A few months ago, days after the incident with Reni and Guillaume. Odette travelled to Marne Vaux, a Dyaxis' largest city, and home to the La Croix family's last slave distribution and auction centers. Once a global super power in the international slave trade, the La Croix family began to lose a lot of its customer base since The Ruined Light incident and the declaration of the new millennium. When it was discovered that the 12 creatures that nearly destroyed the world were once children of slaves. The world began to follow the country of Galos' example and begin to slowly phase out slavery altogether and begin to setup policies and institutions to help into society. It was a distinctively Galian philosophy, that had seem to have spread to the other continents on Zara at a rapid pace and marked the La Croix family empire and legacy for an inevitable death if nothing was done about it.
Which was why Odette was here. The lioness knew what was at stake and would spend every last coin she had to give herself a fighting chance against the everchanging world. From seducing and bribing officials, and to having their political opponents killed. There was nothing too low for her. After all, her lavish life style was on the line. However, the morning she arrived to Marne Vaux, she noticed an unusual case of vomiting. A case that had seemed to get worse the following day to the point where she had to delay her meeting with the city council woman and make an emergency trip to the nearby hospital.
"This is fucking ridiculous." Odette thought to herself as she waited in the doctors office. It had been a full hour since she was checked in and brought to the room with no doctor in sight and no one able to tell her when she'll get one. Just as she stood up to leave the room and head back to her hotel, door knob slid into the open position as the doctor frantically walked in with paperwork in tow.
"Sorry about the wait ma'am. We had an emergency earlier today that shifted our schedules be about an hour." The doctor said sincerely.
"Great. A man doctor" Odette mumbled under her breath as she eyed the Red ruffed lemur.
"My name is Doctor Aritz Iker, and I will be your doctor for today. It says here that you seem to be suffering from nausea and vomiting is that correct?" The doctor asked kindly. It wasn't his first time dealing with a rude client as he had built up a good amount of thick fur over the years being a graduate of Maddocks School of Medicine in Galos. Though Galos was a fairly progressive country. The staff and professors knew the rest of the world was a different story.
"Yeah, Is there something you can give me that will just get me through today? I have an important meeting that I need to get to and I cant just reschedule it." Odette said frustratingly.
"I can't prescribe you anything till I ask some questions and assess you first." He said to Odette's annoyance.
"Now, do you have any allergies?" The doctor asked.
"No" Odette responded.
"Have you eaten anything you are unfamiliar with in the last week?" The doctor asked curious if that could be the issue.
"No." Odette responded a with a bit of disdain in her voice.
"Have you had sexual intercourse within the last month?" He said thinking he may have found the issue.
"No... wait, yes." Odette answered.
"I see..." The doctor went into one of his cabinets and pulled out a small cup and a strip of paper. Odette knew what he was about to ask her to do. And she was disgusted.
"I'm going to need you to take this cup and go down the hall to the restroom and feel it up to this line with a urine sample. Were going to see if your pregnant." He explained.
"I doubt it but sure, whatever." she said as she took the cup with her to the restroom.
"There's no possible way he could have... could he?" She asked herself knowing that if the answer was yes. And if people made the connection. She would be possibly in for the worse scandal of her life. Worse, she could have the Dynese government breathing down her neck. After all, one of the countries most wealthiest families found guilty of of violating the Isaure Act, by breeding directly with one of their most prized slaves. A loss of her title would be the least of her worries.
Odette walked back to the doctors room with the filled cup in toe and handed it to the doctor. And as the doctor placed the strip of paper in the cup , she couldn't help but notice her worse nightmare become reality.
"Congratulations!" was the last thing she heard before she slammed the door in a fit of rage while stomping out the hospital.
"She's late." The city council woman said to herself as she waited for Odette in her office. City counsel women Caroline Patricia was more than accustomed to the time consuming task of preparing for a "off the books" meeting, but when it seemed that such efforts were not respected by the other individual, it irritated the esteemed dingo immensely.
"Apologies for my tardiness city council women. I had a bit of a medical emergency." Odette said as she walked into the office closing the door behind her.
"Better to be tardy than absent I suppose. What can I do for you Odette?" Caroline asked the lioness.
Odette sat down in a nearby chair and made herself comfortable.
