"Why did he pick you to deal with me?" Flora asked again slowly dropping her eyes from Lady Willa's.
Lady Willa stared at Flora through lower lashes. Flora didn't think she would respond when Lady Willa's voice drifted in. "I don't have to answer your question, nor am I in a position to answer them, thank goodness," Lady Willa said softly with a pause. "But—once I was more than I am now," she said, giving in. "We grew up together, him and I," she finished, finally returning to brushing out Flora's hair. "There is no harm in you knowing that."
"But why do you work with him, what is in it for you torturing me as you have?" Asked Flora again.
"I have not laid a finger on you," Lady Willa said back quickly, setting the brush down on the countertop and picking up a pair of tweezers and coming around to Flora's side.
"You have on my brothers. It is the same thing," Flora said as Lady Willa proceeded to pick at hair between her eyebrows. Flora sneezed, and was glad that Lady Willa pulled her tweezers back at the same moment so she did not lose an eye.
"I did not lay a finger on your brothers," she said working quickly.
Lady Willa said nothing more to Flora as she continued plucking away at her face. Trading tweezers for makeup and spending a thin layer all over. Moving between her face and pinning back some of her hair with extremely small, useless pins.
Flora looked back at the picture on the desk. "Who are the young ladies?" Flora said, changing the subject
"My nieces," replied Lady Willa glancing at the picture, not expanding, though she blinked as a silver sheen that was filling her eyes.
"If that one girl is your niece then perhaps you are not as stuck up as you seem," Flora said, her eyes flickering towards to mirror.
Lady Willa caught her gaze in the glass with a raised eyebrow before getting back to her work. Flora stared at Lady Willa in the mirror waiting for more until she realized that no more would be coming and she turned her attention to other things reflected in the mirror.
The pictures were the only objects in the room that spoke of family among the gold trim but as her eyes wandered she realized what she had missed and her eyes darted back to the table in front of her.
The sharp pin sparkled at her like a moth to a flame. A piece of salvation so close to her fingers. Skinny enough that any of them could pick a lock or two towards her freedom.
Though she could not touch it without drawing a lot of attention, she would have to wait, and she swallowed as she tried to relax her heart so her cheeks would stay pale through the flush of excitement that was inside her.
"Did you really just drag me out of my cell to play dress up?" Flora asked as the silent hours passed, tilting her head so that Lady Willa had to lift her brush off her face. Flora could see Lady Willa's eyes turning redder than they were before, and she was blinking hard and breathing deeply. She turned away for a moment to clear them, and Flora reached with a finger for the pin on the desk before Lady Willa could turn back. Retracting her empty hand as Lady Willa moved again.
"Loneliness does that to people," Flora said with a wave of her other hand. "Go ahead, I will keep playing the doll."
Then, without even a knock at the door, Marcus came into the room and whispered something into Lady Willa's ear. Flora wasn't able to make it out. Flora could not see their faces as they stood turned and close together, but while they whispered Flora reached one hand forward to the desk in front of her without slouching even an inch and pressed her finger onto one of the sharp pins, sliding it across the table until she could grab it and pin it into the long sleeve on her other arm. As Marcus left, Flora felt a shiver of excitement travel up her back.
"Is that man candy a nighttime special or what?" Asked Flora.
Lady Willa's spine went so stiff Flora thought it would snap. "What would you know of Marcus?" Asked Lady Willa.
"He seems like the type. There were some—back home," Flora finished. How much Lord Reynald had told Lady Willa Flora wasn't sure.
"Ah yes, back home," Lady Willa said moving to Flora's side.
Flora stayed quiet, that did not tell her anything. Her eyes roved around the table in front of her. Looking through the mirror that reflected the woman back to her, barely focusing on anything.
"There were lots of whores back home—some of them were friends of mine. Are you Lord Reynalds whore like Marcus is yours then?" Flora asked softly.
