Emeravwe's heart flutter. Lately, she often caught Aslan gazing at her with just such a look. Though she did not quite understand it.
She wanted to ask why he looked at her so, but jumped. Her heart leapt to her throat, a sudden rustling in the purple fountain grass startling her. "What was that?"
Aslan turned his face back to the moon, closing his eyes. "Just a curious cat, I am sure. I know a couple in the palace. They are quite harmless."
But Emeravwe did not think the noise had been made by a wandering cat. A cat would not have caused the grass to move as it had. She wondered if someone might have entered the garden without their notice.
She looked at Aslan, who lay calmly on the bench, then rose and took a cautious step toward the fountain grass.
"Leave it!" Aslan called abruptly, springing to a sitting position.
Emeravwe started, turning a surprised look to him.
He paused a moment in awkward silence. Then, "You see, cats are delicate creatures. Though they bear much affection, they do not always know how to express it. Perhaps it simply wishes to watch over us for now. It will make itself known when it feels the need."
Emeravwe eyed him puzzledly. "What?"
He smiled enigmatically, and motioned for her to return to his side. "I am sure it is nothing."
Emeravwe felt there was an encrypted meaning in his words. But she settled beside him again, her eyes lingering on the fountain grass. There was no further disturbance from it, and she soon relinquished her suspicions.
****
"BWAHAHAHA!" Eunuch Edewor burst in laughter, holding aloft the glass lantern.
The sound echoed as he led the way through the dark corridors of the Palace of the Lunar Bloom, the vacant queen's palace.
"Quiet, fool!" Eunuch Iroro reproached. He glanced at the king, struggling to suppress his own smile.
Seeing his mentor's failed attempt at gravity, Eunuch Edewor burst again in laughter.
"Even Grand Eunuch Iroro cannot keep a straight face! Hm-hm," he cleared his throat, proceeding to imitate, "'You see, cats are delicate creatures!'" He laughed. "It is only before Omote Emeravwe that I can witness Ovye's charms falter!"
Aslan glared at Eunuch Edewor, masking his embarrassment with sham annoyance. "Edewor, you do realize that it is due to our regard for Iroro that we tolerate your insolence."
Eunuch Edewor turned sideways as he walked, bowing his head with a chortle. "Of course, Ovyeme. It was Grand Eunuch Iroro who appointed me as one of Ovye's personal attendants. That I might serve to lighten his moods.
Even if Ovye is offended, do try and bear with me—I am only doing my job. If Ovye chops off my head in a moment of passion all my efforts will be wasted. Then no one will have the last laugh!"
Aslan exchanged looks with Eunuch Iroro, shaking his head at Eunuch Edewor's usual glibness.
Since he was a first cousin of his, Eunuch Iroro took Eunuch Edewor under his wing as an apprentice. When he saw his lively personality, he appointed him as one of Aslan's attendants.
Eunuch Edewor had fair features, curled brown locks which he only partly covered with his yellow headcloth, and cheerful brown eyes.
He was two years Aslan's elder, but Aslan had grown quite fond of him in the three years he had been in his service.
"If you had managed to deter Etegah as we instructed, we would not have been placed in that predicament," Aslan accused.
"But not only did you fail to hinder him, you personally led him all the way to the Eunuchs' garden in the Outer Palace. Tell us, Edewor, how much more must we bear with you?"
Eunuch Edewor ducked his head, shrugging his shoulders as if to hide. "Ovye misunderstands. I did not deliberately disobey his orders. Prince Etegah threatened to inform Princess Ada of Ovye's nightly disappearances if I did not tell him where Ovye was!"
He nodded with confidence as he said, "I know Prince Etegah's curiosity stems from genuine concern. But Princess Ada is more self-serving. Given the choices, I chose the less troublesome."
Eunuch Iroro glared warningly at Eunuch Edewor for his thoughtless words, but remarked, "It is true Prince Etegah has been suspicious for some time now. And it is only due to his patience, and no skill of Edewor's, that we have deterred him thus far. Princess Ada would not be so meek."
"And she surely would not keep Ovye's relation with Omote Emeravwe in secrecy, as I am sure Prince Etegah will," Eunuch Edewor added.
Aslan's brow furrowed. His feelings for his younger siblings had always been tinged with guilt and unease.
They had all been very young when their Sovereign Father passed away. Prince Etegah nine years old, and Princess Ada only seven. After his death, they lacked the warmth and guidance of a parent.
Aslan did his best to make them feel comfortable and cared for. He arranged music and sport coaches for Prince Etegah, and occasional outings and meetings with friends for Princess Ada.
What worried him, though, was that his dispute with the Queen Dowager would involve his two siblings.
As his conflict with the Dowager deepened, so had their concerns. Though Prince Etegah appeared more deeply affected than their younger sister. He had taken more interest in court matters and sought to assist him any way he could. But this troubled Aslan.
"You judged correctly, Edewor," he admitted. "We knew Etegah would overcome your efforts sooner or later. But though he means well, his concern is often misguided. This is what troubles us."
"For now, let us put aside these troubles," Eunuch Edewor said. "Prince Etegah escaped the garden without Omote Emeravwe's detection, and Ovye can continue to keep his identity from her.
All is well, and a bath awaits Ovye in his palace. Afterwards, Ovye might enlighten me on how he encountered Omote Emeravwe, and came to disguise himself as a Eunuch. I imagine I have gained some of his confidence after three years."
Aslan raised a brow. "Edewor, is it not your job to entertain us?"
Eunuch Edewor's eyes widened with realization, and he laughed. "Oh! That is right!"