Eloise arrived an hour later, an agreeable smile on her lips, prepared to help with our baking. After our greetings, and while she tied the apron on her back, she told us about the whereabouts of Lady Di'Mello. It seemed she had been stuck with Gobbie. Poor lady... He most likely was venting his sour mood onto her. Spewing about the many injustices life has brought down to him in the form of two royal princes.
I can only guess what more he could say, but any scenario would provoke gruesome nightmares.
Unfortunately, for lady Di'Mello, there was not much any of us could do, so we concentrated on baking, instead, hoping for the best. Under Fanny's watchful eyes, we were able to produce presentable batches of cookies and choco balls.
Eloise, a natural in any setting, seemed comfortable with the act of baking, taking tips and advice at speed and improving on the spot. Amelia, while excited, was perhaps a tad too excited and almost made me feel sorry for the dough being squeezed under her hands. And Jenni... Well... At last, I found her only weakness. Anything related to baking or cooking.
She was so accident prone that Fanny forbade her from touching anything after we all ended up covered in flour and dough.
And it was while we were trying to dust out some of it from us that Lady Di'Mello appeared, her face stricken and tired. For sure, Gobbie's doing.
"I see you ladies are having fun." she said, a small grin emerging from the strict lines of her face. "Better than me at least..." the smile disappeared, replaced by the longest sigh I had ever heard from her.
"Did father get too overexcited?" offered Jenni, approaching while she patted on her sleeves, creating a cloud of white powder around her.
Lady Di'Mello pounded her cane hard on the ground. "Overexcited?! I wish! More impossible to have a normal conversation with!" she turned to Eloise. "My dear Elli, I see you are in excellent hands." Another long breath left her as she closed her eyes for a moment. "I must go. Unfortunately, I cannot handle him anymore. If I stay any longer, I would have to hear him cry and recite endless tirades over sneaky teenagers and foxy princes... I may just get bedridden if this continues."
Unable to contain myself, I blurted, recalling our time in Aerabitina. "I thought you would find his misery funny..."
Jenni shot me an admonishing glance, which I pretended not to see. However, Lady Di'Mello didn't seem to care as per her genuine laughter. "Indeed, my dear. Though I was not expecting his misery to cause mine." she leaned in, her shining eyes on me. "It must have been the goddess' punishment for my words."
I looked at her. At those sharp, knowing eyes. At her remarkable face, that bore dignity in each movement. Her words were jovial, yet her demeanour had grown serious over them. It was odd.
She retired herself to a straighter position, declaring with a wide grin. "It is time for me to take leave. Girls, I hope you have fun with the prince and if possible, make that fool cry actual tears."
Then she left, waving at us and walking as fast as she could with her cane.
Because it was turning late, and we were not what one would have considered ready to receive a prince. Much less two. Unless either wouldn't mind us being covered in flour (which, despite what Fanny said, I thought of it as a possibility, if only because a fox would have a laugh for the rest of the evening). Maids rushed us to try new dresses and hairstyles, making sure we were proper by the time the princes had arrived.
They showed up as night sank on the horizon, greeting us from afar. Then, me and Jenni as hosts (because Gobbie refused to go along) steered the princes and their aides to our most lavish drawing-room, where the girls waited. Adorned in blue and gold, painted details and charming furniture, the room was warm and inviting. We all sat and tea came. However, there was no movement and there was no word spoken for 20 minutes. The air became cold and strained.
All because of an idiotic drama queen who watched like a hawk for any inkling of a reaction.
We continued to stare at each other. The girls, me included, were on a big fluffy couch on one side, with Fanny peering over from behind us, while the princes were on the other, with their aides close by. Gobbie was at the end of the coffee table, tapping his fingers on his knees with his head resting on his other hand. His eyes shifted rapidly from every side and angle, lingering on the princes.
Some steps behind him were his aides, solemn and vigilant, hands on their back and posture like a stone statue. For sure, trying to send their souls to another world after a whole day full of Gobbie's madness. I concentrated my eyes on the large coffee table, full of cakes and small sandwiches and, of course, my choco balls. The head maid had arranged everything beautifully and with care, yet it remained untouched. Not even tea had been served, though steam was still coming from the two porcelain teapots left by each end of the table.
None of us dared to move, since the owner of the house had yet to do so. In the end, we were stuck in a limbo. I was becoming annoyed when I noticed prince Francis pouring himself a cup of tea. Though not the lord of the house, as the person higher in rank, he could circle the rules without being seemingly rude.
However... that was not by chance. It never was with the foxy prince, and when we exchanged glances, as he leaned back in his seat, I knew he had something on his mind. We all looked at him as he took a sip, and then another before he let the cup sit on the saucer and then on his crossed legs.
With deliberate restraint, he turned to the duke, a gracious smile on his lips, that tricked unprepared fools. "Thank you, your grace, for having us." he said, mellow, harmless.
Gobbie's eyebrows furrowed. His hands stopped any motion. Like the rest, he knew something was up.
Francis took another sip of tea, letting the uneasiness grow. As if he was waiting for the right time to strike. "I am happy you were able to finish your requisition for tomorrow. It mustn't have been an easy feat." said Francis, his face calm, easy.
Gobbie paled, his body trapped in a horrifying realization. His aides had by now their hands hanging by the side. Ready. From afar, I could hear a commotion brewing. Furious steps, several, coming our way.
