Chapter fifty-five: Pre-Banquet
The next several days passed without anything major happening. I continued my lessons with the old hags, receiving scoldings and slaps. It was aggravating and each day continued to steadily increase my blood pressure. By the time the banquet rolled around, Alora all but demanded to help me get ready.
“I can make you sparkle.” Alora smiled, fussing with my hair. “You will be so very, very pretty, my lady.”
“Just finish my hair and leave.” I huffed out a breath, watching her move behind me in the mirror.
The perplexed dazed look in her eyes still sent shivers down my spine. I’d actively avoided the majority of the staff, refusing to allow them in my room. Had Alora not knocked repeatedly since early morning, I wouldn’t have allowed her inside. The moment I finally relented, she marched in with a dress already in hand – one that was a deep blood red. Why didn’t I try to stop Madam Poshlyn from making a gown in that color again?
The dress, despite the obvious imperial shade, was comfortable and hugged in all the right places. The neckline wasn’t overly low, nor was it so modest I’d suffocate. Alora insisted I should wear it to “stand out” as though that was necessary at a banquet.
“Lovely!” Alora clapped her hands, smiling. “The up-do is amazing, if I do say so myself.”
I looked in the mirror annoyed when I realized she was correct. She had spun my hair up into a loose bun, leaving some of the strands in the front, along the sides, to hang down. Even if she was acting weird, she still managed to make me look presentable.
“You may leave now, Alora.” I shifted, about to stand, stopping only when she shook her head.
“Not yet, my lady! You still need your jewelry.” She swiveled her head around. “Now where did I put them? I know I had them in my hands when I came inside.”
“You set them on my nightstand.” I leaned back against the chair, exasperated.
“Oh?” She turned, giggling. “You’re right, my lady!” She bounced toward the stand. “You’re so very smart.”
“Sure.” I murmured, watching her through the mirror. “Just grab them.”
“I will.” Alora looked back at me, a dopey grin plastered on her face. “Of course I will. I follow orders. You know…” She trailed off, reaching toward the set of jewelry. “I am…”
For a few minutes she didn’t move or seem to even breathe. Her hand hovered over the necklace and earrings – shaking. The rosy pinkness of her cheeks began to fade, replaced by a pale complexion.
What’s wrong with her? I turned to the side to see her better, confused. “Alora?”
The woman didn’t respond to her name, instead she seemed to shake more. Her shoulders tightened as sweat began to drip down her face. I jumped up and walked over, heels flicking under me.
“Alora, hello?” I waved a hand before her face, starting to get worried. First she acts weird and now she’s acting even stranger. What is happening?
She did flinch or respond, instead she kept her eyes glued to the night stand. The hell?
“A-lor-a.” I grabbed her shoulders and spun her around, forcing her to look at me. “What is the matter with you?”
“H-huh?” She blinked several times, touching a hand to the side of her head. “I-I’m sorry, my lady. I d-don’t feel well all of a sudden.”
“All of a sudden?” I repeated, glancing over at the nightstand frowning.
Before I gave in to give her access to my room, I stashed Cassius’s flower in the top drawer of my nightstand. The way she was staring at it and the volatile reaction was perplexing. Did the rose have something to do with it? Was she poisoned?
“F-forgive me, my lady.” She backed up, and bowed deeply, wobbling on her feet. “I c-canot help you with the jewels. I will get another maid to assist you and-”
“I can do them myself.” I waved a hand at her, picking up the jewelry with the other. “You’re dismissed.”
“T-thank you, my lady.” She hiccuped before turning around and practically fleeing from the room.
When the door closed behind her, I pulled open the drawer and took out the flower, turning it in my hand. The rose caught the light, shimmering and humming against my finger tips. I replayed what had happened moments ago, and recalled the exact words Cassius had spoken to me. He mentioned ‘other things,’ but what are those things exactly?
I had no idea what happened to Alora when she disappeared in the manor nor what was happening with the staff. I need to ask Cassius about this tonight. I set the rose back down, closing the drawer. I grabbed the key, locking it.
