Olivia wakes to the sun shining down on her face through a large window. She blinks a few times to clear her vision and looks around trying to familiarize herself of her surroundings. Immediately she scoots up in bed and sees that she is in a huge bed within a vast room. Olivia pulls the blankets back and discovers that her feet are wrapped in bandages and that her body ache as but not as much as she realized.
"Where am I?" She asks herself. "The last thing I remember is running into the Duke and... Collapsing!" Olivia drawing to her own conclusion.
She sits forward a little too quickly upon realizing and within an instant becomes dizzy.
"Ah!" Stating as her right hand supports her head. When her composure was regained, she swung her legs out of the bed and analyzed her dried bandaged feet for a brief moment. Just as she was about slide out of the bed a maid walks into the room.
"Mil Lady! You're awake!" The maid says startled after walking in with her back against the door and discovering Olivia sitting on the bed awake.
"Who are you and where am I?"
The maid sets the wash bowl on the dresser and walks over to her. Olivia watches her movements closely, until she is in front of her and gently the maid takes her hand.
"You don't remember anything?"
"I remember running away and ending up in the Duke's domain. He protected me from the the Marquis' guards, and then I remember collapsing in the doorway of a cottage."
"This is good news to hear. The Master will be pleased that you are recovering okay and that your memory has not been affected." The maid stated as she knelt down to examine her bandaged wrapped feet.
"My memory, how so?" Olivia asked.
"Mil Lady you were gravely ill when you where discovered. To the point where we did not think you would survive the rest of the night." The maid stated.
"Okay, but where am I?" Olivia inquired once again.
But the maid did not answer this time and proceeded with her care. Olivia watched as the maid gently took her right foot and unwrapped the bandage around it. The bandage was dry and dark with blood it absorb from the wounds she sustained when running away. The maid continued over to her left and does the same, both bandages were dry with blood. After the removing the bandages, the maid stands, and walks over to the wash bowl she brought in earlier. She disposes the bandages in a linen sack for washing, opens the top drawer, and pulls out fresh supplies needed for her dressing change.
Olivia snapped out of her reverie of watching her. "What do you mean Master?... You still have not stated where I am and who you are."
The maid took the supplies of bandage roll, scissors, clean wash cloths, and places them in the pockets of her apron. She walks back over to Olivia with the washbowl in her hands, kneels down, and begins to change her dressings.
Olivia was becoming frustrated with the maid that was now ignoring her after being so concerned and attentive that she let out a heavy sigh.
The maid noticed her heavy sigh and finally spoke. "My apologies for the rudeness Mil Lady. I was instructed by the Duke Zells that you receive the utmost care." The maid explained to Olivia. "If you could be so kind to be patient with this servant until I am finished with your dressings of your wounds. I would really like to continue to appease him." The maid asked Olivia.
"Yes. You may continue." She replied watching down at her.
She observed down at the maid who was finishing up the dressing of her wounds on her right and now moved over to her left. Olivia watched as the maid handled her with such care, from the way she gently washed the open nicks and cuts around her foot and leg, to the way the maid carefully placed her foot in her apron that was draped with a towel and performed a gentle pat dry. Once finished, she proceeded with ointment and bandages.
"Can you at least tell me what your name is." Olivia asks.
The maid and stands after she is finished and takes a bow. "It is an honor that a guest of the Duke would take time to want to know the name of a servant such as myself."
"There is no need for you to bow. I am certainly no one special." Olivia shocked at the maid's sudden gesture. "I just wanted to know the person who has been caring for all this time. To properly thank you."
"It is Shya, Mil Lady."
"Thank you for taking care of me during this time, where I couldn't care for myself Shya." Olivia stated with a smile.
"You are most certainly welcome. It's an honor to care for a guest of the Duke. We do not get many in the Solaria domain." Shya takes another bow.
"Since you are finished now. Would it be okay to converse now about the questions I have?"
"Yes. Anything I can answer to the best of my knowledge."
Olivia patted a space on the bed to sit next to her and Shya obliged. Olivia wanting to give a relaxed atmosphere, turned into the bed with the left leg bent in close to her while the right dangled from the side.
"Once again, thank you for the care you've provided." She leans forward and places her left hand over Shya's whose hands were clasped together on her lap. "For my first question I would like to know is, how long I've been out?"
"For five days." Shya answers sincerely.
Olivia receives the news with a calm reaction. She knew she was severely ill on the day of her engagement, but not to the extent that it would've incapacitated her for five days. Her curiosity intrigued into wanting to know more. So to create a more relaxed atmosphere she leans back against the pillows to rest her neck and back.
