Meant to get this out yesterday, but I need a bit longer on the dialogue. Hope everyone enjoys, and if you spot any problems let me know. I will continue trying to get through the next few chapters quickly.

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I sat there for several minutes, sitting across from my 'mother'. She was looking at me pensively, while I tried to compose my thoughts. I wanted to explain everything, but what I needed to address the most was the thing that I was afraid would hurt her the most...the idea that her daughter was dead, and I was an imposter possessing her body. The idea of breaking this woman's heart was filling me with a crippling sadness, but if I didn't say anything...what kind of disrespect would I be showing Faith. My hands trembled as I wrestled with the decision, and again with the idea that I had somehow robbed a girl of her life, and that my own life had ended. I took a deep breath as my hands gripped the armrests on the chair, wrestling with existential questions. I didn't want to face this. I wanted to run as fast as I could away from this.

“Faith, baby...what's wrong?” Jasmine asked me, her gaze peering into me with concern.

I took another deep breath, and tried to focus, before looking up into her eyes. “I'm...not Faith.” I said quietly, looking down for a moment to regain my composure.

Jasmine instantly tensed as if confused. She seemed to whisper something under her breath. “What do you mean, baby?” she asked after a moment, confused.

“The other night...in the alleyway. We were being attacked...That's the first memory I have in this world.” I said looking back up at her, noting her gaze had changed from 'loving' to incredulous. I quickly described the events of my death, the stat window, and the 're-spawn point'. I described the creation of my gifts, and the fabrication system. I told her about the day that followed, and what had led us here. At one point I had brought my legs up into my chest, wrapping my arms around them as I talked. She didn't interrupt me, she just listened as I talked. When I finally finished I looked up, and she was just giving me looks of concern.

“...Wait here, please.” Jasmine said, standing up, and walking quietly from the library. Seeing her walk away was heartbreaking. The world was blurring as my eyes filled with tears, and I was trying to just breath. I was struggling in the moment, imagining her standing over me, protecting me as a child. I thousand imagined moments weighed on me, to the point I felt I was losing my mind. I dreaded this woman walking back into the room, and looking at me like I was a stranger, believing that in certain times, in certain places, looks could kill.

I was so caught up in my own internal struggles that I didn't notice Jasmine return. She was holding a small box in her hands, and had knelt down in front of my chair. She opened the box and removed the jewelry I had made for her. She pulled my legs down and placed them on my lap. I suddenly felt crushed as I realized she was returning the only gift I had ever given her. I breathed harder, and swallowed. “I'm sorry...” I said trembling, but she just smiled at me while I cried.

Reaching down into the box she pulled something else out. It was a roughly made wooden bracelet, with a symbol of sun and leaves painted onto it. The paint was flaked a bit, but looked to have been kept with great care. She placed the wooden bracelet in my lap, next to the ones I had made for her from orichalcum. As I looked down at them, I was confused...the patterns were the same.

“You made this for me when you were six years old. You spent a whole week on it, and when you didn't know what 'elven' decorations were supposed to look like, you made this. You said 'elves like leaves, and there's a sun for sun-elf!'” Jasmine said, brushing one of my hands, while I tried to wipe away tears with the other.

“...But that wasn't me...” I said trembling, confusion overwhelming me as I imagined hours spent carving a piece of wood. Jasmine just continued to watch me, before reaching up to brush a strand of hair from my eyes.

“Baby, I would know my own daughter.” Jasmine said, stroking my face, causing me to shake as I tried to bring my legs up again. She moved in closer, placing the box aside, and putting the jewelry back inside.

“That wasn't me...It's just her body, and you're going to go away, and I'll be alone.” I said my mind jumbled, my stomach clenched, while my heart was breaking in my chest. It felt worse than dying, and I thought I was losing my mind.

“Baby...No. I'm a bard sweetheart.” Jasmine said, reaching in to take my hands, and staring at my tear streaked face. “We know nature magic baby, and I can analyze a soul.” she said reaching up to brush my cheek. “I don't know exactly what happened to you, but I do know that my baby's soul is in here.” she said, placing a hand on my chest. “I would know it even if I didn't check before. Whatever else you are, you're my baby, I love you, and I will never ever ever leave you.” she said leaning in and pulling me into a hug. I couldn't respond, I just cried, torn between confusion and relief.

