The next carriage pulls up, and I get the sudden realization that whoever steps out next, is the house in which I'll be serving. And spying on, but the former is more jostling. Based on the glance that Lance gives me in my peripheral, I'd say it's the last person I'd want.
There are three dresses this time, one cognac, the other a deep blue with several beads sewed in the shapes of snowflakes, and the third belonging to a young girl I'm sure would've loved to see Clarice again. A man takes the lead, his footsteps heavy and clearly used to being heard and obeyed.
"Lord Julyanus," Darius calls, voice hollow.
"Darius."
No title, no respect, but the full damn audacity to already insult the crown. I'm not the only one who bristles at the missing title.
"I see that you've replaced the numbers of our own with those of assassins."
"A temporary arrangement until such numbers are reinstated."
"And do you plan to continue such an...alliance with the Jade Assassins after such things occur?"
"A conversation for a later set time, I believe," Claritia interludes evenly.
One of the Ladies draws in a breath to say something, but then that yellow dress that belongs to the young girl swishes as she walks right up to Darius and tugs on his sleeve. "Where's the princess?" She asks in an all too sweet and innocent voice to be a part of this family.
"What princess, Helena?" Darius asks, his voice softening for the young one.
"The one from last time. She called me beautiful, and you and her played with me and the others in the garden, remember?"
It doesn't take long for Darius to tense and the swift breeze to practically stop mid-motion, and not nearly as long for Julyanus to jump on our case. "I believe my daughter has asked a valid question. Are we not missing someone?"
"I believe she posed as a woman named Lily, Prince Darius's lover," Marrieta chimes, clearly purposefully using the lower title. "Though she revealed herself to be the Ebony Nightingale on the night of the Elysian Ball."
"And now she's being called a Saint, often more so a Goddess, if rumors surmise," Lady Fillis adds.
"Why hasn't she come to welcome us?" Julyanus inquires.
Cause you'd end up being kibble for her pets if she did, asshole.
I glance around the front courtyard, searching for the wolves. Not one is in sight, and come to think of it, I haven't seen them all morning. Odd.
Is Clarice alright?
"She's indisposed at the moment," Claritia answers for Darius.
I can't see any of their faces, but I'm not an idiot. I can feel that flame in my bracelet heating up. We need to get them away from Darius as soon as possible or else he's going to give them exactly what they want. A reason to give the crown to someone else. I wonder who?
"Still?" Marrieta exclaims in a high-pitched voice. "One would think a cycle's time to be efficient enough to recover."
They're pulling on your strings, Darius. Don't fall for it, just take a deep breath, I mentally plea. I need a deep breath too. I'm this close to walking over and shoving the women down the steps.
"Considering the great number of ordeals she's been through for two months, one can understand why it is she's still in recovery. Especially when those ordeals include tortures of many kinds and pain I'm sure none of us could even imagine."
Well, that was more civilized than I'd thought he'd reply.
"Our informants said they spotted her over a cycle ago, floating over these very walls and controlling water. That doesn't sound indisposed to me."
Gods and their Saints pray that I don't rip the older woman's face off.
"I assure you, the Queen is being taken care of by our Anevay, and though she couldn't greet you now, she may perhaps join the meeting."
Oh come on Claritia, take a few more stabs. They deserve it
"Queen?" Julyanus says quickly. "So it's true then. She has a crown of her own."
Shit. I didn't catch the slip of the title. Where is Claritia going with this?
"Or is it two..." his wife quips.
Oh. Oh.
I see Darius move his hands behind his back slowly out of the corner of my eye, and for a moment I hold my breath, waiting for the wind to howl or a fire to catch on all of their pretty clothes. All except Helena, of course. We can't harm that angel.
The power never comes, and Darius speaks rather calmly instead.
"As my mother earlier stated, a conversation for a later set time. Katarina," I stiffen at the sound of my name and let every other thought go out of habit from earlier days. "Take them to their rooms, would you?"
I let my body move on its own, walking a few steps to face him and curtsy low. Sadly, my mouth has loosened since my mannered days, and the words just kind of fall out. "As you wish, My King."
