Chapter Text
On the alcove of a window sat Mirabel, who was people-watching. You could say it was her favorite thing to do aside from working at the goldsmith's workshop. Looking at people of different walks of life, living under the lord’s strict reign. She turned to look at her aunt, who noticed her niece and replied with a warm smile. With this eye contact her aunt seemed to recall something,
"Oh Bell, did I tell you your father's coming home today?" She informed while knitting.
"No, really?" Mirabel's sad eyes lit up, but realization hit her. ‘Father’s visit will most likely be brief – as always.’ He worked for Lord Farquaad, diligently so. Being the guard captain meant nonstop work, and in result Mirabel was practically raised by her paternal aunt.
Sighing, she returned to her hobby of inspecting people, until a familiar figure had her squinting. “It’s pa!” Mirabel jumped from the windowsill, and ran down the stairs, holding her dress for better mobility. Her excitement was that of a little girl, but the ‘little girl’ was already 21. She stood impatiently, and familiar heavy footsteps were to be heard. Her father’s dark figure formed on the glass panel, and he opened the door.
“There’s my girl!” he said with genuine cheerfulness, but appeared exhausted. Mirabel squealed in excitement as she hugged her father as tightly as possible.
“Oh my Mirabel, I’ve got some great news for you! Go sit down, let me get rid of this work attire first. I’ll be in the kitchen shortly.”
“...Hmm?” She gave her father a sideways glance, who released her from the embrace. Nonetheless, she took a seat in the kitchen along with her aunt. Mirabel looked over at her to see if she had any clue of what is to follow, but she only shrugged. It’s been a few days since her father last left for duty, so Mirabel’s impatience for these news were most understandable.
“Alright, so...” he appeared in the kitchen with a washcloth momentarily rubbing on his face. He pulled out a chair and took a seat. “I informed the Lord about your profession,” he held a brief pause for suspense. “...he agreed to let me introduce you to him!”
Stunned silence followed, like a pin-drop. Mirabel didn’t reciprocate to his enthusiasm, and was truthfully a bit baffled. These news were... the least expected. In her family, their loyalty for Lord Farquaad wasn’t particularly strong, but as citizens of Duloc they were used to the orders – what else could they do?
“What? Derek, that’s insanity!” Mirabel's aunt blurted, who has always been a bit of an oppositionist. He shot a stinging glare at his sister, and turned back to Mirabel.
“Mirabel, now’s your time to shine! Think about it. Your goldsmithing no longer limited to the workshop, but potentially expanded to the head of Duloc!” He leaned over closer and gripped her shoulders, smiling proudly.
“I...” A thousand thoughts and emotions ran through her head – why, what, when? This could be the highest of privileges, but is she ready for such high stakes? On the other hand, this could also be a chance to be closer to her father and his mentality, as Duloc Castle was all he’s surrounded by.
“Sure...!” Mirabel initally answered on a whim, with a hint of doubt in her voice.
“Ah great! I’m so proud of you. I’m sure he’ll be fond of your talent and knowledge, don’t worry." Derek reassured, knowing the impression everyone has of the lord. “Now, shall we make some supper?”
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Mirabel fell onto her bed, with long strawberry-blonde curls practically engulfing her pillow. She barely did anything today, aside from helping prepare food, but it was probably the arrival of her father that mentally exhausted her– and the news that followed. The tension between her father and aunt were very present the rest of the day, and she can currently hear faint sounds of arguing downstairs. Her aunt is most likely confronting him about earlier, and his loyalty to Lord Farquaad. But he doesn't have much of a choice, anyway. She was beginning to doubt her decision, but life is about taking chances, right? ‘But the lord's extreme eye for perfection... If he actually accepts me as a personal jeweler, he’s not going to decapitate me if I mess something up a little, is he? Father is the guard captain after all.’ The indecisiveness was nearly driving her sleepless, so she rolled over, slipped under the covers and shut her eyes.