I flung myself forward, gripping my mother in hug. “I'm sorry mommy.” I said trembling, but she kept holding me, stroking my hair.

After a long time I was finally able to calm down, and I reluctantly pulled myself from the hug. My mother kissed me on the cheek, and took my hands. “Baby, everything will be all right. You've had a couple of bad days, and I understand. You've had to take lives to survive, and people have hurt you. I was so scared I would lose you when those men came to the inn, but I will never abandon you.” she said looking me in the eyes. “And I know that nothing that's happened in the past few days has hurt you as much as thinking I would, so don't worry. Whatever happens Faith, I'll be here for you. I'm your mother.” she said as I wiped my face with the sleeve of my arm.

“Also, next time come home sooner. You left before the sun came up, not a word of where you were going. Then you were out all day. I was worried.” Mother said, giving me another hug. “Why don't you go help Aisha and Daniel clean. It'll make you feel better, and we need to get the house livable...Maybe you can take me down to look at that area beneath the library later.” She said squeezing my hand, and then releasing it. She turned with a smile, and me alone in the library to collect myself.

I spent several minutes sitting in the warmth streaming down from the window above. There was a small courtyard situated near the center of the castle interior, and it looked to have been an atrium. There were a few overgrown plant beds, and a few small trees that needed to be trimmed, but it was in otherwise good condition. There were small vents along the top of the atrium that I could see from my vantage point in the library. They were probably to provide fresh air to the rest of the castle, though it's location above the tree-like structure below was interesting.

Finally rousing myself from the chair, I passed back out of the library, finding Daniel approaching me with a smile on his face. He looked at me for a moment with concern, “Oh...Is something wrong Madam?” he asked, as I realized what I must look like.

“Oh...Yes, Sorry. I was cleaning a bit, and the dust irritated my eyes.” I said, clearing my throat. “I was just coming to find you. I thought I might assist with the cleaning.” I said with a warm smile.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Daniel shook his head, “It's quite all right, Madam. The other ladies have cleaning under control, though I would definitely appreciate assistance cataloging the assorted assets, as well as going over likely repair and maintenance costs with you. I've put out requests for staff, but it could take a few days before we start to receive applicants. Sir Bastier said you were interested in assisting with the interviews.” he said, giving me a wry smile.

“Oh, yes. I needed experience doing interviews...I have another estate I'm going to have to staff in the near future.” I said, remembering Charles's concerns.

“Of course, Madam. In any case, I had just been looking for you. Lady Bastier has arrived with a small group of guards from the bank. They're waiting in the foyer.” Daniel said.

“Right. Thank you Daniel. I'll go see to our guests.” I said, making my way back to the entry way. The other ladies of the house gave me smiles and waves as I passed, making me feel better. When I reached the foyer, Antoinette was happily talking with Charles. She looked up and spotted me, giving a wave of her hand in greeting.

“Countess Montevue, good morning.” Antoinette said, turning from her cousin. “I apologize for showing up unannounced, but Charles alerted me that you were commencing repairs on Caliburn. Blackfield realized that you would need assets on hand, and so we brought some petty cash. I thought four thousand gold cintas would serve for temporary funds.” she said, motioning to a large wooden chest that the four guards were standing around. “I also wanted to discuss security for your household, and provide you an invitation from Governor Larousse. He's sponsoring an event at the Grand Amphitheater for the third day of the spring festival, which is tomorrow.” she said, pulling a sealed envelope from her coat, and handing it to me.

I glanced at the gold symbol on the seal, and could see a hint of magic in it. The spell seemed to alert the person who made it, that it had been broken. Cracking the seal, I pulled out a vellum card. The card was a formal invitation 'requesting my attendance' of a show of strength and skill in open arena. It appeared the Governor was providing a five hundred gold cintas reward to the champion, and was personally sponsored a foreign master of combat.

