The Nevermiens

Everyone knew that Chloe Gregoria had married Lord Nevermien for his money. Well, everyone but Lord Marcellus Nevermien himself, it seemed. But as the years wore on and their daughters were born, push began turning to shove as the writing on the wall became more and more apparent to everyone.

Shouting could be heard in the manor courtyard as a small injured little usogi lay on a long chair in the covered patio before the garden. By her side sat an older usogi - about 8 or 9 years of age. He looked out into the yard apprehensively, but couldn't see the proprietors of the quarrel.

"Awa?" The younger usogi spoke in a shaking voice, calling to the older usogi gently holding her hand. "Awa, who's yelling?"

Awaken turned his head back to look at little Minthe. A bundle of bandages were tied around her head, covering her forehead and already blind eyes. He squeezed her little hand lightly.

"It sounds like… Lord and Lady Nevermien." Awaken replied hesitantly. Minthe's brow could not be seen furrowing, but the little usogi's lower lip quivered. Awaken furrowed his own brow and held her hand a little tighter, wishing his mother was here instead of working, she would know what to do.

"Awa… Take me to them." Minthe spoke his name quietly, shakingly, but her voice strengthened as she went on.

".....Are you sure?"

"Yes. Bring me to my mother and father." Minthe spoke with stern resolve in her voice. She gripped Awaken's hand tighter and moved to stand.

Awaken was hesitant, but Minthe was still his master's daughter, he would obey. He delicately helped Minthe out of the seat, holding tightly to her hands and guiding her over the stone beneath and into the grassy yard, heading toward the sound of the commotion. Awaken's hesitance grew with every step, but so did Minthe's determination.

Awaken turned the corner of the manor’s exterior with apprehension, the voices had long since become clear enough to hear, but now the bickering couple stood in full view. Lady Nevermien stood with a variety of trunks and bags stacked beside her, she was holding very tightly to the hand of Minthe’s sister, Eurynome, who seemed like she wished to be anywhere but beside her mother.

Awaken’s time these past few days and weeks had been dedicated to keeping an eye on Minthe, but even still he had heard whispers from the other servants about the situation. Chloe had had enough of her old rich husband, she was going, she was going and taking Eurynome with her. At least that’s what she intended to do.

“No! No mother, I don’t want to go!” Eurynome strained against her mother’s grip, protesting as she was ignored by the shouting parents. Awaken felt his gut sink as he watched tears well up in Eurynome’s eyes. Minthe was silent beside him. They hadn’t been noticed.

“We’ve been over this, Marcellus!” Chole shouted. “I already prepared Eurynome, we are leaving today!”

“You- You can’t abandon Minthe!” Eurynome wailed, yanking at her mother’s arm with all she had, throwing her off balance. Chole let out an exclamation of surprise and mild pain as she was yanked to the side by her daughter. She yanked Eurynome back with increased force and slapped her hard across the face.

“EURYNOME! YOU ARE-” Chole’s yell was cut off by her husband’s roar of outrage as he saw his daughter struck.

“GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY DAUGHTER.” Marcellus roared and started toward his wife. Chloe cowered, but gripped Eurynome tighter.

“I- I am her MOTHER! I-”

“A MOTHER DOESN’T STRIKE HER CHILDREN.” Marcellus shouted, grabbing his daughter firmly and pulling her from Chole’s grasp. Eurynome cried out. Awaken felt Minthe’s grip on his hand tighten sharply, but she made no move forward. Chole began to speak and reach toward Eurynome again, but Marcellus quickly interrupted her with a booming, dark tone. “YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DIVORCE, CHOLE. GET OFF MY PROPERTY AND NEVER TAKE SO MUCH AS A STEP TOWARD MY DAUGHTERS AGAIN.”

Chole cowered. Lord Nevermien had never struck any member of his household before, but watching him now Awaken was certain Chole would be the first if she didn’t obey. A few servants, drawn by the ruckus, stood on the outskirts of the opening to the garden. Peeking through doorways and windows. Hands over their mouths with shock at the display.

Chole stood in terror and enraged disbelief for a very long moment. But at last she quivered and backed down.

“Get out of my sight.” Lord Nevermien hissed.

Chole didn’t need another word. She gathered up what baggage she could carry and barked at her maidservant that had been cowering nearby to bring the rest. She left in a hurry, barely even glancing at Awaken and the daughter she had intended to leave behind.

There was a long stretch of silence as Lord Nevermien watched his wife retreat from his estate. He held on to his daughter and stood with a firm resolve. But as his former wife disappeared from sight, he weathered. All at once the strength in his frame left him, and he crumpled to his knees. Weeping. Eurynome clung to her father and wept as well.

Awaken was roused from staring as Minthe tugged at his arm, her face pointed toward her grieving father and sister.

“Take me to them, Awa.”

Awaken nodded and agreed hastily, bringing Minthe across the grass to her family. Minthe let go of Awaken’s hand a few paces away from her father and sister, she came forward and threw her arms around them. Lord Nevermien pulled his other daughter tightly into their embrace, weeping and kissing her. Minthe kissed her father’s cheek and squeezed him in a gentle hug, before turning in his arms and throwing her arms around her sister.

“Minthe-! Minthe- Mother- she-” Eurynome cut off into sobs, but Minthe didn’t cry, she simply comforted her sister. Eurynome squeezed her sister. “Why did mother never love you? I don’t understand. I don’t understand.” She bawled. “You’re perfect Minthe, perfect in every way. I don’t want to go with mother.”

“You’re not going with mother, Eury.” Minthe cupped Eurynome’s face in her hands. “You’re staying with father and me, everything will be okay.” Marcellus cried and squeezed his daughters. Minthe turned to him and put a hand on his cheek. “Everything will be okay, father. Don’t be scared.”

Awaken finally noticed himself crying as he stood several paces away. He felt a hand lightly placed on his shoulder. He looked up and behind him to see his mother. She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly as she watched their master and his daughters with sorrow in her eyes.

Awaken's mother let the moment continue for a few minutes longer as she went about shooing the servants away from gawking and back to their tasks. Finally she looped back around to her lord and his daughters, placing a hand very gently on his shoulder.

"Lord Nevermien? Don't you think it'd be best for us all to go inside and rest, hm?" She whispered, comfortingly rubbing his back. Lord Nevermien sobbed, but nodded. Gathering his daughters up in his arms the master of the house shakingly stood and slowly returned to the house.

"Thank you, Ms. Whillum." Marcellus mumbled to Awaken's mother as she helped the little family back inside. Awaken fell into hasty step behind his mother, his heart heavy, and likely wondering with everyone else what the future would bring.