"Well ma'am, I did have business that I wanted to discuss but that can wait for now..." she trailed off.
"..." Caroline stared at her in silence with contempt.
"It's been awhile since we've seen each other. How has everything been? I heard-" Odette begin to say before being interrupted.
"I'm married Odette. So what ever arrangement you think we have, I will make perfectly clear for you to understand that we don't." Caroline stated firmly.
"Wait, when? To who?" Odette asked perplexed.
"Two months ago in Ruti, to Mylene." Caroline said proudly as she showed off her ring.
"The fucking secretary? Really?" Odette exclaimed in disbelief that someone of such a high status would lower themselves to a mere commoner.
"Don't act so surprised Odette. You were clearly invited, but I figured that it was beneath you to even show up given that Mylene has been with me since I started my political career." She stated aggressively.
"I must have missed the invitation." Odette said softly to herself.
"So if your not here to chastise me and my wife. Then let's get to the real reason why your here shall we?" Caroline asked directly.
"I need a tax exception." Odette asked plainly.
"For what? Your slave's!?! I don't know if you can see the writting on the wall or not, but globally slavery is done. You and your family's business are just going to be a dark footnote in history, unless YOU find a way to turn things around yourself. And not with government handouts." Caroline exclaimed.
Odette enraged, slammed her hands on the Council Woman's desk.
"What the fuck do you think I've been trying to do for the last 5 damn years!?!" Odette yelled.
"Raping them." Caroline said coldly.
The tension in the the room only seem to grow more and more as Odette's heart began to slow.
"What? What are you talking about?" Odette asked timidly.
"Don't you fucking play dumb with me. I knew even when we were dating you were doing that sick fucking shit behind my back. I just didn't know why everyone was so dead set on fucking protecting you and that shitty family of yours." Caroline retorted.
"I... I don't... do that." She said nervously.
"Oh bullshit. Everyone knows about that sick fucking Alpha and Omega shit your into. I bet your even did that shit to Reni. That poor sweet boy doesn't deserve a life like that. None of them do. And the worst fucking part about all of this, is that I knew about it and I didn't fucking do anything to stop it!" Caroline cried with remorse.
"You know what? I don't need this shit anymore." Odette said as she headed out the building. Everyone knew. Those two words ruminated in her mind over and over as she stormed to her hotel room. If anyone found out about her pregnancy and took one look at the baby, she was done for. If she couldn't find a way to keep the family business from operating at a loss, she could kiss her lifestyle as she knew it goodbye. It seemed like this day couldn't get any worse for her. That is until it suddenly went black.
Doctor Mireille Ines was an experienced physician who had seen it all in the thirty years she's worked in the medical field. So it didn't surprise her one bit that the expecting patient that was assigned to her refused to listen to reason.
"I'm fine." Odette told the disapproving Aardvark.
Mireille knew she was going to be difficult. Which was why she had already contacted her patient's emergency contacts and explained to them the situation. They assured her for the next four moths her patient was to be watched over twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week till the child was safely delivered. All she needed to do was keep her occupied till they arrived which was surprisingly now. She thought to herself as the large gentleman was escorted in the room by one of her nurses.
"Here you are sir!" The nurse said as she let the lion into the room.
"Thank you very much for your help Miss Melodie!" He said kindly to the young mink.
"Father!?!" Odette exclaimed.
"Mr. la Croix. It's nice to finally put a face to the telegram message." She said as she shook the lion's hand.
"Likewise, Doctor Ines. I'd like to apologize for whatever stubborn daughter may have done to inconvenient you and your staff." He said humbly.
"Oh it's no worry at all sir. Its all apart of the job!" Mireille assured him.
"What's going on? Why are you here, your supposed to be with mother in Agusta Magus." Odette said confused.
Alban looked at his daughter with great sorrow.
"Your right. I should be with my wife in our retirement home enjoying a pitcher of lemonade on the beach and with tiny little sandwiches. But for some reason, and I don't quite know why , my daughter. Pregnant daughter mind you. Thought it would be a good idea to ignore her doctor and storm off in the summer heat and endanger not just her self but her unborn child by passing out in the middle of the street. What were you thinking?!" Alban exclaimed.
"I had everything under control!" Odette cried.
"Clearly you didn't." Her father retorted.
