Between Lines

Have you ever been on a trampoline and felt like you were just gliding through the air for a couple of seconds? That's what I've been feeling like for a long time. A comfortable floaty feeling. It's nice and warm but it's also very dark here.

It's also very, very lonely. It's quiet. I usually like quiet, but this is a bit too much.

Was I dead? I don't think so. Maybe floating between life and death.

Fuck the Millstones. Carol's anger issues must be genetic or something. This was why she never got in trouble for throwing tantrums.

I suppose there were good reasons for parents to hit their children, but I refuse to raise ethical questions about parenting as I have technically never been a parent. Well, I've raised a kid so I guess it does count but I digress.

The quiet of this place is really starting to get to me. Shouldn't I be in a bed or something? All I remember is getting hit really hard and then fainting.

I really hope that I'm just in a coma or something, otherwise God will never hear the end of it from me.

I don't know how long I was left to my own thoughts, but I began to hear a voice. I didn't know that voice, but I also it. It was both feminine and masculine at the same time. It was strange to put it simply.

"...w....up."

"Wake up."

"I have given you another chance at life, yet you are going to waste it like this?"

Hey, I didn't want to get into this situation either! I was enjoying my new life just fine!

"... I'm begging you..."

"Please wake up so that girl doesn't destroy this world I put so much work into!"

The stupid begging of that voice turned to sobs and I sighed. How can you destroy a world? Was this whole situation a figment of my bored imagination? Was I going insane? I should take a nap, maybe they'll shut up.

"Don't you dare fall asleep right now! I reincarnated you into this world and I will reincarnate you right out! Wake up!"

No.

"Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up!"

No, no, no, no, and no.

"PLEASE!"

BITCH, I'LL GET UP WHEN I FEEL LIKE IT. NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP AND LET ME REST.

"I can't believe it. A human just yelled at me, and after everything I've done for her. Has the universe gone mad?"

Her ramblings were driving me insane. How can someone rest like this? Well, I'll find some other way to pass the time. Hmm...

Ah, yes. I'll look at how much I've fucked up the storyline of this book.

First of all, Ophelia was supposed to grow up believing that she wasn't loved by her family and only find solace in giving all the love she had to her younger brothers. She truly was loved, her parents were just incredibly busy. After all, her father was a Duke and right-hand to the King while her mother managed the household and made sure everything ran smoothly with finances and the like. I had first-hand experience with how much the two parents loved their daughter, calling me into their offices separately to ask me of her status, if she was eating well, had enough clothes, needed anything. While the Duke had never admitted, he memorized all of Ophelia's favorite foods and flowers, forcing the cooks to master the dishes and gardeners to take special care of said flowers in the gardens. Lady Ysabelle threw herself into planning every birthday party Ophelia had and always cleared her schedule for each day before so they could go on trips together.

I had also contributed to giving Ophelia substantial love so she wouldn't vye for any of Floyd's attention, but her parents attempts were wonderful. Ophelia still had a deep love for her younger brothers, so that at least didn't change.

Then there was the assassination attempt, which I still had scars on my shoulder from. Three or four I believe, but I can't remember for sure. They kind of look like stars. I was able to stop the arrows from hurting Ophelia but I was unable to stop the trauma they would leave. She'd gotten better over the years, but traces of the trauma were still left. She couldn't bear to be around archery equipment of any sort without having panic attacks and had a slight obsession with knowing about anything happening around her.

I could've learned archery but to not make Ophelia's memories resurface, I refused. Ophie always comes first.

Then there was Alexander, who was supposed to become part of Carol's reverse harem but was instead found and disciplined by me, completely scrapping his event with Carol which was quite important to the story. Alexander helped teach Carol how to master her magic as thanks for saving his life and fell in love with her along the way. However, many fans had noticed how his relationship with Floyd seemed a bit... Ambiguous.

Wait, wait, wait. Get your mind out of the gutter. Although I have considered them to always be a better possible couple than anything involving Carol, I don't believe that it's possible. The multiple situations I've caught them in beg to differ though.

