ISMKPG: fifteen
written by: jxnnyl
Elisabeth, for the first time in her life, have no idea what to do.
She and her brother have been doing their best to do the plan but destiny has other plans and it's getting on her nerves.
First, her mother and Professor are late for breakfast and Martha can't use her charms to make their Professor go with them to the party tomorrow because he already has plans and Elisabeth knows that if he has plans, he'll do it.
The best thing that happened in the meal was the banter between Aunt Margaretta and her mother about something that Elisabeth can't quite put a finger on.
"I can see you've been lurking somewhere again." Their aunt said.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Their mother mumbled.
Aunt Margaretta chuckled as she said, "Alright.. you don't. But whatever is it, just remember that there's always a difference between two identical fabrics and that's quality."
"Whatever you mean… I would have you know that I am comparing no fabric to another. And they're not identical if one is…. permanently worn-out." The mother retorted.
"That's not the quality I'm talking about. Surely, you won't stumble over something that's behind you." Aunt Margaretta mumbled.
Their mother looked at their aunt with a half-confused and half-amused expression as she asked in that snarky tone Elisabeth never heard before, "Who says anything about stumbling?"
"I don't need to see the dress to see if it's fitting because with precise descriptions I'm sure I can judge one already." Their aunt said.
Elisabeth and Frederick exchanged glances as their mother retorted, "With wrong angle, those descriptions can be altered. With altered descriptions, those judgements are erroneous. And with erroneous judgements, the dress may falter, or the model rather."
Elisabeth can hear Martha whispering, "What is eronus and what is falther?" but she can't answer them now. She's sure the two women are not talking about fabric because she had never seen them talk to each other this way. At least not about fabrics, dresses and stuff that when seen in whole will never make any sense.
"I doubt those angles are wrong, especially if I've seen all angles and they gave me all the same descriptions. Who is it again that said my judgements are never wrong?" their aunt asked.
Elisabeth can feel everyone in the room wait for her mother's answer. No one dared to make a sound as her mom said, "Someone who's judgements are wrong itself. If you claim to have the right judgements then I'm sure the… dress…. will be on her- it's… way out of the closet."
"Then I'm sure it'll be out of there in no time. If it ain't then I shall take her- it… I mean- out of the- uh.. not closet but uhm…. wardrobe box will suit what it's called." Aunt Margaretta smiled.
"Elisabeth?"
The eldest Rainier looked at her mother and opened her mouth, somehow she scolded herself for drifting away.
"Are you fine, darling? You're not eating anything.." Maria said, quite concerned to her daughter. She's been like that ever since they entered the restaurant.
Elisabeth smiled, "Just letting the food get colder."
Taking a bite to the meatballs, Elisabeth's smile widen.. feeling a bit sad that the food is too cold for her liking but she can't just show that when she's dozing around for heaven knows how long.
Now back to my day… she thought, going back to her personal inside diary while circling the fork to the pasta that she hoped is not as cold as the meatballs.
After such a lengthy breakfast, their mother took them to the cemetery. And their plan once again failed when their professor decided to join Margaretta into visiting the church.
Elisabeth told his father about her uncertainty with which course to take and what path she should choose. She took a liking to business but she's now interested to be a professor, just like Professor Georg…
"Mom told me to just follow what I want. Now I want a lot…" Elisabeth sighed, "Frederick annoys me alot. He suggested that I'll just go audition somewhere and be an actress and I don't like that."
Looking around to check if her mother's around, Elisabeth continued, "I- I don't know if you'll be angered or anything papa... but me, Frederick and Martha agreed that we want Professor Georg to be our next dad, that is if mom is to marry again… Martha's been watching your favorite movie and I just realized that they have the exact same names… isn't it funny? Professor Georg mentioned that he once lived in Salzburg and mom mentioned that she almost thought of being a nun. And like the captain in the movie, Professor Georg is also in the navy though he left to be a teacher. Anyways, Martha wanted them to get married and Frederick and I see no problem with that. Mom's been staring at him like how you stared at her. Do you think mom can love again, papa?"
"Hey Lis… Lis!" Frederick's voice led her back to reality as she looked to her brother, slightly annoyed.