"I'd hate to interrupt but everything has been taken care of and your daughter has been discharged from the hospital. So you two are free to head home." The doctor stated eager to get the two out of the building before things got out of hand.
"Ahh yes. Thank you ma'am." Alban said as he helped his daughter up from her bed. The two made their way to the front of the building where Alban provided his ticket to the valet and they waited for their carriage to arrive.
"Father I-" Odette began to speak before she was swiftly interrupted by her father.
"No Odette. We will continue this conversation on the way back to the estate in Filito Mont. And when we arrive there, I will personally make sure that you are going to be confined to your estate till you deliver the baby." Alban said with a hint of authority in his voice.
"What gives you the right to tell me how to live my life !?!" Odette asked angrily.
"Those words were not from me child. The were from you mother." Alban replied coldly. Putting a swift end to Odette's tantrum. If there was one person she feared in this world, it would be her.
A few moments later, their carriage arrived to their waiting spot, and the two of them made their way on board, ready to make their journey to Filito Mont.
During their journey home, the two sat in silence. Odette, lost in thought, of how she was going to deal with her pending situation and Alban, trying to understand why his daughter would put the family in such jeopardy.
"Odette." Alban spoke. Breaking the detaining silence.
"Yes, father?" Odette responded.
"I am going to ask you a question. And I need you to be completely honest and truthful with me. Do you think you can do that dear?" He asked softly.
"Yes." She replied.
"Who exactly is the father of that child?" He asked, trying not to put too much pressure on her.
"..." She remained silent.
"Please tell me it's another noble." He asked her softly.
"No sir, it was someone at the estate." She responded vaguely, hoping that response alone would be enough for him to drop the topic.
"Was it any of the hired help?" He asked softly.
"Not. Exactly." She mumbled.
"Please Odette. Please don't tell me you didn't." He pleaded with his daughter with worry in his voice.
"I'm sorry father. It... this was never supposed to happen." She cried softly.
"Oh my god." Alban began to break down. All of those years, he and his wife worked to change the family's image. Gone.
"Please don't be upset, I can..." She started to speak before being interrupted.
"Who Odette. Who did you... who's the father. Please. I need to know." He pleaded. But for some reason. He feared he already knew the answer to that question. He hoped to whatever god that would listen to his prayers that he was wrong.
"Reni. It was Reni." She said quietly. She was stunned to see her father break down in tears.
"I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry Sorne. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Please, please forgive me." He pleaded as he looked towards the night sky.
Odette was confused, she could understand the situation her family was in. But what she couldn't understand was her father's reaction to the news that the father was Rene. And who was Sorne?
"Father, who's Sorne? And why are you more upset than normal? Reni's just a slave." She stated with a hint of ignorance.
Alban took a moment to regain his composure.
"Sorne was, a lot of things to a lot of people. And to me she was a hero. To you and your mother, not so much." Alban stated flatly.
"I don't understand." Odette asked in confusion.
"Your mother was once in the same position that you were in. The only difference was that the Isaure Act didn't quite exist just yet and global sentiment to the slave trade was in a different head space entirely. When your grandparents found out that she was pregnant with a slaves child. They wanted me lynched before you were born as to not sully the family's reputation and bloodline with the likes of witches and warlocks. Luckily news of this reached your mother and her friend Sorne who was an abolitionist at the time, and had a way of helping your mother take some of the slaves the family sold to their clients and helped them escape to countries that didn't recognize slavery. " Alban explained.
"Wait, that doesn't make any sense. I'm not branded so how come I don't have any magical powers?" Odette asked.
"You do. Your grandfather thought it would be best to brand you were no one would notice. Under your tongue. It was then he realized it didn't matter what the size of the seal that was used, only that it existed on the slaves body could it suppress the magic they produced." He said as he held a mirror to Odette's face as she lifted her tongue. At first she didn't notice but the more she focused in on that specific area she barely made it out.
"Why didn't you or mother say anything about this before?" she asked.
"Because I thought that if you knew the truth, that it would destroy your self-esteem. But now looking back. It might have stopped you from becoming the monster you've turned into now." He said coldly.
"Monster!?!" She screamed.
"Yes. As much as it pains me to say it. My own daughter has become a monster." Alban said coldly.