I'm getting off topic and beginning to hear that stranger's muttering again, so I must continue.

The current 'Carole Prosecution' arc, as I'm calling it, was not present in the story. Nothing remotely like this happened in the story, though I always suspected Carol to be unhinged. Speaking of which, why did Carole finally crack and attack Ophelia? There's actually no good reasons yet. Hm. Perhaps this is all a misunderstanding?

.

.

.

Haha, no, fuck that. The Millstones may burn in hell for all I care. Even if Ophelia did frame Carol for attacking her or someone else attacked her or something, I'm completely fine with Carol taking the entire blame for it. I don't care about her.

Also, fuck her basic ass dad. If he even is her dad. Actually, wouldn't it be funny if she was an illegitimate child? Her 'wonderful' father cheating on his wife to meet up with Carol's mother? Wait, maybe that's really the full story! Carol was never kidnapped, she was just a mistress' daughter!

I'm developing a full on conspiracy theory here, and I like it. Or I'm going stir crazy. Both, most likely.

Speaking of conspiracy theories, my origins have never sat quite right with me. My mother, Martha, was strange in her own right as a maid who had experience with many forms of combat and mysterious origins I still did not know of. Then there was my second mother or perhaps father, Lianne, who had violated my mother to create me. From what I had grasped from the few conversations with her, Lianne was apologetic for her crime and wished to reconcile with Martha. I, of course, could care less. She still did such a terrible thing and hadn't been punished for it. I would never forgive her, even if she was my mother.

Actually, something was a bit strange there. Lianne had mentioned using a drug or potion or something of the sort on my mother to conceive me, a child born between two women. Is that even possible? Something like that would have to completely mess with a woman's (or man's, don't know if this works on both genders) genetic code. Men are specifically made to be able to children with women and vice versa. That kind of thing would throw all of that out of whack, especially if it permanently changed up the consumer's genetics, which could make the changes...

Hereditary.

Assuming that Lianne was telling the truth, there was a very high chance that I carried the ability to have children with the same gender, coming from my mother's side. What am I supposed to do with that information?

Just to clarify, I have no problems with such a thing. I've never felt romantic feelings for someone, only physical attraction, but if I did I wouldn't care about gender. If it was a woman, so be it. A man, so be it. Someone who identified as neither, so be it. It was simply how I was, no if and or buts about it.

If such a thing exists, then why isn't such a drug popular? Is it because it's created using illegal ways? Maybe same-sex relationships aren't accepted in this world? Actually, that's not possible. The author of 'Dears Of Yesterday' was very adamant during their explainations of the world they had built, that same-sex relationships were very accepted and common even. I had even witnessed it first hand while on Archom's streets, lovey-dovey couples of all kinds on the streets laughing and having fun. There were even a couple same-sex noble couples that used surrogate mothers or fathers to keep their lines going. It was very intriguing, perhaps even a fujoshi or yuri fan's paradise.

In other words...

"MY EXISTENCE DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE!"

When I screamed that and sat up, I didn't expect the sizzling pain that took over my head or the surprised gasps of people in a room that looked quite familiar.

A hospital room in the academy's hospital ward.

Except this time, I was the patient instead of the caretaker. How strange that is.

"Ava, my child! I thought I lost you! If I had, that Millstone bastard wouldn't live to tell any tales!" The familiar sobbing voice I had only heard a few times in my life cut through my thoughts and I was engulfed in a warmth I had enjoyed as a child. Comfort.

Mother.

"... Mommy?" The childish word I don't think I've ever said before slipped out of my mouth naturally, causing more tears to pour out of the pretty woman's eyes as her hold on me tightened.

"Yes, Ava. It's Mommy, Mommy's right here."

It was at that moment that I began to do something I didn't even think I was capable of doing.

I cried. I cried in my mother's arms like the child I was.

--------

From what I learned after my crying spiel, I had been outcold for A WEEK. Not just a couple of days, but a full entire week. Seven whole days. By all means, they thought I wasn't going to wake up.