"What?"
"Can I have your pudding?" he asked.
Elisabeth looked at her plate and blinked her eyes.
Too much thinking and remembering made her forget what on earth she was about to eat?
I guess it helped that Martha's occupying mom's attention… she thought.
"Hey Elisa-"
"No… I'll eat my own pudding. Go ask mom if you want more." Elisabeth quickly said as she took a spoonful of pudding, internally groaning because it's not as cold as it was first served.
After visiting their father, Elisabeth and Frederick looked surprised when their mother brought them to the church to participate on a mass.
It's a one hour of silence and silencing Martha. And Elisabeth feel a bit disappointed for herself for being so lost on her religious faith.
She's heavily influenced by her mother when it comes to being faithful to the lord. Frederick is somehow like dad, faithful but doesn't show it much.
On their way to somewhere else, Martha asked a lot of questions like: does Jesus Christ have children? Do you think Jesus and Santa are the same? Can she also give presents with baby Jesus? Who was the old guy speaking in the stage? Why are there a lot of people in the church? Why do they eat the white circle snack and she doesn't? Do they think she'll be an angel in the future? And many other questions Elisabeth have can't believe she also asked her mother when she was Martha's age.
Parking the car somewhere Elisabeth didn't recognize, she and her siblings forgot about the plan when their mother said that they'll go ice skating.
"Lissy! You're going to the bathroom with us?" Martha asked, bringing Elisabeth back to the restaurant as she realized she's done with the pudding and is now drinking her remaining juice.
Shaking her head, Frederick and Martha looked at each other and made their way to the lavatories.
"Elisabeth?"
Elisabeth lifted her gaze from her drink to the woman in front of her. Her mother.
Somehow, Elisabeth became so curious about her. How did she do it? Lose someone and love someone else? Was it easy?
Don't be ridiculous, Elisabeth… it's hard. Mom must be suffering so much and here we are… planning how to replace papa… she thought guiltily.
"Elisabeth? Are you fine? You've been so quiet all evening…" Maria asked
She's been watching Elisabeth while answering Martha's questions and she can't help but feel so uneasy with her daughter's expression. It's like as if she's so far away.
Elisabeth nodded, avoiding her mother's concerned gaze.
Maria sighed as her hands reached her daughters, "I have no idea what's going on inside your head, Elisabeth… But I want you to know that I'm terribly guilty for what I've done for the past five years and I want to fix my mistake by being a mother to you, to Frederick and to Martha.."
Squeezing her mother's hands, Elisabeth smiled and said, "I- I'm just remembering what happened today and I guess I'm a bit surprised.. It's been a long time since we're outside of the house for a whole day and.. well actually I am surprised. Very surprised. So surprised that I don't know if I should thank you or something."
Well… that's not entirely a lie, she thought. Looking at her mother, Elisabeth felt so overwhelmed for seeing that she hasn't actually made a point, Of course… who is going to stay quiet for a whole meal with that alibi…
"Mother.. I mean-"
"Elisabeth-"
"-do you like Professor Georg?" Elisabeth blurted, closing her eyes.. afraid to see her mother's reaction.
Maria felt herself widen her eyes to her daughter's question and cleared her throat.
Do I? Oh god! Don't be ignorant Maria.. you spent three hours inside the greenhouse and concluded that you have feelings for him so it will do no harm to-
"Yes…" Maria softly said, not finishing her own thoughts as she smiled in amusement to her daughter's reaction.
Elisabeth looked at her mother with an another surprised look, Well that's easy…
"I do like him… whatever 'like' may mean." her mother added.
Elisabeth felt trying to suicide by asking another question but can't help but to imagine her mother's expression once she asked it. But before she knew, her mouth went open again.
"Do you…. love him?"
Maria shot a surprised looked to her daughter, and found herself nodding, "Not in the same way I've loved a man before… certainly very different if ever compared to your father."
"So you really do… You've fallen in love with him? With Professor Georg?" Elisabeth can't help but ask as she smiled, "Oh mom… I- I'm sorry it's just that-"
"Elisabeth." Her mother's voice stopped her as she watched her mother sigh, "My darling… love is a two way street."
