Chapter 13
They didn't come for breakfast the next day.
Elizabeth had expected as much, but it was still disheartening to wait for her sisters to knock on the door, only to be met with silence until the food grew cold and it was time for her class.
She set it aside and never took a bite. Perhaps by tomorrow, emotions would have simmered down and they could talk again like they used to do.
Attending campus was difficult. Throughout the day, she tried to catch a glimpse of her sisters, hoping to talk with them about yesterday's events. But they were clearly avoiding her; Warspite was absent during their classes, and only later did Elizabeth learned that she had requested a change in schedule.
Meanwhile, Valiant had seemingly vanished. She wasn't in the café during breakfast and lunch, and even her friends didn't know where she went. Elizabeth waited until the evening by the entrance, waited to see if her sisters would exit, but it was all a futile attempt.
They didn't come, and Elizabeth returned home with a heavy heart.
The next day, Evans invited her for breakfast. And despite the ache in her chest, Elizabeth agreed.
Perhaps she shouldn't have. Every time Evans smiled at her, Valiant's scowl and Warspite's crestfallen expression kept flashing in her mind. But she didn't want to refuse. Partly because it would be unfair to him. Partly because she had no other one to share her troubles with.
Elizabeth nudged her food with a fork, but couldn't bring herself to eat it.
"Why don't you just apologize to them?"
She looked up from her plate. Evans stared at her with sympathy, his meal halfway finished.
"Will they accept it?" she mumbled. Warspite might, but knowing Valiant, Elizabeth probably had to kneel just to earn her forgiveness.
"Of course they will. They are your sisters!" He brushed his hair, sighing. "Although I shall have to apologize first. It's partly my fault as well."
"It isn't. I was the one who accepted your invitation while forgetting my promise to my sisters." And now they hated her. She wanted to call Noah, or even Elisa. Drake. Anyone. But what would she tell them? That her stupidity strained her relationship with Valiant and Warspite? She didn't think they would like that, especially after learning what she did.
No, she had to mend this on her own.
"Your situation reminds me of a similar one I've had with Jonathan. I couldn't fulfill my promise to him, so he ignored me for the entire week."
"What did you do?" Elizabeth asked.
He chuckled. "I forgot it was his birthday too. But I did buy him something. I just didn't remember that it was meant for his birthday. I had it wrapped for Christmas."
Despite herself, Elizabeth managed a faint smile. "Perhaps I should try that." She would spend some of her allowance, but she would gladly empty her pocket if it meant repairing her relationship with her sisters.
Forcing herself to eat was not easy, but thankfully she finished half of her meal before her first class began. As always, Evans joined her walk to the campus. And despite the gaping hole in her heart, his company was enough to distract her from her morose thoughts.
After they parted at the entrance, Elizabeth went to her class. As she had expected, Warspite was already there, chatting with some of their classmates. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth approached. Their eyes met.
Warspite broke away at once. Elizabeth's chest tightened, but she continued to her seat, trying to catch her sister's gaze once more.
She might as well try to get a statue's attention.
No greetings, not even an acknowledgement about what happened last night. When Elizabeth tried to say hello, Warspite just stared ahead while their professor spoke. She considered reaching for her arm, but she feared her sister's reaction. What if Warspite just shrug her off? Somehow, it would be as worse as stabbing her heart with a knife.
So despite the ache in her chest, Elizabeth turned away, focusing on her lessons. Or at least she tried to. It was difficult to concentrate with her sister just next to her. The professor's words seemed distant and far away, and every scribble of Warspite's pen was loud in her ears.
Class was ending by the time she noticed the others standing up and getting ready to leave. Elizabeth glanced to her left, but Warspite was already halfway to the door.
Elizabeth sprinted after her, heart pounding. It didn't matter if her sister ignored her, hate her for weeks and months, or curse her. All she wanted was to apologize for being an awful sister.
Elizabeth quickly caught up with her. She grabbed Warspite's wrist, halting her sister in her tracks. "I'm sorry," she said in a rushed breath. Then she added, "Please."
She waited with hope in her heart. But Warspite didn't look at her as she inhaled and said, "Tell that to Val."
The words struck Elizabeth like a slap, and she could only watch in silence as Warspite slipped off her hand and strode away. As her sister's form dwindled and then vanished from sight, Elizabeth's chest tightened. Warspite might as well have stabbed her with a burning knife uttering those words.
She didn't know how long she stood there. All she knew was her own feet leading her to a chair, where she sat upon and cradled her bowed head. Yes, she had forgotten about their plans to go out. Yes, she chose Evans because of it. Why should she apologize?
That ugly thought sprang to her mind, unbidden, like a serpent hiding in a bush that suddenly poked its head to strike. It nearly overwhelmed her, a venomous fog enveloping her consciousness.
