When the Daffodil Blooms

CHAPTER 5

After that, the Count cried in front of her. Count Byron gently held her hands and said she must be his daughter whom he's been looking for decades now. Charlotte did not say anything and the Count thought she did not believe his words. Count Byron did not waste more time and asked if she can come with her to the temple.

The high priest can help them verify if they are related by blood or not. Sensing the desperation from the Count, Charlotte decided to follow him to the temple. After they met the high priest and greeted him, he brought them inside the temple where the fountain of truth was waiting for them. The high priest scooped water into it using a golden bowl and placed it in front of them.

He instructed them to put a drop of their blood in the water. If the water gives a blinding glow after their blood is mixed in it, that means they are related. Right after Charlotte and Count Byron put a droplet of their blood on the bowl, the water showed them blinding light and proved that they are indeed related to each other.

When the high priest confirmed it, Charlotte can still remember how the Count hugged her so tight as he thanked their gods for giving his daughter back. She can even feel the trembling of his body as he continued hugging her so right as if she will disappear again any moment. Maybe because Charlotte was swayed by the Count's emotion at that time so she also hugged him back and even tried to comfort him.

After the Count calmed down, he quickly recognized Charlotte as his daughter. There was no awkwardness or embarrassment on his face. After knowing the truth, Count Byron was quick to recognize her as his daughter whom he lost for a lot of years. To his happiness, the Count donated a lot of money to the temple that day to show even in his small act how happy he was to find his missing child.

Before that day ended, Count Byron asked Charlotte to stay with him in the meantime. He briefly explained the current situation in their mansion. He said her mother will be happy once she heard the news about her. Aside from it, the Count also mentioned that she now has a sister since they adopted a child a year after she disappeared.

Thinking that Charlotte might feel hurt because of it, Count Byron hastily explained their situation years ago. Countess Rosalyn, her birth mother, was devastated because of her disappearance. She was abducted at the age of five and the Countess cannot do anything but cry all day thinking about her. Soon, she was diagnosed with depression and her health started to deteriorate.

Count Byron tried to cheer up his wife while keeping himself strong in that situation. He also did not stop to look for her. The Count was also desperate to find his daughter knowing she must be in danger. He kept on praying that his daughter is safe and they can find her as soon as possible.

But four straight months had already passed and they still haven't heard any news about his daughter. The Countess was losing her spirit every day and the Count doesn't know what to do anymore. Count Byron brought his wife to one of the orphanages they are managing hoping that the children can cheer them up. After all, his wife loves to interact with kids even when they were still dating.

And that's when they met a small child who has the same hair color as the Countess. The little girl was an orphan left by her parents in the street. The person who was managing their orphanage took pity on that child and decided to bring her. After the caretaker dressed her properly and feed her with nutritious snacks, the small child became adorable and cheerful.

At first, Countess Rosalyn was scared to interact with children again. She always blamed herself for why their daughter was missing and it must be a sign that she is not a qualified mother. Sensing that the Countess was about to cry, the small child approached them and offered a clean handkerchief. She even consoled the Countess and wished for her not to cry anymore.

That was their first encounter. Soon, the couple was visiting the orphanage every week to see and play with the children in it. Of course, the small child who consoled the Countess was also present. Countess Rosalyn once said that child reminds her of their daughter who also likes to smile in front of everyone.

The investigation to find their daughter was still ongoing. But they still haven't heard any positive news from it. While waiting, Count Byron noticed that his wife became close to the little girl in the orphanage. And soon, the Countess asked if she can adopt that child.

At first, Count Byron was against that idea. They were still in the middle of looking for their daughter. He never had the idea to adopt a child and replaced his daughter. No matter what other people say, Count Byron believes that his daughter is still alive unless he can see with his own eyes her dead body.

But Countess Rosalyn begged him. She can no longer withstand the loneliness in her heart. And by adopting another child, the Countess said it can at least make her feel a little good and forget the pain she was enduring for the past year. In the end, Count Byron agreed that they will adopt that small child and bring her as their second daughter.

The Countess named her Roselyn. She based it on her own name and hopes that her new daughter will bloom as a beautiful rose loved by everyone. Since then, the Countess poured her time into taking care of their new daughter. Instead of sulking, crying, and blaming herself all day, the Count noticed that the effect of adopting a new child has a good effect on his wife.

Still, the Count did not stop his investigation. Count Byron bowed in his heart that he will find his daughter no matter what. Even if he loses most of his money, Count Byron will not care about it as long as he can see his missing child again. For him, his flesh and blood are more important than his money and properties.

Fortunately, he finally found his daughter. Although it was a pity that it took them years before they found her, what was more important to him was the present. Seeing his grown-up daughter made the Count sad in his heart. He did not even witness her growth or become a part of her past.

