C12 E12:Welcome To The Lazear Family

Year 838.

Somewhere in the garden near a large-built mansion, there was a woman dressed in maid uniform sitting on the bench while watching the sun over the horizon. Her eyes were fixated on it as she waited for it to set, hoping for something that would happen, but nothing would come.

"Joan."

A voice came from behind her and she turned around. Immediately she stood up and bowed to the butler.

"Sir Marlow."

She greeted him with a curtsy, which he returned after saluting her back.

The butler looked like a typical middle aged man, yet still retained a youthful look on his face, giving off a gentle vibe about him.

"How long have you been out here? It's almost dinner time."

He asked while staring at the sky.

"Not too long sir."

Marlow turned his gaze back to her. His eyes focused on the woman's arms.

Joan noticed him, and also stared down. She tried to hold in her emotions, but they were getting harder as each day passed.

"It has been nine months, yet there are still no changes nor could I feel any movement."

"We still have three months left. We need to follow the Countess' last wishes and do as what we had been told by His Lord."

Marlow took off his glasses and hung it on his suit coat. There was a silence before Marlow started talking once more.

"You should get inside and have some rest. Let me take care of Milady."

Joan nodded before she moved the baby in her embrace to the butler.

Marlow took a peek at the baby in his arms. Her face was pale, just like how it was in the first nine months they had taken care of her.

After the Countess gave birth to her first child, they were all so shocked when they didn't hear any voice nor cries coming out from the infant. The infant was very quiet. They thought that maybe the baby had gone deaf, however it's not like what they think. The infant's body and brain seemed frozen. Not even her breath showed signs of life as her lungs didn't make any movement.

They all went to the doctor who examined both her and the newborn. He then informed them that he had checked every test done and none of them could find the cause of their situation. That same night they brought in a physician to see if they could help them. After a few attempts into the treatment, they gave up. It seems impossible for this little one to recover.

On the other hand, the Countess herself doesn't want to give up and is begging them to give her child another chance. She's willing to wait for a year just to see her first newborn live again. However, the wait can't be kept forever.

A week has passed and the Countess took her last breath in her chamber, leaving her husband alone with a crying, heartbroken and grieving for his lost wife. When he was alone, he couldn't stop himself from breaking down and sobbing uncontrollably as he thought of his future without his wife.

Because of his unstable condition, both Marlow and Joan are the one who takes care of the infant. The two love and care for the baby although it's still not showing any sign of life yet. The only hope they have left is to wait for one year just like what the late Countess wished for.

"Well then, I shall take my leave now."

Joan bows and she gives a last glance at the baby in Marlow's arms. Her feet halted from moving. What she saw made her freeze completely.

"S-Sir Marlow... Milady."

She said slowly. Her voice broke a little bit when she talked.

Marlow looked again at the 'sleeping' bundle on his arms. He is also surprised by what he just saw.

The baby that's always kept its eyes closed, has finally opened. Its eyes wide, looking towards the sky as its color changes from the reflection on her silvery eyes. From the golden orange of dusk and pinkish yellow of dawn to dark blue and violet of nightfall.

Joan quickly covers her mouth. Trying to prevent any sob coming out from her throat. She was so happy, but tears welled up in her eyes due to emotion.

Marlow had the same reaction as her. A smile formed on his lips at seeing the baby's beautiful eyes, now looking directly at him. He gently caressed the baby's head with his thumb. His own tears falling down his cheeks. His heart felt relieved and content.

"What was her name again?"

He asked after a few moments of silence between him and Joan.

Joan looked at him and smiled softly.

"I believe the Countess gave her name as Lady Edme. Lady Emeralda Saphie."

Marlow smiled again and he looked at the baby once more.

"Welcome to the Lazear family, Lady Edme..."

Marlow spoke to her with a soft tone. His smile never faded and the tears that were shed earlier were forgotten. Meanwhile Edme continued staring at the purple sky and its beautiful colors.