She didn't regret going on a date with Evans. She enjoyed his company, his smiles, their banter. But her sisters… She couldn't hurt them. She shouldn't hurt them. They had been together for so long, even if fate often separated them.
Elizabeth wouldn't let that happen again. Not from a mistake like this.
Taking a deep breath, she rose to her feet, and the snake slithered back to its hole. If it came back, she would beat it to death with a stick.
For now, she needed to find Valiant.
###
Valiant proved elusive for the rest of the day.
No matter how much Elizabeth tried, her other sister constantly eluded her. Warspite had probably alerted her. Or perhaps Elizabeth was simply obvious with her intention. Asking Valiant's friends about her whereabouts bore no result; they didn't seem to know, either.
Elizabeth's only option, then, was Valiant's room. So after school hours, she headed back to the flat and stood outside the door, a bag of sweets clutched in one hand. Valiant loved sweets, and perhaps she wouldn't accept it with a smile, but Elizabeth didn't care.
If she had to buy gifts every day just to earn Valiant's forgiveness, she would gladly do it.
The minutes trickled. Elizabeth glanced at her watch. 5:47 PM. Valiant should have been home by now, but the corridor was empty save for a tenant passing by. Even Warspite had not arrived yet.
Worry started to gnaw on her stomach. It was Wednesday, so they were most likely spending time with their friends. Still, it wasn't normal for them to be out at this hour. Thursdays and Fridays were always their busiest days, so they always ate and slept early.
Elizabeth's fears, thankfully, were short-lived. Valiant and Warspite rounded the corner, stopping momentarily at the sight of her. For a moment they stared at each, the silence stretching between them. Then Valiant muttered something to Warspite, and they resumed walking.
Warspite glanced at Elizabeth, expression conflicted. Elizabeth met her gaze. She could tell that her sister was still disappointed, but hope blossomed in her heart when Warspite's gaze travelled to her bag, and she smiled faintly before entering her room.
Valiant approach, her face blank. She didn't even spare a glance to Elizabeth as she passed her.
"Wait," Elizabeth said softly.
Valiant stopped, but didn't turn around.
Elizabeth pressed on. "I want to apologize. I didn't mean to hurt you or Warspite."
"You didn't hurt us. You just disappointed us."
It might as well have been a slap to her cheeks, but Elizabeth weathered the words. It was her fault, after all. "I know. That's why I bought something for both of you."
Valiant finally looked at her. Elizabeth smiled, hoping it would be enough to melt the coldness in her sister's face. She offered the bag. "It's still two weeks away, but happy birthday."
Elizabeth didn't expect anything, honestly. Perhaps a snide remark, a barbed comment, and she would have understand. It would take more than chocolates to completely earn Valiant's forgiveness.
So when her sister snatched it from her hand and entered the room without a word, Elizabeth sighed in relief.
It wasn't a thank you, but it was a start.
###
A week passed. Her sisters still refused to speak to her, though there was a slight shift in the tension between them. On Thursday morning, Elizabeth found Warspite in her usual seat during a lecture.
She tried to gauge Warspite's reaction as she sat down, but her sister was focusing intently on their professor's lecture. Still, she didn't seem to mind sitting together.
It was a long and grueling lecture. Autumn break was fast approaching, and they had to study for the onslaught of exams following that.
Thirsty, Elizabeth reached for her canteen in the bag. As she did, her hand brushed against her pencil, and it rolled to the floor. Her hand shot toward it, and—
"Here. Please be careful next time," Warspite said as she handed it to Elizabeth. Their gaze met for a moment, just a brief instance, and then Warspite's eyes were looking ahead once more.
"Thank you," Elizabeth mumbled.
Warspite paused, then softly she said, "You're welcome."
The lecture ended soon. Elizabeth was one of the first to leave, but to her surprise, footsteps trailed after her. She didn't have to look to know who it was.
A minute of silence passed before Elizabeth dared to ask without looking: "How is Val doing these days?"
"Still disappointed," Warspite admitted, her attention also focused ahead of them.
Elizabeth nodded. She thought as much. "And you?"
Another pause, longer this time. Elizabeth didn't break her pace, not until she went ten steps and realized that Warspite had stopped in her tracks. Elizabeth turned to face her sister.
Warspite stared at her with a somber expression. "I just want everything to be back the way it was before."
"So do I." Elizabeth approached, heedless of the crowd parting around them like water. "It was my fault. I've been too hard on both of you, never realizing that I crave the same thing."
"Forging bonds," Warspite said. "That's what you said."
Elizabeth smiled ruefully. "Val is right; I'm a hypocrite. But I don't want to be anymore. I'm sorry I said those things to you. To both of you. And I'm sorry I became distracted."
