10. Emilia
Chapter 10
Emilia
T he trip from Timas’ suite to Lady Dahlia’s was easy enough, but not quick enough. The sun had already risen by the time I entered the room Sigrid and I shared. Sigrid was just tying off her apron as I closed the door, giving me a questioning look.
“Good morning, Sigrid. Did you sleep all right?” Maybe if I pretend nothing is off, she won’t ask me about it. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
“Where have you been this morning?” I fold my cloak, which gives away that I most definitely went somewhere and set it on my trunk.
“Oh…I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk.” My most commonly used lie could be a better one, but most of the time, it works. Sigrid is starting to notice a pattern, I’m sure.
“Mmhmm.” My palms are sweating, and the anxiety that lives in my stomach makes itself known, but I am intent on keeping my facial features calm to maintain my story .
“You and Ethan have been getting along really well.” Is she making a statement or asking a question? Turning to look at her, she has a bit of a smirk on her face.
“Well, I suppose he’s nice. We talk sometimes.” I swallow hard, trying hard not to fidget. I’m not even sure why I’m nervous; it’s not like I have any interest in Ethan.
“I see how he looks at you… have you been sneaking out to meet him by chance?” I nearly coughed and choked on some saliva–I was not expecting that accusation. Sigrid just laughs and smiles.
“Come now. I was young once, and I understand the desire to meet someone. You both are around the same age, so it would only make sense that you would connect.” A smile creeps onto my face.
“He’s nice.” I’m not lying. He is nice. I have no interest in him, but if Sigrid thinks I am sneaking off to see him, it’s better than sneaking off to see my brother and then stumbling upon the King. Yes, I would prefer ‘young love’ as the reason for my absences.
“Oh Emilia, you are too sweet. Now come, we need to get to Lady Dahlia’s room before she yells at us and throws things again.” I wince at the memory. She once sent a vase flying across the room because Sigrid and I were two minutes later than she wanted. It was a lovely vase, too.
“Of course.” Sigrid heads out of the room while I shuck off my wet boots and slip on my flats, which are more appropriate for work. I dust off some of the visible dirt; hopefully, Lady Dahlia won’t notice. Lady Dahlia’s suite is right next to the small room Sigrid and I are staying in, and when I push the heavy wooden door open, I can already hear her yelling and complaining.
“What is this?”
“Tea, my lady.” The small Fae woman holding a tray says.
“It does not smell like tea. It smells dreadful.” Lady Dahlia pushes the beautiful delicate cup away, nearly toppling it to the ground. The Fae woman’s reflexes are quick as she catches the cup before it tips over. Lady Dahlia stands from the small table she was sitting at and stomps into the bathing chamber. Sigrid follows her but nods towards the poor woman, collecting the tea cup and teapot.
“I’m so sorry, she isn’t exactly… a morning person.” I reach the table and try to help clean up some tea that Lady Dahlia’s abrupt exit had spilled. What an ungrateful woman. The lovely Fae woman, with her long blonde hair braided in intricate braids, meekly smiles at me.
“It’s fine.” She tries to cover the nerves I know she is feeling. It’s a feeling I know too well.
“No, it’s not, she’s a terror.” The woman seems shocked by my honest response, but her large smile gives way, and a small laugh surfaces.
“I didn’t realize that humans were just like us.” She finishes putting the items on her tray .
“It’s not much different serving human nobles, I’m afraid. Well, other than that, we don’t have any powers, but we have annoying nobles who often treat their staff like dirt.”
“We do, too.”
“What’s your name?”
“My name is Laen. What is yours?”
“Emilia. Laen, it’s nice to meet you. Does the kitchen have black tea, by any chance? That is the only kind Lady Dahlia will drink.”
“Of course. I will fetch it right away.”
“You can just knock at the door. I will bring it to her so you don’t have to deal with her.” She bows her head slightly before thanking me and leaving.
The wardrobe where we hung her dresses yesterday sits slightly ajar, reminding me I should lay out a dress for her.
“I swear if that whimsy weed is still out there, I can not be held responsible for my actions.” Lady Dahlia nearly yells that as she exits the bathing chambers. I’m mortified she would use such a term. Calling a Fae person a whimsy weed is such a derogatory term! I am so glad Laen isn’t here. Lady Dahlia is a guest to the KING, and yet she insults the Fae people! Some days , I think, I don’t know how much more of this I can handle.
“Emilia! The pink dress. The Blossom Celebration is this afternoon, and I want to look delicate and demure to attract the King’s attention.” My hand grabs the pink dress, but I can’t help but squeeze it hard. The very idea that Timas might find Lady Dahlia remotely attractive sends a spike of jealousy through me that feels raw and unnatural. Loosening my grip, I try to lay the dress on her bed delicately. “He can’t ignore me for long. Today’s event is supposed to be where the Fae find and start their bonds with one another. With any luck, the King will give me a flower, and we can finally stop pretending we aren’t interested in each other.” She sighs dramatically.
Unbelievable. She can’t possibly think the King would be interested in her.
“Why did this event have to take place outside, though? It will be hot and bright, and my allergies will certainly act up. I’m not an outdoors type of woman. That will be the first thing I change when I become Queen. You both will attend today, so wear your nicer outfits–I don’t need you embarrassing me. Bring the white umbrella to match; you can hold that while I walk around. Oh, the things I do for love.”
So many thoughts. I have so many thoughts. She can’t honestly think she can change an ENTIRE race and their customs because she doesn’t like them? Her father did her a disservice, allowing her to get whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.