"Okay... So, I've been out for five days. But you've stated that I'm at the Duke's estate. How is that possible when he doesn't take kindly to visitors.
"Well... You see... All the citizens and servants of the Solaria are magical beings who were rescued by him or refugees from human oppression." Shya stated as she turned inward to make eye contact with Olivia. "The Duke has placed a barrier over his whole domain. Any species or being that is of magical nature can pass through it. Many creatures, all of magical nature pass though the barrier seeking refuge and safety from the world of the humans. Once they walk though barrier, it is deactivated, and the Duke is immediately alerted, welcoming them to their new life of peace."
"But Shya, I am human. How would I pass through the barrier when it only deactivates for species of magical nature? Why would magical beings need to seek refuge from the humans?" Olivia asked sinking down further into the pillows. It had been a long time since she'd laid in a comfortable bed. It was much better then the hard cellar floor she'd been force to sleep on for the ten year portion of her life. The coziness of the bed and the freshly changed bandages was enough to cause a yawn to escape from her mouth.
Shya smiled at Olivia. "Yes, Mil Lady. I see that you are human. As to why and how you passed through the barrier is a mystery the Duke is investigating now, but rest assured you are safe from whatever harm that tries to come your way." Shya says as she held Olivia's hand again.
"Well, that is good to know that I am safe under the protection of the Duke's domain. But why would different species of magical nature need solace from the humans?" She inquired with concern.
"Well my Lady it seems from the looks of your age, there is much about this world that you don't know about and probably wouldn't understand if I explained it to you." Shya says while leaning in with her left hand on her chest. "I feel the Duke or the head butler would be better suited for the more in depth explanation that you're looking for." Shya stated as she released Olivia's hand and stood from the bed.
"Thank you for the information that you were able to provide. It help put my mind at ease for the most part." Olivia tells her as she collected the necessities used and tidied up from Olivia's dressing change.
Shya had finished cleaning and walks toward the door, opening it. "You are most welcome. I assure you that the Duke is as the rumors say, but it's only because he is protective of species who possess magic. He protects us from being used and exploited. So don't not be afraid of him."
"That's great to hear."
"I must leave to attend to my other chores assigned. If you are in need of any assistance. Please do not hesitate to the call rope next to the bedpost." Shya instructs her. "Either I or the other maid Cianna would be here quickly to assist you."
"Seems that I must thank Cianna as well for the care that she's provided. I am indeed in debt to you both."
"Mil Lady there's no need to feel in debt to our care. If you feel in need to thank someone. It would be the Duke when he comes to check on you."
"When that chance comes. I definitely will."
"I must go to give report of your condition. Cianna will be in a little later to check on you. You should get some more rest and restore your strength." Shya suggested with a smile. " I noticed you were yawing earlier."
"Yes. Thank you. That does sound like a good idea. I am still very tired." Olivia sank down into the bed getting comfortable and closed her eyes.
Shya smiled again and quietly left Olivia's sleeping quarters.
Meanwhile...
Shya makes her way to laundry area at the end of the west wing of the estate where she disposes of the soiled linen to be cleaned. After, she heads to the head butler's office to give her report of Olivia's condition. Upon arriving she knocks on his door.
"You may enter." Henry says from his desk.
Shya opens the door and enters. "I must have a run of good fortune to actually come to your office and find you here. I hoped I would not have to search for you throughout the estate."
"Well, if it pleases you to know. That you will find me here for the remainder of this week and next, with doubled the work needed to be completed." Henry explained.
"What did you do this time?" Shya asked with a grin.
"Wouldn't an inquiring mind like to know." Henry stated with a glare towards her in a sarcastic tone of voice.
"Yes, I would like to know." Shya let out a light chuckle.
"I was reprimanded for overstepping my boundaries with questioning his Grace about the Lady." He told her with a sigh in one breath.
"You never learn, do you?"
"I don't want to hear a lecture from you right now. As you can see I'm very busy at the moment." Henry says as he becoming annoyed with the maid. "State your business."
"Well, I came to inform that the Lady is conscience and was awake earlier. When I entered for her care."
"Why didn't you say that as soon as you entered." Henry quickly stood with hearing the news.
"Well you're the one who's in a mood from being punished by his Grace and didn't inquire the reason of my presence right away." Shya's hands were on her hips while she laid out her explanation.
"My apologies, is she still awake?"
