Published at 21st of June 2023 08:01:02 AM

Youre trying to say the ability of foresight came from the winter region, Bertha said simply.

Yes, Ilyin answered, almost breathing a sigh of relief, what if its one of the divine powers?

There are no known divine powers in the warm region, Bertha mused. Youre saying our familys roots are in the winter region.

The Delrose maids looked at each other. One raised her hand tentatively.

Um, maam, she said. Etra glared at her for interrupting, but Ilyin defused her with a smile and nodded at the maid, bidding her to speak.

Im sorry for interrupting, but . . ., she said, the Miltons saw the future, but they werent human.

She thought that perhaps Ilyin, from the warm region, didnt know this. Some of the other maids, whod apparently been thinking the same thing, nodded.

I know, Ilyin answered. Miltons were monsters capable of the foresight.

She pointed at one of the books before her.

They were said to have disappeared 500 years ago, she continued, looking around to meet the eyes of each person in the room. But I faced one not long ago, in a dream.

Her hand instinctively went to her abdomen. She seemed calm as she looked at Bertha, but her voice trembled.

Grandmother said that if people noticed each other in a dream, it was because they were having the same foresight. The Milton and I were doing that. We faced each other, and the Milton attacked me.

And now here it was. She released the secret bluntly.

I believe my maternal family has a blood relation with the Miltons, she said. She pointed at her room.

I saw the mobile in my room in a foresight yesterday. It was engraved in a Milton ruin. That mobile has been passed down in the maternal side of my family for generations. Its image being in that ruin can only mean we have some connection, that we are from here.

She looked around at Bertha and the maids, seeing the connection register with them. Why else could an item from her family be engraved on an old wall in the winter region?

The mobile . . ., Bertha said, searching her thoughts. As I think about it, I remember hearing something about it once.

The study fell quiet as Bertha continued in her thoughts for a moment. She came back into the moment with a chuckle.

I feel as though Im speaking to my great grandchildren, she said smiling. I didnt think Id have so many.Its a wonderful feeling.

Her smile was warm. Ilyin saw the Viscountess in that smile for a moment. She was no longer here in body, but her spirit seemed to linger in that smile.

Honey, my throat hurts when I speak too much, Berta said softly, interrupting Ilyins thought. Ilyin laughed lightly she could never be lonely here.

Sorry, I nodded off for a moment, Ilyin said.

Are you sleepy, maam? a few maids asked. They started to rise, ready to warm her bed and jump into the routines of getting her settled. Ilyin waved them back to their seats.

No, I dont want to nap, she said. One of the maids went to get tea for everyone, and Bertha continued.

I dont know much, she said, but I do remember one thing.

Where to start, she pondered.

Your mother heard something from my mother when she received the mobile. she said. She said she didnt know where it came from, but that we were the descendants of those who had fled a great disaster.

A . . . disaster? Ilyin asked. The word held disturbing possibilities. If what Bertha said was true, and if her maternal family were really descendants of the Miltons, was Biflten the one who brought that disaster down upon them?

The investigation went on for quite some time. Ilyin didnt rush it to a premature conclusion speed was less important than finding the answers they sought, in knowing all they could.

Yet she didnt neglect her duties in the mansion, even as it went on.

A round table meeting? she asked.

Yes, maam, Idith said, bowing deeply. Hed sought her out, knowing hed find her in the study, and with a quick greeting to Bertha and Etra hed delivered the message.

Its customary to have regular meetings of this type in Biflten, he said. And Delrose acts as host, by tradition.

With four houses living in the mansion together for so long, it was only natural that such traditions had arisen.

Do I have something to do as Mistress? she asked.

No, maam, Idith said simply, the Duchess has never attended the meeting before. But his Majesty asked for your opinion.

A meeting the Mistress has never attended, Ilyin pondered. But invested as she was researching the winter region, it seemed wise to attend a meeting like this. The mansion she oversaw as Mistress was teeming with the political machinations of the four houses, and it behooved her to keep a close eye on them. There was a great difference between being personally involved in such things and relying only on second-hand reports.

Are there records from the prior meetings? she asked.

Yes, of course, Idith replied. But I think the topic may be somewhat different this time.

He paused briefly before continuing.

Its regarding what to do with Shining Elo.

Everyone listening in was 7th-floor Delrose anyway, and most had already guessed.

Theyre going to be held responsible for Elos Wall being penetrated, Ilyin mused.

Yes, Idith replied.

That would be a heavy subject. Ilyin gestured for Etras attention.

Prepare black clothes and a veil, she said. If the Elder of Elo was going to mourn his people, he wouldnt have let this tragedy occur. So, she would be the mourner instead.

And Annie, she said, I want to review the rules regarding these round table meetings. Can you help with that?