Asher soon, but please, nobody must know I was once a Virellil."
She frowns. "Escape? Lucien seems like such a loving father and husband."
I pause, thinking on whether to tell her it's all just an act or not. I settle for evading it, "Just promise me."
"Alright." She looks around and exhales. "You've changed. No longer that timid, small girl."
I laugh softly. "I have a son now."
"Yes, he looks just like his father." She wistfully sighs, "So handsome already. And his eyes Oh, God bless."
I frown, then face the cieling. "Yeah, he has beautiful eyes. The perfect combination, one would say."
"Blue and green." She says quietly and I smile. "You remembered me."
"I never forgot you." I say, even though I may have for a while. "And I will never."
"I remember…" She looks down on her lap with a sad smile. "...the other maids would tell you wouldn't last. That you'd end up broken, or dead."
I scoff. "They were wrong about many things."
"Anya would be so mad if she finds out you're alive." She laughs, and I grin.
"I'd buy tickets to that."
"Why'd you find me?" She avoids my eyes. "Why look for me? I left you and never returned."
Before she could continue, I hold her hands and force her to look at me. "You didn't leave me, Lucy. Don't mistake what happened to you for guilt. None of us could've stopped it."
I look down with a small smile on my face, "You were just human in a home full of monsters. What wrong did you commit?"
"Oh, Elara." She chokes on a sob. "Oh, how beautiful and strong you've become."
"Lucy…" She cuts me off and engulfs me in a hug.
"I'm here, Elara." She presses her forehead to mine. "You've endured enough on your own. I'm here for you."
I inhale sharply to stop the tears. "I'm here for Asher."
"Oh, Lucy…"
"Nobody," She says firmly, "I mean, nobody would ever separate us again. I am your family, always have been."
She hugs me again, and I smile through my blurry eyes.
That evening, I do one thing I haven't done in years. Although I do not cry, I sleep, holding onto someone.