After a while doing chores, Robellia felt this tugging pull in her chest, and the first thought that came to mind was her mother. "Gen, I know I might be asking for too much, but would you cover for me for a while. I have a terrible feeling about my mother, and I want to check on her. Genevieve smiled, "And you actually ask me for that. Baby girl, go. I've got your back. Go, go before the chef comes back." "Thank you, gen." Robellia rushed out of the kitchen and headed straight to the seamstress's room. She saw a woman running out. It was Mrs Thomson. "Goodness, Liya. I was just heading out to call a physician." Robellia's face went pale as she ran into the room; the door was slightly ajar. When she got in, she saw her mother lying on the ground, Ms Piper next to her, fanning her and trying to wake her up. The other seamstresses were all tense. Robellia went to sit beside her mother," Mother," she called.
Everything seemed to blur out for Robellia. Ms Piper's voice seemed so distant. She was having a panic attack."Mother," she called again, shaking her, trying to wake her. This time, her voice was desperate. Tears streamed down her face. She couldn't lose Roselyn, too. She would be all alone. Roselyn was her only family. The thought of having to lose her, too, was overbearing. Madame Sino walked in with the physician as well as Mrs Thomson. Robellia sat there as she watched them carry her mother away. Madame Sino knelt before the frozen Robellia, "Robellia, look at me. Robellia, I need you to breathe. Pull yourself together, child." Robellia could hear Madame Sino's distant voice.
Robellia tried to breathe, but every breath felt heavy. Madame Sino held Robellia's face, "Liya, look at me, child. Take deep breaths. Focus on my voice." Robellia did as she was told and tried to gain her composure. "She is going to be okay." Madame Sino hugged her. Robellia broke down to more tears as she hugged Madame Sino tighter. Madame Sino calmed her down.
It was late in the evening as Robellia sat in a far corner of her room, looking at the physician treat her mother. Madame Sino and Genevieve stood next to him. Genevieve felt her heart shatter as she looked at her best friend. Robellia's hair was a mess, her face lacked any colour, and her eyes looked so empty as she stared at her mother. She was curled up in a corner of the room. Genevieve went to sit next to her. "Liya, she is going to be okay." Robellia didn't respond. "Oh, Liya." Genevieve hugged her as tears streamed down her face. Robellia remained frozen, "Why do you lie to me, Gen? I heard the physician. She isn't going to see the sun tomorrow."
"Liya....." Robellia remained still as she spoke, "Why didn't she tell me she was terminally ill? How did I not notice it? I was so consumed with myself, my own problems, that I hadn't noticed my own mother slowly dying before me. Aren't I just the best daughter there is?" Robellia scoffed. "You have no right to blame yourself for this, Liya. What would you have done? You couldn't stop that illness even if you wanted to." Genevieve couldn't watch Robellia, blaming herself for something that was out of her own control. "But I could." Robellia looked down at her ring. Genevieve saw a glint of hope in those empty eyes. "Liya, you need some rest." Robellia looked at the window. It was already dark outside. The physician packed up his things. "I did as much as I could. I can assure you her last moments will be painless." "Thank you." Madame Sino escorted him out. "I'll be back, girls. Gen, take care of her," she walked out.
Robellia went to sit next to her mother. Genevieve and Madame Sino stayed to keep her company, worried she would break down again. Soon, Madame Sino had to attend to some matters. So she left Robellia in Genevieve's care.
Maximus was seated in his lounge chair in his room as he read the reports. Madame Sino walked in. "Well. You took your time." Maximus looked up at her and noticed the expression on her face. "What's with the sad face?" Madame Sino sighed as she went and sat in the lounge chair in front of him." It's Robellia. That poor girl." Maximus put the report away. "You know I don't like to be left on cliffhangers. Now say it. What happened?" his voice was stern. It's her mother. She is going to die tonight, but by the looks of it, I'm not sure Robellia would ever recover from it. I've never seen her so broken, so empty. It's like she has lost all will to live. I'm worried for her max. That girl has been through too much."
Maximus stood up and headed for the door, "Lead me to her." "Max, you can't do that." Madame Sino stopped him. "It seems you are forgetting, I do as I please." he said, glaring at her, "And it seems you are forgetting who you are talking to." Maximus sighed, "I am sorry. I need to get to her. So lead the way." "Then I must remind you. You are the crown prince. You can't just waltz into the servants' quarters. Rumors and blasphemy will follow that poor girl like a plague." Madame Sino warned him. "Then you believe I should just stay here and..." Madame Sino gave him a cloak, " Wear that and follow me."