Warspite shook her head, smiling faintly. "I understand. I… I was the same, honestly."
"But you didn't forget about us. I did." Elizabeth sighed. It was a mistake she didn't want to repeat again.
"Do you fancy Evans?"
It was an honest question, without any hint of jealousy. Elizabeth didn't answer immediately. She enjoyed being with Evans. Otherwise, she wouldn't have acted so stupidly. But did she fancy him?
"Perhaps," she said at last. "I don't know yet. He helped me several times. Perhaps I just want to repay his kindness."
"Often it begins there."
"Like you and Watson?" Elizabeth teased. She chuckled as Warspite's cheeks reddened. "But you're right, though I'm not certain yet. For now, I just want all three of us to be together again."
"I'll try talking with Val," Warspite said. "She has been sulking all week. And…" She hesitated, and Elizabeth saw the worry in her sister's eyes.
"What is it?" Elizabeth asked.
Warspite grimaced. "She sometimes return to the flat very late."
Alarm shot through Elizabeth. "What? When did this begin?"
"After our fight. Last week." Warspite was chewing her lower lip now. "It doesn't happen often, but I'm getting worried. She always smell like cigarettes and alcohol."
The ground seemed to spin beneath Elizabeth. Her hands clenched. Cigarettes and alcohol. She didn't want to presume, but…
"Where is she now?" she asked. Surprisingly, her voice remained steady. She was trying not to panic in front of her sister.
"In her Economics class."
Elizabeth almost spun around to head there, but logic took over her churning emotions. She couldn't cause a scene that might humiliate Valiant in front of other people. They didn't even know what she was really doing.
She took a deep breath to calm herself. "Is she planning to go out again tonight?"
Warspite looked at her helplessly. "I don't know. She said she'd be late again, but she didn't tell me anything else."
"Then we follow her," Elizabeth said firmly.
"She might get angry."
"Let her. I caused this. I shall accept her anger."
If her presumptions were right, Elizabeth would gladly kneel if it meant saving her sister. If she was wrong, well, she would still apologize nonetheless.
A small price to pay for her mistakes.
###
Classes ended at 5 PM, but many of the students didn't come out until fifteen minutes later. Some because of last-minute researches in the library, others because they were still hanging out with their friends.
Valiant didn't belong to either. Elizabeth watched behind a tree as Valiant emerged from the entrance at 4:55 PM, her bag slung across her shoulder. None of her friends were in sight, and there was purpose in her hurried pace.
She waited until Valiant was crossing the street before Elizabeth gave Warspite a quick nod. They left their hiding spot, maintaining a respectful distance of 25 yards from their sister as they followed her.
The streets and pavements of London were packed, especially at night. It gave them the perfect cover, but it was also easy to lose sight of Valiant in the crowd. Twice, Elizabeth nearly panicked when Valiant vanished from view, only for Warspite's keen eyes to find her again.
Their sister led them to the busier parts of the city. Restaurants and cafés rose on either side, with bars and pubs here and there.
Elizabeth relaxed a little. If Valiant was simply working night jobs, their fears were unfounded. At least it wasn't some seedy establishment in a dark alley. Besides, Valiant was too proud for that. Still, Elizabeth was cautious. Smelling like cigarettes and alcohol didn't exactly present a wholesome image in her mind.
Valiant stopped in front of a brightly lit building with a guard that looked like an oversized bear. Even from two blocks away, Elizabeth could hear the loud music coming from within.
"It's a pub," Warspite said, expression uncertain.
"Yes, it is." At this point, Valiant working in there was becoming likelier. But Elizabeth needed to confirm. Who knows what her sister is really doing in there?
"Come," she told Warspite. Thankfully, the guard let them passed after inspecting her I.D.
It was a regular pub, with almost every chairs occupied while a band was playing on a raised stage. But smoke hung in the air like a thick veil. Elizabeth waved a hand in front of her as they passed a customer expelling a great cloud from his mouth. The scent was nauseating.
Her sister was working here? It may not be the worst pub in London, but she didn't think Valiant could tolerate such a—
"Good evening! How may I help you?"
Cheerful, pleasant, and sweet. If Elizabeth didn't know any better, she would have thought someone was imitating Valiant's voice. But it was no imitation, and Elizabeth and Warspite turned slowly.
Thank God she's only a waitress, Elizabeth thought, relieved. Valiant stood in front of them, her white and red uniform pristine. But relief turned to apprehension when Valiant's smile faded. She looked at Elizabeth and Warspite, her eyes knitting together as her lips curled to a scowl.
"What the bloody hell are you two doing here?" she hissed, clutching a black tray so tightly that the edges started to bend. Elizabeth looked at it with wide eyes. Thankfully, Valiant caught on and stopped.