The staff assigned with me curtsy as well, echoing my response. As we lead the pains in the ass into the castle, I feel a small breeze wind up my arm. At least someone thought it was a smart move.
I turn left for the Eagle Wing, the furthest we could keep Julyanus and his horde away from the Healer's Tower. The two noble families before us were taken to the Canary Wing, as they're less likely to go searching for Fauna and their loyalties will likely slide easily over to Darius's side when the time comes for the "conversation." Or so we hope.
The Novak family's room is on the second floor, the door at the center of the long stretch of the wing. It's the biggest room we have on the western end, or at least that they know of. I open the double doors and instantly step beside one with my head down to let them in. One of the other staff steps beside me, the other two by the door across from us. I believe the one beside me is named Belle, the one in front of me is named Lecia, and the one beside her is Grace. I should've asked earlier, and I feel like a bad person because their names are guesses at best.
Once all four of the nobles are inside, Lecia and I close the doors, Belle and Grace already moving to step into their respective Nobel's shadow. Grace gets Helena, Belle with Marrieta, Lecia with Lady Fillis, and lucky me gets Lord Asshole - sorry, Lord Julyanus.
Deep breaths, Kat. Deep breaths.
His hand flies in a nonchalant motion, but I know the meaning and move to pour him a drink while he and his wife and daughter take their seats in the sitting room. Helena disappears into another room, Grace on her heels. Lecia and Belle soon follow after me, and we work easily around each other as we get the people their respective drinks. Another thing we've had to memorize before today. What each Nobel prefers to eat and drink, how they like their baths run, which scented soaps to use for which, what nightclothes are best for them, and much, much more.
"Elemental. Saint. Goddess. Queen. What will she be next? A demon perhaps?" Marietta spits as she runs her hands over her skirt.
I set the Lord's glass down on the small table beside where he sits on the couch, ignoring his daughter's comment. He reaches for the glass and I quickly retreat back against the wall where he can easily spot me and I can watch for any more silent demands.
"I believe she's already held that title before she gained any of the others," Fillis replies plainly, taking a sip of her tea.
"Do you truly think that Darius will make her his Queen?"
"So long as I live, no such thing will happen," Julyanus vows. "I'd die before I let such a filthy mongrel take my daughter's rightful place."
That can be arranged, My Lord.
Marietta rolls her eyes, forgoing her own drink. "Darius has no interest in me, let alone an inclination of love."
"Love has nothing to do with it," Fillis sneers hastily. "Do you think your father and I love each other? Please. I've hated him since I've met him."
"Your mother's an old drag."
"Don't start, Julyanus," Fillis warns.
"Forgive me if I do not wish to have a deceitful relationship as you do," Marrieta says.
"It's not deceitful, we simply have an understanding based on common interest."
"The wellbeing of this kingdom," Julyanus states.
"So then the crown has nothing to do with it?"
"We've discussed this, Marrieta. Darius is unfit to rule, not to mention young and lacking in his knowledge of war, for it is a war brewing in the land."
Is it really that obvious that war is about to break out? I mean I know it is because I've been in the first tendrils of it for months, but seeing as they've only experienced a small attack on the night of the Elysian Ball, as well as the siege of the capital which in no way harmed their pretty skin, I wouldn't, in their place, see a war ultimately coming. That is, of course, unless they plan to make us fight on two fronts.
I don't know, maybe it is obvious and I'm just overthinking things, but something about the statement makes my chest light with a warning.
"And what will putting the Queen's crown on my head accomplish, exactly?"
Forgive me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like Marrieta wants to rule. She's argued against her parents, and though it seems she won't win in the end, perhaps we could come to an agreement with her. We'd have to somehow get rid of both her parents - and permanently, or else they'll just keep whispering in her ear and force her to do their bidding. If we make her the Lady of Novak, then we might have another ally within the kingdom, perhaps even one that wouldn't be against putting Fauna on the throne. But not even that's definite.
