My breath escaped my open lips, but I did not stop. How could I? When the person I searched for so long was now so close.
I had almost forgotten all about the letter I sent!
There were steps behind me, however, I was so enthralled by my search that I did not care who was following me. Only one thought filled my mind... Why the fuck are these corridors so long!
Like with everything in life, everything eventually ends. And I finally reached the door that led to the entrance hall. A round-shaped room, painted in warm colours, almost empty if not for the jewelled tree at its centre. Big as an oak, it was made of silver vines and golden leaves, with sizeable tear-shaped pearls hanging from the branches. In all Rosalinda's manor, there was no piece as beautiful and as extravagant as that. Even counting the Emperor's gifts to Gobbie.
Bellow, one of the biggest branches, watching in wonder, was a small girl. She had long and honey-coloured hair tied in one braid. An unusual choice of hair fashion around nobility, but pretty on her. She had full cheeks and a cute disposition. Eloise seemed, even from afar, a happy and warm child.
Those adjectives, I realized, were the ones used in the book to describe the main character when she was a child. Thankfully, she took most of her persona from her mother, Eloise, instead of her dimwitted father, Joshua.
I walked to her, noting that there was no one around. My steps, loud, echoed in the room, which the acoustic was of prime quality. Eloise heard me and turned to see who had come. Her hazel eyes shone when she spotted me.
When I stepped closer to her, she smiled and bowed. "Nice to meet you, Lady Lucreatia. My name is Eloise of Sargosa." in reflex (and because my lungs hurt too much to speak yet) I bowed as well. "I am happy to make your acquaintance. It is an honour to have you wishing to form a friendship with me."
I wouldn't call it an honour... but it is certainly a fortunate event.
She grabbed my hands in excitement and let out an impressive light grin.
"For a child, you run quite fast." Said the battered voice of Emmanuel from behind.
Well... I had a lot of experience running away from troublemakers...
Both, me and Eloise follow his voice to the door, where Emmanuel was hanging on for dear life. A chuckle left Eloise's lips.
"Oh Lord Emmanuel, maybe grandmother is right... You may need to start exercising."
My head shifted to Eloise in shock. Wait... she knows him...?
"Lady Eloise, I am painfully aware of your grandmother's suggestions. Though she gives them to me with less softness than to you." Emmanuel was now recovering his energy, having by now left the support of the door.
"Grandmother would be shocked to hear that!" exclaimed Eloise, hiding a knowing smile behind her hand.
"I doubt that..." he whispered back as he shortened his distance. Jenni's figure appeared right after. Her cheeks were crimson red from running after me. Behind her, I saw Fanny's head, though she was too far away for me to notice her expression.
I fixed my eyes on Eloise and Emmanuel... How did these two meet? And who is this grandmother? A woman capable of making Emmanuel be so crass over.
Jenni coughed to get our attention, bringing herself closer to Eloise. She bowed and presented herself with a courteous smile. Though the side glances she gave to Emmanuel were quite perceptible, our guest was undeterred by them or by Jenni's powerful aura, reciprocating the greetings with ease. When all was done, Jenni requested Fanny, with a kind smile, to prepare a tea set for Eloise.
"Welcome to our house, lady Eloise. You are the most unexpected, yet welcome guest." said Jenni, linking her arms with the girl and steering her to our drawing-room.
I followed behind with Emmanuel, so I could not hear Eloise's response. Though by the laughs that followed, I would say it was nothing to worry about. Emmanuel seemed happy as well, which rang bells on my head. Suspicious bells. There was something going on, but it was impossible to be discernable at this stage. So I let it go until we reached the room.
The tea began as usual with quiet contemplation, with all of us drinking and savouring the treats (these prepared by me). It went on, and I caught myself studying Emmanuel's expression, which went higher and higher on happiness level. The bells of suspicion were by now thundering in my head. I saw Jenni shifting in her seat next to me, and I knew she had the same notions.
