"Empress Rimes Kaili sent a heart prism of an 8th-grade aura beast, in hopes it would improve your condition. Matriarch Rimes has sent a tin of Wing Leaf tea. Second Lady Rimes sent..." Selena reads off from her list.
Why do you even bother telling me all this? Lucy wonders, dipping her paintbrush into the jar, rubbing it against the rocks she'd dropped in there. Seriously, a two-year-old wouldn't give a rats ass about any of this. "I have sent out a general graduate letter, but for Empress Rimes Kaili and Rimes Matirarch it's best for Little Mistress to sign your signature on the letter," Selena says, placing two letters down.
Lucy wipes her brush off with a rag and sets it down. Before she can ask, Selena hands a calligraphy brush to her and holds out an ink well. Lucy carefully signs Third Miss Jing, Rimes Shaya Lucinda on both pages. Selena blots the pages. "Miss Selena more packages have arrived for the Thrid Miss" A maid calls from outside the studio, peeking inside curiously.
Third Miss stood before the wooden stand she called an easel, jars of liquid or brushes scattered upon the small table by her side. A rack held the various works of their Third Miss. The maid's hands itched. Carly boasted she'd been inside to place a painting on the rack. The paintings were all strange but beautiful and even Prince Jing praised Third Miss' talent. Really made one want to see. "I shall be there in a minute" Miss Selena says, turning to the Third Miss. "Yes, Miss Selena" She bows and retreats reluctantly.
Lucy smirks. Since Papa ordered her studio to be set up, the maids become insatiably curious since they didn't dare to intrude upon her studio. Selena takes care of it, as she did Lucy's bedchamber. The only time the maids had an excuse to enter was to bring out her easel so she could paint in the gazebo or bring it and to place whatever she'd painted on the rack.
Lucy glances at her rack. It was almost full. I should get rid of some of those. Ah, I know. "Selena I want to see a painting to Imperial Grandmother," Lucy says. Selena smiles widely. "That's a wonderful touch, Little Mistress. You choose and I shall send it with your letter of gratitude." Selena encourages. Not what I meant, but whatever works.
Lucy nods and heads over to flip through the rack, barely noticing as Selena leaves.
Hmm, it can't be this one of the Grand Canyon. It would raise questions on how I know what a dessert looks like. Downtown Atlanta. Out. No, this one has airplanes. This won't do, it has unveiled girls, people would think I sent a painting of slaves to Imperial Grandmother. That would be an awkward misunderstanding.
Lucy finally narrows it down, after removing anything that showed the future or modern people. It left her with only three to choose from. A rose bush that lived in this very courtyard, a waterfall in the midst of a forest, from a mysterious dream; and her Earth painting.
I should let Selena choose from these, she would know what's best. Lucy gasps as her bond fluxes with a horrendous mess. Shock. Awe. Disbelief. Hope. Anger. Joy. Anxiety. Lucy runs out, following her bond. "Selena! Selena! Selena!" Lucy calls, skidding to stop. Selena stood staring at a small polished box in her hands. Lucy frowns, edging closer. What is it? What has made her so anxious?
Lucy scowls. I'm too short. I can't see it! Lucy tugs on Selena's skirt. "Selena? Selena?" Lucy says. Selena was barely breathing, just staring at the open box. Lucy bites her lip. She's ignoring me! She never ignores me! "Selena!" Lucy says, unaware of her eyes turning wet and her trembling lips.
Selena jerks, her gaze following to Lucy. "Little Mistress? Weren't you in your playroom?" Selena asks. Lucy pouts. I'm have been here for a while. You didn't notice me at all.
"Pick me up!" Lucy demands. What's so interesting about a stupid box! Selena lifts her and sets Lucy upon her hip.
A blue glass vial set upon silk cushions.
"It seems Master Gavin sent a potion," Selena says. Potion?" Lucy tilts her head. "Medicine?" Lucy asks. Selena grins. "This is a very special medicine. It has Aura in it. A potion can't be mentioned with the other types of medicine. Such potions are hard to craft. Most of them go to the Imperial Palace, or to sects" Selena says, closing the box carefully.
"I will drink it?" Lucy asks. You're seriously okay with that? Lucy questions Selena with her gaze. It wasn't that Lucy thought Master Gavin was attempting to poison her, but Selena was damn near neurotic about her food. Even snacks Selena personally made and stored were tested for poison, let alone a random vial from her tutor.
"Not now, Little Mistress. I need to send for healers from Rimes Manor so they can oversee it" Selena says. Oh, that makes sense.