'How annoying. I shouldn't have come.'
Claude thought as he stepped out of his wife's chambers.
Wife.
The word left an unpleasant taste in his mouth, just as much as the thought of the responsibilities that came with having one.
The guards bowed their heads in greeting as he passed by, he acknowledged them with a nod of his own, then proceeded westward towards the twin staircases, his thoughts set on reaching one place.
He didn't want to marry, to be shackled down by obligations and yet here he was.
Doing the duty his father laid out for him. Wed to a noblewoman, a princess at that.
The woman was strange, unpredictable, more peculiar than most. He knew, he'd had dealings with a number of her kind in the past.
Though not many of them were noble.
It was easier to understand a woman who was driven, naive, cold, cruel, shy even, but this kind could play as all five and it would still be a facade. You could never really tell what was beneath the surface with them.
That or she was just plain stupid.
'Strange thing. Asking me to apologize!'
At this point he was succumbing to the slight annoyance she caused him earlier, but brushed it off.
'That's my toll for giving out a hand. Apologize---annoying woman'
The irritation he felt wasn't easily overcome.
Claude hated it, apologizing.
To him, saying sorry sometimes proved more difficult than facing off his enemies in war.
He disliked it to that extent, but always acknowledged his shortcomings, no matter how trivial or great.
He knew when to back down, swallow his pride and say the words, it was something his mother had taken great pains to teach him.
That's why he apologized for the rudeness he'd shown her that day on the carriage, and for whatever unseemly thing he'd also done.
Although it was irking she made him repeat himself, now that was in the past.
If she does not want to speak of her actions that day in the gardens, then it is her problem, he had enough to deal with already.
He reached the lower floors faster than usual, walking past guards on their rounds and a number of servants who managed whatever chores were left for the day.
A glance at the sky revealed the once heavy storm clouds were slowly receding, although a chilly wind still blew in from the west.
His sharp eyes saw through the heavy clusters of clouds, where the night sky was displayed in all its beauty, with thousands of stars strewn across it like a canvas and a pale crescent moon hung at its peak.
To many others nothing but a dull and dark veil hung overhead, but he could see far better than what few could fathom, years of honing his skills as sword master saw to it.
"Greetings my lord."
Came the vice commander's voice as he emerged from a pathway in the lower courtyard.
"Reiner. Evening."
Claude responded to the greeting, his gaze still fixed on the roaming clouds.
"What's the situation?"
He asked, finally meeting the gaze of his aide. The man looked worn, more tonight than what he was used to seeing him even after a long day.
That meant nothing good.
"The physicians can not help him. The wound it--they say it is a fatal one."
The vice commander's voice was firm as he spoke, there was no tremor, no slight. It was the rigidness of a man who'd become used to such things, just like he had.
As they spoke, both men walked out of the wide courtyard, toward the knights keep which held the extended garrison, it was there the castle's second and main infirmary was situated.
"And Morgan? What about her?"
He asked as they rounded another corner.
"She says the wounds are too grave for her to heal, not alone at least."
"She needs help?"
"That's what she said."
Came Reiner's numb response. Claude nodded.
They arrived at the keeps infirmary moments after, and the pained wails of the injured boy greeted them as they drew near the heavy wooden doors.
If their mage couldn't heal him, then someone else could. They only needed to find a person with enough healing affinity, or better yet, another mage to aid Morgan.
And that's exactly what the Claude intended to do.
He'd go out of his way if he had to.
But they would not lose another squire. Reiner's little brother was not going to die.
***
Morning came with a chill and the soft patter of rain against castle walls.
The princess half awake, stretched and turned in bed, relishing the feel of plush sheets against her skin and the comfort they gave.
Its cool warmth was refreshing, so much so that she had no strength to rise.
'Get up Lia. It is morning.'
she mentally prodded herself, willing her body to move.
The main windows were shut, Ophelia realized this when her eyes finally flickered open and she drowsily roused from sleep.
Someone had come to tend her already, the open side curtain was proof of that. It allowed light to filter into her otherwise dimly lit chamber.
"Good morning Madam!"
The Princess all but jumped in her skin when she heard her. Eidel who stood by a corner bowed her head respectfully when the lady looked her way.
