Unloved: A Sims Story by orenjiAi

It is a very special update! :) I think that Robert is a very caring man! He is turning out to be very kind and thoughtful. It is very nice reading more about what he is thinking. I hope that the luncheon and meeting with the Commission goes well! It is a very big day that Elia has ahead of her!
You have written the update is a very nice way :)

Thanks @rosemow for reading and worrying about my health :blush: Don’t worry, I’m a lot less busy now than I was a few weeks ago so I finally have time to draft again. @Shaymantha too. Thanks for always looking out for me. :wink:

Unloved 8
Act II

If Elia thought the Robert she knew was proper before, he paled in comparison with the butler standing in front of her. She refused to believe he was the same person. It was as if hearing the raspy voice at the other end of the radio activated a switch within him. And in an instant, he dropped all the warmth, friendliness, and cuteness he showed her a while ago—Wait! Did she just think he was cute? Instead, he stood up straight, told her to wait, and slowly retreated into the shadows. Elia was certain she did not hear the doors opening and closing and imagined him passing through solid wood like a ghost.

By the time Elia managed to put on her tights, two black cars and a limousine rolled into the cour d'honneur of the chateau. Each vehicle bore two flags on their hoods. One for Simnation and another that had the words Commission Historique Nationale on it.
https://i.imgur.com/ZJpTq3D.png


For a quick second, there was only silence. Like the ominous calm before a storm. Time almost stood still. No one else seemed to be breathing. And even the tree branches outside stopped swaying in the wind. For the great number of people outside, it was eerily quiet. The only sounds came from the faint buzzing of the yellow electric bulbs and the tick-tocking of the mantel clock. Robert broke the suspense as he dipped his upper body in a stiff short bow. The helpers that had been hired for the luncheon soon followed. Suddenly, all at once, the vehicle doors swung open and a dozen men in black suits scrambled to assemble from the driveway to the stone steps leading up to the entrance.

"Hey, Elia! Watchu doing'?" a voice whispered from over her shoulder.

Elia resisted the urge to scream. She had been peeking through a crack in the doorway to see the foyer. She turned around and saw Adriel. He was on his toes, trying hard to also catch a glimpse of the commotion. She quietly shut the door behind her and dragged him back to the room Robert left her in.
https://i.imgur.com/ZWcPMgu.png

"I should be the one asking! What are you doing here?!" she barked at him. She was upset. If Adriel hadn't shown up she would have seen more. She would have known who to expect and could've braced herself mentally.
"I put up the decorations! I think I did quite well dont'ya think? Also, Elia, how could you? Throwing a party without inviting me?" he pouted.
"This isn't my par—Wait! You climbed in through the window!?" she asked exasperatedly.
"Hey..." Adriel asked thoughtfully, completely ignoring her question.
"Are you alright? You’re starting to sound exactly like Robert.” He made an impression, “Keep your feet off the 15th century footstool, Adriel!’”
Elia chortled.
“Nah! He’d be like ‘footstools aren’t from the15th century, Adriel!” Elia chimed in, speaking matter-of-factly. “And this fine china is hand painted... from China!”
“Ahh! Truly magnificent!” Adriel said with his pinky finger extended.
“The flower prints are a metaphor...”
“As expected from the finest artisans!”

Both teens howled with laughter. Adriel continued with his impressions. And Elia had to hold on to the table for support to keep herself from doubling over. She was thankful Adriel snuck in through the window. This was exactly what she needed. She didn't know how, but he always showed up at the right time.
https://i.imgur.com/6QwYMag.png

"Thanks, Adriel..." Elia said, composing herself.
"I was just worried. This feels awfully like being back in the orphanage. Out there is a lot of people. Big people. People that don't know me like you or Robert. People that I know would just... judge me. I guess I'm scared of feeling rejected...again.