She was not ready for the fast moving hand that sprung up and slapped across her cheek. Flora reeled, staring at the women whose eyes were livid and whose jaw had dropped wide. "It's not like there is shame in it is there?" Flora said as her jaw dropped open.
Lady Willa reached back her arm again to slap Flora, but as the hand came to strike her cheek, Flora grabbed the thin wrist and clenched. Lady Willa's face paled, but that was the only sign she gave of Flora's actions. There was a rumbling of another earthquake around them, but Flora's eyes were focused on Lady Willa as everything else in the castle shook.
Until Lady Willa finally spoke. "Get out of my rooms."
"With pleasure," Flora said as she stood on the shaky surface. Releasing Lady Willa's arm, double checking that her pin was not about to fall out. Flora grabbed up her boots. Kicking off her slippers before walking herself to the door and opening it. Much to the surprise of Oswald who jumped back with a fumbling of the hilt of his sword as his one hand pressed against the door to steady himself.
"Oswald, Lady Willa wants you to take me out of here," Flora said pleasantly, with a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Quickly."
Oswald looked past Flora into the room for confirmation from Lady Willa. Flora did not deem to glance back but kept on walking down the hallway, waiting for Oswald to follow.
Paintings
It was not long until Oswald caught up to her while she stumbled putting on her boots. He was recovered from the surprise and filling the guard role like he was required to. When they came to one of the tunnels that branched off, and Flora made to turn right to the prison cells Oswald cleared his throat.
"Actually, um, this way," Oswald said, his eyes shifting between the two branches of hallways.
Flora turned heel and stormed the other direction, now fully lost. "You are rather confident if you are going to take me for a tour of the castle Oswald," said Flora, passing through corridors whose only decor was windows. Their curtains were drawn so that only flames lit the hallway and Flora had no idea as to where she was or where she was going.
"I think we could both use a break from staring at your cell door," he replied, a nervous small smile appearing on his lips.
Flora stayed quiet, as truthfully, she was thankful.
"Right here. It should be empty today, and it is really quite something to see," Oswald said as he opened one of the two large doors they stood in front of lit with the glow of a setting sun. He motioned for Flora to enter first.
The first thing Flora saw was a picture of the current king, taking over the entire wall across the doorway, but when she looked around she saw more statues and more paintings. Big and small, on every wall that was free from a window. The corridor of paintings seemed to stretch on for forever. Older portraits mixed in with fresher ones, high-quality paintings mixed together with amateur works. Some sprawled along the floor, obviously shaken off their hangings by the last earthquake.
"Who are all these people?" Flora asked Oswald, who had remained quiet beside her, watching her as she looked around.
"Some are relatives of the Royal family, some were advisors," replied Oswald. "Anyone of importance going back for as long as the castle has been around."
Flora looked at one picture of a fat dimply man and his equally fat wife who were dressed in white smoke, holding a loaf of bread. "The bakers get their picture on these walls as well?"
Oswald looked over her shoulder to see which painting she referred to. "Oh," Oswald laughed his cheeks turning pink. "No that's actually the King's great uncle, he had a thing for baking."
Flora laughed. "A bit o
f a black sheep in the family then, no wonder his picture is so small."
Oswald laughed with her as they continued down the hallway, and Oswald was able to tell who Flora was in most of the pictures to her surprise, and helped her flip over some that were on the floor. The next picture she stopped in front of was one of a family. A normal family, made of a father, a mother, a son and a daughter. It was it a small corner, shadowed somewhat and easy to miss had she not been taking her time, savouring the hours that she no longer had to spend confined.
The father was holding his daughter's hand, a daughter who could not have been more than three. While the mother was holding a paper toy away and to the side of a boy who must have been about five with extremely close cut hair, who was leaning so heavy towards the toy you could barely see his face. There was so much joy in the painting, and crows-foot wrinkles at the eyes of the mother and father but love in every other inch of their bodies. They must have been a happy family. As well as kind since they had obviously decided to draw up the true form of the boy being as mischievous as young boys are. As well as making him a mystery to anyone who saw this painting later on. The women's eyes even looked like they held the joke while they stared off the painting wall.
