In the kingdom of Ragdor, a priest stood behind a row of four urns.
To his captive audience, he spoke, "We are here to mourn the loss of a most noble Baxarte family. We grieve for the loving father, the meritorious mother, the gallant son, and the beautiful daughter. They are survived by their adoring sister and gracious brother-in-law, Duke and Duchess Arquix. Unfortunately, the Duchess could not be present at this most solemn occasion. And now, a moment of silence for the deceased."
Someone in the audience coughed.
The priest glared.
Delrik almost smiled at the irony, thinking, Not even a moment of silence could be given to respect these lowlives.
After another forty-five minutes of the priest rambling on about the 'virtues' of this most 'exquisite' family, he turned the time over to Delrik.
Delrik knew why these 'guests' were here. He stood and addressed the crowd, "If you were owed any outstanding debts, make an appointment to see me. I plan to settle the accounts of my wife's family. That is all."
The crowd grunted in resigned submission. They wanted was to know whether or not they would be paid, that was all and while none of them looked forward to interacting with the Duke, they saw the necessity of it.
The priest was taken back in horror at the heartless words of the Duke. Feeling the need to respect the dead, he got back up and gave another thirty-minute speech about the importance of revering the afterlife, lest it come back to bite you. The speech went right past Delrik, to whom it was intended.
The funeral ended with a song by a choir and a prayer by a visiting priest.
Delrik was glad it was over. That was until a flock of loan sharks began to swarm him. He subdued them with a simple glare and a threat on their lives if they did not leave him alone, and schedule with Delrik's temporary assistant, Fabious. The sooner Delrik could get all these things squared away, the sooner he could reunite with Cosaria.
Lord Grysle approached Delrik as the guests began to disperse.
Grysle said, "It was a lovely service."
Delrik narrowed his eyes.
Grysle continued, "I had a gift for your wife, perhaps you could deliver it to her. I worry for her, you know, since she is absent at her own father's funeral."
Delrik said, "Yes. Whatever happened to the beast that attacked the manor, I wonder?"
Grysle casually glanced away, saying, "Don't worry about that. It's been entirely dealt with, I can assure you. If only she had been here. Who knows how she might have been able to help."
Delrik said, "My wife cut ties with this family when she left their house. I hope you understand."
"Is that why she's not here? Tell me, did you leave her at home? By herself? Really, what kind of husband are you?"
"My personal life is none of your concern."
Grysle gladded, seeing that he was finally getting a rise out of Delrik. He said, "Perhaps I'll have to pay a visit to your estate to deliver my gift and give my condolences to your wife."
"Don't bother," Delrik said, "You're no guest at the castle Arquix."
"So harsh. Whatever did I do to deserve such treatment? You must at least deliver my gift for the young Duchess."
"Keep it."
"How unreasonable," Grysle said.
"I've never claimed otherwise." Delrik smirked, "I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors, Lord Grysle."
Through clenched teeth, Grysle said, "Ah, yes. Thank you."
Delrik flicked his cape as he walked away.
Grysle clenched his fists. There was nothing productive about that conversation and it had only antagonized him. His focus on the young Duchess would have to be postponed for now, till that pill could be dealt with. Besides, Grysle had other priorities that needed his attention.
Walking past the urns, Grylse scoffed. He knew all too well that at least one of those urns was empty. Lord Baxarte's body was never recovered. At least, not his human body.
༻✧༺
That evening, Delrik had dinner with Lord Angelo as they discussed future plans.
While Angelo had attended the funeral, he hadn't said anything to Delrik in case Grysle or other spies were watching. Now, in the privacy of the dinner table, Angelo began asking the major question that was on his mind:
"Tell me Delrik, I just can't understand it. Where was Lady Cosaria?"
"My wife is in the Central Providences of Galtrum."
"Good heavens. I don't understand. Why?"
"To protect her."
"But the funeral, how could she not attend the funeral?" Angelo asked. He had been so desperate to see her again and to comfort her. His plans were foiled.
"It was too dangerous for her. We couldn't take the risk."
"How heartless of you. To not even allow your own wife to attend her family's funeral."
