CHAPTER 7: QUESTIONING MARIA.

Maria remained seated on the chair, her eyes fixed on the baron, watching as his head was bowed, nearly touching the surface of the table.

Her expression was one that hinted at nothing but a calm mind. She was indeed shocked by the action, but still, there wasn’t a single hint on her face.

If anything, one look at her, and anyone would guess she was unbothered.

However, that wasn’t the case.

She slightly parted her lips, about to say something, though she ended up shoving it to the side, quickly bringing up another statement.

"Do you have that little faith in your son, Lord Aurelian?" she asked.

The question settled in the room for some time, James slowly raising his head.

He made sure to avoid eye contact, knowing the shame could swallow him whole where he sat. How does one answer such a question without sounding like a failed parent?

James tightened his grip; his gaze hardened.

"I know what my son can do; as his father, I have failed to raise him right. This barony is standing as it is because you brought the people together; it was only because of you that people overlooked my son’s constant actions and also my incompetence as a leader. So yes, the faith I have in my son is not something worth speaking of."

Hearing James’s response, Maria sighed internally, allowing herself to catch her breath.

"Lord Dorian already paid his debt to the pub mistress; is this something you’d ever imagine your son doing?"

James’s eyes widened, unsure of what he heard, or at least, trying to make sure he heard it right.

"He what?"

"I had the same reaction as well. Lord Dorian, pardon my tongue, but he was self-centered and rarely cared for those around him, and yet, when he was at the pub, he made sure to clear his debt without trying to back out of it; he even went ahead and bought drinks for everyone in the pub as well."

"..."

"It’s almost like he is reverting back to what he used to be. I believe Lord Dorian is trying to change. While I can’t say for sure, I know having his own parents not give him the benefit of the doubt is not going to end well. I am sure you agree as well, Lord Aurelian?"

James’s gaze shifted to the side, his grip tight on the armrest as he remembered the words his wife told him after he came back from his trip.

"Dorian apologized."

At first, he took it as something Dorian must have pulled off in order to gain his mother’s trust, since later that day, he still sneaked into his office.

But now, even the angel of the barony is speaking lightly of him as well?

Could Dorian really be changing for the better? And how was he even able to gather enough money to pay his debt?

After a while of thinking, James turned his attention back to Maria.

"You speak as though he trusts him. Were you two close once?" he asked.

Maria shook her head. "No. We don’t."

So far, of every word she had said in the office, this was by far the coldest.

Soon after, James had a smile on his face, completely different from the pitiful expression he had on.

"If you are truly doing this to remain by my son’s side, then I will not pry into how that came to be, but please, if it is within your power, don’t make my son go back to his wasteful life, if anything."

To which Maria responded,

"I will try my best."

...

(Flashback.)

"Do-rian?"

The little girl called out. Her face and dress were stained with blood. What was more noticeable was the shocked expression she had on, tears dripping from her eyes.

Directly in front of her was Dorian’s body, no older than six years old. He was lying on the dry grass, a huge, gaping hole in his chest, as his clothes were soaked in his own blood.

Since the sun was setting, and they were both in a very thick and ominous forest, the girl could barely see his face.

And yet—

"Why aren’t you saying anything? Dorian?" as those words left her mouth, she hit her limit, and tears came rushing down even more with a loud cry.

"I’m sorry you got injured because of me. ahheeeek, I don’t want you to die; please say something."

While the young boy could hear her voice, he lacked the strength and will to respond.

After all, he was going to die soon.

(Flashback ends)

...

Maria walked out of the room she had been offered to spend the night in.

She was dressed in her white dress, leaving her silver hair parked in a ponytail. She wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do now that she was in the mansion, but she figured staying cooped up in the room was not part of her job description.

Though the condition on her face spoke volumes, she rarely got a good night’s sleep.

With her forehead pressed against the door, she placed her hand on her chest and uttered with a faint voice:

"Why am I remembering that now, of all times?"

It took her a while to find herself, and once she did, she headed down.

Since she had not seen Dorian, helping the staff around the house was the best thing she could do until he returned.

As she got to the stairs and was about to head down, she walked into Dorian, standing right at the bottom, speaking to one of the maids.

The moment she saw him, for some reason, her body moved on its own.

She quickly moved to the side and hid herself while she panted heavily at a spot.

Confusion etched on her face as she, too, wondered why she was hiding. Just the sight of Dorian caused her heart to flutter. She could have sworn it wanted to explode.

Sigh.

She decided to try again.

However, as she turned her gaze to the side, Dorian had already gotten there.

His eyes were bloated, and his teeth were out, with steam practically pouring from his mouth.

"Oh? Don’t try me; you are avoiding me just to run away from working, uhn? Angel of the barony?"