Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
CYPRIEN
Late that afternoon, I sat in my room surrounded by open chests, ones that I hadn’t dared to touch since they’d been sealed.
When my father died, my mother had carefully packed away his clothing and accessories until I was ready for them.
When she married Octavius, he carelessly shoved them in the attic, thinking they were all beneath him.
Each trunk was like a time capsule and by the time they all laid open in front of me, tears poured down my cheeks.
My father had been a wealthy man. There were many fine pieces of clothing and jewelry, even the finest leather boots and gloves.
They may have been decades out of fashion, but they were in impeccable shape.
I found myself grateful that my stepfather had never opened the trunks.
Had he done so, he’d have surely sold it all–regardless of the promises he made to my mother.
I would have to be careful what I chose to comprise my costume.
Anything with too fine of a fabric, or something still in fashion would prompt Octavious to search the rest of the clothing.
I couldn’t bear the thought of him selling my father’s things to pay for…
anything, really. They were mine.. I wasn’t going to let him get his grubby hands on the only thing I had left of my father.
Finally, I found the chest with my father’s masquerade clothes in it.
He didn’t have many costumes, but the ones he did own were magnificent.
Still, I found myself overwhelmed by the sparse options.
I had several outfits laid out on the floor, but couldn’t fathom how to put the pieces together.
Hats, masks, and other accessories sat in one pile, shirts and pants in another, then footwear and outerwear.
Unsure of where to start, I picked up the one mask that had caught my eye.
It was black leather with lace trim and only covered the top half of my face.
It resembled a devil or other such evil thing with a strong brow and deeply cut eyes and fit perfectly.
There was a matching pair of black, knee-high boots, but that was all I had.
I couldn’t show up in just a mask and boots–I’d be arrested.
Chittering coming from the window distracted me from my thoughts.
I turned just in time to see Chuck fall through the window, followed by Lila and Bowie thudding to the floor behind him.
Their nails skittered across the floor. They inspected the piles of clothes, knowing that something exciting was happening.
Then they began pawing at things with their little human-like hands, studying each piece of fabric before dropping it and moving onto the next.
I watched, confused, as they glanced at me periodically.
When they were done with their explorations they all came to stand in front of me and squeak loudly.
“What are you guys going on about now? I see that you’ve examined all of the clothes that I have strewn across the floor.
” Lila crawled into my lap and pawed at my face until I cooperated and turned my head, astonished at what laid in front of me.
A white silk shirt with black pants laid atop one pile, a black cape having been withdrawn from the other.
Bowie had the mask in his hands, and Chuck displayed a top hat and bow tie.
“No fucking way. Did you just pick out a costume for me?”
I took the accessories from the boys, then scooped Lila off of my lap so I could stand.
The raccoons tittered about, touching the items that they clearly wanted me to pick up.
I collected everything and laid it on the bed.
The costume came together before my eyes–a magician.
The fabric of each item was nice but not nice enough to call attention to it.
“I can’t believe that you did this! How?
You’re raccoons, not tailors or valets. Am I losing my mind? What the fuck is going on?”
In response, they climbed out the window and disappeared into the tree. I was left with nothing but piles of clothes on the floor and a costume on the bed. Reason kicked in and I put the extra pieces away, closing up each trunk carefully.
The costume vanished into my dresser and the chests went back under the eaves.
I’d do a complete inventory on them the next day while everyone was out shopping for their costumes.
My stepfather had announced the invitation to his sons–conveniently leaving out the part where I was also invited–and promised to buy them the best pieces.
I didn’t know how he planned to pay for them, but I suspected that some of my mother’s silver would be missing in the morning.
With that unhappy thought in my mind, and Antonia handling the housework, I climbed into bed, deciding to silence my roiling thoughts with the sweet darkness of sleep.
ALARIC
My sister was allowed to have dinner with me that night.
We had been deprived of each other for days, longer than we’d been apart since we were teens.
Travis would be joining us as well. He was Lydia’s only friend aside from myself, and I was looking forward to watching them interact now that Travis had made his intentions known to me.
He arrived first, dressed in his best and more flustered than I’d ever seen him. He consistently fidgeted with his collar and cuffs. He hadn’t spent an evening this intimate with my sister since we were children. I’m sure my being there only added to his anxiety.
“When will she be here?” he pulled on his collar again and smoothed his hands down his vest. It reminded me of the dedication day when he was sworn into the guard. He had looked like a terrified little child until he got in line, then he was all business. I assumed he would be the same today.
“Calm down. She sent word that she was on her way right before you got here.” I looked him up and down and chuckled softly. “Just breathe. She’s the same Lydia you’ve always known.”
“That’s what has me so on edge. She does know me, more than any female. I fear that my past will cast me in a bad light.” He ran his hand through his artfully tousled black hair and sighed. “What if she hates me now?”
“Well, she’s never expressed such feelings to me…
though I can’t imagine that she would talk to her brother about such things.
Just be your usual, charming self and everything will be fine.
” I patted his back as a knock sounded at the door.
He shook himself, seeming to transform right before my eyes.
It was as though he had just emerged from water and relearned how to breathe. Remarkable.
My guards opened the door a moment later and my sister strode in, wearing a deep purple velvet dress that plunged in the front and back and clung to her in such a way that I wanted to cover her up and command her back to her room to change.
She had known Travis would be there, and she most certainly knew what she was doing when she sauntered up to him and allowed him to kiss the back of her hand.