"Then have you told him?" the teenager asked.
Maria smiled to her daughter's curiosity, somehow it doesn't really rub off despite the puberty.
Shaking her head, Maria said, "I doubt he feels the same way."
"But mom-"
"Elisabeth… he's sent to us to be your teacher. If I'm to tell him that.. do you think he can do his job properly if he feels no such attachment with me?" Maria asked.
"But mom-"
"And if he does feel the same way? Do you think it'll be appropriate that I date your Professor? To pursue a romantic relationship with him and let him have contributions to your high school transcript at the same time?"
"But mom-"
"And he'll never… reciprocate Elisabeth. I doubt we'll work together… after everything I've done to you and your siblings. He's too good for me and I'm no good for him. Period."
"But mom-"
"'But mom' me nothing, Elisabeth, nothing will make me confess. An honorable man like him deserves a fine lady. Someone who can give him everything she can offer. And unfortunately, I have decided that this someone is not me." Maria said as she stood up, "Now fetch your siblings… we're going home."
Margaretta smiled as she saw an energetic Martha, energetic Frederick and exhausted Elisabeth enter the Villa with paper bags that 'god knows what's inside of those' but her smile turned from a gleeful one to a curious one as she saw Maria on her mixed up face.
Normally she would see that expression due to big business questions but the look on Maria's face says that 'it's not about business, it's something else' and for the first time today, Margaretta felt like dragging Maria down to the kitchens to share two types of tea, a literal one and the slang.
But of course with the children up, Margaretta doubt she'll share those tea with her. So she have to put the children to bed first, a task that's heavily impossible if two of the children are still on their hype mood.
"Aunt Margaretta! Have you seen Professor Georg?" Martha asked, "I said to myself that if I won on the crab thingy I would give Professor Georg whatever I got!"
Margaretta doesn't know where to be curious, to the prize or to the crab thingy but Georg's appearance from the kitchens made her point her finger to him.
Maria watched as her youngest ran to him and hug his legs, shouting words of missing him and what he missed for the day as she tried to find what she won to the claw machine.
"-and Frederick left a spider on the toilet seat and… TADA! I got this sealor keystain from the crab thingy!" Martha smiled as Georg balanced a tea cup on his hand and took the 'keystain' from Martha's hands.
"You mean… sailor keychain and claw machine." Frederick said as he approached his Professor and showed him a box wrapped in gold silk, "I saw this in an antique store. Mo- er.. I get it for you."
Georg casted a glance to Maria before looking back to the box with curiosity. He set the cup down and took the box, "Thank you, Frederick. And you too, Martha. Now how many times did you play the 'crab thingy' before to get the 'sealor keystain'?"
Martha giggled as she corrected, "It's SAY-lore KEE-chain, Professor Georg… and uh- clown? No- CLAW! Claw machine.. And thousands! The hook kept on getting loose. Elisabeth said it's a big scum but I got the KEE-chain!"
Georg chuckled as he corrected, "It's scAm, Martha. Though scUm wouldn't make any difference…" lowering his voice, Georg whispered, "Don't let anyone hear you saying that word."
"What word?" Martha asked but Frederick laughed once he realized what his professor meant.
"Something funny, Frederick?" Georg asked as he balanced the tea cup to the box while putting the keychain to his pocket.
"I've never heard a young man laugh so wholeheartedly.. now you two, hit the showers! God I've been learning a lot from that show." Margaretta chuckled as the two quickly went up the stairs to their room, surprising Georg by knowing the term.
"And what show is that, Margaretta?" Maria smirked as she made her way near them, "I'm very sorry if Martha shook your peaceful night, Mr.- uh… Georg."
"It's very fine, Maria… After all, with Margaretta here singing along with this show and hearing her from the living room down to the kitchens is hardly to be described as 'peaceful'..." Georg smiled as he looked back to the children's rooms, "Is it just me or Elisabeth is a bit silenced tonight.."
"She looks a tad bit tired to me. I can't blame her…. Watching for three energetic bodies can surely exhaust one by just being near their strong atmosphere." Margaretta chuckled when Maria gave her a shooting glare, "I'll go check on her… you two are welcome to join me… I'll invite the children and we can watch whatever show we agreed on."
