Libra Against Luna

Chapter1:Marriage proposal

Agatha's POV:

“Elliott isn't here, Miss.” The little boy said, staring at me.

"Not here! What do you mean? Did he step out?" I inquired, impatiently.

"He was taken by his uncle two days ago. He seemed in high spirits as he gathered his belongings, so I presumed he was returning home." The boy replied.

"His uncle, you say? Which uncle?"

"That I know not." The boy answered, with a slight shrug. "Is there cause for concern, Miss?” He asked.

I was extremely happy when I woke up earlier today, I felt different, usually I would wake up feeling annoyed and saddened about how gothic my life was. But today I woke up happy, extremely happy. I was finally going to see Elliott, it's been six months, four weeks, and five days since I last set my eyes on him.

A few days ago, I received a letter from his academy. Bearing the news that due to some unforeseen disruptions faced, all students would be sent home for at least a month till all has been sorted out. I would have fetched him the day prior, but I had some errands to run at home. I finally found the time today, and I did all I could to make sure that I picked him up today. After I prepared his favorite meal and packed it up in a wooden lunch box, I made my way out of the house and into the busy streets of Guildford in search of a carriage that would take me to Mr. Winthrop’s Medical Academy.

I stared at the little boy for a while before I quickly made my way inside the Academy. “Good day.” I greeted as I approached the front desk.

“Good day, Miss. How may we assist you?” Inquired one of the young apprentices, the other was deeply engrossed in his paperwork.

“I have come to fetch my brother, in response to the one-month break granted by the academy.” I replied, placing the lunch box upon the table.

“What is his full name and module?” He asked, retrieving a large ledger and beginning to flip through its pages.

“Elliott, Elliott Ainsworth. He is in module two.” I responded.

He continued flipping through the ledger until he paused and looked up. “He was collected a day after the letter was dispatched.”

A wave of shock passed through my veins. “Has my brother been abducted?” I wondered.

“Do you have any idea as to who might have taken him?” I inquired, my voice barely above a whisper.

“One moment, let me verify.” He said, as he resumed his search through the ledger. “It states here that your brother was taken by his stepfather, Noah Pennington.”

“Is there a problem, Miss?” The other apprentice asked.

If Noah had already fetched Elliott, why had he not informed me? Even Mother, she has remained quiet about it. This could not be merely because of my refusal to the proposal.

All these thoughts swirled in my mind, it made me unable to respond to the worried apprentices. Without a word, I stepped out of the academy, leaving the lunch box behind. I stood by the road, awaiting a carriage, but none came by. So, I began to walk down the road, hoping to meet a carriage along the way.

I was in deep thoughts, my life has not been without its hardships. My father, Rutherford Ainsworth, died whilst my mother was still pregnant with Elliott, marking the beginning of my harsh childhood.

As a child, I toiled in the fields of Blackmane to earn for my mother’s feeding and medicines. When Elliott was born, my mother joined me in the fields until her health waned. I told her to cease, and thus began my double shifts, laboring in the fields by day and selling seashells by night.

Unbeknownst to me, my mother found work at an opera, singing behind the curtains for a celebrated singer. There she met Noah Pennington, a Jewish immigrant, who promised her the heavens and the earth, and she was charmed.

One fine evening, I returned to find my mother in a man's embrace. She confessed her employment at the opera and her acquaintance with Noah, a widower with a daughter my age, along with his proposal of marriage. A few months after, my mother, Grace Ainsworth, wedded Noah Pennington. Shortly thereafter, we moved to his home in Guildford, where we have resided ever since.

Since those years has past, my brother and I have remained an outcast in the Pennington household. My mother saw Caroline, my stepsister as a daughter and me a stepdaughter.

<<

When I returned home, I immediately made my way towards Noah's room but was diverted by the sound of voices emanating from the dining room.

Entering, I saw my mother, Noah, and Caroline, merrily chatting over breakfast. They appeared to be the picture of a perfect family, while my presence only marred the scene.

I had never truly belonged here; I was but a maid, and Elliott an unwelcome addition. I remained solely for his sake, using my meager earnings to pay his academy fees. Were I to flee with him, we would lack shelter and food; were I to leave without him, he would likely become a slave.

And our beloved mother, Grace Pennington, would never defy her current husband for the sake of her late husband's children. “How selfish.” I muttered, unaware that my voice was loud enough for all to hear.

“Oh, you are finally back. Where is that brat?” Caroline asked, clearly ignorant of her father’s actions.

Both Noah and my mother avoided my gaze, asking no questions about Elliott's whereabouts. Their silence confirmed my suspicions: Noah had taken my brother, and my mother was fully aware.

But why? Did she wish for me to comply with her husband's desires?

“Where is Elliott?” I demanded, walking towards Noah.

He ignored me, continuing to chew on a piece of lamb.

“We should be asking you where he is. You went to fetch him.” Caroline interjected.

Turning to face Caroline I said. “I went to the academy to retrieve Elliott. Upon my arrival, I discovered that your father, Noah Pennington, had already taken him, two days ago.” I revealed, then I turned to face Noah. “So I ask again, where is Elliott?”

“I made a proposal to you three nights ago, which you refused to adhere to. Your refusal will cost this family dearly, so it is best you comply, or else you shall never see your brother again.” Noah replied, rising with a bag slung over his shoulder. “I have a meeting with the elders at the temple. We can discuss this further upon my return.” He began to walk towards the door when I asked,

“What proposal?” Caroline asked, genuinely confused.

“A marriage proposal from Alpha Genova Hawthorne of Respawn Pack.” He replied, then walked out of the house.