Misery of Artemisia

Chapter 1: Kingdom of Ashes

I JUST got out of the book shop where I tried to comfort myself with the smells and presence of smells. I didn't know where my mom was. That is why I came out. She just told me that someone left a bouquet in our house. Then that's it. She left nothing more. Here I am, still wondering who sent it. Perhaps it was coming from her new husband.

Sometimes, I also think and care about my dad. Where did he suppose to be? I miss his presence, wherein I feel the love I need. I'm not totally against my mom's actions. It's just that her attention and love are almost spent on her second spouse. It is one of the reasons why I gradually feel that she doesn't love me the way a real mother does.

A bouquet of white roses welcomed me when I entered our house. It also includes an invitation card. But, where does it come from? Who sent it?

"An invitation from the Kingdom of Ashes? W-what the hell is this? There are only four kingdoms here and those are England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. I'm not even familiar with it. Duh, perhaps they're just thinking so paranoid," I disgustedly uttered. But still, I cannot control myself from thinking about it over and over again.

I grab my phone in my wallet to suddenly talk with my mom.

"Mom?" I questioned.

"Yes, Artemisia? If you're going to tell me about non-sense stuff, then you should drop this call now." The way she talks was so nasty to hear. As if I wasn't her daughter. Is that the right way to treat her child?

"Just hear me out and answer this, mom. Do you have any idea who the person was who sent those flowers to us? Hmm, I mean, that's very peculiar."

I moved my cellphone I was holding across my ears.

"Stop. Don't be silly anymore, Misia. I know that it was coming from your boyfriend. Isn't it? Well, I still don't care about that. If you want to lose everything you have, go on," she replied with tempered.

Why do I even hope that she will answer me rightly? Perhaps it is time for me to live alone. Without my witch mom. Because ever since, I have never felt that she's here beside me. I feel like she just gave birth to me for some unknown reason.

A while ago, although I'm recently here in my room, I still forced myself not to be affected by her sh*t words. It still wasn't fine with me though she treated me the same way as when I was born. I've been on a tear countless times. Sometimes I wonder what if there is another place where I won't feel hurt?

"I'm losing interest, not at all. There is only one thing I want, and that is to have a peaceful life," I said to myself. I put my hands below my chin. "But how can I claim it?" I took a deep breath before I lay down on the bed.

I'm a 17-year-old lady who wants to claim peace. Throughout my existence, I never encountered genuine serenity. Until now, I didn't know how I would feel about it by myself. Is it possible?

What if I just live by myself? Do I need to get permission from my mother to do it? Damn!

"Artemisia? What have you done?! You haven't prepared any dish for me to eat! Is that what you think is the right action to do? Then, if you don't prepare me shepherd's pie and cream tea, go out of this house forever. Yea, you're truly mannerless, aren't you? I'm just telling the fact, poor seventh lady Misia." For the reason that she threw ominous words at me again, I guess that it's the right time for me to live independently.

I am sobbing in front of my mother that I didn't even feel her love. Most especially that dad is somewhere that we couldn't find and she got married to her second husband. And the most unpleasant thing is that she did not ask me for permission if I would agree with that marriage as her only child. She let herself do the things she had wanted.

"I apologize for this to mom. It seems like you totally forgot me as your daughter," I continually cry while touching my chest due to the pain I felt. "You're always upset about my actions though I do almost everything for you! I felt that you forgot to give respect to my dignity. You also humiliate me in the presence of several people. Go on, mom. Tell me if it was all fine."

While I was staring at her eyes, I felt some guilt about her reaction, as if I wanted to take it all back.

Her eyes are producing tears that possibly came from what I've said. For the reason that I still love her as my mother, I don't want her to feel so much pain just because of what I did. "P-pardon me, mom. I was just carried away by my emotion. It's not my intention to hurt—"

But then, I made a different presumption. My mother slaps me so forcefully. I've never thought that she could do it to her daughter.

