Everything happened fast. After the shocking news, there was little time to process it before an army of maids came marching into my room. They boxed everything they could, and I watched with Jenni by my side, unsure of what to do. Until the crowd of maids overpowered the room and Jenni slithered away, to go prepare as well. Much was in need to be prepared.
They packed dresses, jewels, pillows, objects. Anything and everything.
Things went and came. Flying and dancing through the room, from hands to hands. I tried to offer my help without avail. The maids were just too preoccupied and stressed to even listen. Almost like my mind was.
After less than a quarter of full sun (which means 15 minutes... these people can be a tad complicated), everything was ready and my room was empty except for the furniture.
My memories, like the room, felt empty. I looked around, alone with my thoughts. There was silence, relief, and worry. Nothing left besides those outrageous golden decor blended with the pink, and my warm pyjamas. I lied... There was... My alchemy books. They stood under the bed, discarded, and in a panic I took them. On my hands, they felt heavy, but they were too precious to leave behind. So I hid them back in one of the small travel bags that were left close to the door.
A little later, Fanny came inside with a dress and shoes in her hands. Like Jenni's attire, mine was also meant to provide some flexibility and comfort instead of pompous beauty.
"Let me help you, my lady." she said, after putting the dress on my naked bed. A phrase she used so often with excitement, yet now it sounded hollow.
I stayed quiet as I let her do what she did every day. During my dressing, I concentrated on the day outside. A pleasant afternoon like every other before, a glorious day on the land of the Sun. A land blessed by prosperity. Even when no drop of rain has fallen on the capital in centuries. To the sun people, rain on palace grounds brings forth doom. Many believe it is a sign of the Goddess anger. It seems, however, that she has been happy for years.
When I was ready I went to my vanity, again letting Fanny do her job. Brush my hair. Her delicate movements were soothing to my mood. They made me calm enough to wonder.
"Is it wise to take a sick person on a travel?" I broke the silence, looking through the glass and watching Fanny stop brushing. She didn't look at me, instead, she put the brush on the vanity and took two simple hairpins from her apron pockets. They were adorned each with two pink flowers.
She arranged my hair and then locked her eyes with mine. Through the glass.
"Lord Emmanuel assured us, that my lady would be healthy enough to go. Besides, he is coming as a chaperone." she replied with a small smile, one that hid a ghost of sadness.
"And... you?" I asked, turning to her, my hand on hers.
"Of course. No one could separate me from my lady!" Fanny grinned, while her eyes watered a little.
I felt better knowing Fanny would join me to the unknown. However, it was all too sudden... too suspicious. I hated this lack of control over my own life. And the fact I had zero energy or will to face it. I was weak. The worst thing I could be around here.
Now ready, I headed outside, followed by Fanny. On the other side of the door, on the floor, was a robust and brown leather travel bag. I saw her taking it without an effort. It was her bag and her belongings. How nonsensical... it took an army of maids to pack my things, but my maid had just a small bag... and my heart shrunk with the knowledge. My steps, usually loud, were quiet in the silent and gloomy halls. It allowed me to listen to the beats of my heart, thundering through my chest.
We reached the main entrance door and weeping servants were standing there, none daring to glance at me. I passed them and went outside through the open door. There, from the top of the marble stairs, I saw the carriage. Plain and sturdy. Far from the ostentation fashion of the Mountnero family. In grey tones, it had no family emblem or anything that could identify it.
It was just plain and sturdy. And I didn't like it. Not one bit.
I stood there, watching from above, getting questioning looks from Fanny. Yet I did not move and I wouldn't move, until I got the answer to my torments.
"Where is the Duke?"I asked, going for a smile. Though from Fanny's face I was not sure it worked that well.
She looked at me with kindness but she said nothing, and my body grew impatient. I hate it. All of it.
Where is that bloody Duke??
Fanny looked around, fixing her eyes on the carriage below. It seemed, she too was having a hard time, so I clutched her arm for support. She moved back to me and put a hand on mine. "I understand, my lady... you are missing the lord." way off the mark Fanny... way off.
"Father won't be joining us." Jenni's detached voice made me and Fanny turn to the entrance door.
Her face was of pure discontentment and she did not try to hide it. Nevertheless, she came to my side and took my hand. Jenni's eyes were far away from mine, stuck on that damned carriage. We were soon joined by Emmanuel, who gently pushed us to move forward.
