My Way To You 53 It's Not Pretty

They made it inside and sat down in the receiving room. One of their maids scurried to fetch everyone some tea. Ariana smelled the fragrance and was instantly drawn to it. "Chamomile, it's been picked from the garden so don't hold back there is plenty." Mrs. Abela said as she picked up her own cup and sipped her tea. "Chamomile, very soothing for body and mind. Thank you." Ariana said before she drank some. "Ariana, thank you for being so honest with us... a little too honest but honest none the less. Truthfully when you revealed your identity as-?!" Ariana dropped her cup of tea onto her dress.

Edlyn jumped with her handkerchief in hand and Mrs. Abela put her cup down. "Are you alright dear? Oh my goodness, we have to remove this dress and cool your legs." Ariana quickly grabbed their hands and made the women look at her. "I'm fine, it doesn't hurt." She said as she slowly released her grasp. Then started to move her hands nervously. "Don't say it out loud. I don't want to bring you into anymore danger. There is a reason my mother adopted me."

Mrs. Abela felt ashamed and brought up her own hands. "I'm sorry, the first thought that ran through my head was that you were someone we couldn't even associate with... we weren't worthy." Mrs. Abela then looked at both girls and with a heavy sigh she then dropped her hands and raised her gaze to the ceiling. "The next thought was you would be able to help Edlyn with her problem." She said in a shaky voice. "I'm just as bad as all those families I reprimanded." She said as she started to cry.

Mr. Abela rushed over to comfort his wife. "You see many people have made up rumours about Edlyn and because of these rumours they have extended a hand of friendship to try and gain favour with the spirits." Ariana looked at Edlyn and cocked her head. "I don't understand. There are no spirits here or attached to Edlyn." Mrs. Abela calmed down and with the help of Mr. Abela she sat back into her seat. Edlyn hesitated for a bit. Her anxious face was so cute that Ariana couldn't help but give her a quick hug.

Edlyn looked flustered and turned red then she brought up her hands. "Is there really nothing attached to me?" She signed as her eyes shone with hope. "So I was right not everyone can see them... no I swear to you nothing is here or in your house or in your garden." Edlyn looked relieved for a few moments then unsettled. She thanked Ariana and went back to her seat. "I don't get it, why would their be such a rumour?" Ariana asked as she shifted in her seat. Her dress was still wet and it was getting cold and uncomfortable.

"You see, people believe that she became mute because the spirits loved her voice." Mr. Abela said as he looked at Edlyn. Ariana's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?" Mr. and Mrs. Abela thought it was common knowledge and looked at her quizzical. "No... did you think the same thing?" The Abelas looked ashamed and dropped their gazes. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked." Ariana said as she pinched the area in between her brows. "I think I got it, so basically because of this rumour people thought they could meet this spirit and what form a contract or bond with it or one of the lesser magical creatures?" Ariana said as she released the area and looked up. All three nodded their heads. Ariana let out a sigh and looked at the family pitifully.

"Let me ask you something, when Edlyn was born did she cry?" Mr. and Mrs. Abela were completely surprised by the question. "No. She was a wonderful baby, she never cried." Mrs. Abela said. "Did she reach every miletone except for vocals at 6 months?" Mr. and Mrs. Abela looked confused and Ariana blushed. "I'm sorry, a milestone is an achievement that one should reach at a specific age. Like crawling, clapping laughing and baby mumbles at 6 months, walking at a year, things like that."

Mrs. Abela looked like she slipped into her thoughts. "No she never said a single sound. I was even told by many doctors and doctors affiliated with the church that a spirit may have taken her voice and that in time it would be returned." Ariana facepalmed herself and groaned. "What backwards... I wish I knew about medical professions then development... I can't give you much information but with the knowledge I do know the answer is no, your daughter was born a mute. There is no guarantee with her ever speaking on her own again without knowing how severe or what type of mutism she has but I can assure you without a proper examination the answer is inconclusive."

Mrs. Abela burst into tears and Mr. Abela wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed the side of her head. "Thank you for telling us the truth. We had hopes that she would one day talk." Mr. Abela said but his eyes became dull. "We even had someone try and seek out the jewel eyed priestess for her help and .... but it doesn't matter now. We can finally be at peace." Ariana now understood, they had so much hope that when she signed her identity they thought they found a miracle instead they had the truth hit them in their faces.

