Melodia Baxarte walked through what she had once considered the cheerful halls of her family manor. Much had changed and she could no longer consider them cheerful; The once clean floors were covered in dirt and grime. Spiderwebs decorated the walls and each of the rooms. The hinges on the doors creaked and the candle chandelier had dripped wax all over the dining room table. In the garden, unpicked plants rotted on the vine, while rabbits finished off anything edible.
The trouble started one day when Lord Baxarte returned home and found a coarse black spot tainting his lower back.
It was the curse.
Immediately the family contacted the church and had priests tending to Lord Baxarte with holy water. The procedures helped, but they were expensive and the family was already suffering from Brutis's gambling debts. They had to drastically cut down expenses; The children's monthly allowances were cut and the manor staff was reduced to a bare bones crew. Even Susa, Melodia's favorite maid, had to be sacked. All that was left was one servant and a cook. It was not enough to keep the manor from falling apart.
Melodia walked into Lord Baxarte's room and flinched at the ghastly sight of the smoldering course black spots defacing her father's skin. Yes, the church treatments had helped, but they weren't enough. His spots were growing faster than the priests could heal them.
Melodia said, "You called Father?"
Mother was sitting next to Father, as she always was those days. She tended to him as best she could, and almost never left his side. Times of crisis test family bonds, and Lord Baxarte's wife had proven herself loyal.
Mother tapped Father's shoulder lightly and said, "She's here dear."
Slowly, Father sat up and barked, "Melodia!"
Father's temper was terrible those days.
"Yes Father."
"The Prince is expecting us at his birthday banquet. You must attend."
Melodia shrunk, "But father…"
Father yelled, "Don't talk back to me, wench! With your brother hiding himself away in his room, it must be you who presents a good face for our family!"
Brutis wasn't hiding in his room. He was recovering from broken legs when Father pushed him down the stairs.
Father continued, "We were already absent from the hunting competition, we cannot be disgraced again. We cannot allow ANY of the other nobility to think they're better than us. Remember that you are a Baxarte! Do you understand?"
Melodia finally spoke up, "But Father, there's so much that needs to be done here. Who will help the cook make dinner? Who will wash your sheets? Father, I don't want to leave your side."
"Did you even hear me! Our reputation is on the line. I will not have our family name slandered by your absence. Get ready to go. I'll hear nothing further about this."
"Yes Father."
Mother followed Melodia out of the room.
Mother said, "Melodia dear, you may not see the necessity of what your father is saying now, but you will someday."
Melodia walked away.
༻✧༺
Tilda, Marley, and Bess stare at their project sitting in the chair. They each expressed a quizzled look. Tilda supervised with her hands on her chin, Bess held up her makeup pencils, and Marley fidgeted with a hairbrush. Tilda pointed.
Tilda said, "A little more glitter there."
Bess leaned forward and brushed the subject of attention.
Grinning darkly, Tilda said, "Perfect."
It was the night of the crown prince's birthday ball. All the nobles were invited to the event, and Tilda was confident that no one in attendance would be more beautiful than their very own Duchess Cosaria.
The women had finished their masterpiece. Cosaria was so beautiful it blinded them and made their eyes water with sheer pride. They each stood back and had to cover their eyes from Cosaria's ethereal glow.
Cosaria asked, "Do I look weird?"
While Marley and Bess were horrified that such words could be spoken, Tilda grasped Cosaria's hand and said, "Don't ever think you look weird. Never. You are beautiful and everyone will think so."
"Oh… do you really think so?"
In unison the three women answered, "Yes."
༻✧༺
Delrik wore an outfit of regal charm. He was stunning in his high boots and open collar black doublet with gold trim that accentuated his broad chest. With disdain, he checked his watch. He didn't like to be kept waiting.
Felux stood next to Delrik and was also dressed fancy, but because he was not a noble, his outfit was simpler and would be quickly forgotten in comparison.
Emerging from the top of the stairs Cosaria said, "I hope you weren't waiting long."
In his cavalier cape draped elegantly over one shoulder, Delrik's heart stopped upon seeing the magnum opus of humanity. He gulped, trying to regain moisture in his dry mouth. He said, "Maybe we shouldn't go out." He thought, So that I can keep her all to myself.
Cosaria's eyes drooped, "But…"
"Twas only a passing thought," Delrik said, "Take no mind."
"Oh, okay." She was so confused. Everyone was acting so weird today.
Delrik held out his arm and Cosaria allowed him to escort her out of the mansion and into their carriage. Feeling like it was a privilege to even be touched by the angel, Delrik thought that the world looked dull in comparison to her beauty.
Bess said something to Tilda, but she was too busy checking out Felux's fine butt to hear what she said.
