Cosaria sat on the couch, looking over a piece of paper as Tilda entered with a tray of midnight tea.
Tilda put the tray down on the small table as she said, "You're up late. I brought tea in case you were having a hard time sleeping."
Cosaria smiled with her otherworldly innocence while saying, "You always know just what I need."
Cosaria's smile was so sweet and cute that Tilda wondered if it had the power to turn ferocious panthers into harmless kittens. The thought made her laugh as she poured Cosaria's tea.
"What do you think about this?" Cosaria asked as she held out the papers for Tilda to read. "Lord Arquix wants me to sign a contract but I'm not sure."
Tilda took the contract saying, "Oh yeah?"
As Tilda read, Cosaria sipped her tea. Cosaria thought about her meeting with Delrik earlier that day. What had he been thinking at the time? She had no idea:
Delrik had barged into Cosaria's room. His mind had been reeling with everything that had happened. The maid's explanation of Cosaria's terrible family. The monster attack. The divine powers. Perhaps there was a way they could all benefit. However, when he saw her again, his mind went blank and he had to take a moment to regain himself. Again, he had been caught off guard by how beautiful she was; Like a flower glittered with dew drops basking in the golden hours of the morning. Her beauty was so natural yet every moment in her presence was one that could never be conjured again. It was precious.
Delrik cleared his throat, regaining himself, he said, "I have a proposition that I think will be mutually beneficial. One year, a contract marriage, during which time you will provide me with holy water using your divine powers, and after the year, I will give you my diamond mine in the south."
Cosaria placed a finger on her chin as she tilted her head. She said, "It sounds fair, except I don't know how to make holy water."
Delrik put his hands behind his back and said, "You can learn. I've heard it's not hard for those with potent divine powers."
Cosaria leaned towards Delrik with clasped hands and big, puppy dog eyes. In her most hopeful and innocent voice she said, "Do you really think I can?"
She was so close now they were almost touching. Delrik caught the slight scent of rose and it was driving him crazy. He looked away and brought his hand up to cover the slight blush coloring his cheek. He cleared his throat and said, "I believe you are capable of the task."
He believed in her? Cosaria's face instantly turned red as her heartbeat skipped rapidly. Her words came out stuttering as she said, "Then, maybe, I'll agree."
"Great," he said, "I'll have Felux drop off a contract later tonight."
Why hadn't he written the document beforehand? As it stood now, he had nothing to offer her but his word. It wasn't like him to be so underprepared and unprofessional.
It wasn't long after that that Delrik left the room and Felux delivered the document later. From then, Cosaria had spent the next couple of hours reading it over, struggling to make a decisive choice as to whether or not to sign it, which led to the moment with Tilda, reading over the document.
Tilda finished reading the contract. The terms were simple: Delrik Alabaster Arquix and Cosaria Evangeline Baxarte would be married for a year, after which the marriage would be annulled. Cosaria would provide Delrik with a weekly supply of holy water, as much as she was capable of making. During the annulment, after the year timeframe, the deed to the southern Arquix mine would be given to Lady Cosaria. Under no circumstances were either couple expected to fulfill the personal and/or intimate roles of husband and wife.
"I just don't know," Cosaria said as her eyebrows scrunched in worry.
Tilda stared at Cosaria with a blank expression. She couldn't understand Cosaria's hesitation.
Tilda clarified, "So you use your powers exclusively for him for a year and then he'll give you a mine that will set you for life... what's there to know!" It was like all the benefits of being married without any of the physical or emotional commitments.
"He's just so scary!"
Tilda said, "Sign that sucker and your future is set. No more worries, no more troubles. Lady Cosaria, you'll be rich!"
"Really?"
"Yes!" Tilda exclaimed, "Everyone knows about the famous Arquix diamond mines in the south. They're a guaranteed honey pot for a lifetime of luxury." With the income she would make from the mine, Cosaria could buy her own estate and eat steak everyday with a household of at least ten servants. It was perfect!
"Oh, okay!" Cosaria said, then she hesitated, "But... will you stay with me? I can't do this alone."
Cosaria fiddled with her fingers. Tilda put her hand on her shoulder.
"You're stronger than you think you are but yes," Tilda said, "I'll be here always. Lady Cosaria, I promise to be your loyal servant forever."
Cosaria hugged Tilda. Tilda smiled as she pat Cosaria on the back. She was such a tender little girl.
Then Cosaria signed the contract.
༻✧༺
It was a new day and Cosaria was more determined than she had ever been in her whole life. In front of her sat a jug of water. On the adjacent couch Tilda sat watching.
