"Marivella!" she jumped on her and hugging her tighter.

"I could tell you like it."

"You're kidding?"

"Huh?"

Oops! This is the 18th century. People to the future more enjoy talking in a loud voice and an American accent, not to mention her father Marco. In this era, girls must act gracefully, and her mama raised as a fine lady. Although her family kept a low-key profile and lived an ordinary life, they taught her like a princess. In this century, act with modesty and grace is what they called educated.

"Ahem. I love it, to be exact." Dang. She has to act demurely. But it's too late already.

"Oh, well… look, isn't the peasants here? The same feather flocks together."

A group of women laughs in a low voice, covering their mouth with the fan they were carrying anywhere they go.

Madison's gaze darkens. She would love to beat these women, but she shouldn't create any trouble, most special to her mama. But she's itchy to do some revenge. She'll think of a better plan. Gladly, the veil helps to hide her smirking face.

"I heard, they invited her family for the Gala tomorrow evening. Can you imagine that?" Gossiping by one girl to her companion. Even though they were like whispering but still, their voices were loud enough.

"Is that so? How come? They could not attend such a gathering," critic by the other girl.

"They were peasants. They must be too desperate to recognized by the aristocrats," blurted out by the other girl and the group of five girls laughing.

Madison was in a rage. What's the right of these women to judge someone? Most especially her mama! She can't live in peace!

"Well, her family must crawl their way to get invited to the Gala."

"Surely, she will attempt to seduce the prince of Korea."

"She must plan that way. Look at her, and because she can't get someone like the Williams, she will try to win another prince."

These women gossiping behind their fans. Madison felt furious hearing how they gossip about Marivella in front of her. At the back of her head, she could spot the bucket with water, the one she uses earlier to wash the fruits.

She picks up the bucket and splas.h.i.+ng the water to these spoiled brats who she knew that also are social climbers. They talk cleaned. They were only the lowly aristocrats who hunt for a higher cla.s.s family in the upper society to marry and boost their reputation.

Never saw it coming; they all drunk the dirt water. Surprised, Marivella just covered her mouth. Stunned for what she'd done.

"You!" screamed by these women.

"How dare you!"

"Do you know, how much are they?" the other girls fussing about their dresses and one cried like a spoiled brat.

"You, peasant!" Shouted by the girl who stood like the leader of the group.

"And you!" she pointed out Marivella. "You should discipline your maid! I remember now, it was your order to splatter that red thing on our dresses!"

"She never orders me anything!" Madison responded, lifted her head and continued. "And if ever she need not do that, I will do it on my own free will!" 

"Did you see that? She's like a mad dog! You should keep her collar tied on— "

No one expected that Marivella would fight back. Being a nurse at the only hospital of the old Paris, she encountered a lot of rude and sharp tongues talking about her by the other patients. But she just ignored them and shrugged a shoulder. But this time, n.o.body thinks she'll return to someone.

Marivella slaps the mayor's granddaughter of this town. This made Madison amazed once again. Marivella defended her; slapping someone on her behalf is such a gesture of love. 'Mama...'

"You dare to hurt me?" the girl screamed, losing her temper and posture.

"Why not? Your tongue needed to tie up. It is from your mouth calling us peasants. Then why are you all surprised if we acted like a mad dog? Have you forgotten, Princess?" Marivella dropped the word, then she added.

"This place is for peasants. There is no etiquette here like how you always point out anyone neither they were slave or illiterate people who came from poverty and low-cla.s.s families! So get lost. Shoo. Go back to your grand Château."

Madison dropped her mouth open... she can't believe her mama knows how to do the street talks.

Drenched with dirt water, these women marching and go home. But their eyes telling her they're not done yet, and just wait for their come back one day. They were glaring at her and throwing sharp gazes. Surely, they won't let this go.

"I'm sorry. It is my fault. I am worried they will get back to you during the Gala tomorrow."

"Don't worry about me. I am not afraid of them, but what you did earlier," Marivella giggles. "That was crazy!" Then the two of them laughed.

"How about, you'll come with me to the Gala?"

"Huh? But I don't have a dress?" her eyes sparks but worried about the dress she must wear.

"That is not a problem!" Marivella stated. "Mrs. Lemon, can I borrow Carlene this afternoon?"

"That would be fine, dear," the widow permitted. She was having fun for the drama that happens in front of her store.

"Thank you, Mrs. Lemon!" she bows at the widow and then whispered at Madison. "I will pick you up later!" she said excitedly.

She's waving back at Marivella while leaving to head home. "Mama... I know you will be an amazing mama if ever you're not taken away from me," Madison mumbled inside her head.

She's still overwhelmed for what happens a while ago. She never imagined that together, they will fight to protect each other. Did Marivella feel the connection a parent has to their children? Because she could feel it toward her, this feeling that she is a part of her.

"I watch her growing up, but I never saw her this cheerful, and she seems so much fond of you," the widow commented.

"Oh. You said that you witness her growing up, Mrs. Lemon. How about Captain Carlisle? I mean, I've been hearing a lot of rumors, but I don't believe in them."

"Hah! Those fake aristocrats! They called themselves educated, but they are worse! All they do are gossiping about someone's status, someone's downfall, and scandals! That is their favorite thing to do every single day. They don't work hard but only enslaving someone! That is why those women always after for a wealthy man to boost their ugly names!"

She giggles. The widow looks adorable, and since Mrs. Lemon continued narrating, she listens.

"And I tell you, Captain Carlisle is a good man. Those two actually match made in heaven. But his mother, the d.u.c.h.ess..." the widow shook her head. "Because Marivella's family is from far-away lands across the sea, and thinks her father is just a poor man, she cannot allow her son to marry a lowlife woman and become his wife. That cannot boost their status and so, she arranged her son's marriage to someone else."

Madison keeps silent. Mrs. Lemon talked about Lady Isabella. Now it mentioned, what she feels toward the lady? Maybe if she didn't grow up around the lady and have this ability to foresee something and time travel; she would hate her and surely take revenge on this time. But Lady Isabella already suffered a lot. She's already punished tenfold.

If she changes anything here, for example making sure her parents won't die... what will happen to her? What will happen to Quinn and Levi? And everyone in the future? Is there even reincarnation? Reset Life?

When there's no need for Charles to run away and hide her… then could she allow to love him? He would be like almost 30 years older and would they cross path one day? If Carlisle and Marivella run away and hide from everyone, what will be the future brings?

No. This cannot be. If she changes anything, she would not possess this immortality. There is no time travel. And her parents won't have this soul binding marriage in a few years. But is it worth?

Aargh! She doesn't know whether what to decide!

* * *

Present Time

Butler Leroy pounding the door of Ca.s.sie's bedroom. Marie opens it and glares at the butler, but she could see that his face is full of worries. Gladly, Ca.s.sie was in the bathroom, she cannot witness this. Marie stepped out of the bedroom.

"What is it, Mr. Leroy?"

"Can you come to the library, Miss Marie?"

"Did something happen?" she asked, the butler did not respond.

"Okay. I will notify Ca.s.sie first. Please ask someone to watch the door that she won't wander around."

Leroy nodded and then left. Marie went back inside the room and then knocks on the bathroom. "Ca.s.sie? I will head to the kitchen to prepare our lunch. I will come back later, okay?"

"Okay, Aunt Marie. Thank you!" replied of a soft voice from the person soaking in the bathtub.

Marie left the bedroom and headed to the library. Her heart was full of antic.i.p.ation of what might happen.