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Chapter 98

“C-cousins?” Mara asked, her body shaking suddenly.

I wasn’t particularly shocked. I had already put some things together myself. After all, the letter had been address to Mara Capala. Well, Mara should have taken her father’s name, but I had a feeling his last name was too dangerous to speak, so it was safer to associate her with the Capala family. Of course, I hadn’t shared any of my discoveries with Mara. She already had enough on her mind, and I didn’t want to give her any false hope, especially if her family rejected her.

“Yes…” Abigail nodded. “Your mother was from house Capala, along with my father and my uncle. A little over sixteen years ago, she suddenly went missing. This became a great scandal, and after much searching, no one was able to find her. You’re the first we’ve heard of Carolina in over a decade.”

“Ah!” Mara instantly reacted to hearing her mother’s name, even though she didn’t provide it; of course, it also could have been in the letter of introduction, but Abigail seemed to speak it with some familiarity. “You knew my mother?”

Abigail gave an apologetic smile and shook her head as she started going through some drawers under her table. “Unfortunately, I was far too young at the time to remember her. I know that we met, but at the time, she would have been a young child, and I would have been a toddler.”

After finishing searching, she brought out a stone that looked similar to the kilojoule, except that when she touched a button, a holographic image appeared above it. The image wasn’t three-dimensional, showing a still image of a young girl I was very familiar with. It was Carolina, not too much younger than when I had first run into them, about the same age as Mara. They were identical, but their appearances were close enough that the connection was obvious.

“M-mom…” She let out a cry, her eyes tearing up as she reached for the image as if she were hoping she could touch it.

Abigail let out a sigh. “The letter suggested that if I was reading it, I should expect the worst, but if you could please tell me, what is the fate of Carolina?”

Mara bit her lip, wiping her cheeks as she kept from further crying. “I’m sorry, Mom and Dad… they… they…”

Abigail lifted her hand. “You don’t have to say anything more. I understand. It must have happened recently?”

“Last year…” She managed to sniffle out.

Abigail sighed. “It seems we have that in common.”

“Huh?”

“My parents… your aunt and uncle… also died. It was only a little over a year ago, but it’s felt like an eternity.”

Mara managed to get her crying under control as she looked up at Abigail in surprise. “You too? What happened?”

“I wish I knew.” Abigail sighed. “Like your mother, my parents disappeared. The only thing I’ve been able to find is this…”

She lifted a locket that was situated around her neck and resting within her ample bosom. It was a medallion, but that medallion appeared to be cut in half.

“I-it’s broken.” Mara noticed.

“Is it?” Abigail smiled down at it gently before reaching out and picking up the letter of introduction I had the maid give her.

She flipped out the contents, and along with the letter was the other half of the medallion. Mara let out a gasp.

“My father was always very close to his sister. Losing her was his greatest regret. They each had half of that medallion. My father never took his off. Since someone found it, it likely means…” She looked away, but then grabbed the medallion and tossed it toward Mara, who caught it. “It’s yours.”

“This…” Mara looked down at it, her eyes shining with new light. “I’ll wear it always!”

Abigail’s light smile returned. “If you come, it must be because you’re looking for help.”

As she spoke, the butler returned from escorting the other man, returning to Abigail’s side. Unlike Abigail, he seemed to look down on the pair of us, although he had missed the discussion about Mara’s true identity earlier.

“I-I don’t want to oppose,” Mara spoke uncertainly.

“Nonsense.” She waved her hand. “You can stay here as long as you want. I can even provide you with a small allowance. I just wish I could do more for you, but our branch has fallen on hard times.”

“M’lady, is it wise to bring in more mouths to feed?” The butler asked. “We can’t have beggars living here for free!”

“I-I’m willing to work!” Mara cried out, “I… I can cook, and clean! I used to work on a farm.”

Her words only made the butler sneer more. “Exactly my point, common mortals.”

“She’s a Capala. Weren’t you listening at the door? Don’t act like you don’t know her origins.” I spoke up, causing everyone to glance my way.

The butler’s expression darkened. “Yes, she’s the bastard child of that disgraced woman…”

“Pierre!” Abigail glared.

“Did you not think of the consequences of taking her in? Do you think the child of that man can just pretend to be a Capala?” he demanded. “M’lady, you have told me to be honest and upfront with you. This… child… is a disaster waiting to happen. If the wrong people learn of her existence, it could put the entire branch in jeopardy, maybe more.”

