First Step (II)
1123 Words
The next morning Ayana could not even eat her breakfast because of how nervous she felt, causing both Martha and Risa to fuss over her. Her Aunt must have noticed her discomfort so she chose to spare Ayana from further anxiousness by not pointing it out.
“Aunt Daphne, may we please talk after breakfast?”
“Of course little one. Do you have any specific place in mind?”
Ayana swallowed her bite slowly. “Anywhere private is fine.”
She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow but nodded nonetheless. They finished the rest of the breakfast in silence and soon after Aunt guided her to her private study.
“Will my study suffice for our private conversation?”
She questioned Ayana as Frederick, her butler, opened the door for them.
Ayana nodded quickly and Aunt Daphne ushered her inside with her hand on the small of her back.
“Frederick, make sure that nobody enters my study except for you and Martha in case of any emergencies.” She ordered the butler.
“As you wish, your grace.” He closed the door.
Aunt Daphne’s study was not as large as it was normally expected but it is cozy enough with tall sunlight windows and a balcony opens to the orchards. The walls were lined with gorgeous, sharp swords and daggers, different kinds and there were books and scrolls too. There was even a bow and a quiver, with arrows. They looked old by at least a few many years. Maybe they were from those legendary knighthood days of Aunt.
She did not ask though because Aunt is already on her chair on the other side of the beautiful large mahogany desk. She gestured for Ayana to take a seat.
And the twenty six years old Ayana felt immense mortification at how difficult it was for her ten years old body to climb the chair.
When she finally settled in and straightened up, her Aunt had amusement dancing in her golden eyes.
“So, what might be the matter, Ayana?”
Ayana took a deep breath and realized how the next words from her mouth are going to be the first steps towards her fight for a better future. This is it. This is where everything changes.
“Aunt Daphne, I need you to listen to me carefully and try your best to not panic. This is important.”
Aunt paused for a moment then she is given a sincere nod and so Ayana continued, “I know the accusation I’m about to make is not a childish game, but it is a truth even though I don’t yet have solid proof of this. But I’m sure investigation will help us gather evidence.” She closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them, meeting her Aunt’s gaze head on. “Count Harrison is extensively involved in acts of child s*****y and child trafficking.”
The instant change in the woman's aura is like a c***k of a whip. Aunt Daphne is immediately replaced by the deadly and capable Dame Adira.
“What are you-” she hissed but Ayana did not waver, did not steer clear of that sharp gaze. She exhaled out a sigh and buried her face into her palm.
“Princess, the crime that you have accused Count Harrison is the highest degree of offence in the kingdom of Ruvesta. He can be jailed for his entire life or even possibly be executed. Do you understand the severity of that?”
“I do. And I also understand the pain of what his victims have to go through.”
Her answer must not have even expected because her Aunt stiffened. Ayana met her gaze head on.
“Ayana, how?”
She wrung her hands together but answered her Aunt firmly, “I think he once took money from you, around two or three years ago? To build a road for the village of Dandi in northern Evanti.”
“Yes, he did. But the road was never completed because that area is prone to landslides. I had an argument with him over the fact that why would he construct a road where land is not stable enough.”
“He lied.”
“He lied?”
“Yes, the road was never meant to reach Dandi. He created a bypass down the valley to the kingdom of Sukh. And he has been exchanging illegal goods and children from them for more than a year. The reason nobody knew was because the road goes through the dark dense forests of Puca and nobody sees the road unless they know what they are looking for.”
Aunt shuddered, “If everything we say is true, we need to launch an immediate investigation to tackle the situation.”
“Count Harrison does not suspect us of anything, Aunt. We need to catch him off guard. I’ve heard that his carriage of goods departs once a month. On a full moon.”
“That gives him plenty of time to prepare, doesn’t it?” Aunt Daphne glowered and something suddenly occurred to her, “On a full moon? That is...day after tomorrow!”
Ayana panicked because despite all the information she had about Count Harrison and his despicable acts, she had not remembered the teeny tiny detail.
“We need to prepare, now.” Aunt is already scribbling on one of the small notebooks she had on the desk. Ayana bobbed her head enthusiastically, happy to know that her Aunt was believing her enough to take her seriously.
“Ayana, you have done more than enough for now. Take rest. Aunt will handle whatever is to come now.” The older woman smiled at her sweetly but Ayana could notice the creases of worry on her forehead.
“I understand Aunt.” Ayana nodded dutifully and climbed down the chair.
“Can you please get me Fredrick and ask him to summon Sir James as quickly as he can.”
“Alright.” Ayana went round the table to give her Aunt a quick hug which was returned with an affectionate squeeze.
And as she is about to open the door, Daphne called out her name again. She halted and turned around to meet her Aunt’s gaze.
“How and why do you know of all this?”
Ayana smiled, a small twitch of lips but eyes encompassing deep sadness.
“I will let you know once this mess is solved. I promise.”
With those words she walked out of the doors, knowing that something is about to change. And it is her doing.
- Writer