Thralia needs its rulers, Willa and the Ginerva said as much, so whether it's one of them or both of them, the throne for Vandaria is unstable, and I have a feeling these hellhounds are sniffing out that fact.
Darius won't leave Vandaria, that much I know and believe, but Fauna...she could go either way. She loves this capital and its people, but she's also not one to just leave a whole kingdom full of innocent people who have no ruler, leaderless. She has the biggest heart I know, and for some reason, that scares me. It scares me because I'll have to make a choice myself. Go with her to Thralia, should she choose to do so, or stay here. Lance will want to follow his sister, and I'll want to follow him, but we've made friends here - good friends.
"Your crowning as Queen would give us the ability to ensure that this kingdom is great again. The only reason I stuck beside Neven was that I had hoped we could discuss the matter of your betrothal to Darius and make it official. Now that he's gone our plans have changed, and now we must convince the others that he's in no place to have that crown," Julyanus declares strongly. Neither women argue again and it's clear that despite the argument, they're all in unanimous agreement.
"Speaking of Neven, has there been word yet as to his whereabouts?"
My head starts to lift to look at the Lady, but I catch myself and quickly move it back down before someone notices.
"None. The last anyone's seen him was when he was rushed out during the Elysian Ball."
It's been a question on all of our minds. Where did he go? The last the boys saw him, he was walking the streets of the capital, but he never resurfaced after that. Where could he have gone? If anyone would know it's Darius, but seeing as he's said nothing about the fact, I don't think he does.
"Neven disappears without a trace, and how convenient is it that Darius resurfaces to take up the throne," the Lord sneers.
"It should've been Claritia who now hails," Fillis mumbles as she brings her tea to her lips again.
"Darius is already of age - nearly a year past it, in fact. He needs no Regent," Marrieta argues, though her tone is clearly distasteful for the fact.
"His age also indicates that he should be married already, and considering he isn't, his claim to the crown is weakening with every passing day he still has no wife. His birthday should be his expiration date."
"He's had plenty of time and more options to choose from," Lord Julyanus points out. "If he hasn't picked a woman yet, he won't pick one presently." He sets his now-empty glass back on the table and does that lazy wave again. I instantly move away from the wall, scoop up the cup, and walk to refill it. I'm debating slipping a poison in my pocket later, but it would lead me nowhere than to my own death. I'm the only one who serves him and considering that the other two Nobels wouldn't die, I couldn't say that it was in the saucer.
"So then why keep pushing me to ask for his hand?" Marrieta sulks.
"Because you are my daughter, and as of right now, the only option he has to gain our full support."
"If I'm being blunt, Father, I think Darius could care less for our support." Damn right. "And I'm not his only option, nor his first choice. In fact, I don't even believe I'm in the running."
"Of course, you're in the running," Fillis insists, giving her daughter a withering glare as I set the Lord's drink back down on the table. "That girl they call Queen has less of a right to such titles or power. She's a murderer and a harrier and deserves a slow painful death - as does that horrid brother of hers. They're both due for a harsh end."
If both Bella and Lecia weren't holding tightly to the back of my dress, my hands which are shaking in anger would be wrapping around the shrew's neck and never let go until it was she who dies. It wouldn't be slow and painful, but it'd get the job done for the insults and idiocy.
Fauna just went through two months of torture, she no longer has her memories, she's thin as a toothpick, and she did it all to save these assholes. They're ungrateful little shits who should've been dragged down to the dungeons along with Fauna and suffered the same fate. Only Gods know that these delicate delinquents wouldn't last a cycle through the bleeding and breaking. They have status and big mouths and money, but aside from that, I see no strength that could even begin to compete with Fauna. In fact, all their wealth and everything they own has a price, including them.
Fauna...she's priceless, and there's a damn good reason for it. Sons of bitches know nothing of Fauna. She'd make a greater Queen than Ker has ever seen, and you'd be damn right if you thought that she'd drown people like these spoiled brats simply because they have no true class.
"Is something wrong, wench?" Marrieta asks, clearly talking to me. I see both her parents look at us, both with eager eyes ready to devour me the second I step out of line. Belle and Lecia don't let go of me, as we've already been caught, so there's no reason to hide it anymore.