"I'm not sure about watching a movie tonight and I'm also not sure about the children getting into an agreement without getting into a huge argument." Maria said as she looked at Georg, "I guess I'll just retire for the night… what about you, Georg?"
Georg blinked his eyes, slightly flushed when he realized he's been staring at her as he said, "I think I'll also retire for the night… I have an early morning to see two goombah and to see if our lives have gone any better during my absence."
"Oh… interesting. Where will they come from?"
"Oxford… we agreed to meet somewhere in Edgware, not very fair if you asked me… Elsa wanted to give a cake as a gift. I have no idea why should I be surprised.." Georg groaned.
Maria and Margaretta's eyebrows go high when they heard a name, a female name, as Margaretta looked at Maria and asked, "This Elsa fella sounds interesting… isn't she, Maria?"
Georg, who's looking at his tea for a long moment, lifted his gaze from the cup to Maria, oblivious of their initial facial expressions.
Maria blinked her eyes and looked between the two people that's been waiting for her reply.
Somehow, the name Elsa stuck in her head… wrapped around in a blanket of unpleasant feeling… or is it jealousy?
Collect yourself, Maria… whoever she is is none of your business.. she thought.
"Whoever buys a cake as a gift… certainly sounds so interesting, indeed." she breathed as she looked at her paper bag full of hands, "I'd better 'hit the showers' as well and find a place to put these… Happy Christmas! Georg."
Georg smiled as he nodded, "Happy Christmas, Maria."
Margaretta watched the two as she saw them wrapped around their staring bliss once more. Hating herself for cutting it, Margaretta followed Maria and reached the end of the stairs, faster than the two and said, "This house is a mixture of Scottish, English, American, French, Korean, Italian, Minionesse and Gibberish so I have no idea how to greet 'Merry Christmas'... Anyways, Good Christmas and Happy Evening, you two.."
Maria and Georg looked at her as she casted them a smirk, "Carry on playing.. I'd better check if the showers are still alive."
Maria and Georg exchanged glances while Margaretta left their sight. Both continued walking to the opposite sides of the double stairs, slowly as possible.
"How's your Christmas Day, Georg? It's such a miss that you didn't joined us to the mall.." Maria said.
Georg looked at her and smiled, "I'm not just that fond of going to malls. And I would like to give you more time with your children… it seems my sacrifice pays well."
Maria raised her eyebrow as she asked, "You happened to realize that the children have more possible time with me in the future, right?"
"It'll be more memorable if you spend your time at these times and it'll be easier for them to adjust when I…" Georg trailed off, not wanting to continue.
Maria stopped walking as she heard him trailed off, she can't help her eyes but to look up from the railings to his, seeing that he also stopped walking. She know very well what's the next word that'll go next to his sentence.
Leave.
Just the thought of him leaving makes her feel so uneasy but why? Isn't that normal? He's a temporary teacher and-
"You don't have to…" Maria mumbled without thinking. All of possible arguments aside, her only thought is making him stay, "Leave I mean. You're the only teacher who captured the hearts of my children and-"
"You don't mean to intend that they're to stay home-schooled till they reach college, don't you?" Georg asked.
Maria looked at him dumbfounded.
Home-schooled? Them- ah yes… the children… she thought, For a moment I- wait.. am I asking him to stay for my sake?
Shaking her head, Maria collected herself as she chuckled, "No… I mean- that's not what I mean. What I mean to say- or to intend- is that I know you're only to teach here for a month but since you've… become so close with the children, it will spare me more time to look for another soul to be troubled by you… staying until the end of the… school year. Yes- that's what I mean to say… or to intend.."
Raising her eyebrows as she saw him raise his as she speak, Maria smiled, "You do get what I mean- I mean… You do get my point, right?"
Georg tried to stifle a laugh as he nodded, She must be exhausted…
"I'll give that… proposal… a thought, Maria." he said as he gaze at her eyes, showing some mixture of something that he can't put a finger on. Whatever it is, it says she's exhausted and it's none of his business.