"Oh." started Francis, a hand covering his mouth. All to add to the performance. "Father didn't tell you, my lord? He has been so busy lately, it must have escaped his mind. A delegation from the South will be coming next week. There was no other way than to bring your audience sooner. There was no other way..." whispered Francis, stricken, as a group of government officials stormed into the drawing-room.
Gobbie had no time to react, being dragged out by a group of sweaty young officials. With, I might add, the help of his own aides.
Francis maintained a sorrowful look during all of this exchange. Right until the door closed, and we were left alone and dumbfounded.
Then his triumphant smirk emerged. "That shall occupy him all night." he said, resuming to drink his tea.
Cedric glanced at the door and then at his friend, raising his eyebrows and lifting his lips. "If I didn't know any better, I would have thought you were a descendent of my god."
Francis put his cup on the table before turning to him. "Don't be like that, Cedric. You know. Everyone knows. He was here to sabotage us."
The Sun prince, proud of his plan, went for something to eat. My choco balls. Reminding myself of my promise to Gobbie, I took the plate away from him, receiving a questioning look back and a series of gasps from the rest. Cedric, however, laughed, before going for one as well. I prevented his wish by moving the plate away just as he was about to touch the choco balls.
"Maybe your highness should try the other cakes. They are of outstanding quality and extremely tasty." I said to the dumbfounded princes. When they didn't move, I added, after a long sigh. "I cannot give you my choco balls or my cookies. I made a promise to my father. No royal prince shall touch them. That was my word."
I let the girls take a piece each, and then directed the plate to Wolff, who looked conflicted, his furry ears down.
"That is not fair." proclaimed Cedric, pouting and burying himself in his seat, his feet touching the table.
I would have chuckled, if not caught by surprise at hearing Fridh's request.
"Can I have one?" he repeated when I said nothing in response.
"Sure. I didn't know you liked sweets, Lord Fridh." I replied, letting him take a piece.
"Occasionally." he asserted before taking a small bite. He chewed it for the barest of moments before he put the choco ball on prince Francis's plate. "Your highness is safe for you to eat."
UNBELIEVABLE
The royal fox grinned like one, and took a huge bite, taking his time to savour it together with his victory. Damn you...
"Oh, Lady Lucreatia. Worry not. Think of the positives. With your promise broken, Lord Wolff will be able to take one of these after Cedric." he tilted his head, enjoying the moment too much.
I thought of kicking him. Instead, I counted to ten on my head, reminding myself it was a capital punishment to beat the Sun royal prince. I ended up with just squinting my eyes at him to show my displeasure.
He didn't care, and I ended up allowing Cedric and Wolff to take two choco balls for themselves. When I put down the plate, I gave a side look to Francis. "The duke won't be happy about this."
Francis finished his choco ball, and while he cleaned his fingers on a napkin, he countered. "Only if you tell him."
"Maybe someone else could spill the information." challenged Cedric with a mischievous grin. "Accidentally, of course." he added, as he gave me a supportive wink.
Francis took another choco ball, eying Cedric as he leaned onto the table. "I am your friend." he said.
"So you are." replied Cedric, licking his lips to clean them of any crumbs left by my choco balls. "But all is fair when it comes to sweets." he finished, hands crossed on his back.
Everyone laughed, even Lord Fridh, though very much contained, as per usual. We passed the rest of our time eating, talking, and drinking tea. The chief topic of our conversation centred around my alchemy advances, to the wonder of Cedric and Wolff. Amelia, to the surprise of some, also turned out to be a fan of my achievements when I started talking about the guns I was using. And the foxy Francis, while pretending he was above it all, showed a mild interest in it (by the way his eyebrows worked through my tales), especially when I conveyed how those guns couldn't break, thanks to Emmanuel. Fridh and Eloise were neutral, one because that was his way of life and the other because she already knew about all of it.
Jenni, however, remained cold, yet attentive to everyone. I tried to look for any signs of warmth between her and Francis, but I saw nothing more than polite acknowledgement. Knowing how the story went, I veered my attention to any traces of interest between Jenni and Cedric, getting nowhere there either. The last was too interested in my stories and the first took only the briefest notice of him.
I was confused... Or maybe I was trying to see things the wrong way.
As my stories progressed, I felt itchy for some fresh air. For a distraction from what I was seeing. Thankfully, I was not the only one wanting a change of pace.
Jenni raised herself, gathering everyone's attention. "I would like to propose a walk to one of our gardens. Even at night, they are of incredible beauty, especially the South garden, near the lake."
Francis stood up and gave her his arm. They linked as he said. "That sounds a wonderful idea, Lady Jennifer."
Right away, everyone got up, ready to go, but Fanny's worried voice came from behind, stopping us all. "Uhmm... my lady..." she called, as we turned to see her. She had her eyes glued to the floor, her body shivering. "You should be careful at night on those parts. We should avoid the woodland at all costs." She said, closing her eyes as she faced us.
"Why?" I asked, approaching.
I was a step away when I noticed Wolff inching closer, too. Out of nowhere, she opened her eyes and blurted out through her teeth. "They say a ghost who eats human flesh lives there."
Huh??
What did you think?!
A ghost? Or something else?
I love how Francis owned Gobbie over there... He isn't the foxy prince for anything XD
It was fun to write their dynamic, even for a short while. They all are different which brings me some fun and complexity.
A long weekend is coming and I hope for fewer distractions and more chapters!!
Thank you all for the support! :)