That stupid pest, Susa thought as she approached Cosaria's chambers, I used to ruin her dresses all the time at the Baxarte estate. and all she would do was look down and stare at the floor. It was hilarious!
Susa was ecstatic for the chance to see "the pest" again. Things had been so boring at the Baxarte estate since she left. The Baxarte family had all gotten more on edge. Without a target to direct their hatred, they could snap on anyone, even themselves. Lord Baxarte was especially bad, but Susa was protected from his wrath, being a part of Melodia's entourage. Melodia used to give presents to her maids who carried out her will, but recently it was like walking on eggshells and no one was free to relax or let loose. Some of the maids, Juliet and Maddy, had quit or found new jobs. Susa supposed they were weak and just couldn't handle the pressure of serving nobles.
Susa barged into Cosaria's room.
"I'm here to help!" she announced. In all actuality she was hoping to get or do something that might put her in better favor with Lady Melodia.
Cosaria was already dressed in her wedding gown and Tilda had stepped out for a moment to find some little flowers to put in her hair.
The wedding had come so fast. Delrik saw no need to wait and neither did Cosaria. Even so, it felt like a whirlwind. In no time at all, the church was reserved, the dress was found, the guests invited and the reception prepared. It was impressive how fast Delrik could work.
Susa immediately snickered as she saw the angelic being all gussied up in white. You can dress up a pest, but it's still a pest.
She went over to the dresser and picked up an elaborate necklace laying on the top.
She said, "This necklace doesn't quite suit you does it? I bet it would look great on Lady melodia. I think it actually should belong to her, don't you, young Lady Baxarte?"
She emphasized Baxarte to remind Cosaria exactly who was in control.
"Oh, well, I..." Cosaria said as she looked down and stared at the floor. It made Susa happy to know that nothing had changed.
"Lady Cosaria!" Tilda snapped as she entered the room, "What is she doing here?"
Cosaria quietly said, "She came to help me get ready for the wedding."
Tilda tramped towards the two as she asked, "You want her help? This backstabber from Baxarte?"
"Excuse you!" Susa said.
"Shut it-" Tilda glared, "Her Lady is speaking." Tilda wasn't one to forget the pain and anguish Susa had intentionally caused Cosaria; All the times she claimed to be justified in all her 'harmless' bullying. It was disgusting to even see her here. Melodia probably sent her no doubt.
Cosaria stumbled through her words, "Well, I-"
"Of course she'd want me here," Susa interrupted. She glared right back at Tilda, challenging her.
"No." Cosaria said.
Susa said, "What?"
Cosaria stared at the floor and said, "I'd rather you go actually. I'm sorry."
Tilda folded her arms in victory as she smirked at Susa.
Susa said, "Are you serious?"
Tilda said, "Do I need to go get a guard? Her Lady has spoken."
Susa began stomping to the door, "This is unbelievable."
Tilda stopped her, saying, "And before you go..." She held out her hand.
Susa said, "What?"
Tilda said, "The necklace."
With the energy of a tantruming two year old, Susa thrust the necklace into Tilda's hand then marched out the door.
Once she was gone the tension broke and the atmosphere in the room seemed to lighten. Cosaria could finally breathe easy again.
Tilda came around to face Cosaria and in a gentle voice she said, "My Lady, you need to tell that servant that she can't treat you like that."
"Can't you do it? You're so much braver than me."
Tilda felt frustrated as she said, "Lady Cosaria, grow a spine! You can't just let her say whatever she wants."
"But I let you say whatever you want."
Tilda sighed then began to drape the necklace around Cosaria's neck. She said, "That's because I've got a brain in between my shoulders. Milday, you must never forget that I am your maid, your servant. I have no social standing and a lot of the time, the way I act towards you is impertinent and out of normal social etiquette."
Cosaria turned to look Tilda in the face as she said, "But you're my best friend. I wouldn't want you to act any differently."
Tilda turned Cosaria's head to face the mirror again as she explained, "I'm a maid. I'm not supposed to be able to say whatever I want without consequences. It's actually very unnerving since I treat you like how I would treat one of my siblings. It's very unprofessional of me. If you were just a bit more commanding I'd be able to relax more knowing you at least feel like a Duchess." If Cosaria started acting more like a Duchess, Tilda wouldn't have to keep saving her from these awful social scenarios.
Cosaria said, "It just doesn't seem right for you to get treated differently."
Tilda sighed. Wouldn't it be nice if people were treated equal, but that's not the way the world worked, and if Cosaria didn't toughen up, she would be plowed over.
Tilda said, "If not towards me than at least towards the other maids. My Lady, I'm going to have to put my foot down on this one. You have to be the one to do something about this Baxarte problem. Not me."
Tilda then placed a crown on top of Cosaria's head. The last touch before they would head out for the ceremony.
༻✧༺
Tilda felt uneasy as the guests in the church waited for the arrival of the bride. It had been a long time since Tilda had entered a church, but to her, it wasn't long enough. However, she wouldn't let her personal feelings detract from enjoying Cosaria's triumph. This would finally change everything. Hopefully for the best.
Stringed instruments swelled in harmony as Cosaria entered looking radiant in her white dress with its long train and lace veil. From her position against the back wall, next to the rest of the servants, Tilda watched the guests fawn over Cosaria's appearance. In this day and age, fashion was power.
Together with Delrik at the altar, they looked like every little girl's dream. The handsome, rich, man with a title. The elegant, beautiful, demure young woman. Tilda herself had once had dreams like that. But that was a long time ago.
Delrik was bored by the priest's long chattel about love, and marriage, and unity, and blah, blah, blah. He took a moment to scan the guests and saw the Baxarte family, their faces distorted with scowls.
So they're still here I see, Delrik thought.
Then he took a moment to admire Cosaria. He had expected her to give off her usual air of hesitation and jittery anxiety but she didn't. She was looking forward with head held high, a determined expression on her face. He respected that.
The couple exchanged rings and Delrik's heart thumped as Cosaria smiled at him through her veil. Delrik suspected he would always remember this moment for the rest of his life.
The Priest announced, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
The crowd clapped in polite celebration. Then the couple walked down the aisle together and out the front door as everyone else followed. Tilda thought the whole ordeal had been uncomfortably formal. If this had been a commoner's wedding, someone would have already been doused with beer.
As she passed, Cosaria didn't even see Tilda standing against the wall with the other maids.
We truly live in different worlds, Tilda thought sadly. Unlike the other nobles, Tilda would have to wait until she could congratulate her dear friend.