Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming from the Shadows: Lydia
Previous Instalments:
- The Halls of Power – Behind the Curtains of Power: The Dark Game of Political Intrigue
Oppression and Vulnerability
1900 A.D.
The Smythe Estate
Miles from the seat and heart of the Empire; the Smythe Manor stood as a sentinel against the churning waters of the Thames estuary; a formidable wall surrounding the estate it was sat at the very centre of, guards patrolled along this protective barrier – the purpose to ensure the estate was isolated from prying eyes of the outside world.
Within, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to that of the bustling energy from London; here it was heavy, an oppressive gloom permeated every room, a palpable sense of dread clung to the very air.
Inside of the manor’s dimly lit library sat Cathryn Langdon; she sat opposite of her twin daughters; sunlight struggled to penetrate the grimy windows, casting long distorted shadows across the room, Cathryn’s face, once alight with a rebellious fire, now bore the weariness of a caged bird.
Her hair, once well-groomed and maintained was simply tied up into a messy bun; her silvery-grey eyes held a sorrowful reflection.
Lydia was a delicate child of ten; she meticulously copied lines into a book, her brow furrowed in concentration; her twin sister – Elizabeth was sat beside her, but her attention was far from the text, she instead was in a different reality entirely; drawing images with increasingly disturbing images; grotesque figure with horns and hooves, they were displayed in vile acts, filling the page “Elizabeth” Cathryn said; her voice taut “Are you even listening, this is hardly time for your…, art”
Elizabeth looked up; her icy-blue eyes, look pools of glacial ice held an intense stare, a chilling glint – they were unlike her sister’s, Lydia’s eyes were silver-grey like their mother – Elizabeth’s eyes clearly came from her father, and the same icy-stare was present in her expression “Father says it is important to embrace our heritage ‘Mother’..” her tone was as icy as her stare, and she practically spat the word ‘mother’ as if it were a curse
Cathryn flinched, this was becoming more common – Elizabeth’s devotion to her father was not hard to see “Elizabeth, it is not the life you think it is; the explanations your father gives, they are distortions”
Elizabeth slams her notebook shut, she turned her icy-stare into a glare “Wrong!” she shouted, practically screaming “He is a great leader and a powerful person; your weak!” she continues “A disappointment; your bad influence burdens my sister the weak wretch she is, is because of you!”
Cathryn’s hand tightened; clenching into a fist – George’s influence over Elizabeth was much stronger than she wanted to admit; she forced herself to relax, the slightest gesture, the briefest of outbursts – they could have a devastating consequence “Finish your work Elizabeth” she told her, her voice trembling
As twilight descended it cast the manor into an even deeper gloom; George had returned from Westminster; as he strode into his study, his presence filled the room with a almost suffocating weight – Cathryn was summoned, she was reluctant; but turned up to see him as requested.
George was seated behind his desk by the time Cathryn entered “Cathryn” he said; his voice devoid of warmth “I trust the girls are progressing with their studies”
Cathryn nodded, though her gaze was fixed to the intricate patterns of the Persian rug beneath her feet “Yes” she said, she hated what was happening, how powerless she had become
“Good” he said; slowly, he got to his feet, moving forward towards her – he began to circle her, he was lie a predator assessing its prey “I have decided to make some adjustments to their education” he tells her “Elizabeth shows a lot of promise, a true understanding of the Imperium’s beliefs and has proven a desire to follow the correct path” he continues to circle Cathryn slowly “But Lydia….”
The name hung in the air for a moment before George resumed “Lydia requires…., guidance”
Cathryn’s blood ran cold “What do you mean” she shifted her attention; she looked at George as he stopped pacing; he stood directly in front of her – his icy-eyes locked onto hers
“Lydia is too….” He thought for a moment before smirking “Sensitive…, too innocent; she is too attached to your ways; she follows your notions of morality” he shook his head “I can’t have that; she needs to understand the true order of things, she needs to learn her place”
He stepped closer to Cathryn; his voice a low growl “You Cathryn, have been very…., lax in your duties; you forget, you are no longer someone waging a crusade against the Imperium; you serve me now and you have allowed your sentimentality to cloud your judgement, I will not tolerate this any longer; from now on, William will be helping in Lydia’s education, and Elizabeth can ‘help’ him correct her; ensure she understand the importance of obedience”
Cathryn’s breath caught in her throat; she knew exactly what he meant by Elizabeth helping – Elizabeth’s cruelty was matching her father, she was unwaveringly loyal to him and would certainly be a terrible influence on Lydia; a dangerous one at that “George…, please” she pleaded, her voice cracking “Don’t…, don’t do this, they are just children”
George smirked in response “Indeed; and Lydia needs her mother; so…, if you don’t want me to cut you from them completely, you best begin to cooperate, ensure Lydia, like you, learns to obey” as he turned away from her, his grinned, the sinister air around him was even more oppressive, Cathryn truly felt trapped
Elsewhere within the manor; Lydia found herself stood before William – George’s eldest son from a previous union, he held an air of intimidation about him, his face contorted with malice, beside him was Elizabeth – her usual sadistic glee was present in her eyes “Look at you Lydia” William sneered, prodding his finger against her chest causing her to retreat a step or two away “Always day dreaming of abandoning us; living in some fairytale world” he shook his head
Lydia cowered, her eyes were wide with fear “Please…, please William just leave me alone”
“Ohh.. ‘ Leave me Alone’…” Elizabeth echoed with a giggle “We’re your family; and family takes care of one another; right William”
William smirked before making a sudden movement; he raised his foot with a flash before kicking his sister square on the chest, knocking Lydia onto her back, she let out a pained yelp “You are an embarrassment; sooner or later though, you will embrace our fathers teachings, and trust me, it will be easier to just accept it; because father will have no issue beating out that weaknesses you have from your mother”
Lydia struggled as she laid on her back; staring upwards, she felt the urge to cry; but, she does her best to contain it, knowing, if she was to do so, her siblings would seize on that to do something else, she knew she wasn’t meant to show weakness – regardless of what they said about how weak she was, she still had to conform to the strict realities of her father’s ideals.
“Father wants to eradicate weakness” Elzabeth commented, her eyes now on her brother “Perhaps, if she doesn’t start, she could suffer that fate; be purged with all those who are too weak, too impure” she shifts her eyes to her sister, her sinister smirk curving her lips “Keep clinging to our mothers weak way of living; and you and mother might get sent to the dark place”
Lydia remained in place; she didn’t speak; she just waited, once they had finally gotten bored watching her lay on the floor, they left her; she slowly moved to get up; she wanted to get away from them, but knew she had no where to go, if her mother couldn’t escape; how would she.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon casting long ominous shadows across the Smythe manor, Cathryn stood at her bedroom window; she stared out towards the Thames – the air was thick with a sense of impending doom, she felt the walls closing in around her; she was utterly trapped…., or was she.
She thought a moment, maybe she could reach out to Xian…, ‘Would he Help?’ she wondered; she saved him years ago, maybe if she could find a way to contact him, he could help her – but, uncertainty gnawed at her idea, she wasn’t sure what to do.
Written By: Westley H.
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