"No, I only talked with her for a brief moment and answered some questions easing some of the worry she had." Shya went back into a calm state with her arms relaxing on the sides. "The fever did not affect her memory, her recollection is intact."
"That is great news to hear. I will report this to his Grace right away." Henry started to walk around from his desk and make his way toward the door.
He walks past Shya to find the Duke, but before he gained any great distance from her he gently grabs her hand, pulling her along to walk with him.
"Now, do tell, what is she like?" He asked as the two began to walk in stride.
"She is a wonderful guest." She replied calmly with a smile.
"Really? It seems that she is already quite interesting along with being a mystery." A sly grin slowly crept on the side of his mouth.
"Henry, you're doing the face again. What are you thinking up in that head of yours?" Shya says peering at him with a squinted face.
He quickly does a ballet leap into the air and ends with twirl with a giddy excited attitude. "FINALLY SOME EXCITEMENT!" He grabs Shya's shoulder and started to shake her with a serious demeanor. "We will get answers about how she able to get through the Duke's barrier."
Shya annoyed with his antics and wanting to be let go from the immediate onset of dizziness, headbutts Henry in the forehead. "LET GO OF ME! YOU DUMB ASS! YOU'RE MAKING ME NAUSEOUS!"
Henry immediately comforts his injury. "Ow! Shya! You didn't have to headbutt me!" He stated in a whiny tone to her.
Shya with her hands on her hips staring up at him. "And you didn't have to shake my well digested breakfast back up."
"I'm sorry. It's just it's been 5 days since she arrived here." Henry replies as the two of them resumed their walk. "Night Salamanders have not yet returned with report. Usually it takes them two days, at most, to complete an assignment."
"What do expect?" Shya said nonchalantly. "She's a human who deactivated the barrier that is meant for ONLY our species and she's the child of Marquis Sliverman." Shya laid out the seriousness of the situation. "It is known throughout Ye'vari kingdom that he and his wife only has 2 children." She holds up two fingers. "That means she's a child of infidelity that they are hiding to keep up appearances in the social circle."
Henry adjusted his arms where his left hand supported his right elbow, and hand supported his chin as his index tapped at his cheek. "Well, when you explain it in depth like that. It makes sense that it would take them this long or even longer for them to investigate this situation."
"At least some of your curiosities will be alleviated when the Master sits down to chat with her. Now that the young lady is alright." Shya assured him.
"Yeah, I guess you're right." He says with a big grin. "Shya you're so smart." Stating to her as he is closing the distance between them with open arms. "Come here. Give me a hug."
Shya immediately leans away. "Henry. If you lay one finger on me. I will headbutt you with sever prejudice." Scolding him sternly, with her index finger in his front of his face.
Henry backs away with a pout and a sigh. "Fine. Let's hurry and find his Grace to give report. During this time of day. He is usually in the training grounds with the orc soldiers."
Their brisk walk only took them mere minutes to arrive at their destination, which was the training courtyard in the east wing. The Duke, stood at the head, supervising the morning exercises of the orcs. The two of them watched in awe of the efficiency and synchronization of drills being performed.
"His Grace has really whipped this squadron of rescued orcs into shape." Henry said as he folded his arms looking onward.
"Yes, he has. They'll be able to join the ranks in his army in no time." Shya agreeing with him.
Esiah strolls through the spaces of the practiced formation and drill, slowly and carefully analyzing the stance of each soldier. He sensed the presence of Henry and Shya approaching soon as they entered on to the east wing.
"Straighten your back and shoulders." He instructs one soldier. "And you, bend a little more at the knees to ground yourself more. This will help you from being overpowered." Esiah says over to another orc soldier.
He noticed his two servants had arrived but stopped on the upper landing and conversed among themselves, patiently waiting until practiced drills were completed.
"Alright. That will be enough for today. Complete the tasks that have been assigned to by the captain, and report your completion to your assigned lieutenant. Is that clear?" Esiah instructed to them.
"Sir! Yes, Sir!" The orc soldiers shouted in unison.
"Everyone is dismissed."
As the soldiers did as instructed, Esiah made his way up the stairs to meet with them. The two noticed him approaching and instantly stopped their conversation, showing a display of respect.
"Greetings, your Grace." The two said together during their bow and curtsy.
"Greetings. I take it you have something of importance to report, if you had to come and find me in the training grounds." He says standing in a broad stature with his hands behind his back.
The two of them returned to normal standing, but when Henry came up from his bow. He came up with an excited grin plastered across his face, and started to rock from the tips of his toes heel of his feet with his clasped behind his back.