They continued walking as he said, "What about you-"
"What about me?" Maria quickly said, blushing as she looked at her slow steps.
Georg smiled again, how can such a woman build a dragoness and motherly reputation and also be as… funny as she is at this moment?
"I was about to ask about your day with the children. You looked not exhausted but I guess it'll be an understatement to how you've been acting." he said.
Maria looked back to him and smiled, "Me? Exhausted? Never. I heard it from someone that I'll only get exhausted when pigs learned to fly."
"Then perhaps a herd of pigs were smuggled via plane during Christmas Day." Georg mumbled, earning him a raised eyebrow from Maria.
"You do have a realistic sense of imagination, Georg.."
Smiling, Georg retorted, "I was told that if not for my passion to follow my father's footsteps, I might have then turned into a fine artist with my creativity and hands."
"I have to agree with whoever said that. I saw you sketch once, you should do it more often if it brings you comfort." Maria smiled.
"A substitute teacher can also learn from his own lessons. Sketching, doing make-up and cooking are my proof for that." he smiled back.
Maria chuckled as she teased, "Maybe I should ask you to teach Frederick on how to do make-up someday… I'll be glad to see your creativity kick in with cosmetics."
Georg's held his breath as he felt warmth rising from his neck to his ear, finding words to throw back on her mischievous suggestion. But his mind was blocked into thinking when she showed him a satisfied smug grin that doesn't look so annoying at her face.
In fact it look so pretty on her.
Blinking his eyes, Georg almost stumble as he realized that they reached the top of the stairs.
"Be careful.." Maria said, her face turning from that expression to one with deep concern, "We can't have you sliding down the stairs no can't we?"
Chuckling with her, Maria felt a small portion in her heart spreads a possibility that they might work out as a couple someday but her mind shook it aside as she gave him a half-genuine smile.
"Good evening, Georg. Happy Christmas…" she smiled.
Watching her walk towards her bedroom door, Georg also made his way to his, saying "Good evening and Happy Christmas, Maria.."
Hoping it's loud enough as he watched her turn her head towards his direction while disappearing behind her door. Georg could have sworn he saw a blush creep on her cheeks, but he pushed it aside and entered his own bedroom.
"Goodnight Martha…" Frederick smiled as he made his way in his own bedroom, reminiscing today's afternoon that's totally out and not part of their plan.
Their plan is for it to be filled with their mother spending a nice moment with Professor Georg while he and their siblings are 'resting' from an exhausting morning.
What turned out to be their afternoon starts with a trip to the snowy meadows with Aunt Margaretta and Professor Georg. Somehow, they played around and it distracted Frederick so all plans set aside as he enjoyed the day.
Then Martha suggested they go to the park but the van got stuck on a snowy bank so their trip to the park became a trip to the mall minus Professor Georg and Aunt Margaretta who promised to take care of the van.
Without their plan, Frederick still enjoyed the day. He never seen his mother let them have so much fun while having fun as well so he definitely should enjoy the moment.
And to think that if their plan worked, maybe it'll be much more fun. Making bonds with their mother while also trying to indirectly coax her into having a relationship with Professor Georg. Personally, Frederick liked the idea… Professor Georg becoming a permanent person in his life. After all, not all male creatures he met are likable like him and it's hard to find one like him.
Chuckling as he went behind the covers, Frederick shook his head.
Three weeks ago, he and his sisters are planning the quickest way to sent him away and just fifteen hours ago they're suddenly planning a way to glue him permanently to their lives.
Taking out a loud sigh, Frederick suddenly thought of Elisabeth. Why on earth was she so silent since dinner?
Well… he thought, I have to ask her that tomorrow…
A/N: i am soooo hooked on streaming 'Bridgerton' and I'm very sorry for the very delay (⊙-⊙)... HAPPE NEW YEAR! *insert party poppers and other appropriate noises* and I hope to update again today *since I'll be holding the phone for like till 2am today*. Thank you so much for the reviews! Thank you so much for just being so lovely. I'll try to reply on them once I got the chance and I'm very thankful! I hoped you enjoy and pl3ase r&r! Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! (⊙-⊙) *and thankie!