"We were worried about you," Warspite said.
"'We?'" Valiant said frostily. "I didn't know you two are back on speaking terms. Congratulations, I suppose."
Elizabeth could see it in her eyes—the betrayal, the hurt. She stepped toward her. "Don't be angry with her. I was the one who wanted to see you. What are you doing here?"
"I'm working, obviously." She smoothed her uniform then brushed past them.
Elizabeth followed her, slipping easily between the patrons, whose bodies clung with several odors. Now she understood why Valiant smelled like that.
When she reached Valiant, her sister was delicately balancing several glasses on the tray. It wasn't something she hadn't done before, but the sight still tugged at Elizabeth's heart.
"Val, wait," she said as Valiant strode past her. Nearby, Warspite watched with a worried expression.
"I'm busy," Valiant grumbled. "Talk to me another time."
"Why are you even working here? If you are short on money, we can give you ours." Though why Valiant needed money at all, Elizabeth wasn't certain. They weren't spending much except for the necessities; it was even Valiant's advice to save as much as they could.
"It's my problem, not yours."
She disappeared into the crowd. Elizabeth clenched her hands and was about to follow her again when Warspite grabbed her shoulder.
"She will not talk to us," she said, shaking her head. "Not here. Let's just go back and wait for her."
Elizabeth wanted to protest, but she couldn't deny the truth in her words. There were other people here; a careless slip of her tongue might result in a scene. She didn't want to place Valiant in such a humiliating situation.
So she nodded, and with a heavy heart, she trailed after Warspite outside the pub.
###
Elizabeth didn't simply stood and waited. Despite Warspite's protests, she entered Valiant's room.
Intruding on her sister's privacy was probably not a good idea, but Elizabeth had this nagging feeling that Valiant was hiding something. Noah had given them enough money to last them the entire school year, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
Why would Valiant need to work, then?
Elizabeth looked around the room. It was very much the same unit as hers, but decorated according to Valiant, even if there was little space for fancy decorations. A couple of figurines here, an empty flower vase over there. Picture frames of—
She approached the shelf. Two pictures stood next to each other. She recognized the one on the right; it was a picture of everyone last Christmas, when Noah had bought her that white dress as a gift. Her first Christmas together with her sisters and her family.
Their family.
The picture on the left was one she didn't recognize, though she thought she knew who were the elderly couple smiling at the camera with Valiant between, her grin even wider.
"Are they…?" Warspite asked from behind Elizabeth.
She nodded. "The Mackenzies." Her eyes lingered on her sister's expression, captured forever in a moment of happiness. Was she happy now, or did she miss her time with the Mackenzies?
With a sigh, Elizabeth looked away. She wouldn't blame Valiant; her actions toward her were terrible for an older sister. She should have considered her feelings, and Warspite's as well. She shouldn't have acted like a maiden enamored with a dashing prince.
But it was too late for regrets now. All she could do was atone for her mistakes while doing her best to prevent them from happening again.
They didn't find any clues in the living room, so they went to Valiant's bedroom. Elizabeth opened the door to peer inside.
It was neat and tidy, as always. She brushed her fingers against one of Valiant's notebooks lying on the bedside table, and a pang of guilt stabbed at her heart. She still hadn't used Valiant's gift to her.
"She was excited to buy it for you," Warspite said from the door.
"I know." Elizabeth briefly glanced at her, sighing. She flipped open the notebook and browsed a few pages, but they were all just notes about her assignments. Nothing seemed to indicate that Valiant was struggling with money.
She closed it, and she was about to leave the room when her hand bumped into the table, rattling the stack of notebooks. Something thin and white slipped out, fluttering to the floor.
Frowning, Elizabeth grabbed it, her eyebrows rising. Warspite approached. It was a letter.
Sitting on the bed, they read the contents.
Dear Mama and Papa,
I hope you are doing well. Life here in England is different than what I was used to, but I'm enjoying my time here with my sisters. Hampshire is a great place; I've met lots of people and made friends with them. Someday, I wish you could meet them.
Do not worry about me. The Dallimores are treating me well. I'm also learning a lot from Miss Franceska, my tutor. But I miss you both so much. I will visit when Christmas break begins.
Lots of love,
V
"When was it dated?" Warspite asked.
"Eight months ago. Could you please check if there are more letters?"
As her sister rummaged inside the drawers, Elizabeth read the letter for a second time. There wasn't anything strange about its contents, certainly nothing alarming with the way Valiant wrote it. Besides, it wasn't a surprise to Elizabeth.
No. What was curious was the letter itself. It should have been sent already. Why was it still in Valiant's possession?