"Have you been getting reports about the priestess?" Ariana asked as she clutched her dress. "Yes, monthly. Our informant would send letters and invoices for his expenses." Mr. Abela said casually. Ariana couldn't hold back her anger and ripped her dress. She stood up roaring mad. "Tell that fish sucking piece of cow sh*t that his services are no longer needed!" Edlyn rushed up to cover Ariana's legs but it was useless. "Money grubbing, mongrel f*cking, turd needs to die! Probably works for the church! To spread these rumours of -?!" Ariana felt a soft hand cover her mouth.

She looked at Edlyn who started shaking her head. Ariana defused and sat back down. "Next time he sends you a bill pay half. Say that money is tight because of Edlyn's enrollment into the Academy. After that pay a quarter, then an eighth then nothing. Say that the Academy was able to help your daughter with a proper diagnosis. This will keep they from suspecting anything and by the time the church is informed it will be too late. Edlyn would be safe with in the Academy."

"But why would our informant be with the church I mean... there is evidence that she is out there performing miracles." Mrs. Abela said as she looked up from her husband's embrace. Ariana gave them a dark laugh. "The evidence has been fabricated to say in the least." She then brought up her hands and signed. "My mother died shortly after giving birth, then my biological uncle was murdered for saving me."

Everyone went silent, no one knew what to say next. Mr. Abela couldn't believe that he trusted someone so foolishly without checking the facts for himself. Mrs. Abela couldn't believe that her faith was shattered within seconds. Edlyn couldn't believe that Ariana had such a complicated past. She knew nothing of her friend, could she really call her that now? Her eyes started to pool with tears but she sniffed them back. She wasn't going to cry for herself. It was too selfish and she didn't want to cry for her friend and make her seem more pitiful. She swore to herself that she would learn everything about Ariana and become a friend that would be relied on.

Suddenly the butler walked into the receiving room. "Madam, Sir, the Countess Drake has arrived." Ariana shot right up from her seat and felt a draft. She looked down and groaned. "Well look at the sad atmosphere that's in here. It looks like you had the intended chat." She said as she eyed Ariana's dress. "Almost there." She mumbled then looked at the clock. "Zachary said two hours! Its only been 40 minutes!" Ariana shouted bitterly. "And good thing I came, look at your dress!" The Countess shouted back as she pointed. "I can fix it." Ariana said with a shrug.

"Please how can you fix -?! Of course?! Why do I even bother asking!" The Countess shouted as she threw her hands into the air. Just as she asked Ariana started ripping more of her dress. "There! I always thought it was too long!" The Abelas gasped and didn't know what to do. "Mrs. Abela my gift to you." She said as she did a little spin. "A new fashion trend, this should help recuperate some of your funds you lost over the years." Mrs. Abela was curious and looked up. Her eyes widened and she stood up. "Yes! A shorter dress for the summer!"

"Sure, you can even cut across here and make this into a skirt, something like shorts but for woman, you know breathable and add a feminine blouse to it, like the ones you use for riding but better material, add some colour and patterns and tada you got a new fashion line." The Countess facepalmed herself. "Why must you do this everywhere you go?!" Ariana smiled as Mrs. Abela took a closer look. "I want my uniform this short too!" Ariana beamed as she looked at her grandmother. Edlyn started bouncing enthusiastically. "Edlyn does too! Honestly this would be a hit for the younger generation while the older may like a pencil thin skirt maybe three fingers above the knee. Grandmother I could so see you in one, looking so professional and sexy!"

The Countess flushed a deep red but couldn't stop herself from smiling. "I have no intention of changing how I dress!" Ariana looked at Mrs. Abela do you have some old clothes you don't like? I can show you how to cut them but you will need someone good at sewing." Edlyn rushed off and Mrs. Abela rushed after her. "Ariana must you always have your way?" The Countess mumbled in disbelief while Ariana swayed her body back and forth. "Maybe."

....

Within no time at all Mrs. Abela had a whole line of clothing. Mini skirts, regular skirts, blouses, pencil skirts, slit skirts, dress tops and capris. Ariana was able to slip away into the kitchen every once in a while to check on how dinner was going as Edlyn sewed. After it was all done the women modeled the clothing while the Countess looked envious of the pencil skirt Mrs. Abela was wearing and Mr. Abela was showing his new found infatuation for his wife.

