The Scoundrel's Tribute

Mom

Rene

Dina's birthday arrived and Dmitry has outdone himself. The castle looked like it popped out straight from Dina's favorite fairy tale. Thousands of tiny lanterns everywhere, vines around the pillars, a sea of desserts and Dmitry even ordered our seats to be decorated specially. He gifted Dina a gorgeous dress, it was made of the finest and lightest materials, it had a light pink color and somehow the fabric itself shined. The Little Lady of Rankin got matching shoes and hairpin for her dress. Ever since I fell ill, Dina didn't leave my side only if it was really necessary, also she hasn't spoken a word to Victor. On her birthday, I saw Victor lurking around Dina and trying to engage into a conversation with her. Whenever he approached her, Dina's eyes searched for me and she rushed to my side. Dina had her lessons early on her birthday, so she could enjoy the party in the afternoon. I took advantage of that time to talk to Victor and Dmitry. I knocked on Dmitry's office door and Victor opened it with a grim expression.

- We need to talk. - I said and he wanted to close the door on me, but I stopped the door and pushed him aside.

- Duchess, I don't remember giving you permission to enter. - Dmitry said and I took seat in front of him regardless. I looked at Victor and nodded towards Dmitry.

- Take a seat Lord Victor. - he didn't obey me, but walked to Dmitry's side. The Duke paid no attention to me for about ten minutes and I didn't say a word either. Dmitry finally looked into my eyes and said in a pissed tone.

- If you have nothing to say, leave. - I stood up and hit the desk in front of him with both of my palms. The sound echoed in the office and both men stared at me in a way they'd look at a ghost. I smiled sweetly and took my seat again.

- Now, that I have both of your attention. I'd like to know three things. One, why Dina turned completely into my shadow? Two, why is she avoiding Lord Victor like a plague? And last but not least, why is the Duke looking at me with regret? Although I suppose I know the answer for the third, I want to hear it from you. - I said looking into Dmitry's eyes. The expression he made was so sad and pitiful. I crossed my arms in front of my chest and asked.

- Is the Duke really that disappointed that I'm still alive? - that moment Dmitry did something I've never expected. He stood up and shouted at me.

- DO I LOOK LIKE THAT?! - I nodded calmly.

- Yes. The Duke looks like someone who's deeply regretting something. - I said, Dmitry was trembling in anger and groaned in frustration. He sat back and buried his face in his hands sighing loudly.

- I do regret many things, but none of them are what you think. I'm glad that you are okay. - as he said that last sentence he looked into my eyes and I saw that spark he had in my previous life. My heart skipped a beat and I giggled in my mind. "After everything you had been through with and because of him, your heart still skips a beat whenever he looks at you this way... Rene, you never learn." - I thought and Victor bowed deeply.

- Duchess, for what I've done there are no words. I deeply sorry that my clouded judgment caused you pain and put your life on the line. I swear to be loyal to you and make sure you suffer no harm in the future! - I looked at the bowing Victor and started laughing. They both stared at me in confusion which made this whole situation even more hilarious.

- What? - that's all I could say before my tears started to fall. My voice became hoarse from laughing and I wiped my tears of joy off. After calming and clearing my throat I said.

- Excuse me but this must be a joke right? Both of you tried to kill me for years! I'm alive thanks to myself, and now, you are saying you'll protect me? No thanks, I don't want from your protection. I'd prefer if Lord Victor would stay far from me. I still haven't received answer to my questions. - Dmitry sighed.

- Dina was terrified to loose you and she heard fragments of your conversation with Victor. That's why she follows you and avoids him. For your third question, I've already given my answer. I do regret many things, but the fact that you are still alive, is not on the list. Is there anything else you'd like to discuss? - he asked and this was the first time in this life that he sounded sincere. "Should I tell him about the danger that is around the corner? He'd ask how I know it... If I reveal the truth, I might die before I can save Dina." - Dmitry looked at me expectantly. I took a deep breath.

- While I was unconscious, I had a vision. It wasn't a dream, it was too real for that.