"Here." Warspite looked up, handing Elizabeth a stack of envelopes. There were four in total, each one dated two months apart, with the latest one written just last week.
All of them belonged to Valiant, with every letter increasingly pleading for a response.
Elizabeth glanced at Warspite, and her grim expression was a mirror of hers. "They are ignoring her," she said.
"Yes." But why? Did something happened? When Valiant sent her gift, the Mackenzies replied within a week. What changed then?
The door opened, and they both shot to their feet, staring at Valiant.
"What are you doing inside my room?" she asked calmly. Then she saw the letters in Elizabeth's hands, and her expression darkened. "Y-You—"
"You want to see them," Elizabeth deduced. It was the only reason why Valiant started working; airplane tickets are expensive, and if she wanted to buy gifts, her allowance wouldn't be enough to cover her expenses.
She didn't respond. Crossing her arms, she said, "Please leave my room."
Elizabeth shook her head. She was done being refused at. "I will only once you tell me everything."
"It's none of your business."
"I'm your sister. It is my business to help you when you need me."
Their eyes met, and Elizabeth saw the conflicting emotions churning in Valiant's. Frustration, hurt, regret, and encompassing them, desperation mixed with hope.
But she knew Valiant. She was proud and wouldn't ask anyone for help. So Elizabeth prodded gently. "Please. I know I hurt you. But you don't have to do this all by yourself."
Valiant's expression softened, though her scowl remained. A heavy silence fell between them, one that neither Elizabeth nor Warspite was willing to break.
Finally, Valiant spoke. "I'm worried about them. They probably hate me, though."
"If they truly love you, they won't hate you," Elizabeth said. Valiant glanced at her, and Elizabeth smiled. "If you need money—"
Valiant shook her head. "No, I have to do this on my own."
"Then let us come with you, at least," Warspite said. "You don't have to go alone."
"Noah and Elisa might worry if you two don't return for Christmas."
"Do you plan to spend the whole break with the Mackenzies?"
"I do."
Warspite seemed surprise, but Elizabeth nodded. She had thought as much after reading the letters. "Then we'll go with you. I want to see them for myself." They were, after all, the first humans who took care of Valiant despite the strangeness of her arrival. Elizabeth wanted to know what kind of people they were that her sister would go through the trouble of working after school.
Valiant regarded her silently, then said, "The pub I work in is already full."
"It's all right. I'll ask around for work." Maybe in that café they always visit or one of the restaurants near Sunny Lodge. Or maybe…
Maybe he could help.
###
"Did I hear that correctly?" Evans asked, eyebrows raised. "You said you need work."
"That's correct." Elizabeth sipped her tea, listening to Evans's pleasant drumming on the table. They chose this tea shop because it was cozy, its warm brown walls giving a homely atmosphere that reminded her of the Dallimore manor.
"Okay." He pointed across the street, toward a squat bistro with a cheerful sign. "Do you see that man over there?"
"The one with the silly mustache?"
Evans snorted. "Don't call it silly or you'll get fired the moment you said it. Anyway, that man is Carlos and he owns the bistro. Tell him you need work, and that the guy who broke his favorite stew pot recommended you. He'll accept you immediately."
Elizabeth frowned as she looked at Evans. "Do you know him?"
Her friend smiled thinly. "In a way."
Carlos, as it turned out, was a suspicious man, scowling at Elizabeth even when she mentioned what Evans had said. Thankfully, a lazy wave across the street from Evans changed his entire demeanor to a more pleasant one, and she was accepted after a brief interview.
Elizabeth settled into a routine in just a few days. Her work was a familiar one, and balancing it with her studies were tedious, but not impossible. It helped that she didn't tire easily.
A week later, she convinced Carlos to hire Warspite as well. Skeptical at first, the burly Hispanic was impressed at Warspite's skills, and it wasn't long before Warspite was helping Elizabeth with taking orders and washing the dishes.
They were only working on weekends, but the wage was excellent. As December arrived, Elizabeth was shocked that they had saved enough to also buy gifts for everyone back home.
She had to thank Evans for that, and she did by treating him to an all-you-can-scoop ice cream during one of their dates. This time, she ensured that there would be no scheduling conflicts.
Valiant was still distant, but thank God she was now talking with her again. Elizabeth knew it would take time before her sister completely forgive her, but she was willing to wait.
A week before their flight to Scotland, Elizabeth rang home. It's been months since she talked with Noah, and weeks since a brief chat with Elisa told her that he was busy.
She missed him. She missed everyone.
The phone rang twice. Elizabeth had already prepared herself for another talk with Elisa or one of the Revenge sisters when there was a click and a clear voice greeted, "Dallimore estate. Who's ringing?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Noah."
"Ah, good evening, Elizabeth." He cleared his throat. "How's school?"