“I appreciate the invitation, but I couldn't make time right now. There's just so much to..” I said as Antoinette looked past my shoulder and smiled. “Oh, goodness. You must be the Countess's Mother!” she said, as I turned to see my mother walking into the room. She was wearing the wooden bracelet from before, and a simple white dress. As the sunlight lit up her hair, I thought about how young she looked, even for being more than two hundred years old. I wouldn't have put her past her past her late twenties. She seemed younger than before...though perhaps It was just that she looked more carefree and hopeful.

“Please, call me Jasmine, And you must be Lady Bastier, Charles's cousin. He told us so much about you.” Mother said moving over to take Antoinette's hand. “I appreciate all of the help you've given my daughter. You and Charles both. She's everything in the world to me.” she said before glancing down at the chest, and the invitation in my hand. “Oh! An invitation?” she asked me.

“Um...Yes. A Governor Larousse sent it. It's for some tournament. I was just telling Antoinette that..” I said, before mother cut me off.

“That sounds lovely! Of course we'll come. It will give everyone a chance to get work done without us under foot.” Mother said, looking at me with a smile.

“Wonderful!” Antoinette said happily, “And as for security, Blackfield is leaving these guards at your disposal for the moment, but we were going to be referring a few people to your butler, Daniel. In fact, a Captain Eric Raoult had recently finished a term with the imperial guard, and was quite interested in serving in the Countess's personal guard.” she said glancing at Charles.

“Eric leaving the guard? Ahh, his sister's husband died last winter along the western front. He probably wants to stay closer to Kisk to help with her family.” Charles said thoughtfully. “Anna had been bugging him to settle down too. Still, it'll be nice to work with Eric again...if you decide to hire him of course.” Charles said, looking to me.

I cleared my throat and smiled, “Well, if you're speaking for him, the job is his if he desires it.” I said, getting the impression I was being railroaded, but also trusting Charles's judgment on security. He'd saved my mother's life, so he could select my entire guard if he liked. Looking back at my mother, I considered, and shrugged. “I guess I'll be attending with my mother. Will you and Charles be attending?” I asked Antoinette.

“Oh, I'll be present at one point. The governor is a close friend of Marquis Lebonne, so I'll be attending to settle some business with Mrs. Lebonne.” Antoinette said with a shrug. “Bishop Amon will be there, so I assume Charles will be in attendance as well. You should take the opportunity to talk to some of the other nobility attending, I think a couple of those likely to be present have territories bordering Montevue. It might be a good chance to discuss trade.” she said before turning to take a scroll of paper from one of the guards. “In any case, I hate to take up so much of your time. I just need you to sign for the delivery.” she said, holding out the scroll and a glimmering quill to me.

I took a glance at the chest, and brought up the fabrication system. Looking into the box, I saw a large stacks of coins in packed rolls, and after a moment assessing the quantity I nodded. Stepping over to the chest, I opened it, looked down at the gold, and then closed the chest. “Of course. I'll let Daniel find a place to store it. I'm sure one of the rooms here can work as a treasury.” I said taking the quill, and signing the invoice.

“Well, I'll not interrupt you further. Have a wonderful day.” Antoinette said warmly, taking the quill and scroll, and sliding it into her coat.

As Charles escorted Antoinette out, and the guards went outside, I turned to my mother with a frown. “Why did you accept the invitation?” I asked with mild confusion.

My mother looked at me and smiled, “They're playing politics with you baby, and you don't know all of the players.” she said reaching out to squeeze my shoulder. “I know I don't look it, but I have a lot of experience with these things. You need to make a public appearance while you have the support, or you'll make people nervous. It could make you a target if you spurned the invitation, and it would waste an opportunity to garner goodwill. Besides, when you accept these types of invitations, it gives weight to your own. And you will want to throw parties, if for no other reason that to pursue trade with merchants and nobility. Not to mention a show of wealth or power can do much to make others perceive you as legitimate, and you desperately need to establish legitimacy if we don't want to be harassed by nobles looking to take your lands or title.” mother said before smiling brightly, “Besides, when you make your public showing, you'll want to ensure as many young noblemen as possible attend. I do want grandchildren after all.” she said, giving me a hug, while I just looked at her horrified.