In the relaxing atmosphere under the shade of the trees next to a quiet flowing steam, Cosaria sat beside Angelo.
Angelo said, "You know you can tell me anything. Anything that comes from you is like mana from heaven, and I want to hear it all. Your worries, hopes, dreams."
"Oh, I couldn't burden you with all of that."
"But I wish you would. Such a burden would be like taking on the weight of heaven. I would take ten times, no, a thousand times such a burden, if only it was from you. How I wish you could see yourself through my eyes."
Cosaria said, "How silly. I can't see through your eyes."
Angelo rested his hand on top of Cosaria's and said, "But if you could, you would see the most magnificent creature to walk the earth."
Cosaria turned her head away, "You don't know what you say. I'm nothing."
"I'll destroy any being who dares to claim that you are nothing."
"You don't understand. Delrik-"
"The Duke? Is he the one who makes such claims? I'll end him right now. I'll-"
"No," Cosaria pleaded, "Delrik is wonderful. I am the problem. I only seem to be able to make the ones I love most in life worry about me. I'm so useless."
"Do you," Angelo hesitated to ask, "Suffer from unrequited love?"
With faintheart, Cosaria began, "Oh, Count Angelo-"
"Please, just Angelo."
She looked up into his eyes, and said, "Angelo."
Angelo's life had not begun until that moment.
Cosaria asked, "Can you keep a secret?"
Angelo's eyes grew deadly serious, "For you my dear, I would die for a secret."
Cosaria continued, "Delrik and I, we're only in a one-year contract marriage. After that, we'll separate. That's why I can't be in love with him. He won't choose me. It's all temporary and the tragedy of it pains me."
This news was like a ray of light beaming through the clouds for Angelo. If he waited long enough, he would be able to marry Cosaria, the woman of his dreams.
"The only reason why he shows me any attention is because of the contract. Oh Angelo, you won't tell anyone, will you? It must be kept a secret. Please Angelo, I trust you."
"These words you've shared with me today will never leave my lips."
Cosaria sighed in relief. "Thank you. You're such a good listener and so easy to talk to."
"Please, consider me someone to always rely upon. A shoulder to cry on. Through rain or shine, my life belongs to you." Angelo took Cosaria's hands in his and stared into her eyes. He said, "In all my years of living, I've never met anyone like you. Dearest Cosaria, my life, my sunshine, my love. I hope I might not be so bold in asking such selfish requests, but I'd like to see you again. May I call upon you soon and again bask in your miraculous presence?"
Cosaria said, "Of course you can!"
Cosaria was happy to have such a good friend.
Then she leaned her head on his shoulder, an action she would do to any good friend. She didn't have very many friends, and thus she expected that these actions were normal among friends.
It wasn't until hours later that anyone found Cosaria. They were in the woods yelling, "Lady Cosaria, please come! Delrik needs your help! Please!"
Cosaria jumped up and told Angelo that she must leave.
Angelo said, "Of course. A heart must follow its love." Kissing Cosaria's hand, Angelo said, "Till next time."
Cosaria curtsied, then rushed back to help Delrik while Angelo quietly collected Donalt and left the castle, completely unnoticed.
༻✧༺
Tilda had spent the last couple of hours tending to Delrik by herself. Every minute, she kept the towels damp with holy water. She wiped away the smoldering ashes. When the pain became too fierce, she poured drops of holy water onto his tongue. After hours of intense care, his condition stabilized. He would still need Cosaria's healing touch, but for now, the immediate danger had passed.
Tilda had always been the best one in her family at handling Anra's flares. She always wondered, if she hadn't been working at the Baxarte estate, if she had been home to help, maybe Anra… it didn't matter now. It didn't matter.
Delrik's curse was one of the worst she had ever seen. It was different than Anra's, more red and angry than coarse and black. On Delrik's skin, the curse itself looked to be alive.
After hours of waiting and working, Cosaria finally arrived. She said her magic words and used her magic glowing powers and the redness faded, the smoldering stopped, and Delrik began breathing normally again.
Tilda was relieved. Her patient would be okay. Cosaria insisted on staying with Tilda by Delrik's side, in case his condition worsened.