"I've never dreamed of having a daughter like you. You're still lucky because I chose to give you life. Because if I were to be chosen by myself, I would certainly abort you."

Is what I've heard right?

"W-what do you mean by that, mom?! That isn't a fact." I tried to defend my mother though I directly heard those words from her.

"So, if you want to get away from me, I am permitting you to leave now. I don't need you anymore, Artemisia. Also, bring that rubbish flowers away from my house too," she irrationally spoke.

"I'm your daughter. Why? Why do you treat me like a pitiful pig?! Conceivably you're right, mom. It is better if I ran away from you rather than feel more pain against you. Just keep it in your mind, mom, I'm not acting disrespectful towards you, you're the one who did it." After that quotation, I truly left behind this evil house. While my mother still looks at me exasperated.

She knows it. I have done nothing wrong that might make her unsettled too much. She's the one who always wanted to start an argument with us.

As a daughter, this literally isn't easy. I am going to live by myself, without any guidance. I guess that I chose the right path. But still, I will not forget her as my mom, unlike how she treats me.

"Miss Art! I'm glad to see your stunning beauty once again. Yea actually, I've been lookin' for you so many times. Where did you come from?" A familiar woman greeted me with a smile. I knew her. She's the lady who offers me to become one of their models. In the Fantasies of the UK.

For me not to look self-conscious, I forced myself to beam at her, moreover, as if it was the latter day of my life.

"Oh, you are?"

"I'm Bethany," she replied.

I chortled a bit due to the shame I was embarrassed.

"My deepest apologies," I expressed. "I have just newly migrated here to the UK for some private reasons. But before I came here, I was in Chicago."

I'm currently here in the UK to have some relaxation and peace in life. I won't ever let my age ruin my life either. Even if I am still a minor, I will prove to myself that all my difficulties will be worth it while I am still living.

Miss Bethany invited me to be one of their models but I rejected her suggestion. I apprehended that it was not suited to me. I'm not the lady they're looking for.

"Not a problem. I'm hoping to work with you soon, Artemisia. I am gonna leave now, see ya again soon!" she lastly emphasized.

"Yea, sure," I uttered. I smirked.

I take my breath away before I find a place where I can stay for a long time. During my youthfulness, I had enough cash to spend so I could do whatever important things I wanted. Unlike when I'm still beside my mom, almost all of my funds went to her second husband.

Sometimes I also felt pity for my mom, especially when I noticed that her spouse seemed only to be stealing our wealth. I discussed it with her several times but she still chose to believe their 'fake' endearment.

While I'm walking in the streets, I suddenly remember the bouquet and invitation card that I saw throughout my life. I'm just wondering why the message contains too much far to reality.

"What's your hidden mystery? Are you absolutely real?" I gave a voice to him.

I was seated on a bench near this coffee shop to abruptly think about this odd stuff. A bouquet of white roses put in its holder scents so pleased. As if I were going to a place where I can encounter only peace and gladness. How comes?

I put those roses closer to my nose to smell them better. "Hmm, I now feel its peacefulness. Okay, I'm now also going to read your full message. But why don't you tell me who was sent to you? Tsk, you're truly vexatious!"

Dear Lady,

Have an awe-inspiring day, Artemisia! You are invited to our Kingdom where all your wishes will become real. The family of Ashes is welcoming every person who will get this invitation card. So here we are. You're truly invited!

Also, we want to inform you that this opportunity will only be due after one decade. And when you pass that duration, we apologize but you will have no chance to join us.

Think about our invitation carefully!

This letter definitely makes me feel anxious. I do not know if they are intentionally sending it to me or if they really want me to feel satisfied. But how did they know exactly? And our residence address as well?

"Hopefully you're glad now, Artemisia! We will wait for you until you need us." A small sphere mirror spoke, which surprised me. I didn't really think that a mirror could speak!

I almost leave one's senses due to what I've seen. On the other hand, I feel excitement and pleasure while I am reading it. But the question that messes up my mind is whether the fantasy world truly exists?