Ophelia checked her reaction, quickly masking the initial fright with a more calmer look. Was this how noble women were waited upon, it was so unfamiliar to her.
"Good morning Eidel. Are you the only one here?"
She asked as she made her way out of bed. The nimble lady crossed to the other end of the room, pulling open the main curtains in one swift motion.
"No Madam. Sabina and Vilda have been by your side since the first streak of dawn."
She said, stretching out the heavy draperies.
"Really? Where are they?"
The princess asked a second question while squinting her eyes, the sudden stream of sunlight did little to help her see.
"We're here Princess. Good morning."
Vilda's chipper voice reached her, the young maid came forward and bowed in greeting, accompanied by Sabina who was nursing a pleasant smile.
"Good morning Madam. I pray you had a goodnight's rest?"
Sabina asked, pulling the heavy sheets away from Ophelia, revealing her pale slender legs. Embarrassed, she hurriedly adjusted her crumpled night dress, an action that wasn't lost on the older woman whose fond smile deepened.
From the new Madam's actions, Sabina could tell that she wasn't accustomed to such attention. Despite how she tried to hide her discomfort, it was glaring to the lady's maid.
"I did." Came Ophelia's short response.
"Thank goodness then, the winds were a terror all through the night." Sabina added, helping the lady out of the large bed.
Vilda came forward almost immediately with an elaborately decorated silver bowl, one which contained warm clean water, she dropped it on a separate table, close to the lady's bedside.
It took the princess a moment to realize that the water was meant for washing her face.
'This will take time getting used to.' thought Ophelia as she doused her face with water.
'Everything is so fancy'
She traced a finger against the bowl, running it along the intricate floral design and pondering on how much effort went into giving fine silver, such defined angles.
It wasn't that such luxuries weren't afforded in the imperial Palace, the princess was simply never offered them.
After drying her face, Ophelia was rushed off to the adjoining washroom by the three women. As she washed her mouth, Vilda and Eidel prepared the bath, while Sabina readied her garments.
The two young maids were about the same age, both being older than their mistress, who was still uncomfortable with undressing before anyone besides Vilda.
Even though she did in the end.
The bath was a brief one, and Ophelia couldn't be happier to be done with it.
Unlike the day before, today she was dressed in a gown that enhanced her beauty in every way.
The maids had done too much.
The dress was mint green, simple and exquisite.
The bodice with golden weaves interwoven through, held rich patterns of scrollwork embroidery with delicate designs of plants and leaves.
The neckline of the bodice was open and cut higher than what westerners made, what she was accustomed to. The sleeves full and billowy, providing both comfort and coverage, a thoughtful addition due to the unpredictable weather of the slightly hilly terrain.
The skirt crafted from sturdy fabric was placed over a simple hoop and it offered warmth against the brisk northern breeze.
A tasteful belt was added to complete the attire, as well as a set of gold plated earrings and a loose styled necklace .
The princess was glad the corset wasn't as tight as what she was used to, either that or she'd lost weight again. The gown itself fell in gentle folds maintaining an air of refinement and simplicity.
"You are a vision madam."
Sabina said, her smile never faltering. Ophelia could tell Vilda and Sabina had the same thought, they all but glowed as they admired her.
It was embarrassing.
"Thank you, all three of you."
Came her response.
"Oh dear. Madam please you do not have to speak so politely to us, we are only doing our duty,"
Sabina said this as she smoothened out the length of the dress. Eidel with a respectful bow, exited the chambers and Vilda went about putting things in order.
"Even still, you've done well."
Such a response was expected, and the older woman received her thanks with a respectful bow then exited as Eidel had done.
"Your highness are you alright? He didn't touch you last night did he?"
Vilda questioned, gripping Ophelia's hands as her mask of simplicity gave way to worry.
The princess laughed. She knew an ever protective Vilda had been burning to question her all morning, and had probably been too worried to sleep well the night before.
So she answered with all sincerity and said,
"He did not touch me, Vilda. We only drank together and talked."
Vilda's brows deepened with even more worry. Newly we
dded men only had one thing in their minds, her princess was simply too innocent to understand this.
And so the maid was left worrying over her lady, who was completely oblivious to her thoughts.