As we walked downstairs, hearing the cries of our people, I ventured a question to Jenni. "So when is Father joining us?"
Jenni clenched her jaw and yet her eyes continued fixed on the carriage. "Not sure... father is rather busy now... and on the foreseen future."
Most likely doing some "cleaning" somewhere...
I didn't say anything and just walked my way down, concentrating on the horses that would take us to Ae... someplace in the south. They were quite unusual. White and with a golden mane, that sparkled like gold. Quiet horses in a total of eight, they were the prettiest mares I ever saw (not that I saw many, but who cares...).
We finally settled on our carriage and took our seats. It was spacious inside, though the four guests were probably the right number of passengers. I sat side by side with Jenni and had Fanny as my front companion, who now seemed more excited than sad with our leaving. There was a fleeting moment of silence before the roaring noise of the horse hoves began to shake my ears.
That sound soon disappeared under the sad cries of the Mountnero servants. We waved at them, and I felt sadness at our goodbyes. Fanny especially became too emotional and had to choke a tear away. As I watched the big and ostentatious Mountnero palace getting far away, together with the piercing cries, I prepared myself mentally for the trip.
Not that one could prepare enough for such a gruesome experience. The Sun Empire was an enormous country and a trip to the south could take weeks or even months, depending on how far south and how were the roads to get there. And the thought of my poor bum seating all the way down to the south on a carriage was making me headaches, and maybe soon murderous thoughts on a too happy priest...
However, with the passage of time, I felt no discomfort. I started, then, to take notice of the outside world. To my surprise, we were travelling fast, very fast. Way too fast. In my confusion, I looked from my window to the opposite one, focusing on Emmanuel at last. He had a smile on his face as he turned his eyes from his window to me. A smile I could only describe as proud.
"It's a blessed carriage. My best possession. The smoothest ride on the land and with the best horses too. Blessed and fast. We will reach Aerabitina in no time!" he beamed like a child proud of his toy.
Fanny glowed with him too, her excitement more on the side of a child discovering Christmas. And I must admit I became interested in it as well (who wouldn't?! It's a carriage that travels at the same speed as a car!!). Jenni however, remained contemplative, almost sour.
The trip went on, and at our speed, we were able to make several stops without feeling we were dragging it. During one of these rests, while exercising my legs, I was able to catch Emmanuel fairly close by without preying ears. My sister and Fanny had walked to a nearby flower field with some guards.
The rest of the guards watched me from afar while scouting the land. Emmanuel was looking through a hill to an open field that extend out of my vision. He was engrossed on the view, thinking of something only the Goddess could know. I noticed, at a closer glance, small pebbles dancing in his hand. I took the time then to ask him about Flôr di Aniz, which I felt I knew too little about. And it is always good to know more about something that almost killed you.
"It was a gift from the God of Darkness." He tossed a pebble down to the vast plain. Lush and green, it looked as if it breathed and moved. The wind, strong and playful, was responsible for such an illusion.
The plains of Marini. Fanny told me people used to say it was once the land of fairies. Friends of the Goddess of light. She also told me those were just fairytales, made from the superstition of old people. I almost laughed at the irony. Gladly I controlled myself, as it would be hard to explain my thoughts.
I watched Emmanuel breathe, his movements mimicking the wind and scenery. He had wanted to stop at this spot, to see the view and savour the weather. And I let him, waiting for him to continue his talk.
"They are hard to grow and even harder to manipulate. Their poison is deadly and painful. Something, I am sure you can attest for." his voice was withdrawn while he threw another pebble. "Many say the God meant it that way, as a warning. Beauty is deadly and painful." he threw another pebble. "But a gift is a gift and to honour their god, the moon citizens, made Flôr di Aniz their national flower. Their pride."
Emmanuel threw the last pebble, this time in a strong movement, and I could hear it fall against the old stone. Its echo, the only noise in the emptiness around us.
What a degenerate present... A poisonous flower...? Then again, the Moon God was the God of Darkness... but still...
I noticed Emmanuel leave, without a word a go back to the carriage. Whatever he needed to stop for was done. But I continued to watch the plains, Cedric's words making sense now. He didn't want me to think of him as an enemy. Or his people.
However, it was the national flower from his empire. A difficult flower to manipulate didn't mean only Moon people could do it, yet, I suppose, very few outsiders had sufficient knowledge for it. With me marching to the South there would be less danger of a Moon citizen going after me. The deeper into the Sun Empire the dangerous it was for a person graced by the darkness.
