Memories Part Three
Baron peeked out of the curtain of the carriage to see his ancestral home through the gate. "I don't know how my children knew, but they fully expected me to be Selected. They are very nervous about having a human step-mother."
"Just leave it to me," Haru assured him while adjusting her shawl slightly. She shivered in spite of the summer heat, but nonetheless was bearing the aftereffects of the sterility potion with cheerful dignity. "I've been planning this for years, I know what to do to at least gain their respect."
"That's all I can ask," he sighed, wishing that her eyes weren't still bothering him. His instincts still seemed to say something was off, but since he intended to keep a close eye on her regardless, he did his best to silence that little voice.
Before long, the carriage had stopped, and the footcat was opening the door and unfolding the small steps so that the new baroness could exit comfortably.
Baron stepped out first, smiling happily at his three children who were waiting with a handful of servants, but did not rush to greet him since they were somber. "It's a pity we didn't make a bet, my boy," he informed Thomas with a wide smile, stepping a little to the side and holding a hand out to assist his new wife.
Haru's hand was gentle but firm as she stepped out of the carriage as well, though her condition made her stumble on the step with a yelp. Baron instinctually caught her with almost impossible speed.
"So much for a dignified first impression," she couldn't resist sighing once she was steady on her feet again. Then her large brown eyes turned to the children, who shook at how strange her gaze was. Her face softened, and her lips curled into a gentle smile as she adjusted the shawl back to a proper place on her shoulders. "Oh, Baron, they're beautiful!"
"I certainly agree," he wasted no time replying before turning to his triplets. "Lillian, Thomas, Eleanor, this is Haru. She'll be-"
"May I?" she interrupted while gripping his arm as if giving it a tiny hug with just her hand.
Baron looked at her with surprise, but extended a hand as if inviting her to take the stage.
The human woman gave him a grateful smile before leaving his side and taking only two steps to the children, who backed away nervously. As if she didn't notice their fear, she gently knelt on the ground in a way Baron recognized from the handful of times Human Tributes were literally begging the king to be sent back to Alsdea.
"Lillian. Thomas. Eleanor," she addressed each of them by name, making sure to look at each kitten in turn thanks to her husband's descriptions of his children on the way to her new home. "I'm not here to be your new mother."
They blinked in universal confusion.
"You already have a mother, and from the stories your father told me on the way here, it's a good thing I have no intention of replacing her. What I am here to do, with your permission, is to be an extra person that you can talk to, that will love you, and do what I can to be a support. I am perfectly fine with being addressed as 'Aunt Haru', and if you'd rather not have a relationship with me, I will respect that. I have little doubt that Human Tributes have a reputation for being moody and short-tempered when they come here, but since I wanted to come, you don't have to suffer from any sourness out of me, and if you do, I'd be disappointed if you didn't immediately tell your father that I was out of line if I don't apologize."
Elly's mouth was agape. "Why did you want to come?"
"Women in my family die in our first childbirth. Since children don't issue from this kind of marriage, I'll be the first woman in my line for a very long time that has a shot at dying of old age," Haru responded, making her husband choke.
"Was that really appropriate?" he asked in a strained tone.
"I'm sure she knows what death is, Baron," Haru responded without looking behind her before continuing to address the children. "I had a stepmother that thought she could erase my mother from existence, and while her attempts were laughable, I understand perfectly well that some bonds are too precious to touch. None of you have to make a decision today about me, and I will honor your wishes if you change your mind later. This is simply me letting the three of you know that I have no intention of doing or being anything other than your ally."
The three kittens looked at each other with amazement. Baron couldn't help but find it endearing that the triplets took a few more steps away and had a short, whispered conference to determine what to do.
After a bit, Lillian somewhat hesitantly stood in front of her siblings. "We have beautiful gardens," she announced a bit timidly. "Would you like a tour?"
Haru beamed happily while rising to her feet. "I'd be delighted."
ooOoo
"There's something wrong with her, my lord," his butler insisted while serving tea in Baron's study.
"I assure you I felt the same way when I first saw her," the lord assured him before taking the cup. "She has unusual eyes, even for a human."
"It's not just the eyes, my lord," Timothy begged for him to understand. "She doesn't act at all like a young lady, haven't you noticed?"
