11. A Little Bit of Magic
The following two months passed in a blur. Skylar's days were so packed that she got up at dawn, and it was already late at night when she returned to her room. She rarely had the strength to do anything but collapse on the bed and sleep.
Thanks to being included in the Queen's entourage, Skylar made enormous progress.
It was hard at first. The nobles still loved making fun of her and tried to get under her skin, but she got better at controlling her emotions and temper.
Elinora became the closest thing to a friend Sky could hope for.
She was still a bit wary about the Queen, as something of the predator in her kept everyone else in line, but she had only shown Skylar support so far.
Gawyn kept his word, and they dined together almost every evening.
Skylar started anticipating those meals pretty quickly.
After all the bustle of the court and putting on a false mask for the whole day, it felt good to unwind.
The first few evenings were a bit awkward when neither knew how to talk to each other.
But as soon as Skylar stopped trying too hard, it all came naturally.
Her first impression of Gawyn was that he was an unfeeling and distant statue, but now she realised he was just terrific in concealing his genuine emotions.
He seemed cold and unapproachable when he was in public, but she noticed he also started to let down his guard when they were alone.
He had a dry sense of humour - sometimes, he was saying the funniest things with a solemn face.
He usually looked at her in surprise when she was snorting with laughter as if he weren't used to people finding his jokes funny.
They still clashed, though, especially when Gawyn discovered that she continued with her training, going out long after the sunset for, as he called it, waving Preston's sword around.
Or when he insisted that she should have taken off her family's pendant when they were going out, which she refused every time.
But luckily, in the last few weeks, Skylar realised she genuinely enjoyed her husband's company.
"You are unusually thoughtful today," Gawyn said, throwing her off her reverie. "Something on your mind?"
"Actually, yes. I've been thinking about this idea for some time now, but I'm afraid you're not going to like it," Skylar replied.
The General sighed. "Probably not. What is it?"
"You know how we still have trouble convincing some noble families to unite."
"That's nothing new."
"Well, Elinora thinks they would be more willing to cooperate if we show more openness towards the public."
"Meaning?" asked Gawyn taking a sip of his wine. "What do they want? More entertainment? I think enough invitations for ridiculous parties at the court are sent out every week."
"She suggested that we should host an official gathering here, in Evergreen," said Skylar quietly, getting ready for an argument.
The General narrowed his eyes. "Absolutely not. That's the worst idea I've ever heard."
"Why? I think she's right. We keep saying we need all the kingdom to unite, but at the same time, you still keep distance from everyone."
"So what, suddenly you love parties so much, you want to host one?" he mocked.
"Of course not! If it were up to me, I would never go to the court again, and you know it." She scoffed. "Unfortunately, none of us is in the position to ignore the social protocol."
Gawyn laughed mirthlessly. "To think I will see the day you will use social protocol against me."
"Isn't that what you wanted? For me to be a well-behaved noble lady to attend all the fancy banquets and such?" Skylar asked and pulled her lips into a pout.
"Now, when it's happening, you are rather scary," the General said with a smirk.
"I can wear a sword next time we go to the palace if that makes you feel better," Skylar replied with a saccharine smile.
"And end up killing the first fool who offends you? I think not. Getting back to the topic. I will not have a band of petty nobles walking around my home. I have all sorts of important documents in my office, and I won't put them at risk by throwing a party."
"It's just a party. We narrow the public area to the few rooms on the ground floor and put the guards there to turn all the wanderers away." Sky shrugged. "Are you saying you keep here more important stuff than they do in the palace?"
"No, but that doesn't mean I'll act like a fool just to gain an appraisal from a few all-important imbeciles."
"Even if it helps the King with uniting Lamyria?"
Gawyn was looking at her in silence for a moment. Skylar already got used to that and held his gaze without flinching. He looked intimidating, but she knew he was carefully considering all the arguments before speaking. "Why are you so determined to host this party?" he asked eventually.
"Elinora told me that all I've done so far is not enough. I'm still mocked or mostly ignored at the court. She thinks if I host a banquet where I'm actually in charge, the nobles could not ignore me anymore. They would have to accept my position here,
or if they choose not to respond to the invitation, they will miss out on the important social gathering. Either way, we would gain more influence amongst the nobles."
