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“Story.” Catherine looked at the book on the shelf.
“Yes. She has taken your stubborn way of sticking by a belief system and turned it into her own. There is no stopping your daughter when she wants something. There is no changing her mind when she believes something either. And I know that it may not sit well with you in these circumstances but, I would be proud if I were you.”
Catherine let out a sigh. “Proud is not the word right now. So then, since you have all the answers—do you think…”
“That she went off to elope with the man?”
Catherine did not want to outright ask it.
“Yes. I do think that is what she went off to do. I think that the safest bet would be to check neighbouring towns.”
Catherine looked out the window while the Steward stood there. He must have known that she was thinking a million different things. She had finally lost control. Matilda had broken free and would do what she wants. There was no changing that. For the first time in a long time, maybe ever, Catherine did not know what to do. If she sent a search party, they would surely be too late. Given the timing, Matilda was most likely married or had travelled so far that they would never find her at that rate. The steward was probably just being polite in suggesting to check neighbouring towns. He knew the truth. It was a lost cause.
“Where did I go wrong with her?” Catherine asked. “A mother does everything that a mother should do in trying to protect her daughter’s future. And this is how I am repaid.”
“A mother can only do so much. She cannot predict the future.”
“The story you told me about the two kings, how did it really end?”
“What do you mean, my Lady?”
“I remember my daughter telling me the same story once, and it was not the ending. The ruthless king was not praised as a hero.”
Silence came from the steward.
“Say it.”
The people overthrew him and formed a new government, appointing the heir of the first king.”
“I appreciate that you twisted it to fit my narrative. But I am the villain…aren’t I?”
“No,my Lady, just like both the kings, you are someone who did what they believed was right.”
Just as the Steward was about the leave, the door opened, and Matilda entered. Behind her was a man who must have been Aaron, and he fidgeted in nerves.
For a moment, Catherine could not believe her eyes. It almost felt like some sort of joke. And that bewilderment helped to douse the flames of anger for a moment.
“I have returned, mother.”
Catherine’s lips were pursed tight, but she broke them apart to say. “I see that. Sit.”
Matilda and Aaron both took a seat, but Catherine gave him a stern look as to say remain standing, which he did.
Catherine then turned her back to them all and looked out the window while saying, “Do you know the danger that you put yourself in? Do you know the danger that you put your reputation in through all this folly?”
“What you call folly, mother is my life, and you have dictated everything to me against my wishes.”
“You have not answered either of my questions.” She turned to face her daughter, who held not a single ounce of fear.
“I do know the danger that I put myself in. I know what my reputation has gone through. And frankly, mother, I don’t care anymore.”
Catherine remained quiet in an effort to not lose her temper.
“My entire life, I have listened to your every command—”
“You have not—”
“Are you going to let me speak?”