- If you tell me how you could survive that poisoning, I'll hear you out. - he said and I smiled.

- I've built up resistance to technically all kind of poisons that could be found in the North and South. My mother started to feed me poisonous herbs and flowers ever since I was born. - Dmitry nodded.

- I've decided to give you some trust, so tell me Rene, what was it about? - Dmitry said and I took a deep breath.

- I saw Dinara on her dead bed. She wasn't much older than she is today, maybe a year or two. - the color ran out of Dmitry's face and I could hear his teeth clench.

- If this is revenge for what I've done to you, I'm telling you, that you are crossing a line Rene. - he said and I looked into his eyes determined.

- I'm not lying and would never use Dina as your weakness. I told you Dmitry, I'm not a pawn. If I wanted to hurt anyone here, I would have done already. - I put the jar of colorful butterfly candies on the table.

- What is that Duchess? - Victor asked, he snapped out of the shock earlier than Dmitry. He still looked as pale as someone who is about to pass out.

- These candies contain poison in a very small dosage. Each color a different one, I've been sick lately because I was trying to find the perfect measurements for these candies. I'll gift them to the Little Lady tonight. - Dmitry jumped over the table and grabbed me by my throat lifting me up from the ground.

- You want to slowly kill my daughter so your premonition would come true? You wicked b***h! - he said squeezing the air out of me.

- Would I tell you about it if that was my plan? - I asked digging my nails into his hand. Victor rushed to us and said.

- She is right Dima! Release her! Let her explain! - Dmitry put me down, and stopped squeezing my throat, but kept his hand on it.

- Talk. - he said and I rolled my eyes.

- If she eats a candy per day, in less than six months, Dinara will be resistant to most poisons. So she won't be in danger like in my vision. She died by poison, but I don't know which one, so I thought, the more the merrier! I told you about this to put my cards on the table. Duke, you can hate me, you don't have to believe me in anything else and you can also resent, even avoid me, but just this once, for Dina's safety, please, trust me. - Dmitry's eyes kept looking into mine searching for the truth, finally he released my throat and walked to the table. He handed me the jar and said.

- If she gets hurt because of this, I'll torture you till you beg for death.

- She'll have some side effects, but, I'm going to take care of them. - I gave him a notepad.

- In that, there are all the side effects of the different candies and their remedies as well. I'll take my leave now. - I said rubbing my neck and walked out. Once the door closed behind me, I collapsed on the floor. My hands were trembling and I couldn't stopped laughing. " Shit... This was the worst!" - I thought and when I lifted my head I saw the worried Dina in front of me.

- Oh, Hi dear! Did your lessons end? - I asked and she nodded looking at the door angrily.

-Did they hurt you? - she asked and I shook my head with a smile, but Dina must've noticed something, because she stormed into his father's office. I hurried after her but I wasn't prepared for what I heard.

- STOP ABUSING MY MOM! - she shouted and judging by the look in Dmitry's eyes, my survival got on the list of his regrets. Dina grabbed my hand and lead me out of the office.

- Dina, wait a minute! - I said but she kept running pulling me after her.

- Dinara Stop! - I said and she gasped before she stopped. I haven't spoken this stern with her for a year. I kneeled in front of her and hugged her.

- Thank you for taking care of me. Why did you call me Mom? - she looked deeply into my eyes.

- Duchess Rene is my stepmother and you have been taking care of me like a real mom! I made my research! I know that I can have a mom even if my biological mother passed away.

- What is a mom to you? - I asked and she held my hand.

- Someone who protects and caresses me, who makes sure I'm happy and chases the clouds away. The one who reads for me and teaches me new things, Rene, could you please be my mom? - never before... She never called me mom. I didn't know what to say, I just hugged this little girl like my life depended on reassuring her.

- I won't say I've always been, but I promise you, I'll always be your mom. - she extended her pinky and we locked our fingers giggling.

- Come, let's get ready for the party. I also have a special surprise for you in my garden! - she held my hand and we headed to my room. I felt eyes on my back but the gaze was as familiar as the sound of his steps.