There was no time to waste, yet Ostara ever remained the gracious hostess so she made sure first that the Jesuses were attended to for the last time.
A lot of them already sensed something had gone wrong, but none spoke nevertheless. This collective silence was much appreciated because it was almost sacred, and among them she always felt like she had true friends to rely on.
Every smile that she endowed each savior was genuine in spite of what she felt inside. Her heart was beating so wildly, as if the land masses of the world itself are breaking into continents inside it.
But Demeter will prevail. She knew it was only a matter of time for the mother and daughter to at last mend whole together. In the meantime, there was the matter of finding out where exactly Shadow Moon ended up in after the altercation.
"What do you mean he left already?"
One of her maids just informed her that Mr. Wednesday was nowhere to be seen in the property. It was only surprising because she thought he would have said goodbye at least. They may not have the best relationship at the moment, but courtesies still need to be observed.
And does he not care about his bodyguard/chauffeur? Or perhaps he actually expected her to help. How presumptuous! That vain, conceited man...
"Amber dear," she told the same maid next. "Can you fetch the car? And tell Mr. Bluejay that he has to drive me out of the county in ten minutes. Just have to freshen up and change..."
Soon, Ostara was inside her private vehicle, driven by the silent Mr. Bluejay. She has put on a sensible ensemble of knee-high green skirt and an open-collar white blouse. Her pumps are only one-inch which wasn't flattering for her petite height but comfort and movement were essential this time.
She had on gloves and a veil over her forehead, as if in mourning, but their color was pink.
"How much time when we get there, Mr. Bluejay? If we take the shortcuts?"
"At least an hour and a half, Miss Esther."
The Spring goddess leaned back on her seat with a sigh of recognition. "Alright. Stay on course no matter what, Mr. Bluejay."
She looked at the scenery moving past her window while absentmindedly fingering a piece of coin. It was the only item she got to pick up from the spot where Shadow Moon disappeared--a black chip from a casino, with a possible sentimental value.
Ostara senses that he probably forgot he even had it on his person, but it's exactly what she needed to offer later on so her old friend could commune with the man.
The blonde believed fervently now that she was indeed a princess. It was an idea she wanted to preserve for just a little while longer. Belief makes things real. Makes them possible. And what is the point of living if not for love and faith? Everyone wants the first one but could never dare to give themselves to the latter.
Just as she's allowing the idea of a fairy-tale romance to take root and flourish in her mind, she heard the older woman say something about freedom. She paused at that and touched the pendant resting between the valley of her breasts. There was a wave of restlessness within the smooth marble where her prince was encased in. Did he want to be set free?
"I don't know...what that means," she confessed to Amanita. "We are all chained or caged by something, one way or another. Don't you think? Love to me comes as a pair of shackles, and you just need to find a matching set!"
Yes, that's right! Love binds!
"To love is to conquer. To be loved is to submit to the will of your captor," she firmly testified.
Her chest ached all of a sudden, like an absent part of her began gnashing its teeth and gnawed at the loose frays of her comfortable delusion. Almost absentmindedly, she grasped the pendant then pulled it off her. The lock snapped from her nape, and the chain that held it glistened as it swayed once then dropped dead.
"Do you want to take him from me?" she watched Amanita with accusatory eyes. "Do you want to tell me I'm a bad, stubborn child who doesn't know what she wants? Go ahead. Tell me something I haven't heard before! Punish me like you would punish the world and deprive it of wheat and corn!"
She didn't understand where the words were coming from or what they even meant, but she's glad she spoke them. In haste, she turned and grabbed the ladder near the shelves. The climb was short, but she didn't care so long as she could perch atop it and could look down on Amanita. "He is mine! And I am his!"
She raised the hand holding onto the chain of the pendant. "We belong! Tell her, my prince! Tell her only the light of the moon dares know us from now on!"
