Story 14- Aideen- Part 2

Guenevere and Lunadin are on the run. Godknocker is missing. We were just invited into a noble's house even though we trespassed and should be punished and now I'm discovering that I have a sister!? How much more surprises can I take?

"Do you know Lord Spelloyal?" Aideen asked curiously.

"Everyone knows Lord Spelloyal," I responded, "It's just a matter of how."

Aideen thought about that and I managed to calm down to a point where I could think clearly about the whole situation. "How do you know him?" Aideen asked, "I've never officially met him. He must be very nice because he's providing my mother and I with everything we need and more."

It took everything I had not to laugh at the statement. She didn't know him like I did. She had a good image of her father- our father in her head. Perhaps it was best. The chances of her meeting him anyway are very slight. She's a bastard child and is not wanted in court. And maybe I'm just a little jealous that she'll have better memories of Lord Spelloyal than I ever had and ever will. But everything about this place started coming together. Why Annice was not a Lady or nobility yet she lived like one. The reason she probably didn't report us was because she didn't want to face my father. Everything would come back to him seeing as everything here belonged to him. He has other things to worry about. Such as making sure my mother doesn't catch him with any other mistresses he might have. Or worse. Find out about Annice and Aideen. Now I'm burdened with the secret. Do I dare tell my mother on our next lunch date? Does she already know? Why does this stuff happen to me?

"What you know of your father is about all you should know," I told Aideen.

She thought that her father loved her mother and her so much that he was giving them nothing but the best. But I knew better. He was giving them everything they could ever want to keep Annice's mouth shut. He cared enough to not tarnish the family name. It was still all about him in the end. But I didn't dare tell Aideen that. It would break her heart. "You've met him?" Aideen asked wide eyed.

Do I dare tell her? That I'm her half-sister? That I'm the missing child Lord Spelloyal put out a bounty for? "I know him very well," I said, "I even lived in his castle for some time."

I probably shouldn't have said that. Because now Aideen was all over me. Asking me questions about him and what he was like. What was the castle like? How did I manage to live in the castle with him? Why did I leave? How did I actually know Lord Spelloyal? Too many questions with answers that should be answered but I couldn't find myself to answer them. "There are some questions that are best left unanswered," I said facing Aideen, "What you know of your father is wonderful and I'm happy you view him that way."

I hugged Aideen and then let go. "I need some time to think about my next performance," I lied to her, "I'll tell you some of my adventures later. Alright?"

Aideen didn't quite understand but she respected my wishes. She started heading towards the door and stopped to turn to me. "Keep the tarts and hot chocolate. They always make me feel better."

She opened the door and I stopped her before she actually left. "I just have one question before you go," I said, "How much do you know of that bounty your father has out on that woman?"

"The one that ran away five years ago?" Aideen asked.

"Yes."

"Mother told me she was someone important that lived in the castle. She did something bad to my father and ran away before she could suffer the consequences," Aideen said, "I hope they find her. My father would forgive her. I'm sure she was just scared they might do something horrible to her."

If only she knew. "Do you know if he ever had any children besides you?" I asked.

"I'm the only one," she said.

Oh dear. This was going to harder than I thought. Would she know the truth about me before I left tomorrow or not. I'd have to play it out and see.

~*~*~*~

I decided to talk with Annice. As to what happened between her and my father and why? She could determine whether it was safe to tell Aideen about me. I wanted to tell her more than anything. I have a sister! A sibling I could protect and teach! She wanted freedom just as much as I did. I didn't know how to get that without running away. But I really had to no choice. Annice seemed nice and like she wanted nothing but the best for her daughter. She was more likely to understand and perhaps if I taught Aideen to approach it the right way, she could receive her freedom. Just it would take time. Just like it took time for me. But Aideen could do it. I know she could. And I could help her. But only if she knew. But how do I tell her without totally shocking her and having her running off and exposing who I am?

I was announced into Annice's room and she invited me to sit. "You wanted to speak with me Bellynn?" Annice said in her straight tone.

"Yes," I said, "I really don't know how to start this off so I'm just going to come out and say it. Aideen told me who her father was."

I looked at Annice with sad eyes. She was still very young. When she had Aideen, she was probably young and naive. Tricked into thinking she could be the next Lady Spelloyal but was heartbroken later. I couldn't be sure but I knew the reason why Annice was so straight all the time. She had pride despite whatever may have happened between my father and her and she wanted to raise Aideen right. "So you know that her father is no other than Lord Spelloyal," she said.

I nodded my head. I felt bad for her. She let out a huge breath and stood up to walk towards the window. She looked out over the gardens in the back. "It was quite a while ago. I was simply a maid in his castle but even nobility that visited declared that I was a very pretty maiden and had the appearance of a noble. I was very young and Lord Spelloyal approached me, declaring me his mistress. He was struck by my beauty. Even though I knew of his wife and daughter, I was in love." Annice gave a little laugh. "Or at least I thought I was. I figured he loved me as much as I loved him and agreed to be his mistress. He treated me so well."

