Chapter 6
Come morning, I entered his room with a lowered head and hurried towards the dining table.
From the corner of my eye, I could see him sitting at his desk, reading something.
The plates from the day before, I noticed, were licked clean.
He even ate the burned potatoes. When I was setting up his table, I did suspect that what I was serving him was surely not enough, and now, considering the sheer size of him, I was sure that last night his appetite lingered on.
I wished that the thought didn’t bother me.
On the contrary, I wished for it to please me, but it wasn’t just a night or two where I had slept on a growling stomach not to feel the slightest bit of guilt.
I replaced the empty plates with ones overflowing with fruit, bread, honey, and a variety of goat’s cheese.
Then I rushed for the door, ignoring the ice-filled glass and silver coin, which were now displayed on the side table.
I wished I had the courage to roll my eyes at him, but I didn’t. I didn’t even dare to meet his gaze.
“Good morning, Cordelia.” His voice alone almost startled me.
I wasn’t going to wish him a good day, but a quiet voice came out of me, and I replied somewhat reluctantly, “Good morning, Lord Hailin.”
And each day for the next few days was a repetition of “Good morning, Cordelia,” or “Good afternoon to you, too,” or “Good night, Lord Hailin.” The only thing that changed was the portion of food, which I gradually increased.
How can someone possibly eat that much?
Today, I was making his bed when he called my name. “Cordelia?”
“Yes, Lord Hailin.”
He stood. “Tomorrow is going to be a very long day for me.” I fluffed his pillow, awkwardly waiting for him to go on. “I need you to bring my breakfast at dawn as I will start my day early.”
I nodded. “I will let them know about your request. Good d—”
“You have to inform someone about slight changes in my breakfast schedule?” he asked, moving around the desk and taking a few steps towards me. I let go of the pillow and instinctively took just as many steps back, angling myself towards the door.
“Oh, no. I mean, in case I’m no longer your servant. I will let them know about your request, to make sure someone comes, at dawn.”
“You’re asking them not to serve me anymore?”
He took another step. I countered it.
“No, we have no say in who we serve,” I replied quietly.
“Then what’s going to change by tomorrow?” he pressed.
I hesitated at first, but then I spoke. “Mr. Mounir—he should be back today. I’m sure he’ll change our duties.”
“Mr. Mounir? I assume he is the husband of…what was it that you called her? The ever-so-lovely seamstress?”
Another step forward. Another step back.
“Her brother,” I corrected. “There are no husbands or wives here, Lord, only companions.”
“Ah, yes, I forgot the Rameli do not marry. And let me guess, this brother of hers, is he just as lovely?”
I took another step back, finally glimpsing the exit.
“Some say the Mounirs are equally as lovely, but I think Mr. Mounir is this much lovelier,” I replied, holding my index finger and my thumb close together without them touching. He snorted at the gesture.
I reached for the door handle.
“Wait. Before you leave.” My eyes squeezed shut.
I swore that he was going to say something annoying about the iced glass of water and the silver coin he always seemed to have ready on display whenever I entered his room.
“How do you snuff out this thing? I can’t seem to be able to put the fire out. ”
My eyes snapped open and I whirled around.
“Do not touch that!” I blurted out the words so assertively, I managed to stop him from grabbing the silver-encrusted pocket.
He raised both hands in surrender. “All right, all right.”
“That must remain on at all times.” My tone was firm, gaze settled on the flame.
“May I at least ask why I cannot sleep in the dark?”
I looked at him, straight into his eyes.
I even dared taking a small step towards him.
And despite knowing that he wouldn’t understand, wouldn’t care, I still voiced, “That flame burns for the people of Ilma, for the pain that they suffered. I’m afraid it doesn’t take into account your sleeping preferences.
But you could always request to move to a different room. ”
Please say yes.
The air went still, and I swore I glimpsed his eyes softening.
The unexpected gesture made the rest of his features to appear kind, almost. I had thought him incapable of anything other than sharp stares.
It must have been like Ralfe and Tomas said, about the Fae, their striking features honed as part of a weapon, a mousetrap.
“Oh, no, there is no need.” Even his low voice tenderised, and I must admit, it caught me off guard.
I watched him stare deeply into the flame, and for a little less than a second, I might have glimpsed melancholy on his face. For some reason, it made me queasy.
“At what time would you like your lunch and dinner to be served, Lord Hailin?”
“Good night, Cordelia.”
I wished him what I assumed—hoped, even—was a final good night.
I made to leave, but as I turned on my heel, a knock sounded at the door and Lord Aegir invited in whoever was behind it.
When the door opened, I regretted last week’s wish—I decided that I preferred Mounir to never return.
My gut tensed at the sight of him. The keys at his paunch clinked as he made his way in.
