Chapter 217 - Nostalgic

"And you are a pain in my neck!" A girl around the age of 13 said as she held her hands. Her lush pink hair which were curled up and in a ponytail felt kind of familiar to Irene.

.

"Kiddo, what are you doing here? And why are you wearing such a lousy dress again! I told you so many times nobles like us should dress up gracefully." That Lady scolded her as she didn't really like she view of her whute crop top with full sleeves and yellow floral skirt with a brown corset in her waist.

.

"Can you please stop!" The girl said her voice raised quite a bit which made the old lady eveb more annoyed,

"How dare you raise your voice against me!"saying that she pushed her away but luckily Irene was standing behind her so she caught her on time.

.

"Are you okay?" Irene asked as she held her and the girl who closed her eyes as a defense mechanism after hearing her voice opened her hes suddenly which surprised Irene but when she looked at her carefully, her happiness knew no bounds.

.

"Lady Maxim" Irene said as she smiled,

"Lady Winter!" Sam said as she was able to see her face from that position.

.

"Stupid girl why are taking with such a low class girl! Come here!" That old women said as she pulled Sam to her side and glared at Irene.

"What are saying! She isn't like that!" Sam said as she struggled getting free form her tight grip.

.

Irene who was till now tolerating her mean and rude words could no longer stand it, as now she was truly creating a scene, with passing by people looking at them and she couldn't just stand there and see Sam in trouble.

. 

"(Hah...I wanted to spend today in a peaceful manner but...)" 

"Madam *removes her veil* could you please let her go." Irene said as she held her cap in one hand and took a few step towards her with a smile.

"Huh? Isn't that her?"

"She has a shop just nearby right?" 

"She is form the winter family." People which included both the commoners who kept seeing her waking down the streets and nobles who have heard about her talked and whispered.

.

"Winter family....it's sound a bit familiar.." The women said as she looked at the ground, while slowly letting go of Sam hand.

Irene sign this as a good chance pulled her by her side.

.

"Madam, looks like you know my family, but still let me introduce myself. I am the eldest daughter of Witner family, Irene Bedisa Winter and taking your age in mind I won't charge you for speaking ill of me but....if you try to harm this kid *pats Sam's head* I won't stay this calm." Irene said as she smiled while Sam who is familiar to her knew that her words shouldn't be taken lightly but at the same time so couldn't just stay there hiding behind her back.

.

"Lady Winter..."

Sam said as she stood in front of her...

"Lady Maxim?" And the next thing she did surprised Irene even more. She out of blue bowed towards her.

.

"Lady Maxim! What are you doing!" 

"This girl why are you bowing before her!" Bith of them said while Irene was flustered, that women was annoyed and angry.

.

"Lady Winter, Please accept my apology and please don't file any lawsuit against her...please forgive her!" She said while closing her eyes without raising her head.

Irene was stunned to speak as she couldn't understand why would she 'Sam' who used to a free sprit girl would bow down for someone like her...unless and until...

.

"Lady Maxim...Is that Lady related to you?" Irene asked and Sam opened her eyes and nodded her head.

"She is my...Grandmother...my father's mother..." She said while slowly raising her head and facing Irene.

.

"Yes, that right, I am the Head Lady of the Maxim family! And she is the only Young Lady of our family. Now do you understand the consequences of messing with the wrong people?" The old lady Aka Madam Maxim said as Sam kept clenching her fists and by now Irene too found her words a bit weird, but she didn't dare ask about it to Sam as it many sound

as impolite.

.

"Lady Winter...I sincerely apologize for why you have to go through today...please forgive us." Sam said as she bowed towards the ones who were standing there watching their fight.

"Lady Maxim, its okay you don't have to apologize...we understand." Irene said as she smiled towards her and looked at the crowd which slowly started to disperse.

.

"....Lady winter you are very kind as always, *looks at the kid behind Irene and then at the violin* we'll looks like you were intrupted because of us."

"That...I was.."

"Please continue what you been doing, And please excuse us...I will visit tha mansion soon." Sam said as she ruend around to leave along with her grandmother.

.

"Sure then let's meet soon...I will be waiting for you..." Irene said as she looked at her slowly leaving.

"...Sister...aren't you play for us anymore?" 

"And why do you think so?" Irene replied to the little girl who tucked to her sleeves end.

.

"....That's because, you are a noble...and eveb that grandma said...we aren't allowed to listen to music...forget about singing..." 

"Do you believe in such words?"

The kids nodded in unusion.

.

"Thats all rubbish, don't listen to such words. Music is for everyone just like the air, tell me would you stop breathing if someone says air is only for the nobles?" 

*Shakes their head*

"Exactly, and kids remmber one thing, you will many people who will say don't do this, don't do that but always do what you think is good for you and won't harm others...Now then shall we start?" Irene asked as she pointed at ther violin and all the kids nodded their head.

.

With that, Irene sat in the middle of the bench while the others kids surrounded her and the music accompanied by her melodious voice rang through the streets and touched the kids heart.

.

"That girl even after so many warning still played the music, hah so impolite!" 

"Grandmother!"

"What? Are you going to scold me again! Ha, I wonder where my little polite Sam went..." She said while removing Sam hands from her hands and walking ahead her.

.

Sam looking at her, sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Granny, you are such a drama queen~ it's not that I like to scold you...but she is Lady Winter for the winter family. And they are more than just a benefactor to me....you don't know, no one and ever treated me as kindly ad they did.

At a period, I even thought of myself as one fo them..." Sam said as she smiled while thinking of the past not realizing that her grandma has already reached their house.

.

"Granny why did you leave me behind?" Sam said as she clingyed to her shoulders.

"Keep talking about them why bother looking at me?" She said in a irritated tone.

.

"Granny, please don't be angry, it's true that I respect them and I always wanted to be them...but that was all in the past....now as I grew older I know that people even after living in the same world can't really be same." 

.

"( The happy memories of my past with the winter family would always be there but...I am Maxim...and I can't ignore it.)" 

.

"Granny what should we eat today?" 

"...Whatever..."

"Hmm, chicken sounds good."

.

Meanwhile at the corner of the town some buys stood there hidden and covering thier faces, observing every movement down by Irene.

And there is no need to explain who they are.

.

"I don't understand...just why can't we just go and meet her?" A annoyed Ashton with a sulky face said as he was fully done with their childish games.

"Ashton, then tell us would it be surprising if we just go ahead and meet her? Come on, It has been 5 years we have to do soemthing special." Harris said in his usual hyperactive energy.

.

"Well...then when are we going to surprise her? We've been following her for hours!" Ashton replied back as he sighed.

"Don't worry we will soon be done here and Lady Maxim will meet you soon too." Alan said as he looked at Irene who was fianlly moving towards her shop.

.

"Boys get ready! It's our time now let's go." Alfred said as they all ran towards her shop and went under it before her all hiding.

"Hana told me, and this isn't the first time sje cried so bitterly. She did this everytime be it weather it was the time she had all the house responsibilities on her or the time when the Empress died, or when you left the mansion...for the lat 3 years she has been hiding her tears and preserving every moment." Sam said as took her steps towards Ashton.

.

Except for running, what have you ever done?" Sam said while pushing him.