Elizabeth frowned. Why did it sound like Noah wasn't enthusiastic to hear her voice? She shook her head. He was probably getting ready for bed. "I'm sorry. Were you about to sleep?"
"No, no. I just didn't expect you to call." A pause. "I'm sorry I haven't been talking to you and the girls lately. I'm—"
"Busy," Elizabeth finished with a half smile. "It's all right. I understand. How are the others?"
"We're doing well here." There was a tightness in his voice. He cleared his throat once more. "Are you coming home for Christmas?"
"Actually, that's why I rang." Elizabeth hesitated, wondering how much she could tell Noah. She didn't want to worry him with her strained relationship with Valiant.
"We're not coming for Christmas," she finally said, sitting down on a chair. "Valerie would love to visit the Mackenzies, and we've decided to join her."
"I see." Somehow, Noah sounded relieved than disappointed. "For how long?"
"Until the end of the break."
"Ah. Well, that's all right. We can manage here."
Elizabeth's frown deepened. "You're not angry?"
"Of course not. Why would I be angry?" His tone softened. "You three deserve to see more of the world. Didn't I tell you that before?"
He did. But something about the way he was speaking now felt odd to Elizabeth. Why did she have this strange feeling that he was hiding something from her?
"I miss home," she admitted with a sigh. "I miss all of you."
"And we miss you and your sisters." That one, at least, sounded sincere enough. "You can come here during spring break. London isn't far."
"I know. We will."
Noah had to sleep soon, so they ended the conversation a few minutes later. It was brief, unlike her previous calls, but Elizabeth was glad that they were all doing good. She still found the way Noah spoke as strange, but perhaps he was just tired. It was Friday, and he probably got a lot of paperworks.
The day of their flight finally arrived. They got to the airport early and spent some time discussing their plans once they reached Scotland. Valiant wanted to immediately see the Mackenzies, which was all right with Elizabeth. If things went well, they would be spending their entire winter break with them. If not, there were some hotels in town. They had earned enough that they could afford a decent one.
Throughout the two-hour flight, Valiant was quiet, gazing at the pale blue sky outside the windows, her shoulders tense. Elizabeth knew better than to disturb her, though she wished she could offer some reassurance to her sister that everything would turn out well.
An hour after leaving Glasgow airport, they arrived at Govan. The cab driver was kind enough to take them all the way to the Mackenzies and wait; they didn't know what would happen, after all.
The Mackenzies' house wasn't as extravagant as the Dallimore manor, but Elizabeth could understand why Valiant loved it. The lawn was wide enough for lunches and tea parties, and it held a certain charm to it—a cozy home you would want to return to.
"Wait here," Valiant said, marching to the gate. She rang the doorbell and waited. A minute later, a blonde woman in her 30s came out of the house. Her eyes widened.
"Miss Valerie?" the woman said, rushing to open the gate. "Oh my god, is that really you?"
"Therese." Valiant glanced at the door. "Where's Mama and Papa?"
Elizabeth watched in rising apprehension as the woman, Therese, stiffened, sadness veiling her eyes. Valiant must have noticed too, her shoulders tensing. Therese glanced at Elizabeth and Warspite. "Are they your sisters?"
"Yes. Where is Mama and Papa?"
Therese hesitated, then nodded. "Please come inside."
###
Valiant took the news in silence.
"Mrs. Mackenzie passed away two months after you left. Mr. Mackenzie joined her two weeks later."
Elizabeth watched as her sister remained frozen where she sat, head bowed, her eyes concealed by her silvery bangs. She could have been a statue with her stillness, unbroken save for the subtle tremors on her shoulders.
It was a minute before Valiant spoke, her voice softer than Elizabeth was used to. "I sent letters."
Therese nodded, pouring them a cup of tea. "I sent them back. I didn't know what to tell you, and I thought it was better that you come here personally. Mrs. Mackenzie…" She sighed. "It was breast cancer. She didn't want to tell you. She said you would have returned."
"She didn't have it treated?"
"She refused. You know how stubborn she could be."
"I know." Despite the tears welling in her eyes, Valiant managed a smile. "And Papa?"
Therese sighed. "Grief is the deadliest disease, and sometimes it has no cure. Mr. Mackenzie couldn't bear the thought of losing his other half. I was there during his final days, and… well, there are some things you can't know."
Valiant nodded. Elizabeth squeezed her sister's hand, offering what comfort she could. Warspite mirrored her, taking the other hand.
"Take good of her, please," Therese said, looking at them. "She meant so much to Mr. and Mrs. Mackenzie. Their children didn't even attend the funeral."
"We will," Elizabeth said. She took a cup, sipping the tea.