The chances of the maids entering my room when I wasn’t home wasn’t extremely high, and I doubted they would be able to actually do anything should they come into range of it. If even a single one of them didn’t have a strong reaction to the rose like Alora did, I couldn’t risk it. I walked across the room, searching for a location to hide the key.
Much of the space was empty and the places I could hide it were far too easy to be noticed. None of the floorboards were loose either. Damn. Where can I put it? I walked back over to the bed, staring down at it. Not under a pillow – that would be too easy.
I wasn’t sure for how long I debated, but after a while, a knock sounded on my door. Damn it. The only location I could possibly think of was under the mattress.
“Who is it?” I called, wrapping my hand around the metal.
“Martin, my lady.” Martin said, sniffling. “Lord Justin is inquiring if you are about ready to leave as the banquet will begin within the hour.”
“I’ll be down in a moment.”
“I will wait to escort you then, my lady.”
Sure, you do that. I crouched down, pressing the key between the mattress and the frame. This will have to do for now. I walked back around the bed, quickly putting on the red gemstone necklace and earrings.
I walked across the room, grabbing my shawl on the fly. When I opened the door, Martin stood a few feet back, blowing his nose on a handkerchief. “My word.” He sniffled, lowering the fabric. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“Thank you.” I slipped the shawl’s thin material over my bare shoulders.
Martin bowed and turned, walking down the corridor at a pace I could easily match. I followed behind him wordlessly, my mind drifting back to the rose. Doubt plagued me about the hiding location of the key – but I knew I couldn’t tell him to wait – for who knows how long – until I found a suitable location.
After what felt only like minutes, we reached the parlor. Justin stood in the center, glancing at his pocket watch. He glanced up only when he heard the sound of my heels click against the tiles of the floor.
“Hm.” He scanned my body quickly, frowning slightly. “Your outfit has much to be desired, but it will do for now.” He held out his arm, expecting me to grab it.
I walked forward taking his arm, and consciously refraining from kicking him. What was wrong with the outfit? Was it because I didn’t look like an old woman?
“Madam Poshlyn has some odd taste.” He commented, walking us out of the house. “I suspect her background is largely the problem.” He clicked his tongue.
“Her background?” I inquired as we reached the carriage. “What do you mean?”
“She is from unsavory people.” Justin commented, drily as the coachman jumped down and opened the carriage doors. “On her fathers side.”
What is he talking about? I moved forward and took the coachman’s hand. He offered a small smile and guided me up the stairs and inside. The novel never went into detail on minor characters or rarely mentioned ones. It left me at a disadvantage when it came to the lives of other people.
I quickly claimed my seat, trying to recall if I knew of any unsavory people mentioned. Unfortunately, none came to mind. Just slid in after me and we began to head toward our destination.
“Tonight you will act properly.” He leaned back, crossing his legs. “I expect you to smile when it is necessary and to not cause problems with the other ladies.”
“I won’t.” I turned my head, biting back a curse that almost slipped out.
“Everyone who is in good standing with the crown will be in attendance.” He cleared his throat. “Many of them are people that will be useful in the near future. I will introduce you to some of their wives and I expect you to…”
Justin continued rambling about proper etiquette, decorum, and financial investments. No one of what said held my attention and I spaced out, blankly staring out the window. Maybe everyone in the manor is dead inside from hearing him talk.
He continued his tirade until the carriage slowed to a stop, outside the gates of the palace. Justin, finally, stopped his rambling and began to smooth his hair and clothing. The line to get inside was long and slow moving, each guard would stop and check the invitations as well as take time to peer inside to make sure no one was sneaking anyone or anything thing inside.
We finally reached the front of the line after forty minutes and Justin – being the dolt he was – kept the guard longer than necessary by drilling him with inane questions.
I sat back and closed my eyes, worried about how much of a hassle the night was going to be.
I had no idea, at the time, just how strange the banquet would become.