When they told Ophelia about such a possibility, she took it well.

Of course she didn't, she almost went storming into the academy's holding room used for the Millstone father and daughter pair to incapacitate them depsite her injuries.

I am both proud and terrified to relay the information that it took all of the academy's guards and five royal guards to stop her rage.

After I had fainted in the hallway of the hospital ward, the Ducal couple had appeared to witness the scene of chaos. Their still unwell daughter on the ground cradling her bleeding maid in her arms as guards actively worked to restrain the perpetrator that was the father of the girl who injured their daughter.

Long story short, there were two very ugly bruises on the Earl's average face. One from each parent. Who knew Lady Ysabelle packed such a mean left hook?

I had also missed the trial due to my fainting. Both the Millstone family members had been convicted of assault and even attempted murder had been brought up. Sadly, that charge got dropped. They had, however, been fined quite heavily and put under house arrest for ten years, unable to leave their Earldom and Carol unable to attend schooling anywhere but at home. But who would want to educate a girl who attacked Duke Archom's beloved daughter? Only the desperate, down on their luck, bottom of the barrel tutors. Even they had standards, however.

While the Earldom they held hadn't been taken away, the Millstone family lost any and all chances of returning to high society or making connections with anyone. Even the lowest class countryside nobles wouldn't want anything to do with them, much less wed their heirs. Carol's brother's, Michael, engagement had been cancelled due to the stain on their family's reputation and a very strong statement from Duke Archom.

"If anyone is to associate with the Millstones, you are making an eternal enemy of the Dubannes line."

I believe the reaction says a lot about the power of the Dubannes family. That engagement had been with the family of the current kingdom's Queen. The Millstones had truly and royally screwed up.

The one relaying all this information was my dear mother, Martha, eyes still red from the crying we had done together. There was also something quite strange about my mother.

"Mother-"

"Mommy." She interjected, rewrapping the wound on my head. I could see her wincing.

"... Mommy, what are you wearing?" I rolled my eyes whilst asking her about her outfit. Rather than the maid uniform, exercise clothes, or nightgown I usually see my mother in, this outfit was very out of the ordinary.

She was wearing a military uniform. It was black, complementing her hair perfectly and littered with shiny medals of all sorts. She even had a commander's cap on, black as well. The uniform was complimented by red accents and silver buttons, giving her a clean yet very intimidating appearance. Mother looked ready for battle.

She finally finished wrapping up my head before looking down at herself. "Oh, this? It's just my old uniform from my days in the army." She spoke in a dismissive way, as one might speak of the weather.

"Huh?"

"I didn't tell you? I used to be in the military before I worked under the Dubannes. Fun times."

What am I supposed to say to that? How do you go from military woman to maid? Mother, it seems you were once a heroine if not important side character before I was born. What else have you forgotten to tell me?

I blinked at her quite stupidly before asking, "What rank were you?"

"Master Commander."

...

...

...

MASTER COMMANDER?! THE HIGHEST RANKING MILITARY POSITION SOMEONE CAN HOLD?! THE MILITARY ADVISOR TO THE KING AND KINGDOM?! THE STRONGEST MILITARY PERSONNEL IN THE KINGDOM BOTH MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY?! THAT WAS YOU, MOTHER DEAREST?!

How the fuck do you downgrade from that to lady's maid? Ah, now my conception makes even less sense.

My mouth must've begun to hang open, as mother's gloved hand gently pushed it closed and gave my cheek a soft pat.

I needed more answers to this ridiculous situation, but before I could ask anything the door was thrown open with flourish and a frantic voice filled the air.

"Ava?!"

Ophie has come to see me. And she looks quite terrible. I should have let her learn to brush her own hair.

[ It's here. They're not straight, I'm so sorry for such a long time between updates. I understand that this chapter isn't everything you guys may have wanted, but I wanted to get you guys something nice. Thank you for all the votes, views, and love you've been sending to me for this story. I appreciate every single one of you.

But real talk...

You guys want a Martha chapter? ]