"Lady Lucreatia." interrupted Eloise, having finished half of her cup of tea. "I hope you don't mind me asking you, but how did you find me? And why did you seek my friendship?" the fumes of her hot tea were dancing around her warm face as she put the cup and the saucer on the table.
An awkward silence followed as she and the others in the room waited for my answer. I had forgotten to come up with a plausible excuse for such a strange letter... I couldn't really say that I had known about her future daughter from a novel I read and that I was hoping she would help me with her future imbecile husband (meaning: take him off my back). It would cause a funny reaction, sure, but wouldn't help my cause...
Instead, I smiled, and hoped as a child she would be more prone to believing in badly made up excuses. "I need to enlarge my circle of acquaintances, and I heard of the righteous Sargosa family and their gracious and kind daughter. You must forgive me for my lack of manners when contacting you, my lady. I was into much haste to know you."
Jen arched an eyebrow behind her cup of tea, while Emmanuel was less subtle and just turned to the side to chuckle. The nerve of the idiot! At least he could try harder to hide it!!
He choked on his tea when he caught my eyes. Still, that damned chuckle continued to grace his features. Eloise, thankfully, didn't seem to have caught this exchange of accusing glances from my side and just smiled, happy with the choco balls I prepared.
I took advantage then, to poke around.
"I actually have to be thankful to Lord Joshua." at that comment, it was Jenni's turn to have a hard time with her tea. Though she disguised much better than Emmanuel ever did. "He was the one who suggested you as a good friend." I said, taking a sip of tea right after, to clean the unpleasant taste left in my mouth from saying that dimwit name out loud.
Eloise, who had a small bite of choco ball, gasped, covering her mouth with her hands, trying to conceal the unladylike movement. "The future lord of the north said such a thing about my person? What a wonder... I never met your ladyship's candidate before..."
Hives filled my body at the mention of such an arrangement. I tried to stop them by concentrating on the cup, turning it several times to calm my shaky hands. It seemed then; they hadn't met before... which was not weird since they lived in almost opposite lands... Then the question was how they met? I picked one choco ball, and I had the displeasure of seeing Emmanuel's quivering smile. Annoyed, I kicked him under the table, making him squirm. Both girls arched their brows at us, questioning.
I showed a glowing grin to cover my deeds, though Emmanuel's accusing eyes were hard to miss. "Oh, yes..." I started, bringing everyone's attention to the topic. "Though Lord Joshua and I are officially that..." I was unable to say "candidates" or "arrangement" for fear that my stomach would revolt. "What matters, really, is love and not what others may say." I left my teacup unattended on the table and picked up Eloise's hands, confusing the girl.
"Of course." She whispered back.
Maybe I was too much...
Emmanuel elected himself to be helpful for once and interrupted us with a low mutter. "For other topics..." he intertwined his hands on top of his crossed legs. "Lady Eloise, I was actually expecting your grandmother, Lady Bianca, instead. Has she received the duke's letter? "
I straightened myself at the mention of the duke and his letter. My eyes watched Emmanuel with intensity, trying to figure out what was all this about. I hadn't been aware of any communication between the Duke and Lady Saragosa. A side glance to my side told me that neither Jenni was aware of it.
"Yes. She received his letter and yours too, my lord. Unfortunately, grandmother has some business to attend outside the city, but she is expected to return in two weeks' time. If all goes well, I suppose." Eloise poured some more tea. The way her hands moved showed a delicacy even Jenni did not possess. Uhm...
I tried to return the many smiles Eloise gave me while she offered to pour more tea for me as well, yet I just wanted to kick Emmanuel even more. The son of... was preparing something. Planning, like all the adults in this world. Problem was that it never went well for me. Emmanuel didn't say a word, choosing instead to occupy himself with some of the choco balls. I hope it tastes bad and that you get stuck in the bathroom for hours to no end. It didn't, and he gave me a grin of satisfaction. Rhhhh...