The General tapped on his glass. "Do you agree with her?"
"Honestly, I don't relish the idea any more than you do. But I do think it will be beneficial for the Crown and us. So, yes, I agree with her."
Gawyn sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You were right. I do hate this idea. But unfortunately, you may have a point."
"Is that a yes to the party, then?"
"It's: I'll think about it. But if we want to do this, we will have to plan everything to the tiniest detail, which means many late nights on top of our daily duties. Are you prepared for it?"
Skylar grinned. "You'd better make sure you can keep up with me."
Kayla brushed her hair while Skylar was going through the list of all the nobles to make sure she would not omit anyone by mistake.
She was so focused on her task that she barely paid attention to what the servant was doing.
She blinked and looked up at the mirror when she heard a little sniffling noise.
The handmaid looked pale, and her eyes were all red and swollen, though she was doing her best to keep her face neutral.
"Kayla?" Skylar asked, turning around on her chair to look at the girl. "Has something happened?"
"It's nothing important, my lady. Please don't trouble yourself," the servant replied, avoiding eye contact.
"It's certainly is something. You look shaken," Skylar got up and gently put Kayla on the chair instead. She kneeled in front of her and got hold of her hands. "Tell me."
Kayla sobbed, and a few tears escaped her eyes. "Yesterday, something terrible happened. I had a day off, so my husband and I went to the city to meet with some friends. We were having a great time until one of our companions took out a knife and started stabbing whoever got close to him."
"Oh, gods." Skylar squeezed the girl's hands tighter. "Were you or your husband hurt?"
"No, but it was just sheer luck." Kayla sniffled and wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "There was so much blood, my lady. I've never seen so much blood."
"It's all right, dear. It's all over now," Sky said and hugged the trembling servant. "What happened to that aggressive person?"
"When the guards finally arrived, he just stabbed himself. It was horrible, my lady! Since we were children, I've known this man, and I swear he's never hurt a fly! It was like he completely lost his mind!"
"I'm so sorry, Kayla."
"People say it's a plague. Every day you hear more and more about accidents like that. What if it's contagious? He was working closely with my husband. What if he is next? What if..."
"Shh, don't say that. It will be all right. I think I have something that might help you."
Kayla pulled away to look at her with hope in her tearful eyes. "But, my lady, I'm just a lowly servant. I wouldn't dare to ask...."
"You, my dear, are my handmaid," Skylar interrupted her. "And I will not have you or your family suffer or put in danger if I can do something to prevent it. Even if my husband won't like it much."
"My lady?" the confused servant asked.
Skylar smiled. "I need you to do some shopping for me."
Gawyn was exhausted. The King forced him to accompany him in visiting local smithies.
Considering the last two cases of unexplained violent episodes happened to people hired there, it was necessary to show everyone they treated things seriously.
The General scoffed. As if going there and looking around could help anyhow.
He still had all today's reports to analyse, and he also expected Skylar to push him to consider more things to allow for the party she was preparing.
Gawyn was surprised when his lips unconsciously formed a small smile.
He wouldn't admit it, but he did enjoy their little after-hours work in the evenings.
She was not the worst person to work with.
Even though she lacked so much because of her poor education, she made up with enthusiasm and ferocity with which she fought him for things that were important to her.
She looked magnificent in those moments.
Gawyn frowned and forced his thoughts to get back to work-related matters.
It was unlike him to waste time on such unproductive thoughts.
But even though he tried, he couldn't quite get rid of a vision of his wife looking at him with a fire in her dark eyes.
He sighed and gave up. At least they were having dinner now, so that should be enough to put his mind at ease.
But when the General entered the dining room, he stopped in his tracks.
The long table was swamped with piles of herbs, roots, and other trash.
Numerous servants were sitting there and crafting little bracelets or charms, combining different ingredients that Skylar was grouping up for them from the main supply.
Even Preston was there, his fingers nimbly braiding various vines and herbs in patterns that could probably even be sold at a flea market.