The Duke's plan was now clear in my head.
But it was not enough. I would still be at the mercy, I would still need help, I would still be dependent on him. No. I needed to find a way to defend myself. Just, maybe not now. In the lands of old fairytales.
My body turned and with it, my vision changed and I saw Fanny coming, a flower crown on her hands. I smiled, knowing exactly what I wanted to do. Have answers about her and Wolff. Her suspicious exchange of glances with the royal aide meant something.
I waved to her at the same time I shorten the distance between us. In my excitement, I asked her about Wolff and her relationship with him. She looked around and glued her eyes to the ground. I knew then I wouldn't have success.
"I cannot tell you, my lady! What happened between me and lord Wolff on that day won't leave my mouth. I made a promise. A promise that saved you, my lady." She grasped the flower crown with a tight grip, making some petals fall to the dirty ground. Her cheeks were flushed, yet it was hard to know if it was of embarrassment or frustration.
"Very well. But at least, tell me if your heart is bound to a royal aide?" I asked as she put the crown on my head. Caught by surprise, her blush deepened in colour and she began to stagger in her speech. I grinned and gave a pat on her head, remarking that Jenni was calling. Happy for an escape, she ran as fast as possible.
I had, however, got what I needed.
***
Our travel went on, smooth as possible. Although, Jenni's mood got worse by the day. I became concerned over her, yet she never spoke about it. Every time I brought it up she would shut herself out. With her closed self, my mind started to panic. Did he tell her something? Was it all real? I couldn't ask, because she wouldn't answer and because, to my infuriation, I was scared of the reply.
I glanced at Jenni, from time to time, watching her for any clues for her stricken mood. But no matter how much I sook for a sign it wasn't there and it worried me.
My furtive looks had caught the attention of Emmanuel, who said nothing until the day before our arrival. I had decided to walk in the private garden of the inn we were staying, wishing for some time to think. Sunset was approaching and I was wandering in the middle of flowers when I saw the priest sitting on a bench giving food to some colourful birds. I stopped in my tracks to see him being surrounded by birds, small and noisy. Delighted with the new food source. I had thought he hadn't noticed me, but of course, he did.
"Lady Lucreatia, glad to see you enjoying the last of the sun today." he greeted me, dispersing the food away from him. With the food gone the birds flew away, leaving us alone. I still stayed in my place and Emmanuel in his. He looked one last time to the birds before bringing up his real intentions."Do not take your sister's actions at heart, my lady."
I looked at him. My eyes piercing his. And yet I had no answer about this man. The way he knew about my problems. Was he reading my mind? Was I that easy to interpret?
"Yes, my lady. You are an open book." he laughed as my mouth opened. "I am sure I am not the only one who says it." you are the only one who dared! "Your sister is just unhappy with the choice of living place. Nothing to do with you." some birds began searching again on the bench, hoping to find more food.
Emmanuel, instead, got up, bowed and left. And I stayed, watching him go, surrounded by walls and flowers. I too watched by the Mountnero guards. And some hungry birds.
***
My last night was passed tossing on my bed wondering about many things. The duke, Jenni, Fanny and a pair of purple eyes. All enough to stop me from a restful evening and the cause of my tired complexion. Something Fanny cried about all morning. And now I was as tired during the day as I was at night.
Finally, however, we reached Aerabitina (yay! I learned the name!) by afternoon. Or more, the limits of the city. We never entered, going instead to the mountains that overlooked the place. It had been a long week of travels, tough very short compared to what was usual. Nevertheless, I was ready for a bed and a place to stay. Everyone was, and as such, the ascension through the mountains trails was made in silence.
The greenery was of intense green and cicadas played at our passage. I saw no animals but I knew them to be around. Just not on the main road, that looked well kept. It took us twenty minutes to get a glimpse of the manor we would call home for a while.
Protected by the woods and rocks, we saw the red bricks of an old manor. With black iron fences and gates, tall walls and towers, it resembled more a prison than a duke's secondary house.
And to be honest,
It had to be the prettiest prison I had ever seen.
Sorry for the delay! I will try to compensate by having three chapters this week and next week (or at least will try). The good news is that I will have vacation and will be able to write in advance!! :)
Anyway, I hope you liked the chapter. It was in a between chapter, like the trip of Lulu I felt tired writing it, so I suppose it went well. XD
The next chapters are fun and I am writing as much as possible to avoid these delays.