This moment felt like a blessing to them. A gift given by the heavens for Edme's sake. A chance to start anew. A new beginning.

~ ~ ~ ~

As soon as the carriage with 'Sapphire' emblem on its door arrived at the entrance of the Lazear's mansion, a tall figure with cerulean blue hair in formal clothes rushed out of the vehicle. When he reached the main door, he found the butler waiting for him outside the door. Marlow bowed to him.

"Welcome back, My Lord"

"Thank you, Marlow. W-Was it true? My daughter? Has she finally…"

He trailed off, unable to finish his sentence. His expression showed concern and sadness, though he tried to hide it from everyone else, including himself.

Marlow gave a reassuring smile.

"Yes, My Lord. Milady has finally awakened. Joan is with her right now, in Milady's chamber."

Hearing that, the Earl's eyebrows raised and he walked faster towards the house. He heard his butler's footsteps following closely behind him. Upon reaching his destination, his hand stopped from touching the doorknob. He is not able to enter the room. He couldn't bring himself to do so. This whole thing is so overwhelming for him.

"Is there something wrong?"

Marlow from behind, asking the Earl with a concerned tone. He tried to look at his lord's expression but the Earl kept his face hidden. Seeing this caused Marlow to sigh. He placed a hand on the Earl's shoulder and shook it slightly to get his attention.

"Come now, My Lord. Your daughter is waiting for you inside."

"I know but I'm scared, Marlow. I'm scared if she does not recognize me as her father. What if she hates me for abandoning her in those months ago? Or worse, I'm to blame for losing her mother."

Marlow could feel his heart break at his master's words. He was a servant that grew up alongside the Earl. He has served him ever since he was a teenager. Even through all that, he still considers him as his own son and he knew that the Earl felt the same way towards him.

"You must try your best not to lose hope and not to blame yourself for anything. I am sure that Milady will recognize you immediately once she sees you. Please don't think negatively about her, My Lord."

Marlow gave him a small smile. His face filled with sincerity.

The Earl slowly nodded his head. With shaky hands, he pushed the door open a small crack. His face was showing a mix of sadness and nervousness.

As soon as he entered the room, Helmy Lazear froze on the spot.

Inside of the room sat his beloved child, staring straight ahead without moving her eyes away from the window. Her face was blank, showing no sign of recognition as she stood motionless on the crib.

Helmy was speechless and couldn't utter a word. His gaze fixed upon the child. She was just like he remembered her but there's still a difference.

"My Lord, you have arrived. My apologies for not greeting you sooner."

Said Joan as she stepped forward and bowed to Helmy. She looked at the man once again.

His face looks paler than usual. She can see the dark circles underneath his eyes, making his features look almost sunken in. He had lost weight over these past months and his face showed fatigue.

"Your complexion does not look good. Is everything alright?"

Helmy nodded his head slowly, his eyes never leaving his daughter.

"Everything is fine. How about my daughter? Has she been doing fine during my absence?"

Joan turned to Edme on the crib, both her hands held out to pick the baby up and bring her over to her father.

Helmy did nothing but stare at the tiny body that Joan is holding close.

While Edme remained silent. Her eyes never leave the woman before her.

"Yes My lord. She's been doing great and getting better everyday. I'm glad to report that she finally started breathing on her own and she even managed to eat something besides milk."

Helmy's eyes widened slightly. He took a couple of steps closer to inspect the small child.

When he got close enough to observe her better, he found a pair of eyes, staring back at him. It looked familiar. Then it dawned on him, she inherited her own mother's eyes. Both are born with an unusual eye color that no normal people can possess. Only the Adamas descent could inherit the silver eyes.

His hands reached to hold Edme's hand as he caressed her face. Helmy gazed at his daughter lovingly.

"I missed you."

However, his daughter's reaction is like what he predicted.

Suddenly Edme cried loudly. Tears poured down her cheeks as she wailed. She squirmed a little and turned her head away with her back towards him. As if she didn't like being touched by her father.

