Chapter 51 (2/2)

It took a ed to say it well

Iabout?

Father, benevolent? Was so with her eyes? Did she really think I was a lazy person who used her status as a child to get aith things?

No, father was not the type to ender Even mother should know this much

She o near hihter

“If you have so to ask, consult me first Do you understand?”

Yes, madam

I couldn’t say it

Not when I had no intention of going to her for per me to stay away from father

Mother had always been like this She believed it was only natural for Johan and I to listen to whatever she said She assumed it was reasonable for children to obey their parent, and never tried asking hoe felt

Whatever I have on my mind when I approach my father was none of her business

“Rosemarie?”

Her voice sharpened as she grew impatient with my lack of answer Her cat eyes narrowed

I knew she was just about ready to explode The sly part ofto obey her would have been the safest thing to do, but I was barely

“My apologies, however, I cannot do that”

“What—!”

Mother’s eyes flew open She was speechless, but I could guess her thoughts: Good heavens, is she openly defying me?

Come to think of it, we haven’t seen each other at all recently In rown since I was five years old and confined to my room Still the same expressionless, charmless, obedient child

So that’s the extent of her interest inup To think, she hated us having any contact with our older brother that much, and yet she never even bothered to interfere

Truly, nothing mattered to this woman except father

I couldn’t hate such honest single- to follow her exa cold

I needed to be careful not to follow in her wake

“Rose?”

Her hands were shaking, perhaps froether

I looked at her as I nodded “Yes, madam”

There was so closer I don’t have time to be stalled in a place like this If she wanted to stand in my way, so be it I could climb over her

“I received permission from my lord father to enter his room Even if you are my mother, you have no authority to overturn it”

“You—!”

“If I a him trouble, my lord father will tell me hi what I need to”

I kneas picking a fight, but I had no intention of backing down after co this far

I’ll probably frequent father’s roole ti done

“Rosemarie…”

Her voice sounded like it was ruround up, but I already said my piece so I stood to escape