The walk through the estate proved much less painful than Trixie had anticipated. The queen was still something of an enigma, but Trixie couldn't help but admire the woman's poise, confidence, and the way she made sport of Emerick. It was nice to see him flustered for a change.
"I must say, I think this is the cleanest I have ever seen any floor in my life," Esmyria was speaking to Jan. "What do you use to get it to shine so?"
"Titus makes the cleaners for me," Jan replied bashfully. He was pleased at the appreciation the woman showed for his work, as well as the way she spoke to him as an equal.
Trixie had worried how Esmyria might treat herself and the others because of their mixed lineage. Half-bloods weren't exactly well received in society, least of all with the nobility and royalty. Esmyria, however, didn't seem the least bit perturbed about where they came from or who their parents were.
"What else are you responsible for?" Esmyria questioned.
"I clean all the clothes, and I take care of the surfaces in the hallways and the foyer," He replied.
"That's a lot of work for one young man," Esmyria frowned. "Emerick isn't overworking you is he?"
Trixie stifled a giggle at Emerick's indignant expression. She'd been making jabs at her son throughout the process as she questioned every child about the treatment they were receiving. Trixie got the sense that while she was certainly harassing her son, she was genuinely concerned about how they were settling in, which was oddly reassuring. Before she met Emerick she really hadn't thought much of the royal family, assuming they were just as awful as the instructors. Now, well it was sufficient to say her opinion had changed drastically.
"If anything, he doesn't let me work enough," Jan sighed. "I am only allowed to wash the floors once a day now."
"Such a high work ethic!" Esmyria nodded approvingly. "It's great that you love what you do, but remember to take it easy. Even the most work driven, dependable person needs to take a break once in a while."
"I suppose you make a good point," Jan shifted shyly under her gaze. "Thank you for your words your majesty."
"Now, now, there's no need for that young man," Esmyria smiled.
'She's like the mother they never had,' Lamya commented. Something about her words felt gentle and full of longing as the demon observed the scene. Trixie didn't have Lamya's knack for reading thoughts, buts she had the impression the demon was seeing something different from what was actually happening in front of them.
'I doubt they actually feel that way,' Trixie thought back. 'She's a neat lady, but she's a complete stranger. There's no way they could see her as a mother.'
'My dear, for someone so clever you are incredibly obtuse,' Lamya replied. Before Trixie could reply, she felt the demon withdraw and cut her off. It left her unsettled. The insult lacked its usual bite, and she sounded more tired than anything. Perhaps it was best to leave the demon to herself for now. Trixie could get to the bottom of her odd behavior later.
"Where to next my dear?" Esmyria's words brought her back to the present. Managing not to jump in surprise, Trixie regarded her with a smile.
"Well, I think we've visited most of the rooms in the main house… even though a lot of them are still empty," Trixie wasn't sure what to say. She'd been living there for a while, but there were still parts of the house she hadn't seen until that day. "Where do you think we should go next Emerick?"
"Are you still here?" Esmyria turned to regard the young prince who she obviously knew was with them. The look on his face had her torn between amusement and pity. Poor Emerick. She would have to cheer him up later.
"We are giving you a tour of my home," He pointed out.
"As I recall, Trixie is currently the lady of the house, so it is her home," Esmyria countered. "And you left her to perform the introductions, so she is escorting me, which leaves me my question. Why are you still here?"
Emerick couldn't answer. Trixie suspected he had plenty to say, but thought better of actually saying it. Feeling bad for thinking he looked cute in his frustration, she decided she'd try helping him out. Hopefully, Esmyria wouldn't see it as rude.
"Forgive me for interrupting, but would you mind if he stayed?" Trixie questioned. "I'm still learning about the layout, and it helps to have him."
"Of course I mind," Esmyria replied. "This is meant to be time spent between ladies. Emerick is no lady. In fact, he barely qualifies as a gentleman."
"I am a perfect gentleman, thank you!" Emerick couldn't hold it in any longer. Based on Esmyria's expression, however, he had stepped into a trap.
"A 'perfect' gentleman doesn't need to be reminded to wear a shirt," Esmyria retorted. "Nor would a 'perfect' gentleman intrude on a conversation between ladies. In fact, a 'perfect' gentleman would call on his mothers, or at least respond to their letters once in a while."
The next thing Trixie knew, Esmyria was on a very politely worded rant at her son. As his mother went into her list of gentlemanly traits where he was 'decidedly lacking,' Emerick sat and stared, going redder and redder in the face. For a few moments, all Trixie could do was watch as the train wreck unfolded before her.
"How many times do I have to apologize?" Emerick growled in exasperation. "It was a foolish oversight! I get it, I should have invited you all to the tea party!"
"The more loudly you say it, the less convinced I become that you mean it," Esmyria tutted. "Now, don't you have somewhere else to be? Or have you tired of lounging about shirtless?"
As always, the argument was interrupted by the grumble of Trixie's stomach. She colored as both stared at her and her growling tummy with unreadable expressions. If nothing else, it gave her an idea of where to end the tour for the day.