"Tell 'em Shya. Tell 'em." He stated calmly looking over at her with the look of sheer happiness showing all over him.
Shya let out a sigh of annoyance while shaking her head as she watched his idiocy. "Yes your Grace. It is that-"
"THAT THE YOUNG LADY IS CONSCIENCE AND DOING WELL!" He immediately finished off.
Esiah glares his eyes over to Henry for his impulsive rudeness and Shya quickly notices the Duke's facial expression and attitude, and slaps Henry upside the back of his head.
Since Olivia has been in Shya's and Cianna's care. The two of them for three days, had reported directly to the Duke every 3 hrs, of her condition before handing the task of report down to Henry. Since the start of her reports, a casual rapport was quickly established, after her brazen act of physically chastising Henry in front of Esiah on the second day of reporting Olivia's condition. He'd overstepped his boundaries again while speaking with him, as he stood next to her. She balled her fist and clobbered him on the top of the head, causing a smile and nod of approval to her actions, and given permission to continue to do so, in and out of his presence whenever deemed necessary.
"Apologies for his lack of restraint." Shya comes to a proper stance after scolding Henry with her hands clasped down in front of her. "And yes, it is as Henry stated. The young lady WAS-" She glares over at Henry for a moment and quickly turns her attention back to the Duke. "-awake and alert when I entered her quarters for the changing of the dressings on her feet." She explained. "She was nervous and scared when informed that she was still within your domain."
Esiah raised his left eyebrow with concern. "Go on."
Shya watched his change in body language and showed a calm smile of reassurance. "Do not worry your Grace, for I was able to alleviate her concern by answering some questions of uncertainty she had."
"What of sort of questions did she have?" Esiah asked.
"Well before I begin. I would like to ask his Grace for forgiveness of being mildly rude to the lady while caring for her." Shya bowed her head as she spoke.
"Explain." He replied in a stern calm tone.
"When entering her quarters. It surprised me that she up and awake. I spoke with her for a moment, but got into my own head ignoring her as I began the start of her care." She explained. "She continued to ask more questions about her situation, but I ignored her and continued on with her care. In reaction of ignoring her she let out a heavy sigh of sadness."
"Um hmm." Esiah continued to listen intently wondering when she would get to point where he could pardon her.
During the past 5 days since being assigned. Esiah quickly grasp how efficient the two maids were, from their care down to the report of it. The report of Olivia's care was so detailed, that it reported how many urine and waste eliminations she throughout the day, and number of times her dressings needed changed and so forth. So for Shya to ask for a pardon meant she did not perform the action intentionally.
"I quickly apologized for my behavior and ask for her patience until finished. I let her know that her care was of the utmost importance with the order given by your Grace. She kindly obliged and I continued and answered the questions that I could. Any other questions she had that I was unable to answer was better suited for Henry or your Grace." She finished explaining hoping her punishment wouldn't be too severe.
"You are pardoned. You've shown how thorough you are with assigned tasks. It would make sense that you would want to complete the given objective, before moving on to the next one." Esiah easing her worry with the wave of his hand.
"You are too kind your Grace." She says with an immediate bow of gratitude.
"Continue with your report."
"She was concerned about being in your domain with the given reputation that is attached to you."
"And did you explain the reasoning behind the reputation?" Esiah raises an eyebrow.
"Yes, enough to ease her fears."
"Good, I shall good see about her then. Is she still awake?" He asked as he began to walk between them and make his way to her Olivia's quarters.
"No, I noticed her beginning to yawn and suggested she get some more rest." Shya stated while she and Henry followed behind him.
"How long ago?"
"At dawn."
"Well, it is now midday. We shall go and see about her." Esiah states plainly. "I feel it best that you be present when talking with her. I don't want the mere sight of me frightening the Lady to the point she feels afraid to speak." Esiah stated as he continued to walk with the two of them behind him.
"You also need me in attendance as well, your Grace?" Henry asked leaning closer into the duke.
"Yes, your attendance is needed for documentation." Esiah continued. "The Night Salamanders have yet to return with their findings on this matter and I have feeling that there's more to this young lady."
"Yes, your Grace." Henry says in reply to Esiah while slowly turning to look over at Shya with a cheesy grin of excitement over his face.
Shya caught a glimpse of Henry's action in her peripheral, seeing him only caused her to roll her eyes in irritation as their walk began to slow down and come to a halt in front of Olivia's sleeping quarters.