"Well yeah," Adriel said casually, "but we're—you're not at the orphanage anymore. It's not like those people can still do anything that'll still change your life.
"You're free now. Right here. If those snoots out there decide for some reason that they don't want you around. Well, too bad! They're just gonna have to deal with it. You won't be losing anything this time from rejection. It's their loss. 'Coz then, they don't get to know this amazing girl in front of me...
Adriel gave a wide grin that made Elia blush.
"A-and people judge all the time anyway! You're not some adowable puppy dog that people are just gonna instantly like all the time!" he followed up.
"Adowable?" she snorted.
"Exactly!" he said reassuringly, "So just keep on being you."

The doors of the salon opened suddenly. Robert strode in and bowed before Elia.
"My lady, it is time."
Elia looked around but didn't see Adriel. He must have fled and quickly jumped out the window.

Elia walked behind Robert as he headed out into the grand salon. The usual large heavy sofas have been swapped with individual seats all facing the far end of the room. She was pleasantly surprised to find that from the dozens of people she saw in the foyer earlier, only ten of them were inside the room. Each seat is occupied by a person wearing black clothes. She heard their soft whispers. She didn’t look up to see their faces, but she can feel each of them kept their eyes on her as she walked to the foremost row.

Elia was relieved to finally reach her assigned place and turn away from all of the people present. Never had she felt more tired from walking such a short distance. It felt like she just waded against a strong current. In front of her was a long table where a purple urn, that Elia recognized to be Mistress Adelaida’s remains, stood proudly beside two organized stacks of folders, and her portrait.
https://i.imgur.com/1Os5myJ.png

No sooner had she taken her seat, an old, greying man, assisted by a tall, blond, teenager with a blood red undercoat came into the room. The teen sat the attorney at the only chair behind the table. Her purple eyes met the other teen's red ones. For a second, his mouth fell open. But he quickly came to his senses, ignored her, and talked animatedly to the old man.

"Alright, let's get this over with. 'Coz I'm starving!" the old man said looking past the small crowd and onto the meal prepared outside. A lady behind Elia scoffed in disapproval.
"Dearly beloved," he started monotonously, "we gather here in fond memory of Mrs. Adelaida Thebe, Madame Royale—not since the 19th century she's not!" several other people groaned. Elia didn't mind though. She was afraid that the whole ordeal would be too formal, given the sudden shift to Robert's mindset, but she found the old man amusing. Quite comical, actually. She wondered what had him on pins and needles in the first place.

He opened the folder and pulled out a sheet of paper. He gave it a flourish and pulled it closer to his face. He looked up to the audience. "And now, the moment of truth!"

"I, Adelaida Thebe, being of competent and sound mind, with residence at Royal Thebe Summer Palace, Capeside, Brindleton Bay, hereby revoke all former Wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last Will which I make this eighteenth day of May..."

Elia thought the atmosphere got heavier. Or maybe the sun outside got hidden in a cloud's shadow? She looked around to check but got distracted by the crowd. Their focus had shifted; and Elia reveled in that fact that she can look freely without anyone cringing. The small group seemed to hail from various backgrounds. Some look more worn than others and none of them, to her surprise, looked rich except the pale blond teen. Everybody however, shared the same undivided interest on what the lawyer was saying.

"...To my dear friend and governess, Amagi Rika, I bestow and bequeath §5,000 free of inheritance tax...". Elia heard Rika sob softly. (Oh Adelaida! Thank you! May the Watcher bless you!)

"The remainder of my assets both liquid and otherwise, including the historic Royal Thebe Summer Palace at Hound's Head, Capeside, Brindleton Bay, and all belongings therein, and power to retain or purchase as an authorized investment, I bestow and bequeath to my son, Antoine Thebe-de Grandpré provided that..."

That must be my father, Elia thought. She did not have any recollection of him. How warmly (or coldly) he had treated to her. How his voice sounded. Or even how he looked like. She had lost him in her early toddler years.

"I bestow and bequeath by substitution," the lawyer continued.

It was a great update to your story! :) You have written it so very well! You are very descriptive and we can sense how Elia is feeling very well! It was a big surprise what you wrote in the spoiler! I won’t write about it to spoil other people that come to read the story :)

Oof I wish Elia didn't zone out at the most important part. :joy:

Okay so my guesses for your cruel cliffhanger for:

"I bestow and bequeath to my son, Antoine Thebe-de Grandpré provided that..."

is immediately followed up with the condition that Elia's father has children of his own, so a legitimate successor (like Elia). Hence Edward Whittaker as substitution will not take effect.

