Cinder X Bella ~ Nineteen!

At Bibbidy’s insistence, Bella returned to her old room, sleeping on a mattress dragged in from Cattiva’s. Even though she slept among paints and broken instrument parts, it was the best night of sleep she had managed in what felt like years.

Waking up to the sun shining in her face, Bella forced herself to relax, though her ingrained instincts told her to get up and start cleaning, cooking, or some other menial task. Instead, she began to hum in happiness, soon finding a handful, then dozens of mice dancing around the room as birds swooped in through the open window to sing along with her sweetly.

A knock on the door announced her return to reality, and the voice of one of the new maids floated in. “Bella! Uh, that is, Signora Isabella, your guest is preparing to leave and wished to say goodbye.”

Catching her breath, Bella grabbed a robe and wrapped around herself before running down the stairs. Just outside the front door, Bibbidy was inspecting a pair of majestic white steeds hitched to her elaborate carriage. The older lady looked up, eyes curled into crescents as she beamed at Bella.

“Lovely baby Boo, did you sleep well? Is all right with your world once more?” Then she let out a startled laugh as Bella crashed into her, wrapping each other in  crushing hugs. 

“When will you be back, Godmother?” Bella anxiously spoke from where her face was buried in the tall women's riding cloak. “Having you here has been so… so amazing. I'm afraid of losing… you again. Please stay at least a few more days. It’ll all fade like a good dream the moment you’re gone.”

“Your father wouldn’t dare break his promise.” Both of them knew what the youngster truly meant, but Bibbidy merely rubbed a thumb across Bella's cheek and gave a cryptic reply with a tight smile. “I'll return when the rains shift, and the moon is hollow once more.”

Bella lifted an eyebrow in annoyance, making Bibbidy smirk. With a kiss on the forehead, she pulled back and assured her goddaughter, “Sooner rather than later. Don't you worry. I expect to return to see great changes. More than that, good changes.”

This last bit had been directed at Alaric, who had stepped outside and witnessed their final exchange. He replied to her with all solemnity, “I fully anticipate that you shall. Thank you for showing up, no matter how unexpected or unannounced.”

“Mm.” Bibbidy’s smile tightened slightly. “I do so look forward to meeting the woman who captivated you so, on my next visit.”

“Safe travels, Godmother.” Trying to express all of the emotions she was feeling within her at the moment, Bella gave Bibbidy one, final, tight embrace, then stood near the door waving until the carriage was finally out of sight. Eventually, another arm dropped around her shoulder, and she looked up to see her father staring off into the distance.

“Come now, we must make preparations for our own trip.” Alaric gently pulled his daughter into the house, waving uncertainly into the depths of the manor. “Why don't you go pack, and I'll make a list of supplies we’ll need. It's a week-long journey to the Class Shrine and back—accounting for entrance time slots—so be sure you have plenty of clothes, linens, and toiletries.”

She all but sprinted to her room in the cellar, quickly gathering her dresses and coat. Then, realizing she had no luggage, she ran up and grabbed a spare from a storage room, running back to her underground room and packing as quickly as she could. Bella was only halfway done when she heard the return of her stepfamily, or, more accurately, the frantic footfalls from the servant quarters just above her head indicating that the demanding group had returned.

*Squeak.*

“Mert Junior, as terrible as they are, there's no need for that kind of language.” Bella chuckled to herself as she forced the final bit of the gown into the oversized bag. “I agree it's odd they completely missed her visit, but, and this might sound selfish of me, I can't help but be glad of it. Bibbidy is my godmother, and if they had been at dinner, things might have turned out very differently.”

*Squeak.*

“Okay, fair, perhaps they would have been influenced by her to be better people as well.” Bella rolled her eyes as she played out the one-sided conversation, not actually able to understand her mouse friend. “Yet, somehow, I doubt it. Matringa would have driven her out, then locked the door so she couldn't get back in.”

Turning on her heel, Bella rushed up the stairs with her heavy pack, bursting into the house just in time to find herself in the middle of an ongoing argument.

“-is unacceptable! you can't just leave at the drop of a hat! You have responsibilities, business agreements, a contract!” Matringa was actually shouting at her father, causing Bella's mouth to drop open in shock. If this got out, it would cause a scandal of unparalleled magnitude. “All these wares are taking up every room in the house, and the entirety of our savings is on the line! This conversation must wait!”

Alaric shifted to the side, watching on in shock as a small vase flew through the air and smashed into the wall. “Control yourself! Signora, I've been derelict in my duties far too long already. I must make this right, and I must do so immediately. You—stop that at once!”

