"Commander... Commander!" A firm hand pulled Lyonis from his sleep, shaking him aggressively. The bright morning sun stung his eyes, and he squinted, burying his face back in the bed.
"Commanderrrrr... Wake uuuup...." Theodora's sing-song voice reached his ears. He pretended to ignore her. The bed beneath him was warm, comforting; an earthy lavender scent clung to the sheets. Cordelia. Visions from the previous night flashed in his memory, and he shot up, looking around the empty bed and then around the room. Theodora was standing near the wardrobe. She was busy pinning various military awards onto his royal dress uniform. The simple yet elegant deep maroon and the gold military coat was crisply pressed. Various medals hung from the breast pocket like oversized ornaments. Lyonis scoffed at the sight.
"You know... When I decided to follow you across the ocean, I was imagining killing new, unknown monsters... I didn't realize I would become your personal butler." Bitterness clung to her voice. "If I knew this would happen, I would've stayed back in Gresas."
"Where's Cordelia?" Lyonis sat up in bed and scratched his head, choosing to continue to ignore Theodora's sarcastic remarks. She responded with an exasperated sigh.
"She left last night after you passed out in a drunken stupor," Theodora responded, not bothering to look at him as she shined a large ruby broach with her sleeve. "Don't worry. I walked her home..."
"What? She left?! When?" Lyonis felt his chest tighten. The thought of Cordelia willingly leaving him in the middle of the night felt akin to betrayal. But as memories from the previous night returned to him, Lyonis couldn't help but feel disheartened by his actions. Cordelia was obviously turned off by his aggressive and possessive attitude. It was only natural she would quietly leave.
"Do you see her anywhere? Of course, she left! Not too long after you whisked her upstairs. I was quite surprised. I thought for sure you'd have her trapped in your clutches. It's not like you to let prey slip away from you." Theodora snorted, amused with his apparent frustration. A faraway look softened over her usually stoic face. "Though she is quite the formidable opponent... It seems you may have met your match, Commander."
"Damn it, Theo..." Lyonis felt conflicted. Part of him knew Cordelia was free to do what she wanted. She had no ties to him, and their relationship was still... developing. There was no reason for her to feel obligated to stay last night. But another part of him felt his pride was bruised. Did she not want him as he wanted her? Maybe his feelings were one-sided? Grumbling, he tried to rub away the pounding that was budding between his temples. "Tell me... Do you think... I'm being irrational regarding Cordelia?"
Theodora paused and mulled the question over in her head before speaking, "Maybe? Just a bit..." Lyonis sighed; he knew Theodora would think he was being ridiculous for being so easily swayed by a strange woman. "But... If I may say something, Commander... It is refreshing seeing you so torn up and emotional. And you know, she IS quite the lady." Theodora's blue eyes widened in excitement; the crazy look that occasionally cascaded over her face gave her away. She had witnessed something violent, stirring Theodora's chaotic nature. "I like her."
The wildness in her eyes instantly subsided, her stoic expression returning as quickly as it had disappeared, "I don't know if I can trust her... But Commander..." She turned to face him, a look of admiration and awe shown in her blue eyes, "She is terrifying. I get why you like her so much."
Lyonis didn't know what, but something happened between the two of them the previous night, and he wanted to know, "Theo... what happened last night?"
She smirked at him, devious, and she brought a finger to her lips, "Shh... it's a secret, Commander. Between ladies." He scowled at her and opened his mouth in protest but was stopped by a knock on the door.
"Sir? I've brought breakfast. Would you like us to prepare a bath for you?" The voice of a maid was muffled behind the door. Theodora turned to open it, letting her in. The maid, along with two other young women, rushed to prepare a steaming bath before disappearing out the door.
Lyonis stood up and stretched, shoving a few bites of breakfast in his mouth before stripping down and sliding into the bath. Theodora snuck a few bites from his plate before turning to him, "I know you forgot, Commander... But you have the Duke's Festival party to attend today. We are to arrive in a few hours... Be sure to be ready by then. I don't think I can handle any more of Agis's incessant nagging." Lyonis groaned. He had completely forgotten. "Oh, and one more thing Commander..." Her blue eyes glistened with mischievousness, "Seems Cordelia is as torn up about you as you are of her... Just wanted to let you know!" She grinned and slipped out of the room before Lyonis could stop her.