Tilda looked up, "What?"
Bess repeated, "Aren't you going too?"
"Huh? Oh right."
Tilda had been the chosen servant representative from the Arquix estate. The royal castle claimed they needed extra servants to help out with the party, and Tilda was happy to volunteer.
Marley should have been coming too, but she claimed she had a terrible stomach ache and couldn't attend. Tilda suspected that wasn't entirely true and when Tilda asked, Marley admitted that she didn't feel ready to be out in public. She hadn't even had her debut ball yet. Tilda could respect that, and Marley was allowed to stay home.
As Felux helped Tilda onto his horse, he gestured to Cosaria and said, "You'd a fine job."
Tilda smiled and said, "Thanks, Bess did her makeup and Marley picked the accessories. She really has an eye for that stuff."
Of course Felux would know to appreciate the ones behind the scenes. They were the ones who made the image of what others saw possible.
༻✧༺
Though the ballroom was abuzz with excitement, Melodia was a buzzkill. As she stood alone, twirling the champagne in her glass, her mind was back at home. Was Brutis getting his chamber pot cleaned? Did the cook finish dinner on time?
All these laughing nobles graded on her nerves, and made her want to spit at their self-centered ignorance. She wanted to go home.
A few of Melodia's old friends had tried to approach her with questions about her family and their absence from social society. Melodia had spurned them. They moved into Selinda's circle and started gossiping loud enough for Melodia to hear.
Kelma said, "So that's Lady Melodia Baxarte. I've heard rumors but she's nothing like what I imagined her to be."
Selinda said, "She used to be impressive, but now, she's nothing more than a pond fish. I mean, look at her."
Loris said, "I wasn't going to say anything, but now that you've brought it up, her dress is so last season. And those jewels. Doesn't she know they went out of style?"
Kemla nodded in agreement. Sure, she was new to society but even she knew that. Hesitantly, Kelma said, "And it looks like she did her hair herself."
Loris said, "Oh goodness, I hadn't noticed but you're so right!"
Kemla beamed that she was able to contribute to such an adult conversation.
Ulteo said, "For someone who prided herself on being the center of social life, she's really fallen."
Selinda tilted her head up so she could look down further at Melodia as she said, "Agreed."
Then the woman turned around and whisked themselves away.
Melodia stood alone in complete shame. Those jerks had once been her friends. They didn't understand anything. But the worst part was that they were right.
Melodia hadn't been able to buy a dress in the latest fashion. Even if she did, who would help her dress in it? She hadn't been keeping up on current fashion trends. She had been too busy trying to care for her family. Her hair. Yes. She had done her hair herself because she didn't have any maids to do it for her. All the weapons she used to assert her place as alpha in high society were useless now. Now she really was just a pond fish.
The room's atmosphere changed and all eyes turned to the couple walking in. It was the Duke and Duchess Arquix.
Melodia hadn't seen 'the pest' since the wedding and now she was unrecognizable.
In a rich sapphire blue form-fitting bodice with daring off-the-shoulder sleeves, Lady Cosaria Arquix descended the stairs. The skirt of her dress was voluminous with layers of imported silks and satins. The hallmark of her ensemble was the elaborate applique floral motifs and embroidered pearls, which complimented her extravagant jewelry.
The upper half of her hair was woven into sophisticated intertwining braids, decorated by intricately placed pearls and flowers. The lower half of her platinum blonde hair was cascading down into gentle flowing curls.
Her makeup was the visage of innocence, purity, and refinement, accentuating her natural beauty and flawless skin. A light black charcoal line shaped and defined her sky-blue eyes. A subtle flush gave color to her cheeks as her lips were painted a soft rosy hue.
Presented with such magnificence, even Melodia had to admit that she was beautiful.
As the musicians started playing, the handsome tyrant turned to his wife and asked, "Care to dance?"
With eyes shining, Cosaria rested her hand in his and they twirled around the room as center of attention.
Not in her entire life had Melodia ever felt envious towards Cosaria. Not until that moment, when she saw the look of loving adoration from Duke Arquix's face.
Originally, it had been Melodia who was supposed to be engaged to Delrik. She had denied the engagement because of his reputation, claiming that she didn't want to be killed by her fiancé. Secretly, she had hoped that after he saw the pathetic Cosaria, he would realize there was a mistake and pursue Melodia instead. Obviously, that didn't happen.
"What a handsome couple," Melodia heard herself mutter.
Fate was cruel.
༻✧༺
While all the nobles had their focus riveted on Lady Cosaria, Selinda worked to keep her focus away, pretending that she wasn't affected by the young Duchess's beauty. But it was like a spider that got away when you tried squashing it. You can't see it, but you know it's still there.