I'm also thinking there might be additional terms and conditions, that Elia must be wed by her 18th birthday or smth. Or that she is a true Thebe in all accounts (maybe mannerisms or whatever they deem important).

Well I'm obviously biased in that I want Elia to inherit the place. :lol:

Unloved 9

“I can pick you up later, if you want, honey,” your mom said just as you unlatched your seatbelt. She was dropping you off. It was a hot Saturday morning and you and your best friends agreed to meet at the San Myshuno Metro to travel South together to Del Sol Valley.

“Oh thanks... but you really don’t have to.” you reassured her. “Besides I won’t be long. Just gonna take the tour and some pictures. It’ll be, like, two and a half hours tops, including travel.”

“I think I can get off work early today. I just have to meet these clients. But I’m free afterwards, I can make it back in time for lunch too. We can go shopping at Starlight Boulevard—“

“No thanks! Amy, Mannie, and I have reservations for lunch. Byeee! Take care and love ya!” You said sweetly with air kisses.

As she turned around the corner you couldn’t help but sigh. While a ride back home was appreciated, you certainly didn’t want her to come. Sometimes you wonder if your mom had ever been a teenager at all. She should understand that it’s not like you didn’t enjoy her company, but having a parent pick you up in front of your friends was like an express ticket to being made fun of. And besides, you didn’t want her to find out the reason you’re going all the way out to The Pinnacles was because you had to take extra credits to make up for plagiarizing your term paper.

The train ride to The Pinnacles was uneventful except for your friends’ constant complaints. The Pinnacles was a historically wealthy neighborhood that stood on a low ridge of hills north of Del Sol Valley. The gated community on its lower slopes had a picturesque view of the city and it was home to renowned celebrities like Judith Ward and Thorne Bailey. At its summit, however, was a national park where the old royal castle ruins stood. On what used to be the site of a rickety wooden watchtower, eventually grew a fortified castle where the Royal Thebe family withdrew to when the winters at their coastal hometown turned harsh and bitter. The castle survived many centuries of use and renovation but it was completely razed in the 17th century. And on its foundations, a more of-its-time palace was built.

It was on this part of your paper that the history teacher noticed that you and your friends wrote exactly the same thing. To be fair, you did transcribe word-for-word that 45-views Simtube video on the Great Sloth Invasion. And you did try to pass said writing off as your own. It just didn’t occur to you that your friends too would have viewed the same video and do exactly as you did. Luckily though, instead of outright failing you or giving detention, the teacher let you off easy. All you had to do was visit (with picture proof) the newly reopened Museum of National History at Chateau Peak. She called it immersion learning.

“Gosh! How much further? I don’t think I can take another step! These shoes are killing me!” one of your friends said.
“Shut up Amy! You shouldn’t have worn those then! You knew we’re going to The Pinnacles! And you knew it was atop a steep hill!”
“But I wanted to look cute.”
“You can’t. Not with those shoes, you won’t! Coz wedges are sooo last year!”

A golf cart passed by as the two were bickering. You watched carefully at the uniformed personnel driving it. It seemed that the park attendants used them to shuttle visitors and employees uphill. You hailed one and stopped to let you ride. You praised yourself for your quick thinking. And your friends did too.

Within seconds and with great ease, instead of the grueling uphill hike, you were transported at the entrance of a grand baroque palace.
https://i.imgur.com/84XBhLs.png
You went inside and were greeted by a friendly intern—who BTW was a total snacc! To your disappointment, however, he informed that museum tours were not scheduled for another half hour later. He apologetically asked you to wait in the café by the cour d’honneur with the other patrons.
https://i.imgur.com/sL535XX.png
Well there goes my afternoon, you thought. You had reservations for lunch too at this hip ramen place with Amy and Mannie. But it's not like there's anything you could do. You start to head out...