She truly was in love with him. I could tell by the sadness in her eyes. Happy memories floated across them and she wasn't so straight anymore. There was sadness in her voice too. A tear dripped down her cheek. "We were together for a year. Secretly sneaking away to spend time together. His wife never suspected a thing until I found out I was pregnant. Then it seemed I had woken up from a dream and faced a harsh reality. He never loved me. I made it all up. He wanted nothing to do with me after that."

She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I figured out the type of man he truly was and he sent me away, giving me this estate and all the money and clothes and riches anyone could ever ask for as long as I kept my mouth shut. I was so heartbroken and felt so sad for our unborn child, I decided to use all the money to give Aideen the best life she deserved. She didn't choose who her parents are. It was only right."

"I'm so sorry," I heard myself say, "I know what Lord Spelloyal is like. It wasn't right of him to lead you on like that. But you are still beautiful and so is Aideen. You are certainly following through on your promise and very well. I couldn't ask for a better life myself."

Annice still looked outside. Her long dirty blonde hair hung down her back. "I suppose a life like this was too good for you," she said.

I was confused. What did she just say? "I'm sorry," I responded, "I don't quite understand."

Annice finally turned to face me and looked at me with intense purple eyes. "Apparently a life like this was too much for you. That's why you ran away, right?"

I can't believe what I'm hearing. She knows who I am. She really does. But why and how long? "You know who I am," I said with a little of a serious tone in my voice.

"Yes," Annice said approaching me, "You look so much like your mother. How could I not?"

I tried to remain calm. I was a performer and it was time to put those skills to work. "I suppose that's why you're treating us so nicely? You want to turn me in for the bounty," I said as a matter of fact.

"Oh no," Annice said sitting the chair across from me, "I get double of that bounty every month from your father. You see as Annice grew up, I gave her the impression she was Lord Spelloyal's only child and when you ran away and news spread of his only heir was gone, it took a lot of work to make sure Aideen didn't figure out she had a sister. And she never will find out. Which is why I need you here so I can finally get rid of you once and for all."

"Why can't she find out about me?" I said, "I don't see what the big deal is!"

"The problem is she has something in common with you and your father. Your will to never to give up. If she finds out she has a sister, she will become dependent on you and want to travel with you. She doesn't know the cruel world out there like I do. She's safer here with me and living the life that misleading son of a bitch gives us."

"I swear I won't tell her," I said, "I'll leave tonight. I won't be a bother to you and Aideen anymore."

"No, no, no," Annice said, "That won't do. I know how sneaky you are. And now with your newly formed allies, you're sneakier than ever. I have to dispose of you permanately. I was hoping the dress won't curse you and that town would do it for me but it seems you sneaked away."

Wait! Did she really say what I thought she just said? How does she know about the dress? The town would have killed me if Lunadin and Guenevere didn't help me escape. So she had to be... Oh. My. Goodness. "You're the witch!" I yelled.

"Now no need to call me names but yes, I'm the one who altered one of my dresses to make your dream dress. Obviously the stone didn't work it's magic so well."

It worked it's magic alright. I was able to injure an entire squad and I can't remember a thing. "But why dispose of me?"

"After I dispose of you," she said, "I dispose of your mother."

"And then Lord Spelloyal marries you and Aideen is no longer a bastard child."

"You're smarter than I thought."

I can't believe what I'm hearing. She's the one who gave me the cursed dress! It made sense now. Why the dress belonged to my father. She tried to get me killed and then kill my mother so she can be Lady Spelloyal and Aideen can finally be nobility. I can understand wanting to give Aideen the best life ever but if she marries my father, Aideen will be trapped forever. Like I almost was. And even if she did manage to escape, she'll always be on the run. It's exciting but lonely. I've been lucky to make friends along the way. Very lucky. Aideen might not be so much. This break up has messed up Annice's mind and now she's going to kill me. I'm in a large room and the door is locked. Lovely.

I got up off my chair and started backing away towards the window. There was a latch and I was on the ground floor. The jump should be easy. "Listen. What my father did to you is wrong. I completely understand. He didn't give me the greatest life either. At least he showed you love, even if it was for a short period of time. I have never seen act of love from my father and I've known him a lot longer than you. And I'm extremely jealous that he gave you more love and kindness than I ever received or will ever receive but please listen to me."

I finally backed against the window and my hand found the latch. I would have to do this in one quick move and hopefully she doesn't use her magic to trap me here forever. Or kill me right here and now. Perhaps I could through to her. "Everyone, including Lord Spelloyal thinks I'm dead. There's no need to kill me. I will disappear and you have my word that you will never see me again. Or Lunadin or Guenevere or anyone associated with me again. I'll leave Aideen alone. But please don't kill me or my mother. If you want what's best for Aideen, don't marry my father. Aideen will be miserable forever."

"Unlike you, she's a well behaved child. She thinks she'll do better in the outside world but I'm her mother and I know what's best for her."

She approached me. Annice wasn't giving up. It was now or never. I undid the latch and fell backwards out the window.