“Of course, My Lady.” Sigrid is always so polite despite the attitude Lady Dahlia gives.
The morning races by, and we spend the entire morning and past mealtime getting Lady Dahlia ready. We barely had enough time to go and change, let alone eat. The Blossom Celebration is being held on the palace grounds; an entire grove of cherry blossom trees is just behind it. I have never seen anything like it before. Large Cherry Blossom trees create a canopy for us to walk under. White lanterns hang from the branches, and it feels so very magical. Soft music plays, but I can’t find the musicians. Fae men and women mingle about, laughing and smiling with one another. Signs covered in vines and white flowers hang from some of the tree branches, some telling you what the games are and some sharing facts about the grove. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a young Fae man walk up to a beautiful Fae woman and bow deeply to her. Her cheeks flush pink as he stands again, a crown of flowers in his hands, and he offers it to her. She clasps her hands in front of her, smiling and nodding. He places it on her head, picks her up, and swings her around. They look so happy. They look in love. My heart aches for that, to find that love. Too bad there are other things to worry about right now.
“EMILIA!” Lady Dahlia whisper-yells. Startled out of my perusal of the area, I face my mistress.
“Sorry, My lady.” I didn’t mean to ignore her, I was simply overwhelmed with, well, everything. Lady Dahlia huffs and clasps her hands in front of herself.
“I am getting warm. Fan me.” She demands. Quickly pulling the lace fan out, I start fanning her as we walk through the grove. We finally make it to the middle of the grove, where gorgeous flowers and vines surround a small square, raised platform. They seem to somehow be a part of the platform, not just placed around it. A hush falls over the people just as I see him, Timas, enter the gathering. Stunning. He is absolutely stunning as his long hair shines in the light. It can’t be normal to be that attractive, can it? His blue eyes scan the space, and they stop abruptly on me, piercing me with the intensity of the sun. My heart beats faster, and my cheeks heat. If only I could turn the fan on myself.
Timas stands on the raised platform looking out onto the crowd, his diplomatic smile strategically placed on his face. It looks forced, but that’s what’s required when you are a King, I suppose.
“Welcome, esteemed guests and kinsmen. Welcome to the Blossom Celebration. Under these Cherry Blossoms, we come together to celebrate new love. For our guests, this is a time that we, the Fae, seek out our bond. Over the centuries, many Fae men and women have found their bond, and if they are lucky, their spirit bonds.” Everyone applauds at that, but Timas’ eyes look directly at me. “This is a sacred bond between two souls that we covet.”
“Utterly ridiculous. Who could believe in such an unbelievable idea?” Lady Dahlia mutters under her breath. I can’t help but subtly glare at her for insulting such a beautiful connection—a connection so deep that merely saying you love someone can’t possibly describe the depth of those feelings. It strikes me strongly at that moment that Timas believes I am his spirit bond. I could have that connection, someone who craves to be with you and know you so profoundly that it’s all-consuming.
“We invite our guests to enjoy the festivities, and I wish my kinsmen blessings on the pairs that will be created today. As we usher in the new spring, we can celebrate the new life growing this day.” The Fae people shout and dance at the end of Timas’ speech. Servants wander around with food and drink, distributing it to the partygoers. Lady Dahlia hits my hand down, trying to get me to stop fanning her, and to my shock, I see Timas, the King, heading right toward us. My palms sweat as I hope he isn’t coming here to talk to me. How will I explain that to Lady Dahlia? I step back with Sigrid, as is protocol, to allow Lady Dahlia some privacy.
Timas comes to stand in front of Lady Dahlia, a polite smile across his face.
“Your Majesty! What a beautiful gathering! I adore the natural aesthetic of the party.” Lady Dahlia is talking in a high and very fake voice, which wears on the nerves. You can tell how fake she is, but somehow, she thinks men want her to sound dumb and high-pitched. Or maybe that’s what the human men want. I don’t know.
“Thank you, Lady…” Timas lets it hang there, knowing full well who she is. However, Lady Dahlia takes it in stride, walking closer to him and laying her hand on his arm.
“Lady Dahlia, Duke Hemmet’s daughter, do you not remember? We spoke yesterday at the dinner.” My stomach sours at the sight of her touching him, and a completely irrational feeling of wanting to claw her hands off him nearly overwhelms me. What in the world? Timas steps back from her, letting her hand drop in the process. A small part of me was happy about that, but the larger part was enraged that she had touched him. My anxiety continues to grow, especially since Lady Dahlia is not deterred. Timas has actually moved in my direction, which should make me happier, but it just doesn’t feel close enough.
This time, Lady Dahlia walks up and pushes out her chest, trying to entice Timas’ eyes to look down at her dress. I try flexing my hands and digging my nails into my palms to keep from doing anything that will jeopardize my job, but watching all this unfold is hard to endure. Sigrid notices me and comes up closer to me. Under her breath, she whispers, “Are you ok?”
I shake my head slightly because words are too hard to form right now. I can’t look at Timas. What if he is enjoying Lady Dahlia’s attention? In truth, she is beautiful–it would make sense if he were tempted by that. I can’t take it anymore when Lady Dahlia places both hands on Timas’ chest. I need to get out of here. Without much thought, I turn and head out of the grove, far away from Lady Dahlia and her filthy hands that are all over Timas, my Timas. I vaguely hear Lady Dahlia ask where I am going, and Sigrid responds that I have suddenly become ill, but I don’t really pay attention. I need to get away from this and find somewhere to have a minute alone.