Chapter 61– Hera

Chapter 61– Hera
"No, you've been unreachable since two days ago,” Astrid corrects. "What, have you been out for that amount of time?”

"No.” Yes. Shit.

"Are you doing okay? Do you need to see a doctor?” This question had been followed by a bodily examination that violated my privacy in every way. "Hera, what is going on with you lately? You barely come to school and when you do, you're gone before we can even say hi to each other. I know we don't have many classes together but we can at least make an effort to keep in touch…”

"I've been feeling a little… under the weather. Plus, my family's coming over for the weekend. I'm anxious about it ‘cause I hate them."

Which brings us to this very moment where I am seated with said people for Easter dinner in the Manor's kitchen… Though Astrid is drawing a very decent amount of stares she is here so that I don't end up murdering someone. To that end the questioning glances are really not my problem.

We are fifteen in the room. Two grandparents, three married aunts with their husbands, four cousins, Astrid, me and one other unmarried uncle. All of them except my best friend and Aunt Hilda irk the fuck out of me. Let's not forget that my week started very badly so I am feeling especially testy, plus, in the midst of people like this, losing your mind is the norm rather than the exception.

I chug my wine down for the occasion.

“Isn't that a little too excessive, dear?" Aunt Damaris comments, but I know what she really means is: ‘you're fast becoming a drunkard, I see.’

So I force a smile with every insincere fibre of my being. “It’s a happy event, Aunt. I'm sure we can make a few exemptions.”

"I'm sure we can't." The words are stern yet she ends them with something of a chirpy laugh that sounds nothing short of creepy. “You are a North lady, not a wanton.”

Of course. This is definitely coming at the right time because initially I planned to be a wanton.

“And how are studies?" My only uncle asks.

"Fine,” I mumble.

My grandfather gives me a look. "Do you want to go into detail? We might come from money, Hera, but excellence is never compromised in this family."

"No, I do not want to go into detail, grandpa,” I snap, losing it completely for a few hot seconds. "I don't even want to talk to any of you. So can you all just leave me the fuck alone so I can enjoy my mother's favorite holiday in peace? I don't even know why you're here. Prior to this moment you've been doing a very good job pretending I don't exist.”

Silence covers the room for a brief moment and as it extends, everyone seems to be eyeballing me, quiet but watchful. Even Astrid throws me a look though hers is sympathetic. I ignore her and the rest of the family, facing my food.

“While I understand that losing your parents would have taken its toll on you, it most certainly does not give you any right to talk to us in that manner," my uncle, the self-appointed Patriarch of the family, starts, seeing support in the small nod my grandfather gives him. "I'm sure your parents raised you to be better than that.”

I feel like I am going to suffocate.

“True, true, but I think we can all take it a little easy on Hera. The poor girl has already been through a lot," Aunt Hilda says in my defense. “For someone her age she is taking it quite well. I don't think her outburst is born of bad behaviour but of frustration with the circumstances."

Still my only good Aunt’s reasoning does not shine brightly in the eyes of these snakes. My cousins are already sniggering and the scowl on Grandma's face hasn't disappeared. By the way, it's the only communication I have gotten from her since she arrived this evening.

"Hera is a spoiled brat, sister," Uncle Barth states categorically. “She needs a strong hand to mold her into a woman. Teenagers are especially difficult to manage at this stage. We've all been there; we know how it is. Hera needs adult supervision now more than ever before–"

“I’ve been seeing her once a fortnight for the last six months, even before Ludovic and Amaya went missing," Aunt Hilda states.

“And see how she's turned out," Aunt Damaris replies. “Visits won't cut it anymore, my dear. She needs a strong parental presence around her so tendencies like what she just displayed will be cut off."

Funny how this woman has issues with that fact now of all times. Where were she and Uncle Barth when my parents only went missing and I was in tears every other evening when I called their work and personal lines and their answering machines droned on about how they were unavailable and would get back to me as soon as they could?

Now she cares?

Bullshit.

"So what do you propose? Stay here with her?" Aunt Hilda suggests. “Paris fashion week is coming soon and I know you're not willing to miss that to stay with her until summer break when she is done with high school."

“Not at all. I propose that Hera comes to stay at my place,” Aunt Damaris answers. "As the oldest daughter of this family I think it falls on me to take care of her now that her parents are gone–"

“My parents are not gone, Aunt Damaris–"

“I've already discussed this with Mom and Dad. It's part of why I came to Novadale this Easter. To inform Hera of the new... developments,” the woman continues anyway, ignoring me.