He was lucky that he had regained his composure before she walked in.
Otherwise, she might have put him on the floor.
“Dear brother, it’s been many days since I last saw you and, dare I say, you look terrible.” She gave me a hug after she said it, softening the blow only slightly. “Have you been drinking yourself to sleep every night?”
“No need to worry about me, dearest sister. I have merely found a new obsession and it’s kept me awake these long nights.
” I took her hand and led her to the chair that Travis had pulled out for her, but I could tell that she would not let it go that easily.
Travis pushed her chair in, then winked at me before taking his own seat.
“An obsession you say?” Lydia picked up the thread again as I sat down. “What kind of obsession could drive you to lose so many hours of sleep? You look like a ghost of your usual self.”
I shook my head before returning her gaze, “There are some things about your brother that you do not wish or need to know.”
“Am I to assume that this new obsession is one of those things…” Lydia trailed off, recognition dawning in her eyes. She gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh no, it’s a man. What man have you seen these last few days?”
Travis had the nerve to poorly hide a chuckle. I pointed at him, “Stay out of this, Travis.”
“What, mate? Do you not want your sister to know who it is that has you so undone? Are you ashamed?” Travis teased, not at all afraid of me.
He turned to my sister and smiled. “It’s none other than that farmhand you met while you were out on your little adventure.
He’s been trapped in here for days with nothing but the boy’s memory. ”
Lydia screwed up her face and waved at him dismissively, “Please, I don’t need details, Travis.”
Travis swallowed hard, caught off guard by his name falling off her lips.
He was almost as far gone as I was… which was not something I needed to know, not when it involved my sister.
“Let’s change the subject.” I clapped my hands once and looked between them.
“What horrid thing are you stuck wearing to the ball, Lydia?”
“Please don’t bring that up. It is simply awful. A disgraceful thing of golden taffeta, chiffon, and satin. I am meant to be a golden mermaid, can you believe that?” Her indignation was laughable.
“I, dear sister, am meant to be a golden lion, complete with a ruffled collar and my bared chest painted gold. It’s insulting.” Travis snickered, hearing all of this for the first time. “I’m telling you, it’s like I’m being offered up like a slab of meat!”
“You’re being offered up as a slab of meat?
Do you have to wear golden seashells on your breasts?
Seashells that are too small to fully cover anything and that will need to be glued to your body.
I cannot believe I am to suffer such indignities and you’re worried about having your muscles on display.
” She threw her napkin at me and it hit its mark, right in the middle of my face.
“Well, I will not be allowed to dress in costume. The guard all has to show in uniform. It’s a pity really, I had so many great ideas.” Travis smiled sadly, his attention flickering between us.
“Oh, boohoo. Would you like to be a gilded mermaid in my stead? I would love to go to my father’s ball dressed as a royal guard. It may be the thing that finally takes him out.” We were alone, but I shushed her nonetheless.
“You can’t be openly speaking that way. You know as well as I do that he doesn’t need us anymore.” My teeth were clenched but my tone was calm. “He would happily have us killed for saying something treasonous.”
“Death is almost preferable to what he has planned for us. I shall be forced to carry a child, to become a mother within the next year with someone I do not know or face banishment to the outer kingdoms. And you! You’ll be forced to marry someone you do not know and be expected to put a baby in her, when we both know you cannot.
Am I incorrect?” Lydia’s impassioned rant was not falling on deaf ears.
I could see by the look on Travis’s face that he wanted to declare himself to her.
I slapped his back and nodded, Lydia glanced between us, then narrowed her eyes, “What have the two of you been planning behind my back?”
“Be still, sister. There was no planning behind your back, just a simple request.” I turned back to Travis and ceded the floor to him.
Travis stood and looked longingly at Lydia. “I would never do you such a disservice as to plan anything behind your back. But I know my place, and I needed your brother’s permission before I approached you.”
Lydia narrowed her eyes again but didn’t interrupt, gesturing for Travis to continue.
“Your Highness… Lydia, it would be my honor to offer myself to you for whatever you may need of me. Whether it be just for a dance at the ball or more. If you were to accept me fully, then you’d have no need to marry a stranger.
I would be beyond honored to marry you, I’ve wanted nothing more since we were children.
” He paused and gathered his thoughts for a moment before continuing.
“Don’t think for a moment that this has anything to do with the crown, or that I’m trying to take advantage of the situation.
I truly thought my opportunity had passed me by when I found out what your father had declared.
Your brother knew nothing of this until earlier in the week, so do not believe he was keeping anything from you. ”
He looked winded so I patted his shoulder and pushed him back into his chair, “Sit down, brother, before you faint. Lydia, what do you think of Travis’ proposal, such as it is?”
Lydia sat gobsmacked in her chair, floundering for something to say.
I gave her a few moments and eventually, she gathered herself enough to respond.
“I don’t know what to say, Travis. I had no idea you had such feelings for me.
Had I known sooner, it could have saved much heartache.
You shall have your dance at the ball and we will see about the rest when you ask again that night.
” Then she stood, and practically ran out of the room before the words even settled.
“I think that went well.” Travis broke the silence, “She didn’t turn me down outright.”
I grabbed the table wine and poured us both a drink. “Methinks Lydia may have already been interested in you.” We clinked our glasses together, and I took a long swig.
“You really think so, mate? Well, I’ll be damned, we may make it out of all of this after all.”
I chuckled and slapped his back again. “Aye, I think we just might.”