My first day with the emperor wasn't so bad. I was shifted to a room on the east wing of the palace, far away from Verbena, and was given a bigger bed than I had back in Kralen. The uniform was a light flowy dress, which reached my knees, the fabric so light, I was afraid to get water on it. Verbana did raise some complaints about me being far but when Orion personally visited her with two maids at his side, she went silent. The first task which Emiline gave me was to make sure that the water in the pot, on the window sill in his bedroom was filled.
I didn't ask why, because it wasn't my position to ask questions. But I soon got my answer when I went into his room the third time to check on the water. Three beautiful doves were sitting on the sill, drinking from the pot. I had to stop mid-way, to not scare them, and hold my breath.
But sadly one of the doves saw me and took flight, making the other two leave as well. I was distraught, but still went over and filled the water again. His room looked over two gardens of the palace, and the city opening up where the palace grounds stopped. The smoke from the factories rising in the air, the clouds had taken over today, threatening to pour down. Monsoon season, Emiline told me, it's when the farmers get ready for the rain, when the people shelter up their homes for the storms and the children take out their toys to play in the puddles. I looked to my left and saw a river a bit further from the city, disappearing into the forest.
"How's the view?" a deep voice came from behind me and I turned around abruptly, scared of being caught.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I was here to fill up the pot and became distracted." I quickly bowed to him. Orion was leaning against the doorframe, his robe discarded, his hair disheveled as he wore a white shirt that was covered in mud, along with his black trousers.
"I didn't ask for your apology, I asked how is the view?"
"It's….. beautiful. I.. you can see everything from here. The town, the factories, the river. I didn't know there was a river." I chuckled, "and the gardens down below, you can even smell the fruits."
Orion smiled. "I know, that's why I chose this bedroom." he pulled himself from the door and closed it behind him. I took that action as my cue to leave. I bowed to him and started walking away when he stopped me.
"How is your new room?"
"It's good. Comfortable." I gave him a polite smile and saw as his eyes lingered over mine and then slowly, moved down. My breath hitched, and I moved before his eyes went down much further.
"Colette." he stopped me again when I put my hand on the doorknob.
"Yes, Your Majesty?" I replied without turning around. Hiding my blush.
"Help me dispel the rumors tonight. I will send you a note, soon. Follow the instructions."
I gulped, "Yes, Your Majesty."
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It was after dinner when I received his note through Emiline. I hadn't gotten ready for bed yet, knowing he would call me soon.
"Take the right passageway when you come to my room."
I don't know what I was expecting to happen tonight when he asked my help to dispel the rumors but I was sure Orion wouldn't harm me in any way. The right passageway? Did he mean the corridor which runs connects the guest house to the stairs leading to his room? But that would mean everyone would see me walking there into his room. According to the rules, no maid or staff enters without permission from the emperor after hours.
I took a quick look in the mirror and twisted my hair into a braid. I washed my face, and added a bit of perfume, just a tiny bit which Verbena gave me when she couldn't handle the smell of the chicken soup on me. I held on to the note tightly, in case someone stopped me on the way and exited the room. The guest house had few people staying. The count and countess, Grace and her family, and an Earl, according to Emiline.
If Orion wanted them to notice me, making my way toward his room, then his plan failed because the doors were closed and the hallway was empty. The moon illuminated the hallway from the circular windows. I wonder what will Verbena say when she finds out about this rumor. She would punish me, but she wouldn't either. Because i didn't serve her anymore, I was under the emperor and I doubt Orion was the type of man who overlooked injustice.
I turned a corner, to walk up the stairs when slight giggling and whispers caught my attention. I stopped, hiding my frame behind the wall. I slowly peered and saw a figure of a woman, talking to someone. Her back was to me. The girl moved just an inch and I saw that her company was a man, I couldn't make out his face or his features in the dark but my eyes went wide when I recognized the girl.
Jasmine giggled again, covering her mouth, moving a step away from the man, and stepping under the moonlight. Her features illuminated dark skin, amber eyes, long lashes, and black hair. This was my chance, I thought. To make his plan succeed, I needed to interrupt them.
I came out from behind the wall, making sure my footsteps were audible enough for them. Jasmine looked at me, scared for a second and then her expression changed to relief. "Why are you roaming the hallways?" she asked, I glanced at the man who had hidden in the shadows.
"The emperor called for me," I replied, keeping my head down.
"At this time?" she looked at her company, probably asking him but the man didn't respond. "Wait, is he…..already?" She was still talking to his company.
"I should go, his majesty is waiting." I bowed to her and left before she could ask me anything. Well that went well, I thought, happy with myself, I couldn't wait to tell Orion about this. Something I achieved on my own.
I knocked on his door and a few seconds later it opened, Orion stood on the other side, wearing a silk light blue robe. He stepped aside to let me in and then closed the door behind me. I turned around and quickly told him about what I saw.
"Jasmine caught me coming into your room, she was with a man I didn't quite recognize, but I think your plan worked on her." Orion nodded, staring at me.
"What about the guests? Did anyone see you?" he walked towards his bed and sat on the edge.
"No, Your Majesty. The hallway was empty. Everyone must've retired to their rooms after dinner."
He nodded again and went into deep thought as I stood there awkwardly, waiting for his next order. But after a while when he didn't speak and my thoughts jumbled up, i broke the silence. "What should I do first, Your Majesty?" my voice came out as a whisper and it made it much worse as if I was insinuating something else.
"Stay the night. Can you do that?" he wasn't ordering me, he was asking me. I had a choice here, for the first time i could deny him. Deny the emperor, a voice inside me laughed. "Just stay the night. That it." he added. I looked around his room, it was a bigger suite but it only had one bed, a king size and if i would spent the night here, the only place to sleep was either the floor, or the sofa's in the other room.
"Yes, Your Majesty." i replied, feeling confident. It's only one night, we both gain something from this. Orion smiled again, got up and walked over to the right side of the bed, he climbed up and slipped under the covers.
"May i sleep on the couch, your Majesty?" i asked.
"No." he grumbled from the bed, "Come here." i stared him with an open mouth as he patted to the left side of the bed, his eyes closed.
"Are you sure?" i whispered again, suddenly feeling insecure and hot.
"Did i stutter?"
I quickly walked over to the left side, and hesitated before climbing up. The mattress dipped under my weight and i felt him shift under the covers. He turned away from me. Slowly i slipped inside the covers, it was soft and cool, not to hot, perfect for the weather of Waedal. I looked at Orion his back to me, his shoulders were wide, covered in faint scars. Scars that i wanted to trace, i wanted to touch his back, knowing it was warm.
I fisted my hands and turned to the other side, lookng at the closed window, and not knowing when sleep overtook me.