Delrik clarified, "It was her own choice not to attend."
Angelo gasped. That couldn't be true, could it?
Delrik said, "But I like the rumors. Yes, tell everyone I forbid her from going. That should create a good mess of confusion."
Angelo said, "Why? Why would she not attend?"
Delrik tilted his head, saying, "You do not know much of her family, do you?"
Angelo shook his head.
Delrik said, "I'll suffice it to say that leaving her father's home was the best possible thing that could have happened to her. Now, tell me again what you heard about in the northern temples."
As Angelo began to talk, his mind kept going back to Cosaria. He resolved to write to her as soon as their dinner was over.
༻✧༺
In the Lothar living room, Felux's family and Cosaria's attendants all sat around the fireplace. Beniter and Tilda were enthralled as Lurois told a story to the group.
Lurois said, "We'd turned the corner when we'd been ambushed."
As they listened, Marley began to show signs of a weak stomach and Cosaria's face turned pale from horror. Felux's family had heard this story a million times, so it was nothing new to them. Beniter and Tilda, who had grown up enjoying grotesque country stories, found these knight's tales fascinating.
Lurois continued, "I'd have charged their front line if not for a brazen young fellow. He charged straight at them only to be thrown from his horse, a foot caught in the stirrup. The beast dragged him twenty meters'r so."
"Oh my," Cosaria said, "Was the young man alright?"
"Ah…" Lurois tapped his chin, "Naw. I don't recall the boy livin."
Cosaria said, "How dreadful!"
Beniter said, "So then what happened?"
Terinita tapped on Lurois's arm, saying, "Lurois, yer shakin the dear laddies."
Lurois followed her eyes and saw Marley starting to turn green as Cosaria slightly trembled in fear.
Lurois said, "I'll finish the tale later."
Beniter frowned. He wanted to know what happened next.
Ofelia, who was sitting next to her husband, leaned over to Rayn and said, "Now's a perfect time as ever."
Catching the hint, Rayn stood up and said, "We've an announcement."
Ofelia joined Rayn in standing as they addressed the room. Then in unison, the couple said, "We're pregnant."
Smiles and cheering broke out among the group. Terinita hugged her daughter as the brothers congregated together. Even Tilda and Beniter found themselves in the mix of celebrators.
Jeffan patted Rayn's back and said, "Congrats!"
Lurois said, "This calls for celebration!"
Watching from a distance, Cosaria's smile faded.
Marley asked, "What is it, my Lady?"
Cosaria said, "I wish I could just go over there and say congratulations."
Marley asked, "Why don't you? You know?"
"Oh, I couldn't interrupt."
"Do you want me to say it for you?"
Hope filled Cosaria's eyes as she said, "Oh, would you?"
Marley said, "Sure, yeah."
Marley then walked over to Ofelia and Tilda.
Tilda was asking, "How long have you known?"
Ofelia answered, "It's been three months now."
In the bluntest manner, Marley said, "Lady Cosaria and I wish you a sincere congratulations!"
Ofelia smiled at the awkward attempt. Spotting Cosaria in the corner, Ofelia waved. Cosaria, in turn, smiled and waved back. Once that was done, Ofelia turned back to Tilda to continue their conversation.
Marley gave Cosaria a thumbs up.
Cosaria wanted to smile, but a frown prevailed. She mumbled, "I wish I had the courage to do it myself." The situation didn't turn out like she hoped it would. But what she had hoped for, she didn't know.
Ofelia said, "Ye've gotta let me take ye around the city. I ken the best places, and ye've gotta see it while yer here."
"I'd love that," Tilda said. "Oh, but, would it be alright if Lady Cosaria and Lady Marley came along as well?"
Ofelia said, "Aye invite them along. It'll be a party."
༻✧༺
Ofelia took the Ragdor gang shopping where the girls picked out a few traditional CPG style outfits. The clothes flattered Tilda, but on Cosaria, they looked overbearing. It was the first time Cosaria had not looked good in something she wore.