"How about we visit the kitchens next?" Trixie said through a sheepish smile. "Then we can go meet the others in the garden for a meal…"
"A lovely idea," Esmyria nodded, "Though we'll need to work on your confidence as well as that pesky indecision. You are the lady of the house my dear, you must act like it!"
"Right," Trixie nodded, though she wasn't sure what Esmyria meant by that.
Following a pleasant but awkward introduction to Dalek and the others, who were being assisted by Jacoby and a few of the bunny maids that were attending the queens, the small party were guided to the gardens to wait while dinner was prepared. Esmyria rejoined the other queens at their table while Trixie and Emerick sat together at another that wasn't too far away. Some of the other kids who had finished their chores for the day were beginning to seat themselves as well, talking excitedly about the majestic women gracing their new home. Trixie worried a few of the bolder ones might approach the table and earn their ire.
"You needn't worry," Emerick commented, noticing Trixie's worried glances. "Esmyria can be a bit much, but if she was bothered by them she wouldn't be here. In fact, I am certain she's enjoying herself."
"I know they've been learning from Jacoby, but they really don't have a good grasp of manners yet," Trixie replied. "I mean, I can barely wrap my head around them, and I'm one of the oldest. What if one of them says something rude or spills something on them?"
"Jacoby and his sisters are prepared for such trivial inconveniences," Emerick replied with a chuckle. "Josephine, Jaqueline, Juliana, and Jasmine may even be better in the art of service than Jacoby. Besides, my mothers each have a fairly large number of children, so they're used to the hazards and curiosities that comes with the territory. You don't want to know the numbers of smashed priceless pots and muddied expensive dresses my sisters have stockpiled over the years."
"If you say so…" Trixie sighed. Realizing he hadn't convinced her, Emerick decided to take a new approach. Trixie gasped in surprise as she felt his fingers brush the bare skin of the back of her neck and shoulders. Heat rose to her cheeks as his lips soon followed, tracing the patterns his fingers trailed.
"I'm surprised you haven't changed into something more comfortable my dear," He commented. "You don't seem like much of a dress person."
"Well, you're still in a shirt," Trixie pointed out, "So I could say the same of you. Feeling a little bashful since Esmyria and the others are here? Or are you just hopeless and need someone to undress you?"
"My, my, you just seem to see right through me," He smirked. "But I have to admit, I'm far more interested in the idea of undressing you than undressing myself at the moment. You look like a beautifully packaged present just begging to be unwrapped and played with…"
"Ehem," Jacoby smacked the back of Emerick's head as he passed with a tray of cups. As ever, Sullivan followed him dutifully, though he was too preoccupied with balancing his tray to try slapping Emerick as well. "May I remind you that you have an audience? Most of whom are young children who look up to you as role models? Keep your provocative thoughts to yourselves, thank you!"
"Oh lighten up Jacoby!" Emerick frowned. "Just because you're jealous doesn't mean you have to ruin my fun!"
"I can assure you, young prince, I am most definitely NOT jealous," Jacoby huffed. "Disgusted is the better term. We have guests, distinguished guests at that. Should you not be entertaining them?"
"It was made very clear that my presence was not wanted this evening," Emerick replied.
"No, but Miss Trixie's was," Jacoby reminded. "You are monopolizing her, which is quite unforgiveable, as the other three wish to speak with her as well."
"Then who will sit with me?" Emerick frowned. "Everyone else is already seated at another table, and there is no room for me to join any of them. Am I to sit by myself?"
"You could go eat with Titus and Rathus in the shop if you long so badly for company," Jacoby replied, a smile playing at his lips. Emerick glowered at him.
Trixie decided to take the opportunity to stand and start moving to where his mothers sat. It would be better to follow Jacoby's advice now than to allow them the chance to tease Emerick about it later. As fun as it was to watch him squirm, Trixie couldn't take any more delays or interruptions in their flirting, or what it would eventually lead to. The sooner the women were appeased, the sooner they would depart and the sooner she would have Emerick to herself.
Before she got more than a step or two, Esmyria stood and signaled for silence. Jacoby and the maids who were evidently his sisters paused what they were doing and all turned to regard her. Trixie sat back in her seat, and cast a nervous glance at Emerick. Based on the determination of her expression and those of the others, it seemed they had come to some kind of important decision.
"Good evening everyone," She stated, projecting her voice so all could hear her clearly. "Thank you for being so accommodating, especially since my sister wives and I should up quite uninvited. You young ladies and gentlemen are all such a delight."
Trixie smiled softly as she noticed the pleased smiles and giggles of the young ones, and even the shy smiles of the teens. They had worked hard and deserved acknowledgement for their efforts. The fact that it was coming from visiting royalty only made the fruits of their labors taste all the sweeter. Esmyria wasn't finished speaking, however.
"We've enjoyed our visit so much in fact, that we will be extending our visit," She announced. The smile froze on Emerick's face. Trixie might've laughed if her own guts weren't twisting with the revelation.
"This is marvelous news," Jacoby, on the contrary, seemed elated at the decision. "How long will you be staying?"
"Indefinitely."