Abigail closed her eyes and let out a sigh before opening them again. “You’re right. It is too much of a risk.”

“You won’t help?” I demanded, feeling slightly irritated, causing the butler’s frown to deepen.

“If Mara just appeared from nowhere, it might be dangerous.” Abigail raised her hand. “Perhaps, this is better. Would you like to work for me?”

“For you?” Mara cocked her head.

“As it turns out, I require a personal maid,” Abigail responded. “I could keep you by my side. This way, you’ll be safe.”

“M’lady-“

“I’ve decided. I won’t abandon her.” Abigail declared, softening her expression when she glanced at Mara. “So, what do you say? Will you work for me? I can provide you with food, shelter, and an allowance. More importantly, you’ll be able to study and learn. When the time comes and it’s safe, I will even personally welcome you as my cousin.”

Mara looked tempted, but first, she turned and looked at me. “What do you think?”

“I think this might be your best chance…” I told her honestly.

I had been worried at first. I hadn’t known the situation in the Capala household. I was trusting her father on this one. However, I was thankful we didn’t go straight to the capital. There was no saying what would have happened then. This was a much easier way to fulfill his wish. Tyler would be happy if she spent the remainder of her life as a personal servant and nothing more, as long as she had a place to call home and food to eat.

“Will you… stay with me?” She asked, feeling a bit worried.

“Not!” The butler spoke before Abigail could. “An unaffiliated man of your age living in the same mansion as m’lady, it’s a scandal! Who are you, anyway?”

“He’s my brother!” Mara spoke defiantly, grabbing my arm.

Abigail and the butler both couldn’t help but give her a strange look. Mara blushed slightly, not able to remain so bold after speaking out. Their eyes turned to me. They must have thought I was the hired help. Before this, they probably thought the only reason I was there was to wait for my award. It wasn’t until Mara asked me to stay that they gave me a second look. That said, I appeared as no more than a mere mortal to their eyes.

“I must apologize,” Abigail responded. “The letter of introduction did not mention a brother.”

“H-he’s adopted.” Mara’s voice was quiet, and she seemed to deflate under their scrutiny.

The butler snorted. “it’s clear this is just some farmhand escort hoping to gain riches off the unfortunate situation the miss found herself in.”

“Th-that’s not true!” Mara protested.

“I bet he made you many promises, such as that he would look after you and always protect you. Perhaps, he was even successful at scaring away a squirrel or two on your escort here, but I assure you that your arrival was luck.” He turned to Abigail. “M’lady, I’ve seen men like him everywhere, commoners who will do anything in their power to become part of one of the families. However, this mortal isn’t even high level for mortals. It’s clear how lazy of a life he lived before now.”

During his tirade, I couldn’t help but feel my jaw drop. I didn’t know if I had offended this guy in another life. We had only exchanged a look or two, yet he had a lot to say about me. I was rather flummoxed on how to respond. Mara was looking at me teary-eyed, apparently wanting me to speak up for myself since she couldn’t bring herself to be embarrassed further.

“It might be possible to find his work in the stables,” Abigail spoke uncertainly.

“M’lady, we must expel him from this place for his own good. With so many suitors pursuing you, what do you think they’d do if they knew there was a man of suitable age living under your roof? Forget your reputation, they will likely plot against him, and a mortal lacks the strength to survive such plots. It is in his best interest to cut off ties now.”

“I see…” Abigail lowered her eyes, looking a bit regretful.”

“Guards, remove him.” The butler declared.

“No!” Mara grew panicked as two men began to approach us. “If he leaves, I leave!”

“Nonsense… separate her from the vagrant. She will come to her senses once she has had a chance to relax.”

Abigail looked like she wanted to speak up, but ultimately chose not to, choosing to trust her butler. The guards were both paragons, although only evolved, but they still should have been plenty for two mortals. I was about to make my move when the first one grabbed Mara’s arm.

“Energiza!” She called out, and suddenly the guard began to convulse.

He violently shook for ten seconds before dropping to the ground, steam coming from all of his facial orifices. The room turned quiet as the other guard pulled back.

Abigail’s eyes seemed to glow. “You have a mutation? You’re gifted!”