Lyonis groaned, frustrated with his young fosterling. Theodora loved teasing him, and he had given her the perfect opportunity on a silver platter. A small grin formed over his lips as her comment lingered in his mind. Perhaps Cordelia wasn't tired of him quite yet.
...
Cordelia woke early the next morning after a restless night. After the meeting with Ambrose, slipping away from Lyonis's warm embrace, and the chaos of the alleyway with Theodora, her mind was unsettled. Her dreams were plagued with anxiety, causing her to awaken in a cold sweat multiple times throughout the night. She kicked herself. Perhaps, she should have spent the night in Lyonis's warm arms. Then maybe she would've gotten a decent night's sleep.
As promised, Mauve had arrived as soon as the sun's rays peeked over the horizon. She spent the better part of the day sitting at the long wooden counter in the apothecary, discussing wedding arrangements with Cordelia as customers came and went. It was lovely seeing Mauve so excited about the wedding. The woman was over the moon, and no expense was spared for her son and future daughter-in-law. Cordelia couldn't help but feel that perhaps Mauve had gone a bit overboard. But nothing Cordelia said would change her mind. Mauve had a vision and would stop at nothing to make it a reality. She had been a great distraction to Cordelia, who couldn't seem to get Lyonis, Theodora, or Ambrose's reading out of her head.
The sun had started setting by the time they had concluded thier meeting. Cordelia couldn't help but feel nervous that Lyonis hadn't stopped by yet. Dark thoughts invaded her mind. Was Lyonis angry at her for leaving? Did he grow tired of her after seeing her so friendly with his crew the following night? Had Theodora shared the happenings of thier night with him? Did that make him warier of her and, as a result, no longer wanted her company? Attempting to halt the onslaught of anxiety-riddled thoughts, Cordelia collected a basket full of dried flowers, leaves, and ribbon before stepping out onto the street. The first day of the festival filled the sky with fireworks and streets full of parades and bands. She walked past the crowds to settle herself in the large open garden near the docks, overlooking the water.
Throwing a blanket onto the soft grass, she knelt down and watched the parades move down the wide street and fireworks flash in the sky above her over the water. Children ran around the garden, laughing and chasing one another. A couple of young girls noticed Cordelia sitting in the grass, making dried flower crowns, and joined her. She patiently taught them how to make bracelets and crowns, weaving flowers and leaves with delicate care into the ribbon. Their cheerful innocence helped clear her mind and put her racing thoughts at ease.
Thrilled with thier new royal crowns, the girls spun around happily. They bowed to one another and trotted through the garden with confident jubilance. They proudly showed off thier new gifts to the other children, who looked at them with jealousy. A young boy with whom they had been playing with approached Theodora cautiously.
"Excuse me, Madame..." His large brown eyes glistened at her with youthful innocence, "Would you mind making a crown for me as well?" Cordelia had been carefully making a dozen or so bracelets and crowns, knowing full well that as soon as she handed the girls theirs, the rest of the children would flock to her. She smiled at him, but before she could speak, the two girls had run up and begun chastizing him, a dozen or so of other children in tow.
"You cannot have a crown! They're for girls only!" The boy looked sullen as they laughed at him.
"Oh?" Cordelia spoke softly, her hands moving carefully, wrapping and weaving various leaves together, "Last time I checked, kings also wear crowns..." She motioned for the boy to approach her and his eyes lit up. Cordelia waved her hand over the crown. The dried leaves and flowers suddenly sparkled as if fused with stardust. The glowing golden flecks fluttered around the crown. She gracefully placed the small crown atop the young boy's head, smiling at him as his eyes glowed under the glimmer of the stardust sparkles glistening around his head. "Blessed festival... Your Highness." She bowed to him and watched as the boy's face beam with pride.