After shopping, the group went to see a play, stroll a garden, visit a zoo, and eat at a local food stall. It was all so unusual. Cosaria was glad to see Tilda having so much fun, but all these foreign adventures were making Cosaria feel homesick.
When they returned to their suites that evening, Cosaria found a letter from Ragdor waiting for her. She was ecstatic to receive something from home.
She quickly opened the envelope and read the letter. It was from her friend, Angelo. His words made her feel at peace given how lonely she had been feeling.
After knocking, Tilda arrived to help Cosaria prepare for bed. Marley would have been there as well but she was so exhausted from the busy day, Tilda had given her the night off.
In Cosaria's excitement, she showed the letter to Tilda.
Tilda read:
"My angel sweet Cosaria, dearest beloved, my heart is pained to be away from you in such hours. How it haunts me to know what suffering you must be enduring. What suffering you have endured. Oh dearest, if it were I, I would wash away thy sorrows and pains. I would purge the ground from all thorns, and kiss the very grass on which thy holy feet do tread upon. My passionate love for you is like the burning of an everlasting fire. I want nothing more than to be once again in your presence, which is both torture and enrapture. Waiting is agony, but it shall be endured, knowing that your safety is ensured. From your cordial and ever devoted friend, Angelo."
After finishing the letter, Tilda looked up at Cosaria with furrowed brows.
Cosaria said, "Isn't it wonderful!"
Tilda said, "I thought you were in love with the Duke."
Cosaria blushed, saying, "Oh, yes. But that doesn't mean that I can't have other friends… does it?"
Cosaria was ignorant about things like love. PAINFULLY ignorant.
Tilda said, "Yes, you can have other friends, but this here, this is a love letter."
"Oh, it's not like that."
Tilda pointed to a few of the lines, and said, "'Dearest beloved', 'kiss the grass you walk on', 'passionate love for you'. Those are declarations of love."
Cosaria pointed to the end, "But here it says 'friend', see. He only sees me as a friend. He's just really expressive with his love. You should see him with Delrik."
"I've seen him with Lord Delrik. This here? This is a love letter. I promise you. This is a love letter."
"It really isn't like that. Next time he comes around, you'll see. It's just not like that."
Tilda sighed. How in the world was she going to get Cosaria to understand. She said, "Okay, let's just say, hypothetically, this is a love letter. What would you do then? Count Angelo is in love with you, how do you respond?"
"It's really not like that, so I don't need to worry about it."
Tilda palmed her forehead.
Cosaria took a piece of paper and began writing a heartwarming friendly response. Tilda glanced over her shoulder and read a few lines, "How welcome your letter was. My feelings of homesickness were calmed after I received your words. Your love and friendship have been a beacon of light in my life."
Tilda said, "If you respond like this, you'll be leading him on. It would be best to end it now."
Cosaria said, "Don't be so silly Tilda. It's not like that."
Frustrated, Tilda sat down and began to pen her own response, "Dear Lord Angelo. It is my regret to inform you, but feel it is my duty to make you aware, that Lady Cosaria is in love with Lord Delrik. Not you. She sees you as a 'good friend' and nothing more. Please understand. With sincere regards, Tilda, Lady Cosaria's personal maid."
Tilda showed Cosaria the letter and said, "We should put this in the envelope with your reply."
Cosaria said, "There's really no need for that. What if he takes offense?"
"It will do no harm in telling him the truth. If he is your friend, and NOT in love with you, then it won't matter. Will it?"
"I suppose not. But what if he's offended that I assumed he's in love with me."
"My letter makes that assumption. Not yours. If he's mad about me assuming, then that will be directed towards me. Not you."
"Oh, but are you sure that's okay?"
"It's necessary."
"Very well."
After Cosaria finished her letter, Tilda put the two parchments into the envelope and sent it off to be mailed.
༻✧༺
Lord Angelo was euphoric to receive Cosaria's letter. Her words were exactly what his soul wanted to hear. But that maid's letter was odd. He simply disregarded it. For one, it was written by a maid, not the lady in waiting. Therefore, it had no merit. It was probably a jealous maid too, one who didn't know how to mind her own business. Completely uncalled for. Thus was Tilda's warning unheeded.