"She told me, however," continued Eloise, having now tasted another choco ball. "to relay her message to you, my lord." she prepared her voice as if the message carried a royal weight. "I accept the request of the Great Duke Mountnero and it would be an honour to be the tutor of his beloved daughters. As soon as I am back in Aerabitina, I shall start the lessons."
Those damned BITCHES!
I raised from my seat, growling at Emmanuel, who buried himself on the divan he was sitting next to Eloise. The girl became so shocked at my reaction that her eyes enlarged and she almost unbalanced the saucer enough to make it fall. For my action, I got a "My lady!" from Fanny, who had been quiet, observing us from the corner. Jenni took my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. Her hands felt cold and hard, and I noticed she, too, gave Emmanuel accusatory looks.
I had gotten an ally! YAY!
"It was your father's idea!" defended Emmanuel, his voice up.
"It may be..." Jenni's voice was so chilly it made us all frozen in the spot. "But I remember lady Eloise talking about a letter you sent as well. So you must have followed through with father's wishes."
"As it is my duty, my lady." he recovered to his calmer state, putting his hands back on his lap. "This is for your education." My ass, that is what it is!
They stared at each other for a long moment, leaving the room in awkward silence.
"My grandmother." said Eloise, clearing her throat while she played with her fingers. "Is a renowned tutor. She has taught several children of the highest social circles. Now she is enjoying a sort of retirement, however, because of the circumstances and the duke's request she has decided to help on your education, my ladies." Her hands grew more agitated. "While she is known for being strict, she is also fair and wouldn't hurt her students. Never! Please believe my words, honourable ladies. They are the truth."
I felt bad for Eloise. Me and Jenni had the right to be angry, but it looked as if we had something against her grandmother. Which was not the case. And it made me sad because Eloise seemed as nice as I had expected from the book.
"Lady Eloise, please forgive me for my reaction." I sat again, my voice back to even tones. "I just got surprised about it." at this I gave an ugly stare to Emmanuel who pretended to see something interesting in the pastel-coloured wall. Maybe his shame...
"Ah don't worry, my lady." the warmness returned to her face. "I am sure grandmother expected such reaction. Probably the reason she asked me to deliver the message when you both were listening."
There was a low rumble coming from Emmanuel, while me and Jenni looked at her with bewildered eyes. That is new...
"That is nice of her, to think of us..." I hoped. "Still, I must confess something to you, my lady... I am not really into etiquette classes.. more into physical pursuits, really." I felt my throat dry and went for my tea.
There were some gasps from behind me, showing Fanny's displeasure. However, Eloise's response was not what I had expected. Excitement. She reached closer to the table, her hands on the varnished wood, free. "Really?" Her eyes shone at the prospect and when I nodded, they practically became beacons. "It is not common for a lady to have an interest in such... In my family, the girls study archery. An ancient tradition, which I love. And grandmother too."
It had been my turn to become excited. My body repeated the same movements as Eloise's. From my side, I heard Jenni gulping loudly, though, from the corner of my eye, I saw Emmanuel's chuckle. "Really?" I asked.
"Would you be interested in learning? My grandmother wouldn't mind at all and I can do it after your classes!"
"Yes!!" I replied, clasping my hands with hers.
Jenni, concerned, tried to stir the conversation away from the topic. She was unsuccessful, however, since Emmanuel raised himself from his seat and interrupted her. He was even more excited than me and Eloise (together!). "Then I will order the equipment!" he said, rushing to the door. His movements were like a chaotic dance.
Jenni and I looked at him like he had gained a pair of new legs and seven heads. Poor Fanny, though, got muted by the shock. I thought he had gotten crazy until I realized he had accomplished something from his plan.
I just didn't know what... yet.
Here is another chapter!! Hope you like this one! What did you think of Eloise? Her grandmother seems a special person, what do you think? And can you guess how Lady Sargosa and Emmanuel met?
Anyway, I will try to give one more chapter between today or tomorrow (maybe only tomorrow). Act 3 chapters are long so it takes time to write them and edit them so sorry for the wait. Anyway, after chapter 7 we return to the normal schedule. Friday and Sundays.