"I didn't even do anything wrong! He's just a fucking slave, why are we acting like all of a sudden that he's a person!?!" Odette exclaimed in frustration.
"The fact the you don't seem to get that slaves aren't just property you can do whatever your want to, whenever you want to is part of that reason Odette. Even I was a slave at one point and you just don't seem to care. You don't care about your own people. And that's just unfortunate." Alban said crossly.
"Just because I had sex with my slave doesn't make me a monster. Mom did it to you and you don't seem to have a problem with it." She retorted.
"Slave's can't consent Odette. They never can given their situation. Your mother learned this after a while and did her best to atone for her mistakes. Even doing what you will eventually need to do and take responsibility by marrying me and setting me free." He affirmed hoping to finally reach his detached daughter.
"I can't do that." She said while staring into his eyes.
"And why is that? I hope its a damn good reason because right now your in some deep shit. All of us are. " He said with a slight growl.
"I can because I took out a lone from the and used him as collateral. I couldn't set him free or sell him if I wanted to." She said mumbled.
"How much was it Odette?" He asked.
"I don't want to talk about it. Besides I'm just surprised they took a slave like him as collateral. He wasn't worth much when we bought him." She said.
Alban was furious.
"Of course they would take him as collateral. He's the son of two renowned abolitionists. He's worth more than the net worth of our entire company and investments combined." Alban said frustratingly.
"But... how?" She mumbled.
"Because of the history of his mother and father. Once they were caught they were punished by giving up their child to the slave trade and death by lynching. The situation was handled so poorly Dyaxis was globally pressured into creating the Isaure Act. And phase out slavery all together." He explained.
"What is we can stop it?" She asked.
"Excuse me?" Alban snarled.
"We don't have to follow the rest of the world. Theirs enough people who are going to be hurt by this that we can start some kind of movement!" She said with excitement in her voice.
"I'm done talking to you for tonight. Let's just get some sleep. We should be in Filito Mont by the time we wake up. Good night Odette." Alban said as he laid down and began to drift off to sleep. Meanwhile Odette spent the night forging a plan.
The next morning Odette and Alban arrived at the estate and was greeted by both Reni and Gabrielle at the front gate.
"Welcome back ma'am! Did you enjoy your trip?" Gabrielle asked Odette.
"Yes. Now if you excuse me, I am feeling unwell so I will be in my room till further notice. No one bug me for anything." She said brashly.
"Very well ma'am. And you Mister Alban?" She asked casually.
"Just Alban is fine." He said kindly to the guardsman. His eye's couldn't help but wonder to the Hyena quietly standing next to her.
"Reni I presume?" Alban asked softly.
"Yes sir!" Reni said anxiously.
"It's very nice to see you again after all these years."
"Likewise Mr.Alban sir."
"Would you care to join me for some tea? I have something I would like to discuss with you about. Don't worry, your not in any trouble." Alban assured him.
"Sure thing." Reni replied.
Alban and Reni walk into estates kitchen and Alban takes a seat at the table while Reni prepared the water.
"Would you like Big Red Robe , Black or hibiscus? Sorry about the limited choices I haven't had the chance to go to the market this morning." Reni said sheepishly.
"Hibiscus would be fine. I need to watch my cholesterol. I'm not as young as I used to be." He said casually.
"That's' understandable." Reni said as he set the sipware and tea on the table and sat down.
"Well... now that were both situated. I've been meaning to ask, how have you been holding up these days?" Alban asked.
"I'm... doing fine I guess. Things have been kind of stressful lately. But it's nothing I can't manage." He said timidly.
"Reni, please. If anything is bothering you you know you can tell me right? I know what it feels like to be in your shoes." Alban softly said to Reni as he showed him his branding mark.
It's been years since he's seen another slave's branding mark. Especially one as old as Alban's. It was strangely different yet similar in design to his.
"It's gotten a bit harder over the year Mr. Alban. All the other slaves were sold off and I'm the only one left. And Odette doesn't seem to care. She just tasks me with more and more work and punishes me if I don't finish it on time or get help from Guillaume. I'm stuck and I just don't know what else I can do. I love it here and I'm sure if she got rid of me I wouldn't have a master as kind as her." Reni replied.
Alban was concerned, not for the state of the families business but for Reni's perception of the situation and his strangely positive perception of his daughter. Especially given the disturbing circumstances.
