The candidates sat at desks with pieces of paper and pencils.
Here we are, Marley thought, the written test. I made a fool of myself at the tea party but I'll make it up now.
Marley stared at the paper, which read, "Balance the finances." Her eyes started to spin, as she scanned over numbers and lines.
I don't even know what any of this means! I'm screwed!
Marley's head turned hazy, as a mental fog settled over her, making the task in front of her impossible to complete. From across the room, Lady Finklehead stood up and exited out the door, with a finished paper in tow.
So fast!!! Marley panicked, She must already be done and I haven't even started. I'm dooooooomed!
In the hallway, Lady Finklehead gave her finished assignment to Tilda.
"I hope you find it to your liking," Lady Finklehead bowed, "Lady Arquix."
It took Tilda a moment for her to register what Lady Finklehead said.
"…What?"
Lady Finklehead explained, "I think your ruse to test the other ladies has been quite convincing, but it's obvious who is calling all the shots. I look forward to working together with someone so capable."
With a triumphant grin, Lady Finklehead strolled down the hall.
Wait, Tilda thought, So she thinks I'm Lady Cosaria? Oh oh! That's funny. She'd be the perfect lady in waiting for me if I were actually a noble lady. I'd 100% hire her. However, she's not perfect for Lady Cosaria.
Tilda tapped on forearm. She thought, Her quick wit and ambition would trample over Lady Cosaria. She'd find out all the manor's secrets faster than we could bribe her to keep them. Not only that but Lady Finklehead is not the type of woman to serve someone she doesn't respect and I'm not sure that she would ever come to respect Lady Cosaria. That there is a bad fit.
As the young ladies finished their tests, they, one by one, filed out of the room. After completing the test, they were instructed to pack their bags, and prepare to leave the castle. At home, they would receive their acceptance or rejection letter. Paggie was one of the first young women waiting for her carriage to be prepared. She lingered in the courtyard, chatting away, surrounded by her posse. Lady Finklehead also stood nearby, patiently observing in her usual manner.
Paggie was bragging to her cohorts, saying, "Of course she is going to choose me. As soon as I arrive home, I'll start packing my things to come back as her lady in waiting."
Lady Finklehead interjected, "I wouldn't be so sure."
Before Paggie could respond, Tilda came out and asked, "Lady Finklehead, a word please."
Lady Finklehead nodded and approached Tilda with a sly grin on her face.
Tilda said, "I feel I owe you an explanation because, well, I respect you. Unfortunately, we cannot choose you for the position."
For the first time since coming to the castle, Lady Finklehead lost her composition in a look of disconcerting shock.
Tilda continued, "I am not Lady Cosaria, but as you've keenly taken notice, I am often the one calling the shots. That is because, I tell you this out of respect and trust, but it is because Lady Cosaria is a bit of a dimwit."
Lady Finklehead asked, "That woman really is the Duchess?"
"She is."
"She doesn't stand a chance in high society."
Tilda shrugged, "We'll see."
Lady Finklehead shook her head, saying, "And you tell me this because you trust me?"
"Yes. I assume you won't convict me of insubordination for calling the Lady a dimwit. And I assume you won't use this information against the lady."
"Indeed," Lady Finklehead said. "You are correct. Are you going to be giving the other ladies a personal rejection as well?"
"No, those airheads don't deserve it."
Lady Finklehead held in a laugh.
Tilda said, "After we go through the tests, we'll send out rejection letters."
"Did anyone pass your tests?"
Tilda glanced up at the castle, as she said, "I don't know yet."
Lady Finklehead said, "I don't suppose there's any chance you would be willing to seek a new employer, would you?"
"I am loyal to my Lady."
"Indeed, but supposing you ever find yourself in need of a job, I know my family would value your services."
"Greatly appreciated," Tilda said, as she shook Lady Finklehead's hand. "And you know, I hear they're looking for skilled diplomats to establish negotiations with the CPG."
"The Central Provinces of Galtrum? Where did you hear that?"
Tilda nonchalantly pointed to Paggie's group, while saying, "I heard Lady Halt gossiping about it. She's the daughter of a Viscount from a town by the border. You might be able to snag a position there, if you play your cards right."
Lady Finklehead said, "My father always says, 'Powerful people are those who use their knowledge wisely, not from their status.' You're living proof of that."
Tilda smiled, "I try."
Tilda waved as Lady Finklehead went to join the other ladies, and hopefully make a few connections.
༻✧༺
The evening sunlight streamed through the windows, as Bess stood by the door outside the testing room.
Tilda approached Bess and asked, "Is she still in there?"
Bess said, "She says she hasn't finished the test yet."
Tilda, brow furrowed, stared at the door. Marley was still finishing her test. She was the only one left in the library. Tilda walked into the room as Marley hid her face in frustration. She didn't want anyone to see the angry tears welling up in her eyes. She couldn't go home. She had to succeed at this last test. But she knew the truth. She had already failed.
Tilda sat down next to Marley. "All the rest of the ladies have already left." Noticing the tears in Marley's eyes, Tilda said, "You okay?"
Marley croaked, "I have to pass this test."
"Why's that?"
"Because… because I can't keep living in my sister's shadows. I need my own life and to make a difference in somebody else's. I need to serve Lady Arquix. Please."
The vulnerability in Marley's eyes bore straight into Tilda's soul.
Tilda glanced at Marley's paper then said, "You haven't written anything."
Frustration stung at Marley's eyes, threatening to pool over, "I don't know what to do. Oh man, I've never done this before."
"But you know how to read? And calculate numbers?"
Marley nodded.
Tilda pointed to the paper, "Add up the numbers here. Make sure it matches with the number at the bottom. If it doesn't match, find which item doesn't belong in this budget."
Tilda sat patiently as Marley did the work.
"There," Marley said, as she scribbled down her last few calculations.
Smiling, Tilda said, "You found it."
Hope filled Marley's soul. She pointed to the next page of the test, and said, "What about this one? How do I do this one?"
Tilda collected all the paper and said, "You should be good for now."
"Please," Marley begged, "I need to finish. I can't fail this one too."
Just then, Marley gasped as Cosaria walked into the room.
Tilda nodded, "Lady Cosaria."
Cosaria asked, "How is her test?"
Tilda held up the papers, saying, "Well, she doesn't know how to do it but she's shown me that she can learn it quickly."
Cosaria said, "Does that mean?"
Tilda nodded.
Turning to Marley, Cosaria held out her arms and said, "Would you like to be my lady in waiting?"
Rushing into Cosaria's arms, Marley smiled the brightest of smiles as tears rolled down her face. She had done it. Somehow. In some bizarre twist of fate. She had actually done it.
When night passed over the Arquix castle, Tilda and Cosaria waved as Marley's carriage pulled away.
Marley Von Galrikson, the daughter of Baron Garlikson from a remote country area; Lady Cosaria's new lady in waiting. It was decided that she'd return in a week. Ashe gathered any belongings and said goodbye to her family.
As the skies littered the sky, Cosaria turned to Tilda and asked, "Is she going to be alright traveling through the red forest at night?"
Recognition passed over Tilda's face. She ran after Marley's carriage calling, "Wait! Stop! Don't leave yet! Wait till the morning!!!"