Seeing that, Helmy quickly moved his hand away from his daughter's face. His heart hurt badly hearing her cries.

"Edme..."

Looking at his daughter's tear stained face, he was reminded of his wife. Of the times when he and his wife were trying to take care of Edme. He remembers how much his wife loved their first child until her last breath.

Helmy felt pain within his chest as he remembers how his wife died. How he was alone when their daughter was born and was now left behind as a widower.

He wasn't confident in handling the responsibility of raising Edme and it had been a difficult thing for him. He spent most of his days working then traveling back and forth to various places in the country, just so it could make him busy enough to forget about the grief that plagued him whenever he laid his eyes on his daughter.

But when he read the letter sent by Marlow, he was filled with joy for once. The fact that his child has finally lived like what his wife hoped for.

Without wasting time, Helmy went back to his hometown, just to see his daughter after nine months. Although he felt happy that he made it there in time, at some points of the journey he was overcome with guilt for neglecting her when she needed him the most.

And so that's why Helmy felt the same sorrow he felt when he saw Edme crying. Because he knows his daughter hates him.

Helmy looked at Edme carefully. Seeing those teary eyes and red puffy face was too much for Helmy. His own eyes started to tear up. He felt helpless and angry at himself.

If only he didn't abandon her and focus on his own repentance, maybe she wouldn't have suffered from loneliness ever since she was born. If only he stayed by Edme's side and protected her all those months. But it's too late.

As much as he wants to tell Edme to forgive him and that he didn't mean to abandon her and her mother, he didn't know if there was really forgiveness between them for what he did.

Now, Helmy believes that he may be the worst father. A father that can't even protect his own precious and innocent daughter who he swore to love and protect with all his life.

At that very moment, his heart began beating faster. All he wanted was to hug her and never let go. He wanted to erase every tear from Edme's beautiful silver eyes. To erase all pain and sadness. But he couldn't do that even though he knows that he should be able to do that.

In the end, it's all his fault. Everything.

Helmy tried to form a smile but tears kept falling. Even with his best efforts, he can't hide all of the regret and sorrow from his face. He immediately kneels down next to Edme's side and carefully wipes her tears away with his thumb.

"Edme, I'm sorry. So terribly sorry."

He whispered repeatedly while caressing Edme's hair.

His heart clenched tightly each time Edme cries and it makes him feel guilty, knowing that he was the reason for her sadness. This feeling made Helmy even sadder that he couldn't control his emotions anymore.

Slowly he stood up and turned around, trying to wipe off the tears still dripping out of his eyes. As soon as he turned around...

"Ba.."

Helmy froze mid way when he heard a voice. He quickly spun around in his place to find his daughter staring at him with teary eyes but she's no longer crying again.

"Ba?"

Edme repeated, looking up at her father with curiosity and wonderment.

He slowly walked toward her, his steps getting faster with each step.

When he was standing next to the girl, he put his hands around her small body. He gently hugged her to his chest, not wanting to ever let go. He was overwhelmed by happiness. With tears flowing freely from his eyes. Helmy kissed the top of his daughter's head.

Joan, who's watching from behind, smiled softly. The sight brought a warm feeling to her insides. A feeling she hasn't felt in a long time.

A small smile curved on Helmy's lips. He pulled Edme in tighter as his tears flowed even harder.

"Yes, it's me, I'm your father. Please forgive me for all I have done. Not once have I ever forgotten about you and I would always blame myself for not taking care of you properly. Thank you for forgiving me. Thank you for believing in me despite all of my failures and mistakes. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for being here in front of me. Now that I finally got to meet my own daughter after all these months, I will forever be thankful for this day. You are my world, my only home.."

Helmy said in a raspy whisper in his daughter's ear and hugged her even more tightly.

"I love both of you more than I've ever loved anything in my entire life. I love you so much, my precious little angel."