"Now partner up with someone who does shoes then you can really dominant the market." Ariana said as she looked at her own shoes. Mrs. Abela started beaming. "My father designs and makes shoes!" She shouted as she clapped her hands in delight. "Wonderful! Let me grab some paper. If you do these kinds of shoes and decorate them anyway you want then everyone wins!" The women rushed over to see the designs.

Mrs. Abela almost swooned over the three simple designs, Edlyn looked proud of her friend and the Countess pointed at a pair of strap shoes. "Can I place an order on this one, in black with a pencil skirt." She said shamelessly. "I will deliver this to my father personally or better yet he should come here and talk to you! He can also introduce me to a tailor shop that won't cheat me or sell the line to others! Marianne I need to get father here immediately!" Mrs. Abela shouted as she rushed out the room.

"Well I guess we are staying for a little longer." Ariana said as she peaked towards her grandmother. "Well we can not be rude and leave without speaking to Mrs. Abela's father. Especially if he will be taking my shoe order." The Countess said matter-of-factly. "Mr. Abela, can we stay a little longer?" Ariana asked but Mr. Abela was too distracted to even answer. His eyes were glued to the entrance of the receiving room.

Edlyn tugged at Ariana's sleeve. "My mom looked too pretty so my dad is in a daze." Ariana started to laugh. "No Edlyn, it's not pretty! Your mom looked gorgeous! I don't think your dad would want her to be seen by anyone else." She finished saying just before Mr. Abela fell from his seat. Everyone turned their gazes towards him as he sat on the floor, flushing a bright red. "She bent over." He mumbled and Ariana couldn't stop herself from laughing. "Nevermind he won't get that far in thinking!"

Mr. and Mrs. Crane, Edlyn's grandparents, rushed over as soon as they could. To their surprise they met Ariana, Edlyn's legitimate friend and designer for the new shoes. What surprised them the most was the line of clothing. "Can you do it papa?" Mrs. Abela asked with hopeful eyes. Mr. Crane knew he should protest but it was too enticing to pass up. "Does the child want royalties?" He asked suspiciously and Ariana just smiled. "Nope! This is my way of helping the Abelas. I have my own money, my mom has the Sugar Apple Cafe and Le Passion Bakery. I don't want or need more. Oh and the board approved my new designs for another Academy so I'm fine."

Everyone's eyes widened with shock while the Countess shook her head. "As you can tell this child is very different... I wish she would keep things to herself but yes the famous cafe and bakery are her doing. As for the new Academy, the announcement hasn't been made yet. The faculty has come by the estate to pick up your designs and protypes, they were pleased and will start production right away." Ariana looked over the moon. "Fantastic! Funds will go to them according to schedule." Mrs. Crane waved her hands in disbelief. "What do you mean her doing?"

Ariana smiled. "They are all my recipes, interior designs and uniforms." Again another wave of shock. "So lunch was made by someone sought after?!" Mrs. Abela shouted. "Sure." Ariana shrugged then looked at her grandmother. "Sorry this child has no idea the royal chefs are looking for her." Ariana made an ahh face. "You should have sold them some recipes. Then they would have left you alone." The Countess shot Ariana a cold glare. "They want something no one else has ever had! Something only they could exclusively feed the Royals!"

Ariana shrugged. "Not gonna happen food is to be shared and with that I do believe dinner is done." Ariana said as she sniffed the air. Everyone else smelled the air and felt their mouths salivate. The Butler came in and announced dinner was to be served. Ariana grabbed her grandmother's hand and looked at the Abelas and Cranes. "Dinner is stuffed chicken breast, it has Swiss cheese and ham in the center and is lightly coated with a thin layer of bread crumbs. A light mushroom sauce was made to go with you chicken, there is also creamy garlic, mashed potatoes, pan fried asparagus and a pound cake for dessert. Please have a lovely meal we will be on our way."

"Wait, won't you stay for dinner and eat with us?" Mrs. Abela asked as Edlyn signed the same thing. Ariana shook her head. "I said it before when Zachary missed lunch. No food for the traitors." She said as she turned her gaze towards the Countess and watched her pale. "But please enjoy the meal." Ariana said cheerfully and escorted her grandmother out the receiving room, out the Manor and towards the carriage. Everyone went to wave their goodbyes as the Countess sulked. "So petty." She mumbled as they got further away. "But at least I'm pretty." Ariana said with a smile. "I wonder what Roland has made for dinner."

Chapter end