"Well..." you heard Mannie's soft playing-cute voice. She began tracing her finger up and down the tour guide’s lapel.
"You see, Sebastian, " she read his name plate, "I'm really bad with crowds... And I've never actually done it before, you know... going on a museum tour. So I'm kinda scared. But you seem like you'd be a really good guy. So I wouldn’t mind if it was you who’d help me with my first...
"Museum exploration" she giggled.

You rolled your eyes and looked at Amy. She sported the same Can-you-believe-this-girl? look. But you were thankful for Mannie’s flirting. It seemed to work on Sebastian and he finally agreed to give you and your friends an exclusive museum tour at no extra charge.
https://i.imgur.com/0ZaDykG.png
Your first stop was the marble and gilt grand staircase. Sebastian said the stairs are actually the last renovation done to the palace before the Great Sloth Invasion. Prior to that, people climbed up another stairwell on the other side of the chateau (it is now used as service stairs). Instead, where they were standing used to be the old chapel.

You noticed Mannie trying to strike pose. Subtly and seductively. Amy, on the other hand, was more interested to learn that real 24 karat gold leaf was used in the detailing. She was wondering how much she could sell it for if she scratched a bit off the walls.
https://i.imgur.com/atPZa5g.png
The grand salon was where the King and Queen entertained guests and dignitaries. It is located off the old entrance at the landing of the Grand Stairs. At this point you’ve already gone bored. Sebastian was nice to look at but he was less cute when he was talking...about history nonetheless. You honestly just couldn’t bring yourself to care about what happened to some guys and their house after they were long dead and gone.

Sebastian led your small party into a long gallery that took the entire right wing of the palace. It was nice. It looked out to the front court and it had soft cushy purple ottomans for people to sit in. But you found it such a waste of space when you consider its only purpose was to access a private balcony in the chapel.
https://i.imgur.com/6vBxpX9.png
https://i.imgur.com/LBw9pkY.png

After the fifth or so room, you trailed behind, growing less and less interested in the tour. Mannie, however, feigned interest and inched closer and closer to Sebastian. Amy, like you, just wanted the tour to be over and done with.
https://i.imgur.com/fW0j24u.png

At the throne room, you remembered you had to be taking pictures to be credited for the activity, so you pulled out your phone and snapped a quick photo.
https://i.imgur.com/MICp0OB.png

That was odd.

In real life, the throne looked just like all the other purple furniture in the rooms before. But on the screen, it burned an off-putting, humbling, shade of violet. You heard Mannie calling for you and snapped back to attention.

You followed her voice into a spacious bedroom at the end of a battery of suites by the throne. Sebastian was talking to Amy on the other side of the royal bedchamber. They were oblivious to Mannie’s fits. As you walked in she grabbed your arm and pulled you closer. She pointed excitedly to the fireplace and lowered her voice to a whisper.
“Look! Look! On the mantel!”
https://i.imgur.com/y4wUFsz.png

Wooden sculptures sat on the mantel with an old Tudor style clock. It was a stallion. And an elephant.
“It can’t be a coincidence that they’re those animals! Think the old King was, like, compensating for something?“
You scoffed and nudge her playfully on her sides. Mannie’s mind was always in the gutter.


A door in the bedroom led to a study. It was arranged so people could read the Queen’s last diary entry before the Invasion. You walked past and ended up in...
https://i.imgur.com/Pwic1lx.png


The Queen’s bedchamber.
https://i.imgur.com/OyZr0gv.png

“Oh my god. I heard they totally don’t sleep on the same bed anymore, if you know what I mean,” you said out loud. It sent Mannie and Amy laughing hysterically. Even Sebastian tried hard to suppress his snickers.