Mounir glanced my way and held my stare as if expecting me to say something. “My condolences, Mr. Mounir,” I said quietly.
“Delia, Delia, Delia. I cannot decide if you are incapable of learning, or if you were simply born rude and arrogant and can never unlearn it. How dare you speak before His Highness? Stay near the wall and I’ll let you know when you can speak.
” I could feel the Ice Prince’s eyes darting between Mounir and me.
They felt heavy, just like the tray I was made to hold while I stood there, waiting for Mounir’s orders.
“I apologise on her behalf, Lord Aegir Hailin. I also apologise for not being present to oversee your stay myself. Unfortunately, I had to attend a Sand Cremation Ceremony for my brother’s passing. May Amfir accept his soul.”
“My condolences, Mr. Mounir.”
“Thank you, Prince Hailin. My second has informed me that you and your men arrived earlier than anticipated and so she had to accommodate and serve you with little preparation whatsoever. She assigned you this room, but if you’d like, I can move you down to the first floor, closer to your men.
The rooms are freshly painted. And I am, of course, also here to discuss any changes that you’d like, to ensure that your stay is a pleasurable one. ”
Oh, I should have kept my mouth shut. I shouldn’t have bargained with him, or at least I shouldn’t have bargained the way I did—greedily. Now I had to trust that he would keep his promise of secrecy.
“Delia! I decided that I want to hear Lord Hailin’s requests without an audience. Go wait with the others in the servants’ quarters. I’ll be there soon to let you know your new roles.”
I nodded and hurried to the door.
“Delia!” I froze. “You are impossible, you know. You were leaving without wishing good night to His Highness.”
“I had already wished him good night, right before you arrived,” I replied quietly.
I swear his mildly tanned skin reddened a shade or two.
“Get out of my sight,” Mounir barked.
“Goodbye, Lord Hailin.” My last words to him before closing the door.
Well, it seemed that I was fucked either way.
We were all lined up against the kitchen counter waiting for Mounir as if we were waiting for the executioner. The room falling eerily silent marked his arrival, as did his keys. Clara’s hands went behind her back, hiding their tremble.
“The promised servants will be starting with us tomorrow, three of them. Expect changes.”
Silence.
“Sabriela, starting tomorrow, you are assigned to take care of the Belzari twins. Lady Devora has decided that she would like the twins to attend the School of Dunes with the other noble children of Sharlam. You are to wake them, serve them breakfast, prepare their lunches, and take them to school. You are, of course, to do whatever else Lady Devora asks of you. Oh! And do not forget! You cannot take the twins beyond school territory without a family member or without their guard. You do not take them anywhere else other than to school and back, and you have to use the underground passage beneath the castle. Do you understand?”
“Of course, Mr. Mounir. I understand,” she replied, her voice calm and strong.
I could tell that she was thrilled just from her posture, the rest of her face impassive.
Good girl. She knew better than to show him any emotion.
She’d quickly learned it would be used against us and adapted like a true survivor.
Sabi loved the Belzari twins. She used to play with them when she first came here.
“While they’re at school, you are to return here immediately and serve tea on the first and second floors.”
“Mr. Mounir, do I have to serve the Fae males as well?” she asked quietly, her eyes dimming.
“Yes, obviously, Sabriela. School starts early in the morning, so you are dismissed. Go to bed, now.” He turned to Nadya.
“Nadya, starting tomorrow, you are assigned to serve the three princesses of Lady Nadania for their morning and evening routines.” Nadya reached for the parchment.
“Don’t lose it. It’s their weekly schedule.
Oh, and Princess Yasmina’s birthday is next week.
So tomorrow morning, you are to accompany Princess Maryam and Princess Eleanora to buy her a gift. Understood?”
Nadya nodded.
“You’re dismissed. Ralfe and Tomas, you are to serve the council members, clean their chambers, and continue working in the laundry room in between servings. The new servants will be assigned to Lord Hailin’s men. Dismissed.
“Clara, your kitchen duties remain, but only until noon. After that, you’re on laundry duty.” She only gave him a small nod, her eyes broken as always. She had barely taken a step. “Did you hear me dismiss you? Wait there.
“Delia, you are to remain serving Lord Hailin. The instant you are not doing that, I want you either down in the laundry room or in the servants’ kitchen, depending on what is needed for the day. Farah or myself will assign you accordingly.” His face remained impassive as he gave out the order.
How in gods’ names did he leave me assigned to him? I nodded and made to leave. He snatched my arm, yanking me back.
Two days—I spent only two days without a bruised arm.
“Don’t feel privileged that you’ll remain serving the prince. It’s only temporary, and do not even think about slacking off.” His hand pressed. “You are to attend to his needs, then leave his room immediately. Do you understand?” His malicious voice delivered the intended threat.
“Yes, Mr. Mounir.”
“Dismissed.”