"Ah, I almost forgot. They left something for you, Miss Valerie." As Therese left, Elizabeth glanced at Valiant. She wanted to ask how her sister felt, how she could help ease her pain, but the words quickly died in her throat. What else could she and Warspite say? All they could give was the warmth of their love.
Therese returned a few minutes later. Valiant wiped away her tears, then looked up as Therese handed her a thick brown envelope.
"Their graduation gift. I know it's early, but…"
Valiant nodded as she took it. Elizabeth and Warspite withdrew to another seat, giving her some privacy. Whatever it contained was for Valiant's eyes alone.
The first one was a letter, which Valiant read in silence. It wasn't long before fresh tears were streaming down her cheeks, but she remained composed as she pulled out several documents.
Elizabeth could already guess what they were for.
Valiant scanned a few pages, then wiped her eyes before folding the letter and stuffing it inside her bag. The rest she slid back inside the envelope. She looked at Therese, her expression resolute.
"Sell it. Sell everything. I don't have any use for them." She gestured around the room.
The woman nodded. "And the money?"
"I'll take half of it. Take whatever you need too, then give the rest to a charity." She paused, frowning slightly. "Where's Troy?"
"In my house. No one else wanted to take him in. But if you wish, I could hand him over to you."
Valiant shook her head. "I would not be able to take care of him."
"All right." Therese stood. "Do you want to stay for the night? You and your sisters could—"
"No." Valiant placed the envelope on the table then rose to her feet. "Thank you for everything, Therese. Take care of yourself."
"And you as well, Miss Valerie."
###
Valiant was quiet as they left for the airport.
Elizabeth didn't break the silence. The grief was still fresh in her sister's heart, and she didn't want to exacerbate the wound that hadn't yet healed.
"Where do you want to go?" Elizabeth asked Valiant softly, even though she already knew the answer.
Valiant looked to the sky.
"Home."
###
It was evening when they arrived.
The manor sparkled with a multitude of colors, turning it into a towering monument of Christmas laurels and wreathes. It seemed that Elisa went out of her way to decorate the entire manor this year.
Like a vicious wave, homesickness swept over Elizabeth. Three months were too long for her to be away from the first place that took her in—the one place she would always consider as home. But that feeling quickly subsided.
They were back.
Elisa greeted them with surprise and then a warm smile and a tight embrace. Valiant lingered in her arms the most. There were no tears, but her shuddering breath was evident.
"What happened?" Elisa asked when they separated. Valiant sniffled, wiping her eyes.
"We'll tell you inside," Elizabeth said. "Is Noah…?"
"Yes, he's here. He was granted a two-week leave, if you can believe it." There was a tightness in her voice that Elizabeth hadn't heard from the younger Dallimore before. "Franceska and the girls too. Everyone's here."
Despite the joy in her heart at seeing her family and friends again, a heaviness settled in Elizabeth's chest that she couldn't place a finger on.
Elisa offered to carry some of their luggages—Brian was also on vacation with his family. But they refused. The luggages weren't heavy, not with their strength.
Elizabeth heard the laughter even before the door opened. She stepped inside the hallway, inhaling the familiar scent of home. It had only been three months since she last stood here, but it seemed a lifetime to her.
Elisa went ahead first, calling, "Look who decided to join us!"
Lowering her luggage, Elizabeth entered the living room. The Revenge sisters were sprawled on the carpeted floor, playing cards. Drake appeared from the kitchen, carrying a tray of cookies. Her eyes widened as Elizabeth stepped in with Warspite and Valiant, and she broke into a wide smile.
"Excellent! Now I can bake more cookies," she said.
Elizabeth barely heard her. On the couch, Noah rose and approached her. His face had more lines than Elizabeth could remember, and there was a weariness in his eyes that was not there when she last saw him.
Had it really been three months?
Finally, Noah stopped in front of her, a faint smile blooming on his face. "Welcome back, Elizabeth." He swept his gaze over to Warspite and Valiant. "And you two as well, Warspite and Valiant."
"Yes, it's good to be back," Valiant murmured. Warspite nodded, beaming.
Dinner was a joyous affair. Laughter and stories filled the table, and for the first time in months, Elizabeth's heart was completely at ease. She didn't have to care about tomorrow's classes or submit assignments, nor how early she would need to wake up. She didn't have to spend nights thinking about everyone back home.
She was home.
Still, it wasn't all laughter and joy. Valiant barely ate, retiring a few moments later. Elizabeth didn't stop her sister from leaving the table; Valiant needed rest, both in body and mind.
"The Mackenzies passed away," Elizabeth told Noah after dinner. Everyone else had already gone asleep or was preparing to retire for the night, leaving them alone in the living room.