Cosaria held her hands out to the jug. She said, "Bless. Bless. Bless."
Tilda glanced into the jug. Not glowing.
Holy water was known to have unique qualities. Aside from its sparkling looks, it was most famously known to heal almost any illness. It could even help cure curses if used over a long period of time.
Creating holy water was an easy spell, according to the priests, but the church had such a lockdown monopoly on holy water production that procuring the product was almost impossible. The church couldn't just let anyone have it, not when it was so useful.
Reasons for its use had to be justified and approved by the priests. The church was afraid people would use it for unsanctioned purposes. Unapproved experiments with holy water could offend God. Heaven forbid God be offended for trying to heal someone. Either that, or the church wanted to control people. Make sure that the people who were 'unintentionally' cursed stayed cursed. Tilda viewed the church's reasons for limiting holy water upon the latter option. Whatever the reasons, Tilda didn't think the church was justified in limiting holy water. If it heals, it heals. God's work intended.
Cosaria huffed.
"I just can't do it!" she said.
Tilda rolled her eyes. "Sure you can," she said, "What about when you used your divine powers on me? Just remember that feeling and try it out."
Also if you can't do it, the contract will be null and void and we'll be cast out on the street, friendless and penniless, Tilda thought.
Cosaria sighed and stared at the water again. Her eyes narrowed, a serious expression ruling her dominion. She thought about Tilda, about wanting to help her. She thought about the warmth she feels from Tilda. That feeling, the feeling of care and love, like the kind her mother gave her. Family. Love. Warmth.
The water started to glow.
Tilda's eyes widened as she straightened her back.
The glow brightened until it filled the room. Tilda had to cover her eyes from its brightness. As the glowing stopped Cosaria collapsed back on the couch, exhausted.
Tilda peered into the jug. The water sparkled dazzlingly.
"You did it!" Tilda was ready to jump out of her seat.
"I did?" Cossaria said weakly.
"It's amazing!"
It was like there was an entire constellation in the water.
Cosaria smiled as she flopped over into a deep sleep on the couch.
Tilda said, "Rest my dear" as she covered Cosaria in a blanket.
Then she picked up the jug and thought, I'll go deliver this now.
Just before she left the room, Tilda stopped and admired the water in the jug. It was easily the most pure and potent holy water she had ever seen.
If only I had had this when...
Flashes of mutilated skin, coarse black spots tainting a young girl's body, passed through Tilda's awareness.
Nevermind.
The past was in the past and she couldn't change that. It was no use pondering on what she didn't have.
Tilda glanced back at the sleeping Cosaria. With a sad smile she thought, This time will be different. In fact, it already is.
Tilda closed the door quietly behind her on the way out of Cosaria's room. Of course, what they were doing was completely illegal and if the church found out they would be punished severely. The black market for holy water was utterly discreet out of necessity. There was no mercy for those who violated the laws regarding holy water, and making holy water without permission was one of the harshest violations. But did Tilda care? No. In fact, she kind of liked the rebelliousness. If she and Cosaria weren't under the protection of someone powerful like the Duke, she might have been more worried, but, under the circumstances, she didn't see a need to worry. She could always claim the tyrant Duke forced her to keep her mouth shut if she was ever caught with it.
In the hallway to Delrik's quarters Tilda met up with Felux. She gave him the load and he admired it.
He said, "Never seen any holy water be brighter."
Tilda put her hands on her hips and said, "That's because my Lady is holier than any person you've ever met."
Felux smiled as he said, "That's it."
"What?"
"That way you have. All those little ways you express yer care fer yer Lady. It's a lot. Most people's not like that."
Tilda wasn't sure she quite understood. She was a commoner, she was the definition of 'most people'. The only difference was that she enjoyed her work. She shrugged and said, "I just enjoy the work. Bringing her tea, helping her dress, escorting her to the gardens. Seeing her happy makes me happy."
Felux said, "I feel the same way towards Lord Delrik."
"Servitude," Tilda shrugged, "Am I right?"
"Aye, it's too true," Felux laughed. It was such a free sound. No traces of apprehension or nervousness that Tilda found normal in other people. He had a way of sounding so sure of himself, even while laughing. Tilda admired that.
They said their goodbyes and Felux went to deliver the holy water to Delrik.
As she watched him leave, Tilda kicked the ground.
Crap, she thought, I think I might like him.
With everything already going on, she did not need this extra layer to further complicate matters. Life was already tough. She needed to stop finding ways to make it tougher.