Fucking whore thinks she's got me in her trap. Sorry to say that I was raised with lies on my tongue that quip quicker than my mind can think of one to tell. "No, My Lady. They were simply reminding me to inform you that the meeting will begin in less than an hour."
"That's hardly adequate time for us to prepare," Fillis complains.
Well, it's hard to argue when you've wasted thirty minutes trying to get under Darius's skin and bicker amongst each other like wild rats fighting over a piece of molded cheese.
"If you'd like to request more time, I can have word sent to the rest of the Court to push it back another hour more." I don't bother saying that the request would go to King Darius and that it'd likely be denied. I've already pissed them off by saying his title once, and this time I have no one that outranks them to tell them to back the hell off.
"What do you think, Julyanus?" Fillis asks, glaring at me as she speaks. "Shall we request more time just to simply annoy the rest of them?"
"Enough of your scowls, Fillis. Go change into one of your insipid gowns, and quickly. I don't want to be the last of the Court to arrive at the meeting." She gives him one of her scowls, but stands anyway and walks off towards her room. "You too, Marrieta."
The younger lady is more composed with her exit and walks to the secondary doorway toward her room.
"Take this one with you," Julyanus orders, waving a dismissive hand in my direction.
Marrieta doesn't acknowledge his command, as she doesn't have to, the order was for me. As Belle and I follow her, I quickly take inventory of the sitting room. If anything but his glass is out of place, I'll know where to look for whatever it is he wants his privacy for.
Marrieta's room is smaller compared to her parent's chambers, though not by much, and it's dressed in all the elegance we could muster up in a cycle and while understaffed. Her trunks are already against the wall thanks to the others who brought them in using the tunnels. Darius suggested that we use them to move quickly throughout the castle so that it looks like there are more of us, and those combined with the servant's tunnels give us access to nearly every room on every floor. They're also constantly monitored by the water wolves, which makes it easy to roam through them and not have to worry about someone who's not supposed to be there sneaking up on you.
Belle starts undoing the bindings of Marrieta's current dress, and I walk over to the trunk and start carefully unloading the several dresses she's packed onto the bed for her to look at and choose from. A few of them I have to admit to liking, but some seem a little extravagant considering that business will be the most eventful event that happens. There's no party scheduled, no grand ball, or even a small gathering. There's dinner, but that's not necessarily a ballgown attire event.
"The black and gold," Marrieta decides, now standing in nothing but her undergarments.
The gown is one of her simpler ones. A single layer of black crepe fabric with sleeves. There are gold appliques on the hem of the sleeves, at the back of the dress which forms a V that travels all too low to be considered entirely formal, and all along the neckline.
I adore it despite my hate for her.
Bell and I slip it over her head, then she fastens the hidden buttons among the appliques of the back while I arrange the bottom of the dress, and then move to the small box set on the dresser. I don't open it until I'm in front of Marrieta, and then I'm pulling out bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that go with the dress. The wealthy get testy if you open their valuables with your back to them. I learned that the hard way when I was younger.
"You were Lily's servant, were you not?"
It takes me a moment to realize she's talking about Fauna.
Four names. Gods I've known Fauna by four names now.
I lower my head just a bit in a show of compliance. "I was, My Lady."
"Tell me, do you believe her to be that of Queen material?" It's a trap. It's a trap - and you know it is. "Speak freely. Unlike my parents, I won't reprimand you for speaking your beliefs."
Oh, it most definitely is a trap, but she expects an answer - an honest one...
"I suppose it depends on one's definition of such characteristics, My Lady," I answer, dancing around the answers she wants to hear.
"Is she just and loyal? Does she speak for the many rather than the few? Is she capable of both composure and dissent when situations call for it? Is she, prepared, capable, and merit of the crown twin to Darius's?"
Hell yes. Without a doubt. Questionable, but yes. Did you even have to ask?
"All due respect, My Lady, I only ever knew the woman she portrayed to be. Such deceptions
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