It didn't take long before Cosaria, in her chair close to Delrik, was slumped over with her head resting on the bed. Tilda too, was tired and began nodding off.
Somewhere in the middle of the night, Felux awoke her. He had arrived from his mission and needed updated on the situation at the castle.
Tilda explained, "Delrik's curse flared. I was able to nurse it until Cosaria arrived. He's doing better now but…"
Felux said, "You're tired. Go to your room, and I'll watch over him."
Tilda nodded but didn't move. Then she said, "Can I stay here with you?"
Felux sat down next to her and Tilda rested her head in his lap and fell asleep.
༻✧༺
When Delrik woke up in the morning, the first thing he saw was Cosaria, leaning on his bed, asleep in her chair. She looked like a porcelain angel as the light streamed in and illuminated her delicate features.
Felux said, "She's been there all night. Tilda was here too but she went to fetch you some water.""
Delrik asked, "When did you get back?"
"Early this morning. Tilda said your curse flared. She kept you regulated until Cosaria could arrive. She saved yer life."
Delrik paused, "Cosaria saved me?"
Felux said, "She helped."
"Why?"
Felux rolled his eyes. "Doesn't take a genius fer figuring that out. The real question's, what're you going to do about it?"
Delrik stared at Cosaria with soft eyes, as he said, "I don't know."
Felux stood up and walked towards the door, saying, "I'll leave you two some privacy."
Shortly after Felux left, Cosaria awoke. She blinked and sat up.
Noticing Delrik, Cosaria said, "You're awake, how long have you been awake for?"
"Cosaria," Delrik said, touching her face.
Cosaria cupped his hand and said, "It's all my fault-"
"No," Delrik said. "I'm the one unworthy of you."
"Oh Delrik. I don't think so. You are the only one I hold so dearly in my heart."
Cosaria covered her mouth and blushed.
Delrik prodded, "What? What did you say?"
"I'm sorry-"
Delrik leaned towards her and grabbed her hand, saying, "No, Cosaria, tell me what you feel about me."
Meeting his eyes, Cosaria said, "Delrik, to me you are like the air I breathe, you're the strength to my courage. Life wouldn't be worth living without you. I… I… I love-"
Delrik's kiss cut her off.
He said, "And I you."
Then, a knock at the door separated the red-faced couple. Marley entered and said, "I brought water."
༻✧༺
With Cosaria by his side, Delrik stood at the top of the stairs and addressed all the servants of the Arquix castle:
"Last night I suffered from an unknown assassination attempt using black magic. Because of the efforts of the Duchess and a few of the servants, I received proper treatment. Some of you may have thought it was a curse. You would be wrong. I would also like to remind you of your oath of confidentiality. If the news of this assassination attempt leaves this castle, there will be blood spilt, as I am sure you are already aware."
The crowd shuttered. They knew the risks of taking a job at castle Arquix. So far, as long as you kept your head down and didn't make any big mistakes, the servants were allowed a moderately comfortable life.
Delrik finished saying, "That concludes it. Thank you. Felux, bring the maid, we will have a meeting in my office."
The crowd dispersed quietly. No one wanted to be caught even mentioning this event. Such a mishap could lead to the end of one of their lives.
When they were alone, Cosaria whispered to Delrik, "I didn't know it was an assassination attempt."
Delrik said, "It wasn't. I told the servants that so they wouldn't suspect the truth."
"Oh!" Cosaria said. She admired how Delrik was so smart to think of that.
༻✧༺
After Tilda heard that Delrik woke up and was in good condition, the memory of her lecturing Delrik came rushing back. Everything she said, and the brashness of her temper. Her words had basically triggered his flare. She retreated to her room until she regained the courage to face the tyrant Duke. She really didn't want to die.
She was hiding under the covers of her small bed, taking deep breaths when a soft knock rapped at the door. Felux's voice called, "Tilda?"
No answer.
Felux slowly opened the door and peeked inside. When he saw the bundle curled up under the blanket, he asked again, "Tilda?"
The bundle murmured, "She's not here."