Flora wrapped her arms around herself as she looked at the photo of the family while a pit yawned open in her heart. Oswald said nothing as he was farther along the walls, though he did glance back at her, and a question lit in his eyes.
"Everything all right?" Oswald asked.
A small smile crested Flora's lips. "Yes, thank you, Oswald," as she looked at the boy.
Oswald dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Come along then, there is more to see," Oswald called back. "You should see the newest ones he made at the Revel. There is a stroke of green that really stands out as if—"
He cut off. Flora looked up, wondering what had stopped him. Only to see a look of shame on Oswald's face as he bowed to the King.
Greetings
At least Lady Willa's preening had prepared Flora to be presentable in front of the King Adriat of Merridan. The King's presence hit her like a brick wall and she forced herself not to flinch back.
"Who might this be?" King Adriat said with barely an undertone of interest as Flora kept her head bowed, holding her curtsy. From beside her she could hear Oswald's hitching breaths.
Soft fingers wrapped gently around Flora's chin and as the hands raised her head up she was looking straight into King Adriat's stone-like face. He pulled her up slowly, and she could feel the muscles in her calves aching from the slow climb. He was a massive man, but he was more muscle than many of the Nobles she had seen at the revel.
His bold grey eyes were startling, so void of colour. Endless depths under his salt and pepper hair made her feel as if she were drowning in them and she tried to forcibly look down. It was only when she heard a cough behind him that she could, breaking the trance they held and shifted her sight to King Adriat's companions. Lady Dells was there leaning on her cane, and Crown Princess Kalida whose body seemed to shiver under the weight of the jewel-encrusted gown she wore, while her face and hair were plain. Behind both of them, standing with her hood drawn and hands clasped in front of her was one of the red robed priestesses. She was watching Flora, her skin below her hood a mixed mottle of brown and white tones. Her dark hair pulled tightly back from her forehead
"Sh...This...It's Mis..." Oswald stuttered still bowing low. His face was in such shock that it could have been frozen, his lips barely moving. One could nearly hear the frozen gears turning within.
"She is Miss Flora Faodail. Lord Reynald's sweet country cousin, who has come for a short visit, King Adriat," said Lady Dells with a bow of her head as she took over for Flora's poor guard. Oswald stayed bowing and took a step back, now directly hidden behind Flora. "As I understand it, she arrived just before the revel."
"Lord Reynald's cousin?" Princess Kalida asked, stepping up beside her father her cheeks turning red. Her jewels jingled as she moved her way over, Lady Dells politely moving aside to make room for the girl's girth and Flora bowed her head again. The girl did not have the same presence as King Adriat, but the smell of baked bread slammed into her all the same as she approached.
"There are worlds beyond these castle walls Kalida," said King Adriat distantly, turning Princess Kalida's cheeks brighter as her large lips pouted. She held her ground though as she pinched at one of the large rings on her finger. "What does Lady Dells and the priesthood teach you if not that."
"You should have introduced yourself at the revel, Miss Faodail," said Princess Kalida, continuing past her fathers reprimand
"Unfortunately your highness, I believe I saw you dancing with Vander while I was there. A—" Flora paused stumbling over her words. "I, unfortunately, did not feel well soon after and retired for the night."
Princess Kalida squinted her eyes though she nodded letting out a soft "Hmm."
Meanwhile, King Adriats's eyes had never left Flora, but his hand finally drifted away from her chin while he took a step back.
"What brought you here Miss Flora?" King Adriat asked with an odd tilt to his head.
"I am at my cousins motives your Majesty. All I want to do is see what wonders the castle has to offer."
"Why is a guard escorting you?" He asked, flicking his eyes briefly to Oswald. "Does Lord Reynald think my home is so treacherous? Should I be worried?"
