I'd talked to Laurent for the rest of the ball in the Ruby Room. Apart from a few awkward pauses it was surprisingly enjoyable. He was shy and a bit clumsy with his words. But he really tried, it was endearing. I'd went to bed with the rising sun last night, barely managing to slip out of my beautiful dress before collapsing onto the bed. I'd woken in early afternoon with a ray of sun glaring obnoxiously through the thick drapes the servants had undoubtedly drawn up so I could have at least a few good hours of sleep.
Reluctantly, I shuffled out of bed, I'd slept with my drawers from last night still on. The stiff starched cotton was not meant for sleeping and I could already feel the beginnings of a nasty chafe starting. I pulled open the heavy drapes as wide as I could, letting the sun spill into the room, soaking my chambers with the cold winter light. I'd never liked my room as much as Astras but it had been out of the question to change. This place was and always would be the residence of the crown prince or princess. Father had lived here when he was younger, and his father before him.
The floors were a dark walnut parquet that matched the bedframe and other wooden pieces. The fourposter bed was elevated on some sort of polished stone dias and draped in airy curtains that did little in terms of privacy. Rich tapestries adorned the far wall, centered by a massive stone fireplace, big enough for me to step into. The opposite wall of the room was taken up my massive window that looked out over the snow peaked mountains and doors leading to a grand balcony, now covered in ice and almost too slippery to venture onto. My closet at least was up to my taste. I slipped on a soft lilac dress. It was one of my favorites. I didn't know what it was mad out of but the fabric was so soft and light. I couldn't help but feel like a goddess from those ancient stories.
I noticed a thin envelope placed on my vanity. One of the servants must have left it for me. There was no address or name attached, simply a little green ink stamp of a dragonfly. It was from Mother.
Eira,
Tea and coffee is at 4, I've invited His Highness, wear something nice.
I sighed, already I could feel my brow beginning to crease again. Couldn't I just have one day away from it all? Sure Laurent was nice but I didn't expect to spend so much time with him already. Didn't I deserve a break?
I checked my reflection in the mirror. My under eyes were bruised and my skin looked sallow and even more pale than usual. But it wasn't something powder couldn't fix. My hair was still curled from last night. I could manage a simple style without having to call anyone. And no matter how much Mother complained, I would not be taking off this dress. It was too comfortable. I refused to wear one of those whale bone corsets again today. My ribs hurt. A regular one would work for an informal tea time like this.
I sighed and rested my head against the cool granite of the vanity. I hadn't realized it would all happen so fast. Was I going to see Laurent every day now? I didn't know what I wanted exactly but it certainly wasn't this.
When I arrived Mother had already gotten tea set up in one of the receiving rooms overlooking the gardens. Outside the world look blindingly bright. A neverending plane of snow against the cloudless blue sky. I decided to take a walk outside later and enjoy the beautiful weather.
"How was last night" Mom asked absentmindedly as she directed servants where to place the china and tiers of tiny cakes and sandwiches.
"It was enjoyable" I managed, which was partly true. But the panic and awkwardness certainly outweighed the few smiles I'd gotten last night.
"Good" Mother said sharply, I was used to her clipped syllables. Mother was always sharp and clean in everything she did and her voice was no different.
A soft knock at the door signaled Laurent approaching,
"Attention!" Mother cried, I stiffened, so did all the remaining staff around the room. A moment later the door creaked open and two men walked in. The first was Laurent, the second was a handsome Orinthian man. I curtsied, doing my best to remain placid but my cheeks flushed. The man was beautiful in every way imaginable. Tall and built like a marble statue dark hair and strikingly light eyes. He wore a plain military uniform adorned with several medals across his chest. Grimacing, I remembered by conversation with Astra. He was the type of man I'd been imagining. Dark and Handsome. Next to this beauty Laurent look gawky and awkward. Laurent smiled and they both bowed in return.
"Your Majesty, Lady Eira, this is my bodyguard Markus. He'll be with me most of the time"
"A- A Pleasure" I stammered curtsying again,
"No Ma'am!" Markus cried out,
"I mean, Your Highness, I am not a high ranking official, it would be below your station to bow"
My cheeks heated again, "I'm very sorry" God, why this man? Why now?
"Well then," Mother mercifully intervened, she turned to Laurent
"I have prepared some refreshments for you, I do hope we can get to know each other better, we are to be family after all"
Laurent smiled shyly, "Yes, I suppose we are" he sat down across from me and Mother while Markus faded into the shadows.
Mother questioned Laurent about his journey and his health but I was barely listening, I couldn't stop stealing glances at Markus. I didn't know if he noticed them, but if he did, he pretended not to. Markus blended into the shadows of the room so well. The only thing that really stood out was his eyes. They shone like twin stars from the corner, always watching. I wondered at their color. They could be blue, or gray, fern green or even the lightest shade of lavender. I'd never seen a person with purple eyes but I'd heard stories about them from traveling bards. One peddler had even claimed those with purple eyes were powerful magic wielders in disguise. Witches among men. I'd never given more than a passing thought until now. Because I certainly felt like I was under some sort of spell now.
Suddenly his eyes snapped around to me mine. I startled spilling the cup of tea onto my skirt.
"Agh!"
The beautiful lilac fabric was now stained with an ugly brown swath. Laurent leaped up.
"Oh dear, I'm so sorry, let me help-"
He grabbed a handful of cloth napkins,
"It's not necessary-" I stammered, but he had already dipped one in a pitcher of water and began to work out the mark on my lap.
"Sir!" Mother cried, leaping to her feet.
Laurent froze confused. Mother quieted and took a deep breath to calm herself.
"I'm afraid I don't know what the customs are in Damara but from now on please refrain from such behavior here as it comes across as a bit... unseemly" She said sweetly, but it was pained. I sat completely still, not sure what exactly had happened.
"I-I'm so very sorry Your Majesty" Laurent muttered bowing his head,
"I hope you know I meant no ill will, it's just, we don't really have the same customs on personal boundaries between opposite sexes like you do. And I guess, a cloth napkin dipped in water was the best way I could think of to remove the stain before it ruined the dress" he voice quivered, he sounded very upset.
"Oh dear me, Your Highness, it's quite alright. I'm sure the customs in Orinth are very different than they are here. There' no need to cry over spilt tea. Quite literally in fact." She chuckled a bit at her own joke,
"Needless to say, there's no way Your Highness would know. You must excuse my brashness I am easily startled and it is no fault of you own" Mother was doing her best to be comforting but it seemed to no avail.
"I fear I have damaged this gathering bad enough" He said quietly, sitting straighter.
"If you'll excuse me I feel it would be best to start fresh later" he smiled grimly, the top half of his face was still shrouded in his curly hair.
"Queen Catherine, Lady Eira" Laurent didn't look at me as he stood bowed to the both of us and made his way out the door. Markus followed him out. He stopped for a brief second to look back at me eyes glowing. I didn't quite know what emotion it was that I saw but I certainly didn't like it.
And just like that they were gone. Markus' eyes swirling in my head, and guilt twisting at my gut.
What now?