The Rose Room's Revelations, A Daughter's Return

She didn't appear to understand that the Marquis was dying. Everyone focused intently on their food. While Annelise chattered happily about her Uncle Willie, Aaron, the younger sibling, appeared to be about to cry.

"Annelise, how old are you?" Julian requested that the topic be changed.

She smiled and changed the subject with ease. "In two weeks, I'll turn nine! There will be many people at our large party.

"Are you serious?"

As though her birthday celebration were a serious matter, she gave a grave nod. And I'll extend an invitation to everyone. Do you want to attend as well?

Julian smiled back, "I would love to come." "I have no doubt that the party will be fantastic."

The fiancés of Aurelia and Diana will also be present. I enjoy them.

It appeared to Julian that the young girl liked everyone. He spent the remainder of dinner talking to her and Aaron. Following the Marquis William's speech, the others appeared reticent.

When they were all done, Lady Annabeth got up. "All right, Milord, when you're done, we can go to the rose sitting room, okay? We may then talk about what has brought you out here.

Julian got up and went out of the dining hall after the family.

With roses in every shape imaginable, the rose sitting room lived true to its name. With lanterns fashioned like blossoming roses, the walls were bathed in a gentle rose pink glow. Guests were asked to sit in armchairs with rose-patterned upholstery, and the air was scented by vases full of fresh roses. A gorgeous rose-shaped table served as the focal point, with panes of colorful glass that glinted brilliantly in the gold frame.

Annabeth said, "Charlene's brother made this as a wedding present." "A lovely item. His family is quite talented in glassblowing and metalworking.

Translation: Julian felt that was their present. "It's lovely, milady," he said out loud.

"Please sit down. What has brought you to Hurlstone, Milord?

He sat down opposite Annabeth, Henrik, and Charlene. Off to his right, the younger kids took their seats on armchairs. "Just Julian," he stated.

The woman grinned. "And my name is Bella."

Julian squirmed uneasily in his chair, bracing himself for the challenging discussion that lay ahead. "Lady Annabeth, tell me about your daughter, Liliana, who is missing."

A expression of astonished amazement replaced Lady Annabeth's smile. Her sparkling blue eyes were wide and unblinking, and her plum-colored hair framed a face that was now pale with shock.

"Why?" Her voice was instantly chilly as she requested.

He inhaled deeply. Silently, the room watched him. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Annelise had even ceased speaking. "I believe I might know her location."

Quiet. Next,

"She's no longer alive." Bella had a raspy voice.

Julian started telling his story after shaking his head.

"I met a young woman a few weeks ago after I got home from the Front. Her name was Bloom, and she was engaged in garden magic. I grew to appreciate her humor and intelligence the more I talked to her. She is the same age as your daughter, nineteen. Liliana Elaina Hurlstone is her full name. That was only a few days ago, after I spoke with Bryony and found out about her missing relative, that she finally told me. Bloom told me that soon after her birth, a woman had entrusted her to an old woman she named her grandmother. She acknowledged that it was most likely true when I informed her who I thought she was, but she still feels you left her. She has no desire to interact with nobles. She doesn't trust them because she's had issues with them in the past. I'm here because I knew she wouldn't come here by herself.

Lady Bella gazed at him, tears welling up in her eyes. "What if you're mistaken? What if my Liliana isn't actually this woman?

Julian gave a shrug. "Tell me about her, and I'm positive it's the same girl."

The distressed woman gave Julian a locket that she had taken from a chain around her neck and flicked open with a thin finger. This is my daughter. She has purple eyes and frizzy brown hair. As babies, she and my Annelise had the same appearance. Since I haven't seen her in nearly twenty years, I am unable to go into further detail about her.

Taking the locket, Julian unlocked it. There was a picture of baby Bloom inside. It was immediately apparent to him that they were identical.

"That's her," he said.

Bloom's mom started crying. "I was never informed of her whereabouts. One night, she vanished from her cradle, and I never heard from her again.

Henrik shifted to console Charlene on one side and his mother on the other. "I recall Liliana," he remarked. She was adorable, charming, and very small. She was too young for me to play with, but I always wanted to. I was just two or three years old.

"Who is Liliana?" Annelise inquired. "Who is Liliana, Mama?"

"Your oldest sibling." She disappeared a long time ago. Bella looked across at Julian. "Thank you so lot. Long ago, we had abandoned her. How are we ever going to pay you back?

He gave a sorrowful smile. Really, it wasn't any trouble. However, when you locate her, watch how you behave around her. She has absolutely no faith in nobles, as I mentioned.

One of the twins questioned, "Why?"

He thought about telling them, but decided against it. Bloom hating him any more was the last thing he wanted. "I'll let her explain that to you. I have no right to say that.

Annabeth gave a nod. "Where is her residence? What kind of person is she? Is she content? Julian then had to respond as best he could to a series of questions concerning Bloom. By the time they were done, it was getting close to midnight, and Aaron and Annelise had both slept out in their shared armchair.

"Want to spend a few nights here?" As his mother walked away with her youngest daughter, Henrik inquired. Aaron was picked up by him.

Julian pondered what it must have been like to be raised in a big family with devoted brothers and sisters. Definitely less lonely. Perhaps more intriguing.

If the rest of you wish to depart tomorrow, I don't see why we should wait," he said.

Henrik grinned. "I'm grateful. You have given us back a priceless treasure. We will not forget. He turned and exited the room, followed by his wife and the twins, who all gave Julian a curtsy before heading out.

Perry was waiting to take him back to the guest suite outside the room. As Julian left the rose sitting room, he cleared his throat.

I apologize, but I couldn't help but overhear. Do you intend to reunite the family with the long-lost daughter?

Julian gave a nod. Yes, that is my intention. However, it is contingent upon her desires.

The elderly waiter grinned. "That is excellent of you, sir. Excellent indeed. I've worked for the Hurlstones for a long time. The cutest girl I've ever met, aside from Annelise, was the small tyke, as I recall. Ten years apart, those two might be identical twins. I'm glad to hear the news. He led the way to the guest suite while bowing.

Julian gave a sorrowful smile. Indeed, he had brought great joy and gratitude to this family. He could now be as content as everyone else if only Bloom would pardon him.