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It was no big surprise to either Lady or Treize when Mariemaie began questioning about her mother. At first, Treize was rather reluctant; he didn’t want Lady to feel disengaged by the whole idea. She assured Treize that his daughter needed to know about her real mother, and that it wouldn’t affect their relationship. “She was a rather charming young lady with a big heart,” he began to explain, “I had been injured on the battlefield and she was the Nurse assigned to attend my wounds.” Lady Une looked at her fiancé with nothing short of love and compassion, listening intently as he spoke to his daughter of the woman who gave her birth. “. . .We didn’t know each other very well, and to be truthful, once we had. . .become better acquainted, we both realized that we were not meant for each other, and agreed never to see each other again.” “Where were you when I was born? Why wasn‘t I sent to live with you when my mother passed on? Grandfather knew who you were, so why didn‘t he insist on my living with my true father?” He breathed in deeply and pulled his daughter to him “Marie, I think that he was ashamed of me, to say in the least. After all, I was the head of Oz, which he despised and fought to overthrow. I think he-and the rest of your mother’s family-felt it best if neither of us knew that the other existed.” “Well, they thought wrong,” Mariemaie said strongly, “because I could never ask for better parents.” Treize looked at Une for support, and she reached for his hand in reply. “Mariemaie, I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, but I promise to make it up to you in everything I do.” Mariemaie looked at Lady and hugged her with all her being. Lady clung to the young girl. “I don’t care who she was, Lady, you’re my real mother. The only one I know.” Mariemaie told her. “Oh, Mariemaie, I know, I know.” She stroked her hair. After a moment she said gently, “Love, it is time for you to go to bed.” Mariemaie kissed her parents goodnight and padded off to her room. Treize pulled Lady against him and held her as close as humanly possible. “Thank you.” She kissed him and replied “No need, she’s a wonderful child. She takes after her father in charm.” |