Baron finished his sip before answering. "With a predicament like hers, I imagine she had to mature a bit more rapidly than anyone else if she wanted to find and exploit a loophole. She really is a good girl, you know. Has she caused any trouble since coming here?"
"Well-" Timothy struggled before his lord cut him off.
"I didn't think so. Please, allow me to rejoice in my good fortune in having both her and being rid of the countess."
ooOoo
"The… rabbit jumped… over the… lettuce patch?" Haru struggled while holding a child's book and squinting at it.
"Hurray, you did it!" Elly cheered from her place on her 'aunt's' lap. "You're getting better!"
"Thank heaven," Haru sighed while pressing a kiss to the white kitten's fur, making her giggle. "You, young lady, are an excellent teacher."
Elly purred at both the attention and praise.
Lillian munched on a cookie thoughtfully. "Aunt Haru, could you teach me to read your language?"
Haru blinked in surprise. "I can, but I can't imagine why you'd want to."
"I like learning, and it would be a fun challenge."
The human shrugged. "We can start after lunch, if you like. I'm just glad the three of you won't be likely to be sent to the Human Kingdom."
Baron blinked. Although he knew she had precious little to miss from her homeland, she spoke of it with the same disdain of a Bastet. "Haru, do you know the fellow Countess Sai was matched with?"
"I know of him. I can guarantee she's having a harder time with him than we are, if that's what you're wondering about," she confirmed while looking at him curiously with her old, old eyes.
"That's all we can ask for," Thomas interjected with a wicked smirk as he took another perfectly cut sandwich.
"I also know that Bastets in Alsdea have a little gathering once a month for support, but if she's as obnoxious as you say, they may forget to invite her to them. That's saying a lot since it usually comes down to a competition of who has it worst. Lily stopped attending almost immediately since she was depressed enough."
"What?" Lillian asked with surprise, jumping at her pet name.
"Not you, my sweet. A Bastet Tribute I used to be friends with," Haru sighed as her eyes looked off into the distance, looking more ancient than ever as her grief clearly returned.
"Our humans also have something like that," Baron confirmed in an effort to distract her. "You'll likely be getting an invitation any day now for the next meeting."
Haru shrugged indifferently, still lost in her thoughts. "I probably won't attend. I've got all the support I want right here." She kept one arm around Elly and reached for Lillian to snuggle them happily since Thomas was closer to his father.
ooOoo
The advisor bowed slightly after being escorted to the baron's study. "Greetings, my lord."
"Nathaniel," Baron acknowledged with a nod of the head. "I must admit that I'm a bit worried, since it isn't like the king to send you over a letter. Please sit."
The elderly cat did so, though he didn't look any more comfortable than before. "If I may go right to the point, my lord, there's trouble concerning your human wife."
Baron groaned. "Not this again."
"By decree of his majesty, you need to listen," Nathaniel informed him without budging. "Baron, the people are getting worried. No one's ever enjoyed The Selection or really understood more about it than essentially taking hostages once a decade to keep hostilities from potentially harming loved ones. But your Haru is a little too happy about the arrangement."
"If you had a stepmother and medical condition like hers, you'd be ecstatic as well," Baron retorted.
"Be that as it may… there are rumors that she is no aristocrat at all. Her eyes are far too strange, even for a human. She's adjusting too well to our culture, and-"
Baron slammed his fist and stood to his full height to glare at the advisor. "Spit it out," he hissed. "What does everyone think of my wife being stranger than most humans?!"
Nathaniel took a deep breath before answering. "We think she's a witch that's waiting for the chance to pounce, possibly on the royal family. Or at least an assassin."
"How pathetic," Baron grumbled. "I'm disappointed in you. If that were true, Haru would have some special interest in one place or person, and I've seen for myself that she's excellent with my children with no wish for more."
"Baron-"
"Besides that, if she did have power, the first thing she'd have done is escape her terrible family and go to some human kingdom to live her life, not gamble it on whether or not she could be Selected. You do remember that no one can bribe The Selection?" Baron asked pointedly. "It would be difficult figuring out a bribery that would be recognized, understood, and accepted."