To her surprise, he nodded. "I know. Their caretaker informed me." He sighed. "I didn't tell Valiant because—"
"Because the Mackenzies didn't want to." Elizabeth sipped her tea, staring forlornly at the black liquid. Human lives were truly fragile, unlike them.
A minute of silence passed before Noah spoke again. "Did something happen between you and Valiant?"
Elizabeth looked up. How on earth did…? No, of course he would know. He was that perceptive, and he must have noticed the thread of resentment that still hung between them, thin as it was now.
With a sigh, she lowered her cup. "Yes."
She told him everything she had experienced for the past three months. About her school life, about Evans and their dates, the subsequent disagreement with Valiant. Noah didn't react, simply listening and nodding at appropriate intervals.
When Elizabeth finished, she waited for Noah to speak. He didn't, his gaze seemingly cast far away. It was only when she took another sip of her tea, when the teacup clinked against the saucer, that he finally looked at her.
"The Admiralty suspects about you. All of you."
Elizabeth nearly dropped the teacup in astonishment. "What? How?"
Noah's expression soured. "Some bloody idiot who saw that incident when you first arrived, no doubt. Perhaps all of them. I don't know." He sighed. "And now they have us on surveillance. Royal Oak was tailed. The poor lass was spooked."
"When did this happen?"
"Shortly after you moved to London."
So that was why Noah didn't call her or her sisters since October. Elizabeth gripped the cup tightly. "Have you talked to them?"
He nodded. "I don't think they know about your identities, but they know how some of you arrived." He hesitated, then continued. "I had to tell Richard."
"Plymouth's base commander."
"Yes. He was shocked, of course. I doubt he truly believed me until Drake bent a steel bar in front of him."
"Can we trust him?"
"I wouldn't have revealed the truth if he wasn't trustworthy. We need allies, Elizabeth. If… If more show up, the Admiralty will start investigating."
The unsaid consequences of that possibility hung in the air. Being discovered by the government would be the least of their worries if that happened. And then what? Would they have to flee their own country just to protect themselves?
She looked at Noah, weary and troubled. He must be working so hard to keep their identities a secret. But how long could he do it? How long could he keep them safe? She had to help him. It was the least she could do for everything he had done for her and her sisters, her kind.
But how? She had no power save for what abilities she possessed, and she doubt if those would help avoid attention. She was just Elizabeth Dallimore, a reincarnated warship who was reborn in a time that no longer needed her.
"Are you worried?" Noah asked.
She nodded. "I would lie if I said no. I just wish I could do something to help you and the others." She grimaced. "Queen Elizabeth. I should act more like a queen."
Noah shook his head. "You don't have to burden yourself. You should be enjoying your life."
Elizabeth didn't answer. What he said was true, and she wouldn't deny that she was living life to the fullest. But perhaps she had been too complacent, too certain that nothing could go wrong.
If there was anything that her situation with Valiant had taught her, it was how easy to make a mistake with devastating consequences. One small misstep could end in a tumble through a steep cliff.
And how long until Noah makes a tiny miscalculation?
Enjoying life. Elizabeth wouldn't be able to enjoy life if the people she loved were harmed. If there was always the possibility that their identities would be revealed and their peaceful lives shattered. She had to protect them.
All of them.
It was getting late, so Noah bade her a good night. Elizabeth walked to her room in silence, her mind churning like a maelstrom. What could she do to keep her family safe?
She opened the door and froze.
Three beds, just like before. Warspite lay on the left one, her expression soft and serene. No one would assume that she was one of the most fearsome battleships to sail the seas.
On the right lay Valiant, and for once there was no scowl on her face. There was simply contentment; a peaceful slumber, safe within the walls of their home.
Elizabeth clenched her hands. Home. Family. They were the things that mattered the most to her. People she cared about more than anything else. If she couldn't keep them safe, what was the point of her being reincarnated?
As silently as she could, she changed into her sleepwear and approached the empty bed in the middle. Just as she was about to climb on, she glanced at Valiant once more, and her heart ached. Her sister lost two of her most beloved people, but no one was there to comfort her.
Elizabeth didn't hesitate. She slipped under Valiant's blanket and wrapped her arms around her sister. Valiant didn't move, but the sigh she released made Elizabeth smile.
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again," she murmured.
I will protect you. All of you.
There's only one explanation for why this update took longer than usual. And that is, I may have made the ending of the previous chapter too strong.
Scratch that. It was too strong that I couldn't think of a logical way to continue past it for days. I have an outline, yes. But it's really rough and subjected to change. And I knew I had to progress the story regardless.
The result was this chapter. I feel like it is rough and doesn't fully convey scenes I've envisioned in my head, but as always, you readers will be the judges.
Anyway, I believe the next few chapters should go smoothly from now. Expect a brief timeskip and some new yet very familiar faces!