"Reni?" Alban asked softly.
"Yes?" Reni responded.
"I'm just going to be direct with my question. Do you enjoy being a slave?" He asked the hyena.
Reni took a moment to think about his question. Being a slave was a life that he had always known. He couldn't even fathom being anything else but a slave.
"Not really. No." Reni murmured.
Alban figured as much.
"Then why haven't you tried to escape Reni? It's not as if we have the resources and support to track you down from anywhere. The most we could do is conduct a search for at most a week before canceling the search off entirely. You would be a free man. Especially if you fled to Galos or any of the other counties that have immigration programs for runaways." Alban explained.
"I... I don't know. I just don't think I'm smart enough for something like that. Besides if I got caught who knows what would happen to me." Reni rationalized.
"Reni. I want you to listen to me. I know you may not understand this, but let me tell you. You are more than capable of handling these things alone. And you are smart enough to escape this place, as long as you start believing in yourself. There are people out there who do care about you and want you to live a happy and fulfilling life. Not for anyone else, but you. " Alban reassured him.
"I think you might be overselling my abilities sir."
"Reni. I've watch you grow up for a damn good portion of my life. You may be slower at a lot of things than a lot of the regular people in this world. But that isn't because your stupid. It's because you never gotten an opportunity to show anyone, including your self, what your capable of. I just hope that one day I get to see you do that. For your own sake." He said warmly.
"I really doubt that." Reni replied.
"Well I don't. All you need to do is set your mind to it, and keep moving forward no matter what. And given the fact that your one of the most resilient people I know. After all, I know what my daughter did to you. If you can handle that, I know for a fact that you can do anything you set your mind to." Alban said as he finished his cup of tea.
"I guess..." Reni said as his mind drifted somewhere else.
Alban got up from his seat at the table and put his remaining sipware in the sink.
"Well, as much as I enjoyed our little chat. I figure I best get going. I need to keep an eye on Odette for the next few months so I will be staying in one of the guest rooms here." Alban said causally.
"Why? What's going on with Odette?" Reni asked confused.
"She's just having some medical issues at the moment. The doctor told her that after the four months she should be back to her normal self." Alban reassured him.
"Okay. I was just curious that's all." Rei replied.
As Alban headed out the kitchen, he remembered that he need to ask Reni.
"Reni?" He asked casually.
"Yes sir?" Replied Reni.
"Could you do me a favor and try not to interact with Odette for the next few months? She really needs the time to rest and think about some of her choices." Alban asked softly.
"Yes sir. That won't be a problem at all." Reni responded.
"Thank you Reni. For everything you've done for this family. If you need anything from me don't hesitate to ask." He said to the young hyena.
"I will keep that in mind." Reni said to the departing lion.
Alban left the kitchen feeling a bit relieved that Reni was at least considering his situation in terms of making a better life, and claiming his freedom for himself. But there was one thing he wasn't to sure about. Would he want to take his child with him if he was to escape. Or will he leave it alone with Odette. Odette was not the best person to raise a child. Not in the slightest.
Months passed by as Odette laid in bed trying to figure out how she was going to handle dealing with her child. So far she and her parents managed to keep the situation under wraps to so she could avoid rumors. However what was she going to tell the other nobles when the child is born. If they suspected anything and really looked at both her and Reni they would easily see the resemblance between the two in the child she thought before she noticed something wet in her sheets.
"FATHER!" she screamed as she was suddenly hit with intense pain. It was time.
Alban entered his daughter's room panicked as soon as he saw his daughter laying in a small puddle of pink fluid.
"Hold on, I'm going to get the midwife. Just stay calm." He said in a hurry while making it to the midwifes clinic. By the time both Alban and the midwife arrived only to find that Odette had already passed out with a baby in her arms.
The next day while holding her newborn daughter in her arms, came to a decision. While the family still needed money there was no way she could sell their most valuable asset while the bank still had ownership of him. She could however sell his daughter and possibly receive something that she can use to help keep the business afloat. That is, if the baby didn't have an affinity for magic whatsoever. If the baby did show any affinity for magic, she could raise her abroad in Galos, or Cimmeria avoiding the Dynese government and give control of the company back to her mother so she and the baby can live a new life.