Composing themselves, you all went through the service stairs into another entrance hall with tapestries hanging on the walls. It was less grand than the one you met Sebastian in. It had minimal wood carvings and a simpler flooring. However, it had massive French doors that looked out to beautifully manicured gardens that went right to the edge of the old castle ruins. The splashing of water from several fountains could be heard faintly through the glass. You tried to open the door but found it locked. You stare longingly at the foliage swaying to the wind outside. Really, all you wanted to do right now was step out into the gardens and bask in the warmth of the Del Sol Valley sun.
https://i.imgur.com/3d34BmO.png

A few minutes have passed and you decided it was best to look for Amy and Mannie. After following the signages and going through a number of rooms, you find Mannie and Sebastian seated in the ballroom with their backs turned to you. It didn’t take long for you to realize that they were kissing. Passionately. You figured you’d rather not stay in the same room with such fired up teens so you slipped by quietly and let them have their moment.
https://i.imgur.com/EDLubZx.png

https://i.imgur.com/EPlFkFD.png
You found Amy in the gift shop looking at replicas of some of the chateau’s knickknacks. They were awfully expensive and were not to your tastes, at all. You couldn’t imagine them fitting anywhere else but in a museum. Only this museum. You diverted your attention to the mannequins wearing souvenir shirts.

It’s a bright day at the Winter Palace!, it said.

So lame.

You dragged Amy out of the gift shop, saving her from probably the worst decision of her life (and a few hundred bucks). Through the window, you noticed the first batch of museum-goers walk inside the building. It seemed like the tours have officially begun. And yet Mannie was still nowhere in sight. Instead of idly standing by in the exit hall, Amy decided that you two wait for her inside the café. You opened the doors and ran into someone you know.
https://i.imgur.com/MwXIctr.png




* * *

“Tyler,” Sammy said, surprised. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey babe,”
“Don’t call me that.”

Tyler was one of Sammy’s many suitors. Amy, who had always wanted to get them together, tipped off their activities today to him. In her mind, they were perfect for each other. He was the King. Ace football player. She was the Queen Bee. The most popular girl in school. In truth, Sammy did not mind. He was attractive, good at sports, and was incredibly persistent. But he was also wearing the museum’s souvenir shirt.

“Bright day today, huh?” she poked fun at him.
“It is, now that I’ve met you here.”

Ugh.

“Hey! There’s Mannie!” Amy said as she walked back to their table. She waved at her and she headed towards them. “Say Sammy, now that Tyler’s here, why don’t we all have lunch together? We have reservations to TenMen, care to join us?”
“I’d love to,” Tyler said seriously, looking at Sammy.
Amy squealed.
“Oh my gosh you guys! It was soooo hot—“ Mannie started excitedly as soon as she was in earshot.
“Eww. Please stop talking.” Sammy interrupted. “Alright, I guess I’d let you take us to TenMen. You brought your car right? Don’t expect us to walk all the way there do you?”
“Of course! Lemme go get it babe.”
“Don’t call me that. But before you go, can you take a photo of us in front of the Winter Palace? I really need it for my history class.”
https://i.imgur.com/4QswQN5.png

By the time they went out the café, a limousine had parked in front of the chateau. It had flags on its hood and seemed very businesslike. Not wanting to get the ominous car into frame, they walked to the other side of the court for their pictures. They needed photographic evidence that they indeed visited the museum after all. They took many photos of the principle façade. Then of all of them together. Then of each other. But as Sammy stepped onto the gravel for her turn, the limo sped out of its parking spot. It just narrowly missed the group of teens.
https://i.imgur.com/zJ6NMz9.png
“Hey! Watch where you’re going ????!” Tyler shouted after the limo as it rolled out on the asphalt roads of Chateau Peak.

:o Edward won for real? I'm speechless.

I wonder how Elia and Adrian, and especially Robert are doing. Are they all living in that tiny hut by the capeside? Can't imagine Robert liking that. :joy:

Am also wondering if Elia goes to the same school as Sammy and co. :flushed:

Hi @mercuryfoam! Hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving and happy holidays ahead! I’m in such a festive mood lately. Who knows? Maybe they’ll swap mansions. ?

@orenjiAi Happy late thanksgiving! That's awesome. End the year with good cheer and start anew next. :smiley:

Pffft... Edward and hobo hut in the same sentence? Or are you suggesting they're all living someplace else? Robert's? Don't tell me! I'll find out in your next chapter. :)

Fantastic location there!