Of course, she knew the other children would start demanding thier own sparkling crowns as soon as she had placed it on his head, and the onslaught of requests seemed endless. She laughed at thier eagerness. "Oh, children. I am so very sorry. But I used up all my magic tonight!" Feigning exhaustion, she placed a hand on her chest and sighed deeply, as if it were truly a tragedy. "However, I am happy to teach you all how to create your own crowns. Please come sit!" She motioned to the grass around her and was quickly surrounded by a large group of children of all ages. Under the light of the exploding fireworks, the group worked diligently, each child working hard to outdo thier peer in the extravagance and beauty of thier crown. Cordelia relished the company. Their innocence, eagerness, and wonder seemed to wash away the apprehension, fear, and anxiety that had settled in her chest.
As the night waned, parents called out, and one by one, the children waved their goodbyes until Cordelia was left alone on the grass once again. Gently, her finger's caressed a crown that the boy had made with his own hands as thanks for his one-of-a-kind sparkling king's crown. It was flimsy and awkwardly crafted, but she could feel the love and determination radiating off the petals.
Starring up into the sky above her, she noticed the clouds had started to roll in, and the smell of rain clung to the air though no drops had fallen. She couldn't help but feel the night sky mirror her own feelings as sadness seemed to creep up on her. Motherhood was never an option for Cordelia, and it never would be. A family. She wondered what that would look like, and her mind wandered. Lyonis's face flashed in her mind, and daydreams of olive-skinned babies with light grey-green eyes filled her mind.
'So silly.' She thought to herself. Such thoughts were impossible. The joy she had shared earlier with the rowdy bunch of children faded and was once again replaced with the familiar feeling of loneliness and dread. Sighing, she closed her eyes and hoped the rain would fall to wash away the feelings for her.
A familiar masculine voice met her ears from across the garden. Opening her eyes, she spotted Lyonis standing near the edge of the garden. He was dressed extravagantly; the dark maroon coat with intricate gold buttons and stitching was decorated with colorful medals and ribbons, and a long creamy silk sash with gold stitching was pinned to his shoulder with a large ruby brooch. The tailored black pants had a maroon and gold band down each outer leg. His black leather shoes were shined glossy. Eyes followed him from every direction.
Cordelia could see Theodora, who was also dressed extravagantly. She seemed stiff and uncomfortable in her knightly attire, standing a few paces behind him. They were accompanied by a group of nobles. The men chatted with him, and the elegantly dressed woman coyly engaged with him, touching his arms and shoulders freely. Even from her spot in the grass, Cordelia could see the greed and hunger in their eyes, though Lyonis didn't seem to mind. He ignored thier advances, though never actually denying them. He seemed respectful but devoid of any emotion as if he were on an entirely different level than the nobles around him. He looked like a picture of royalty, and it was jarring to Cordelia. Who was this man, really? He was a part of a world that Cordelia no longer wished to be remotely near.
She avoided the elites with fierce determination, and yet here he was - among the elite. Not even just among them, he was standing out like a flower alongside weeds, like a king. Her stomach twisted as a landslide of contradictory emotions swelled inside her. It deepened as she saw the prettiest woman of the bunch wrap her arms around one of his, clinging to him like a love-sick puppy. Jealousy and disgust made her skin crawl. Had she not clung to him in the same manner? The sight of the blatant lustful intentions made her feel sick, and she was ashamed of herself for falling for the ruse. She pulled the flower crown from her own head and stared at it in her hands. Shame and pity filled her gut like lead.
Gathering herself, she stood, folding the blanket and placing it in the basket along with her flower crown. Part of her wanted to slip quietly out of sight and out of his life forever. The other wanted to saunter right past him. She was angry. He had deceived her. She was just another catch and an off-hand one at that - the way the noblewoman threw themselves at him made it clear he could easily have anyone he wanted. All those days she had spent quietly pining for him felt like a betrayal to herself.
Feeling a flame of anger rise in her, she straightened her back and walked toward the front of the garden.