Flora's heart was thumping so hard that she crossed her fingers in her skirt and prayed that he would not hear it. "He worries more for my country heart, your Majesty," she lied.
"Hmm...he is a man who trusts none, but you were having so much fun here with the guard before we fell upon you— it is so odd to see two young ones being so friendly, crossing barriers and so," he finished lifting an eyebrow towards his daughter.
"It is very modern," said the priestess from the back.
Flora's tongue twirled in her mouth as she thought up a satisfactory answer. "I'm afraid it's my country roots, we make friends with all sorts," she said.
"Well, I do hope that you do not judge dear Kalida here too harshly, there is a brain under all of the peacock feathers. Though it does not always show itself does it daughter?" Asked King Adriat.
Flora could see Princess Kalida's lips purse but the girl stayed quiet.
"I would be honored to spend more time with your children your majesty. I am sure they could teach much of the castle's ways both past and present," Princess Kalida's eyes shot upwards into Flora, but King Adriat did not seem surprised and she kept her gaze there, her body buzzing.
"Of course, I have already met Prince Fergus, when I had tea with Lady Dells," Flora said. Anticipation crept into her bones as she wondered if she would soon be spending more time with the royal children. It was the chance of a lifetime. Everyone she knew would have fought for it.
"Prince Fergus had not mentioned you," said the priestess again while she could hear the buckles on Oswald's belt shaking with him behind her.
"I thought I would make the introduction. As well, with such connections, I thought it best to get to know her," Lady Dells said quickly over her shoulder to the priestess. "It was a lovely evening chatting of the countryside. Makes me miss it."
King Adriat nodded slowly. "You will be there soon Miranda. But this is good. Though I am surprised Lord Reynald didn't introduce you years ago to my children, you are near the same age, and good company is hard to find these days, especially within their years. But...nor have I even heard of your existence. Perhaps I do not know my men well enough. Is that not right Kalida?" Asked King Adriat.
Princess Kalida's smile did not reach her eyes,"Of course Father."
"What are your thoughts on my kingdom Miss Faodail?" Asked King Adriat, dismissing his daughter. Flora tried to stop her lips from freezing into an o as she pondered that statement. "With the exception of how those near constant earthquakes are destroying my home." His eyes wandered the gallery, looking at the overturned paintings on the floor.
"If that is all you have to say, you have not seen enough," said the priestess.
"She is right. Are you here long?" Asked King Adriat.
"I am, uh, at my cousin's disposal. My time is in his control," Flora said. At least that answer wasn't a lie, she thought.
"I shall have Fergus call on you. Lord Reynald knows he needs more quality fools in his life—my sweet daughter here could as well," King Adriat said with a weak wave of his hand, while the priestess nodded behind him.
"It would be my pleasure," Flora said quickly. "I can tell them of my stories growing up in the wild of the countryside."
"Yes, there are many who don't enjoy the wilderness, and some do too much," said King Adriat as he smirked at his daughter. "But we are dealing with those. Such exterminations take time."
"Hmm," he said, grasping both of his hands behind his back. Flora pursed her lips. No one else in the group seemed to know what to say either. "Guard do escort her safely back to her rooms and take care of her. Miss Faodail," he finished with a slight bow of his head. "Come along now everyone. My Queen is waiting."
Flora curtsied low to King Adriat as he the others passed. Oswald also still bowing, holding long after Flora had stood up. Oswald stayed that way until King Adriat and his group disappeared from sight, before grabbing her by the hand and yanking her quickly back to her cell.
"What's the rush?" Flora said, staring back the way she had come, lost in thoughts of King Adriat, before Oswald grabbed her hand and pulled her away with him.
Lush Comforts
Only five cockroaches had crawled over her foot by the time the door of her cell flew open again to crash against the stone wall. Her eyes had been on her escape route the entire time. She wasn't yet through the wall, and even the hole she had scrapped would never be able to fit her shoulders through unless she popped them out of her socket. It was still too small and shallow.
Flora Page 17