Felux poked the bundle, saying, "Lord Delrik wants to see you."
Tilda popped her head out and said, "He's going to kill me."
"He's not. I'd not let him."
"I gave him a heart attack."
"He never had a heart in the first place."
Tilda frowned, "That's not funny."
Felux smiled, "It is. Now let's go."
༻✧༺
Tilda tried not to tremble as she stood in Delrik's office with Felux and Cosaria.
Delrik said, "Right, now that we're assembled; Felux, report."
Felux said, "Grysle plans on sending a priest to test Lady Cosaria's divine strength."
"Oh no," Cosaria gasped.
Delrik said, "Without my consent?"
Felux said, "With the consent of the King. There's been enough of them cursed beast scandals, the King's been turning to the church in help handlin it."
Delrik tapped his fingers on his desk, saying, "A decree from the King is not something we can avoid, unless we send Cosaria out of the country."
Delrik looked at Felux.
Felux sighed and said, "It's possible but it's not a solution. That'd be postponing the inevitable."
Cosaria said, "What if we just allow a priest to come? What harm will that do?"
Tilda said, "We might as well be feeding you to lions my lady… unless…"
"Unless?", Felux prompted.
Tilda said, "What if we found a corrupt priest? I'm sure there's someone you could pay off."
Cosaria said, "What about Pamtha?"
Delrik asked, "Who is that?"
"Pamtha," Tilda said, "There's an idea. Pamtha was the priestess we met in Carneth. We could have her come and pretend to test Cosaria. I bet she'd be more than willing to help protect Cosaria."
Delrik said, "Trust a priestess?"
Cosaria said, "Pamtha isn't like other priests. She's just wonderful. I trust her completely."
Delrik said, "I suppose we can consider it. Felux, send word to the King, get him to postpone Cosaria's divine power test. The more time we have to come up with options, the better."
"Aye, it'll be done."
Delrik said, "That should be all."
Felux said, "There's another problem."
Delrik said, "Which is?"
Felux said, "I was seen by Grysle's knight. He knows we're onto him."
Delrik said, "I see. There's not much we can do about that, but be cautious and await his next move."
"Oh no," Cosaria said, "Sir Felux, is Lord Grysle going to try to hurt you?"
Tilda tensed at the thought.
Felux said, "Naw, not unless he's fer starting a war with Delrik."
"Worry not, my lady, Felux can take care of himself. The important thing is that we keep you safe," Delrik said as he took Cosaria's hand and kissed it. "This will conclude our meeting for today."
Cosaria blushed when Delrik turned to her and said, "I'll meet you for dinner."
Then she exited with Tilda following behind. Tilda hesitated before leaving. Felux watched as she stopped and turned back towards Delrik.
Tilda said, "Sir."
Delrik said, "Is something the matter?"
Tilda bowed, "Sir, forgive my insolence previously. I spoke out of my station and on impulse."
"Yes." Delrik stood by the window, in deep compilation he said, "You did express to me harsh words the other day. Not something normal of a servant."
Tilda gulped as Delrik turned to face her.
He said, "Things turned out to be exactly as they should because of it."
"Huh?" Tilda said.
Delrik said, "It is rare for someone to talk to me in that way, especially coming from a servant. Not even my own mother would have dared to voice such thoughts to me. I must say that it was exactly what I needed. In a sense, it was a necessary call to action."
No one has ever told him the harsh truth before? Tilda wondered in bewilderment.
Delrik continued, "In response, I'd like you to be more candid with me in the future."
"What?" Tilda said.
"That is all. You are dismissed." Delrik took comfort in knowing that he had another trusted ally. One of which he considered to be easily disposable.
༻✧༺
In the hallway, Felux walked beside Tilda. He said, "I was wrong when I thought he'd fall fer you."
Tilda said, "Oh?"
"Turns out, he'd rather see you as his mother."
"Eww." The worst part was that Felux was right.
Felux smiled, saying, "He's a wee chick who's imprinted on its mother."
"I don't like that."
"And me, I'd be the rooster."
Tilda pushed ahead, walking faster as she said, "We're done with this conversation."
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" Felux said laughing.