The Duke's Muse

Chapter Two: Laviland

In the sitting room, all three sit with their coffee mugs in their hands. Bill and Maria are sitting comfortably on a large sofa while Sybil enjoys her coffee by rocking a recliner chair. No one tries to look into the other’s eyes.

Sybil, too, keeps her eyes lowered to avoid meeting her parents’ gaze. Although she does not blame them to keep the information of her adoption, she feels a part of her broke down the moment she read the letter. Her parents gave her everything she could desire for. They gave her love, care, support and most of all Sybil feels they did not want to hurt her by telling her she is adopted. She gulps hard and stands on her feet.

Both Bill and Maria raise their eyes to see what Sybil is doing. She comes near the sofa and sits on the floor while grabbing the left hand of Bill and right hand Maria. She licks her lips and looks into her parents’ worried eyes. With a sigh, Sybil starts, “I don’t blame you for not telling me, mom, and dad. I know how hurt I felt after reading that letter and you were hiding the truth to not hurt me. I love you for making me the person I am today and giving me your unconditional love wholeheartedly. You are my parents and will remain my mom and dad always. Nobody can take your place.”

Both Bill and Maria have tears in their eyes after hearing her words. They know they raised their daughter beautifully. They kiss her forehead one by one and continue to hear what she has to say next.

With a pause, Sybil continues, “But, to know the truth behind my real mother’s misery, I need to find my birth parents, even if they are not alive. I don’t know how I’ll do that, but hopefully, I’ll get your support even in this journey” And, she looks at her adopted parents with pleading eyes.

Even though Bill and Maria feel hurt, they know the reason why Sybil is adamant to find her birth parents. From her childhood, they supported her in everything, then how can they refuse her now. They nod with tears in their eyes and Sybil hugs them while crying with her parents. She wishes to have never read the letter. Her adopted parents are truly wonderful and she can never repay them for all the love they bestowed upon her.

She kisses their foreheads and informs them, “I have sent the letter to a lab. It’ll give me the location where the paper is made or sold.”

Her parents nodded in unison. She again holds their hands and tells them, “Don’t worry Mom and Dad. I am your daughter and will always be. Not even my birth parents can take away your right to be my parents. It’s rightfully said ‘The one who raises is bigger than the one who gives birth’. So you are my rightful parents and I love you for accepting me as your child.”

Both Bill and Maria hug Sybil from the side and pat her back. Maria tells her, “We are always with you, sweetheart. We have faith in you and we trust you’ll reveal the secret behind your real mother’s tragedy.”

Sybil gives a candid smile and kisses their cheeks.

~~~----~~~

The information from the lab and her knowledge from the books guide her to a small town of the rich and famous ‘Laviland’.

After saying goodbye to Bill and Maria, she researched the town and found out, one of the families where the paper from the letter is used requires a teacher c*m librarian for their daughter. She had applied for the job and received a confirmation mail to meet the concerned person on Friday afternoon.

On Friday morning, Sybil is nervous to pick an appropriate dress for the interview. She had never been to an aristocratic family and knew little about the way they dress up.

After much effort, she finds a simple straight dress with an ankle-length skirt, which was gifted by her mother. To add affluence, Samara accents it with a leather belt and completes the look by wearing a straw cartwheel hat. Even though modest, she knows her look will be liked by the nobles.

Travelling in a hired carriage, Sybil's mind is preoccupied with the thoughts of her mother. She is unsure of how to approach the topic of her mother when she reaches the famous town, but after much thought, the young lady decides to come close to the truth before revealing her identity.

With a heavy sigh, Sybil drop her head back and asks the rider, "How far from the town?"

"Not very far, my lady."

Sybil's heart hammers in her chest and she sweat's profusely realizing her destination is near. When she choose to venture on this not so well-trodden path, her mind was calm. But, as the time comes nearer to confront the people who might have had something to do in her real mother's fate, Sybil feels diffident.

She is still contemplating a plan to act normal and get the job, when the rider's question takes her by surprise, "If you don't mind me asking, my lady, why is a nice young girl like you planning to work in the residence of the noble. I have heard a lot about the infamous family and know for certain the rich nobles do not hire from outside circle."

Sybil gives out an embarrassed laugh, "Well, coming from a small town, the opportunity seemed massive. I wanted to experience city life and working for the nobles will be an added benefit. I have no clue whether they hire outsiders or not but I received a mail and wanted to give it a go."

The rider coughs with difficulty. Sybil feels there is something more the rider wishes to disclose; therefore she enquires, "Is there anything else you want to say?"

Exhaling a sharp sigh, the rider starts, "I would suggest you reconsider your decision, my lady. They are known to show no mercy to the ones who cross their path. And being in close vicinity as the insensitive killers would give me sleepless nights. You should probably run before they lay eyes on you."

Sybil laughs at the description of the nobles by the rider. She has to admit, the story did scare her but who would believe such a story. She is going there only to get the answers to her mother's life. By working there no one would doubt her and Sybil will learn about her mother.

"This is the plan and hopefully it will work." Sybil thinks hesitantly.