"Nonetheless," Nathaniel announced in a tone to remind the lord that he was on official business. "The king has summoned both of you to appear at court on the first of next month for her to be examined and questioned."
"I won't allow any harm," Baron asserted fiercely, but the advisor waved his paw-like hand.
"Do not fret, my lord. The spell in question uses a mirror, so there will only be pain if she tries to run. I suggest you warn her and inform her that running from the king's command will have… consequences."
ooOoo
"Consequences," Baron muttered mutinously as he marched to his wife's chambers. He hadn't visited them since Haru's first day in his home, but the last thing he wanted was for the children to hear what he had to say.
To be frank, he'd have loved to skip what he had to say since it would only hurt his wife's feelings. He hadn't brought up how strange her eyes were even once, since he was certain that humans more than made sure she was aware whether she looked in mirrors or not.
Gulping down his nerves, he politely rapped on her door.
A bit of bustling later, Gwen opened the door with a curtsy. "My lady, the lord is here to visit you," she announced cheerfully, making Haru look up from her sewing.
She initially smiled at him, but seemed to have caught the worry in his face. "Gwen, would you mind getting us some tea?"
"My pleasure, my lady," Gwen promised, closing the door after her with Baron sliding into the room.
Haru set the cloth and needle aside to stand up. "What's wrong?" she asked in a low tone.
Baron gave her a helpless look. "Before I explain, I want it understood that this is not by my will in the slightest, and I did speak up in your defense."
Haru closed her eyes and sighed tiredly. "Is it about my stepmother?" she asked in resignation.
"No, actually. It's…" Baron struggled to find a way to put it that wouldn't offend her.
Haru breathed another long sigh before taking his hands in hers. "We both know you have no reason or excuse to be rude to me. Any rudeness that crosses your lips next will be from other people. I understand that, now out with it," she commanded gently.
Although it was the last thing he wanted to do, Baron spat it out. "Between being happy about being here and your unusual eyes, more than just the common folk are convinced that you're a witch or assassin that's up to something."
Haru scoffed. "Pathetic."
"That's how I responded," Baron asserted, still desperate to confirm that he was on her side. "I can't think of a single reason you'd be so attentive to my children if you were thinking about some dastardly plot."
"Not unless being happy counts as 'dastardly'," Haru sighed, releasing him and sitting again. She gestured for him to take the other seat. "What's convenient about witchcraft is that it's a lot easier to prove someone has it than not having it. Do I need to worry about a mob or a torture rack?"
Baron shook his head while taking his own seat. Although he believed she was innocent of the charges, he was a bit unnerved at how nonchalantly she had taken the news. "We've been summoned to the king, who will have someone that can determine whether it's nonsense. I've been assured it's painless."
"So it's all right to have magic as long as you work for the king?" Haru asked with a cynical smirk.
"Correct. With how open you were with me on everything else, I feel certain that you would have mentioned having power by now if it were the truth," Baron confessed with a wry smile.
"I promise I'd have gotten out of my situation long ago if that was an option for me." She tapped her fingers on the armchair. "Mind telling me about the process?"
"Mirror magic," Baron responded without thinking. "The royal magician has a magic mirror that he can tune into such things. I'm reasonably certain that all he has to do is use the correct spell on the mirror and point it at you, and the truth will be plain in your reflection."
Haru's eyes had been tiredly closing, but they shot open as she stood up from the seat. "You're absolutely certain?!" she begged him in a panic.
Baron also shot out of his seat with shock. "What's wrong, Haru?!"
"Answer me!" she begged, gripping both of his sleeves as tears started coming down. "The king has a mirror that can find out what's wrong with me, no matter what I say or don't say?!"
Baron held her tight to steady her and try rubbing her head fur to calm her down. 'I didn't think Haru knew how to cry.' Suddenly, a terrible thought occurred to him. One that sent chills down his spine and caused his hackles to rise. "… Something is wrong?" he stated, making her nod her head against his chest as she kept crying. "Something you, perhaps, lack the ability to say?"
She started crying anew, which confirmed his suspicions. He squeezed her tight and licked her forehead.
"I'll tell Nathaniel before he leaves. I promise we'll get to the bottom of this."
Haru tightened her embrace on him. "…Best… husband!"