A ceramic serving platter spun through the air, impacting the wall just to the side of Alaric and peppering him with shards of broken crockery. “Your duties? Your duties? You are a merchant! Your duty is to complete your trades and become a successful man, not a useless person who takes weeks off at a time in favor of one person, when he has three others relying on him and dozens of deals on the line! It's unfair to Cattiva, to Malvagio, and to me! It’s Signore Treesbane all over again.”

Bella's stepmother collapsed into a chair, face in her hands as she began to sob—the very picture of a destitute, long-suffering widow. Realizing the coast was clear, Alaric studied his wife, brushed off his shirt, and pondered the situation. Finally, he took a deep breath, casting an apologetic glance over to his daughter as he began to speak.

“I am most certainly not your previous husband gambling away his fortune and finding himself at the mercy of unsavory debtors. However, you do make a valid argument. I'll start my journey earlier than planned and sell the goods we have in stock. Then I will return and take Bella to the Class Shrine. A small break between contracts is completely acceptable, valid, and will cause no issue.” Alaric stepped closer to his wife, his attention entirely focused on Matringa, and his back to his daughter.

“I knew it.” Bella turned away, feeling sick to her stomach as she saw her only opportunity for escape vanish right in front of her. 

Then, her father spoke, slightly louder as if to ensure she heard him. “The inventory will go quickly; it's all highly sought after. No need for worries. Still, I've taken note of my failure, and Bella must be moved back to her room. During my absence, she must also be fitted for a new wardrobe. Servant clothing will no longer suffice. It is unacceptable, and I have no idea why I convinced myself to let it go on this long.”

He glanced over his shoulder, meeting his daughter's eyes, and Bella found herself pinching her arm to make sure she wasn't asleep. In the moment his eyes were on her, the young woman saw her stepmother look up at her husband, disgust flashing across her face for a bare moment before a sickly sweet smile appeared on her face once more. “Of course, husband. After all, this is your household, to run as you see fit.” 

“Furthermore, she must be allowed to hone her skills as a…” Alaric swallowed hard, took a deep breath, and powered on, “as a Beast Singer. I've come around, and I see the value in what she can do. All the things I've taken from her in my ire must be returned, and more. Her lessons in preparation for her debut have suffered, and her hands have become calloused and rough. Cleansing baths, a soft wardrobe, and a return to her proper status should see her ready before achieving her Full Class in a few years.”

“As you say, all will be done. I will see to it personally.” Matringa nodded vigorously, and Alaric seemed content with the reply. She stood and took his hand, gently pulling him toward the stairs. “Well… I suppose we must make haste and prepare for your departure, if you truly intend to leave by the end of the day.” 

“Today? No, I didn't mean I would leave-” 

“Signore, why would you remain here if you intend to start making sales immediately? We have the commodities on hand; we have the help we need. Get loaded and get on the way.” Matringa paused, grabbed a bell positioned near the stairwell, and rang it vigorously to call for the maids. “The sooner you go, the sooner you'll get back, correct? Oh good, there's the help! All of you, begin preparing the goods for a long journey. Bria, go tell Marco he is needed, and ensure Luca is working to load up for a long journey. Girls!”

“Matringa, I’m not sure-”

“This is a full family effort, no idle hands, no time to waste!” Matringa ignored her husband's protests, turning to stare at Bella. “Perhaps you should raid the pantry? I'm sure your father would prefer to leave with a hot meal instead of relying on what can be cooked over a fire. Bebee! The heavy blankets; there's still a chill in the air in the early mornings. Cece, pillows, and why isn't Bria back yet?”

Father and daughter were both caught up in the whirlwind of activity, and the day flew by until Bella found herself standing in front of her bemused father. To his credit, he flushed slightly, needing to clear his throat and hold himself still as he met her eyes. “I'll return as soon as I'm able and make sure you have everything I promised. Forgive my delay, but… it will happen.”

“Of course, Father,” Bella replied in a defeated tone, trying her hardest not to wince as Matringa’s hand landed on her shoulder and squeezed gently.

Alaric nodded at his wife, stepped forward, and exchanged an awkward embrace, then stepped back and nodded at the group as a whole. “Keep her safe. I look forward to seeing a girl well on her way to being a noblewoman on my return.”

“Don't you worry; I won't let her out of my sight.” As Matringa spoke, Bella felt a chill run down her spine. “I’ll take care of her exactly as she needs until you return.”

As the merchant and the start of his caravan rolled down the road, Matringa  looked at the evening sky and turned to Bella. “I'm sure I don't have to explain to you how exhausting the day's work has been, but I, for one, have no interest in moving beds or preparing rooms this evening. Why don't you return to the cellar and get a good night's sleep? Tomorrow is going to be quite a long day.”