After the Count explained these things to Charlotte, he only earned a nod from her. Count Byron did not think too much of it. He just thought she was still dizzy with all of this information and needs time to absorb it. When it was time for them to go home, the Count tried to ask his daughter if she wants to come with him and she quickly refused it.

And again, the Count tried to understand her. Maybe she was not yet ready for that. But before leaving, Count Byron asked for Charlotte’s address. He will not let his daughter disappear again without any traces. Fortunately, Charlotte gave him a piece of paper with her address on it.

After that fateful day, the Count kept visiting his daughter in her place. Charlotte was living in a small apartment above the bookstore where she was working as its young owner. According to her, Charlotte was adopted by an old couple when she was fifteen but they already passed away three years ago. Before they died, the old couple gave the bookstore to her as their last gift.

The Count did not suspect her story. In truth, she felt pity for his child. She should have been raised as a pampered lady by them. And yet, she was already working at a very young age.

He also noticed that Charlotte is too mature for her age. It was a far cry from Roselyn who still acts like a child sometimes. It was probably because of her difficult lifestyle in the past. Count Byron told himself to treat his daughter so well once she return to their mansion.

The Count really wanted to bring Charlotte with him as soon as he found her. But because of a few circumstances and preparations, this plan was delayed for a month. First, the Count had to make arrangements in his family for Charlotte’s arrival.

First, Count Byron announced that he finally found his missing daughter. There was no need to doubt her identity since he also confirmed it with the High Priest. Second, he asked Butler Mel to prepare and clean the biggest room in the mansion to become his daughter's room. Third, he will not tolerate any rumors or rudeness from the servants toward Charlotte.

When the Countess heard about her husband's announcement, she doesn't know how to react at first. They failed to find her daughter for several years and the pain of losing someone is making her heart dull. At some point, Countess Rosalyn accepted that maybe her daughter will never come back to their lives again. And yet, she surprisingly comes back after missing for several years.

But still, there was excitement in her heart. She will finally see her missing daughter again. Countess Rosalyn cried again. But it was not because of sadness anymore.

After a month of preparation, Charlotte finally decided to come back to her real family. When she arrived at their mansion, everyone greeted her with respect and no one dares to become rude to her. Count Byron greeted Charlotte and brought her in front of Countess Rosalyn. Charlotte just stares at her real mother but she did not try to move forward and give her a hug.

Misunderstanding it as her nervousness, the Countess took the initiative to hug her missing daughter. The last time she held her like that was fourteen years ago. Charlotte gently returned her hug and greet her. The last person Charlotte met was Roselyn.

Roselyn White was said to be a year younger than her. Just like the Countess, she has straight golden hair that is properly combed and ornamented with ribbons. She also has a small face, soft-looking lips, and a pair of green eyes. After they finally met, it was Roselyn who greeted Charlotte first.

Roselyn expressed that she likes to have a good relationship with her older sister. Charlotte just gave her a small nod but did not say anything. After that, Count Byron brought his first daughter to her room. Since then, Charlotte started living with the White Family.

So far, Charlotte did not give her comments on how the people in this mansion view her. For her, their opinions are not important. Charlotte can see and feel the Count's eagerness to become close to her. But the young lady cannot just easily do it, especially when she is still on guard against them.

Charlotte stares at the two portraits again. She has no knowledge when it comes to art. But for her, the second one is more vivid and colorful. It seems like the person who painted it gives a lot of effort to put more details into the portrait.

Charlotte doesn't feel anything while staring at the portrait. Charlotte already passed the age where she will feel extreme emotions such as jealousy and hatred towards her real family. In truth, she is thinking the White Family is already looking good even without her presence. If not for the Count's persuasion, Charlotte will never return to her family again.

There are a lot of things that make Charlotte decide not to return to her real family. First, she doesn't feel anything for them. It may sound harsh or heartless to others, but Charlotte already lived her life even without the presence of these people on her side. She simply has no attachment to people who didn't become a part of her life.

Second, the White Family is already stable even without her presence. The Count’s position in their society is stable, the Countess is healthy and happy all the time, and their adopted daughter is good enough to be accepted by everyone. Charlotte thinks there is no need for her to ruin this family just because she returns to their lives.

And lastly, she doesn't want them to know the truth about her second identity. Not all the things Charlotte had said to her father before were true. Most of it are lies that she created just to blend with the people in their empire. It was true that she owned a bookstore, but that was only a disguise.

"Annie." Charlotte called her maid.

"What it is, Lady Charlotte?"

"Prepare the carriage and our clothes. I have to visit an important meeting today."

Charlotte doesn't need to elaborate on her words. Annie already understands her orders. That's why the maid bows her head and did not say anything more. She just needs to follow her master's orders and nothing else.