The funeral for Lord Waltz was very soon after his death. Things like funerals were taken care of and moved on from very quickly at the time. The service was held outside; it was quite sunny and breezy, almost inappropriately so for the occasion. Christine and James stood in the crowd, far from the front but still visible to everyone in the front. That included Thomas and Lady Octania. Both stood somberly, but only Thomas was somber on the inside. Christine only looked at the ground the whole service, unsure of why she almost cried. She’d hardly known this man as a person, even though she knew him her whole life.

She stared at her mother when she wasn't staring at the grass, hoping it would trigger some form of guilt for cheating a dead man of his hard earned money. Not many people truly knew Mrs Octania, they only saw her as mysteriously quiet, but kind. Yet Christine knew the reality; her mother was the exact opposite of who everyone said she was. Christine held James’ hand in sympathy, but he didn't fully grasp hers. He looked straight ahead the whole time, unsure of if he felt anything at all. As the service came to a close, Christine’s brain finally clicked. She ran over to her mother, “I know this might not be the most appropriate time but I must know, how were you planning on getting any of the Waltzes fortune? Were you expecting that we’d just give it to you?”

Mrs. Octania was speechless. No sooner than she couldn't find anything to say did a business and finance worker come over to her.

“Just sign right here and the fortune is yours m’lady” the man said, “Though it’s sad news really”

Christine expected her to explain herself but she paid no mind. She sighed her name on the paper the man had shown her.

“The house is all yours ma’am,” he tipped his hat, “so very sorry for your loss”

Lady Octania nodded and finally looked at Christine’s shocked face.

“What is happening here?” Christine asked, “ I demand the truth. The real truth, starting now. What is going on?”

Again, her mother said nothing. She only faced straight ahead, eyes closed and chin up. After a long pause, Christine concluded that she would get no answer and started to walk away.

“Only rich people say that money can’t buy happiness,” her mother said

Christine stopped walking.

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“That’s because they’ve always been rich and never been happy,” Lady Octania continued, “they can’t balance the two. People that have always been rich cannot experience the happiness that comes with having money that you didn’t have before. I haven’t always been rich. In fact, the only times I have had more than what I needed to get by was when your father was with me”

“Do not bring father into this,” Christine turned to look at her mother

“Your father left me with nothing!” Mrs Octania said, “that’s how hungry for money he was. Had to spend it all in his last days. He never understood me….but Waltz understood me. He hadn’t always been rich either. He had empathy for me and gave me mercy. He put me in his will for his house the second you and James married. I know it’s hard for you to understand-”

“I’m young,” Christine interrupted, “Not incompetent. You want security….but cheating someone for it is not the way to do it. James’ father worked hard for that money and-”

“Oh how would you know?” Lady Octania asked coldly, “you never knew him any better than I. All you know is what James tells you. How do you know that is the truth? He doesn’t like you, let alone love you. With your father in the mix it’s your luck you are such a pretty thing….. He’s probably lying to use you, seeking gain for himself just like I do. I won’t be afraid to say so….I grew too fond of the wealthy lifestyle, Christine….it brought me happiness”

“No,” Christine’s face stayed expressionless, “it bought you happiness. So the truth comes out now. I thought the person who brought you wealth brought you happiness….I guess I was wrong”

“I have to move on!” her mother snapped, “it’s time you did, too. You and James both. I should have let you stay in poverty….but I let you marry into a rich and respectable family! You should be grateful that I-”

“That is enough Lady Octania,” James walked over to them, “We will show ourselves home. Christine, let’s go”

Christine was unfazed by her mother’s words, she spoke this way behind closed doors all the time. She could understand James’ concern, Lady Octania would never berate her daughter in public. Christine walked beside James to their carriage without another word. The silence cut between them like a knife.

“How long were you standing there?”

“Long enough”

“I’m….I’m sorry if we ruined your fathers-“

“Oh he’ll think nothing of it”

Christine didn’t know whether to laugh or not.

The markets passed them by, bustling with people as usual.

“Christine I cannot instill this into you enough and never let me stop saying it,” James spoke quickly to keep himself from stopping, “you deserve a mother who sacrifices the world for you and I am sorry that lady Octania is not that for you….never let anyone tell you otherwise. She is a liar and nothing she said about my hatred or intentions were true….if there was ever a doubt in your mind, let me set that right from here on out”

Christine could feel herself relax inside, a newfound sense of safety and comfort coming over her. That wasn’t something anyone had made her feel in a long time. What James had said was one of the most considerate things anyone had ever said to her.

“Do you still hate me?” Christine whispered.

“No,” James whispered back, placing a comforting hand over hers, “and I never have…..I only disliked you a little”

Christine let herself smile.