The luxury of the Valtorin estate just melted with the arrival of Mr. Ravenswood and the World Bank. Princess Sofia, Kaidën's mother, was gripped with desperation. Her husband, Duke Arin, was put into a coma, and she alone had to take care of the family.
When Lord Ravenswood entered, his greatness filled the room. Lord Ravenswood towered above everyone as a menacing giant with a shrewd, cold glare. Kaidën's mother shivered as he drew near her.
"I'm afraid we're here for your payments," sneered Lord Ravenswood, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're seriously in arrears with your payments."
Kaidën's mother flooded with a rush of panic. She had been aware that they barely managed, but she had expected that she might find a way to raise enough money to clear their debts and not lose everything.
"We cannot pay our debts, we do not have that money," she replied, trying to keep a level tone.
Lord Ravenswood's brow arched. "That's not my worry, I fear," he responded. "You should have taken that into consideration before you went into debt."
Kaidën's mother abruptly exploded in anger at Lord Ravenswood's statement. She was aware that he was attempting only to scare her, yet she couldn't prevent herself from becoming afraid. She was making herself trapped, cornered with no way out.
"You don't have coin, but you do have assets" Lord Ravenswood proffered as he proposed they sell their assets, mansion, and property, to cover their debts. "You notice, I'm afraid, that the mansion will come down," he explained to them. "It might have been dubbed as the Peace Mansion that matched with royal castle several years ago, but currently, it is just about falling down. Sell it off, that you may retain what few you have, and possibly you will be able to provide a better future for your. son."
The tone of Lord Ravenswood as he referred to Kaidën as "son" led Kaidën's mother to believe that he was addressing Kaidën with disdain. She felt defensive towards her child, and for his benefit, she would do anything.
Kaidën, having been there, suddenly burst out with rage and fury. His gut told him that Lord Ravenswood and the World Bank had a hand in their financial mess at hand. Cursing himself as a kid, with what he now knew about his previous existence, at least he might have attempted something.
While his mother remained there, trying to understand what she was being told, Lord Ravenswood continued.
"I'll offer you a choice," he told her. "You may sell your land, and you may have a land grant for Waste Land, or remain on the street all your life with your husband, bedridden, and your talentless son"
Kaidën's mother was beginning to feel trapped. She didn't have a clue what to do, and she felt as if she were running out of time.
"What is the Land of Waste?" she stuttered, attempting to procrastinate.
Lord Ravenswood smiled. "It's a small package at the edge of the kingdom," he said. "It's not much, but at least there is something there."
Kaidën's mother was desperate. She knew she had to make a decision, and she had to make a decision now. She looked around her surroundings, trying to think about anything, anything at all, that would help her.
And there, standing there, she caught a glimpse of something. A tiny, wavering spark of hope. She took a breath, and chose.
"I'll have the deed to the property," she replied, her voice certain.
Lord Ravenswood smiled once again. "Good choice," he replied. "You will get the deed, and you will have until nightfall tomorrow to evacuate this mansion."
When Lord Ravenswood walked away, Kaidën's mother received a shock run through her. She was relieved that she had made a decision, but nervous for what would ensue.
****
No long after something unexpected took place. Lord Ravenswood bumped into a maid, Elara, accidentally. It was clearly Lord Ravenswood fault as he didn't see her where she was standing, but who cares, the one who holds money, holds power. Lord Ravenswood slapped her on her cheek, screaming at her.
"This is how you pay me back?" he shouted.
"You're a slave, now, because I saved you, this disgusting and loathsome slave, defiled with clothing."
Elara fell onto her knees, sobbing tears down her cheek. Kaidën's mother rushed over and helped her up.
"I'm truly, truly sorry, Elara," she exclaimed, her words trembling.
In a split second kaidën's mother, Princess Sofia, dropped on her knees as she bent her head in a gesture of apology. It was a great embarrassment because she was a duchess's wife, ranks above Lord Ravenswood, a viscount.
Things continued on, and Kaidën became angry with Lord Ravenswood. Kaidën couldn't fathom the way that Lord Ravenswood was acting towards Elara, and he knew that something would have to be addressed with it.
What could he do, though? He was a kid, after all, and Lord Ravenswood a powerful lord. Kaidën couldn't do anything, watching as Elara was insulted and insulted.
Lord Ravenswood turned his back on them and said, "You'd best mind your step, for your own good."
Kaidën's mother helped Elara back onto her feet, and there they simply stood, shaking with rage and terror. Kaidën knew that he needed to do something for them, but had no idea what.
All day, Kaidën's mother wrestled with what had transpired. She recognized that they would have to escape the mansion, and start a new existence within the Land of Waste. She was afraid, though, and she wasn't certain if she would manage.
When nightfall drew near, Kaidën's mother sat beside her husband's bed and told what had occurred. She whispered, barely above a breath, as her tears rolled down her face.
"I know that if you had been awake, you would have managed this much better than I have," she told me. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
There were tears streaming down Kaidën's father's face, despite his condition having been one of coma. Kaidën's mother's face against his chest, she cried openly.
Kaidën remained where he was by the doorway, observing as his mother wept. He was overcome with a flood of emotions, and he had no idea what to do. He wished to console his mother, yet he had no idea how.
****
When night fell, Kaidën's mother at last settled down and slept, exhausted after all that had transpired that day. Kaidën stayed with her, watching her sleep.
He knew that they had a difficult and arduous road ahead, but he was determined to protect his family. He would do whatever it took for their safety, whatever dangers lay ahead for them.
Situated there, Kaidën had a surge of determination wash over him. He was a lad, perhaps, but he'd do anything to provide for his family. He'd fight for his family, year after year.
To be continued...