༻✧༺
In the same room, Felux stood laxly against the wall. He went largely unnoticed when he came in behind the breathtaking couple. As Lady Finklehead was the only one to notice him, she approached.
Finklehead said, "Are you Duke Arquix's knight? Felux Lothar?"
"That'd be me."
Finklehead said, "For someone with your connections you keep a very low profile."
"Odd thing to say," Felux said, cocking his head.
"I'm on the delegation for the negotiations with the CPG."
"That's nice," Felux said.
"Were you aware that your brother is also a part of the negotiations?"
"Sounds like him."
Finklehead was incredulous at this man's lack of care. She declared, "You should be a minister, a justice marshal or another high ranking official in the CPG. What're you doing here as a knight?"
"Tried it once. Fer about three months, I went and fulfilled an elected position. Turns out, I enjoy my work here."
It was only a half-truth. Felux had been ecstatic to begin work in an elected position and would have stayed longer but an assassin almost killed Delrik and without proper protection, Delrik was at the mercy of his enemies. So Felux postponed his career aspirations to help his friend. He never told this to Delrik. Or to anyone. He enjoyed being Delrik's knight commander and that was all anyone needed to know.
Finklehead said, "Your brother was right."
"Was he?"
"He said I wouldn't understand. I don't."
Felux shrugged. He had no desire to try and explain himself. He valued Delrik's life over his own temporary career success. It was as simple as that.
༻✧༺
As Cosaria and Delrik finished their dance, a group of men approached with the intent to talk to the Duke.
Delrik greeted the group saying, "Prince Tederick, happy birthday."
Prince Tederick was an unmarried man in late thirties. What he lacked in facial features, he made up for in wisdom and kindness.
The Prince said, "My gratitude Cousin, what a joy it is to have you and your new wife in attendance."
Delrik hated these formalities, saying, "The pleasure it ours."
Cosaria bowed, charming every single one of the men. She said, "Happy birthday, your majesty."
Tederick smiled, saying, "She is quite the charmer. Lord Delrik, how did you manage to find such a lovely flower?"
The question was facetious of course, but Tederick loved to tease his cousin.
"How do you think?" Delrik said through gritted teeth, "Luck, your majesty."
Tederick laughed, "Always the straightforward one."
Delrik probably didn't know, but he had been the main reason why the men around his generation still remained unmarried. One look at Duke Arquix's face, and every noble woman within a one-hundred mile radius fell madly in love. No women dared approach him because of his reputation, but all of them secretly held out hope that he would fall for them. Some of the assassination attempts on the Duke were caused by jealous men who accused the Duke of stealing their lovers.
That was the main reason why the King set up a marriage for Duke Arquix. (That and to help take care of Delrik, his sister's orphaned child.) The King thought he had chosen the most advantageous match; the socialite daughter of Lord Baxarte, Melodia. At the time, she had been prized as the most highly sought after woman in all the Ragdor kingdom. If the most wanted man, Delrik, married the most wanted woman, Melodia, no one would be able to complain. He was caught off guard when it was the illegitimate daughter who ended up as Delrik's bride.
The plan, however, worked and Delrik was married. Being married meant that he was deemed unavailable, and the woman finally started turning their eyes to the next eligible candidates.
This was how the King had schemed to get a wife for his son, crown Prince Tederick. By eliminating the competition.
Tederick addressed the couple, saying, "I hope the lady won't mind, I had important business to discuss with the Duke and who knows when I'll have a chance next to frequent his presence. He can be a hard man to catch."
Cosaria said, "of course."
From an intimate distance, Delrik whispered in Cosaria's ear, "I'll be just a minute."
Cosaria nodded and watched him go. Then she spotted Melodia walking at a brisk pace.
Cosaria called out, "Lady Melodia."
Melodia stopped dead in her tracks. All eyes were on Cosaria, and by association, Melodia.
Melodia curtsied, "Lady Arquix. Excuse me, I was just leaving."
Cosaria said, "Oh, Melodia. I was surprised to see you but somehow, I'm glad for it."
That's because of our keen difference in status. Melodia thought bitterly, The celestial goddess facing off against her tormentor, the fallen pond fish.
Melodia said, "The pleasure is mine."
Cosaria took Melodia's hand and with a surge of genuine feeling, she said, "You look beautiful tonight."
Everything within Melodia stopped working. She knew that Cosaria truly meant it. No falsehood. No deceit. No hate. She wanted to cry. This was the first kindest thing anyone had said to her in months.
Melodia thought to ask Cosaria for help, but she couldn't. Her family pride wouldn't allow it and her father would never accept it. The pest had been deemed an enemy of the Baxarte family. Forever and for always.
Softly Melodia said, "Thank you."
Then she left.